PNS|Visakhapatnam
The ancient Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple atop Simhachalam hill is bracing for a massive devotee influx as it prepares to celebrate the annual Chandanotsavam on Tuesday ( April 30). The highlight of the festival is the rare ‘Nijaroopa Darshanam’ of Lord Narasimha, when the sandalwood paste traditionally covering the idol is ceremoniously removed, revealing the deity’s original form.
The sacred rituals will begin in the early hours with ‘Suprabhatam’ at 1 a.m., followed by a series of Vedic ceremonies. As per custom, the temple’s hereditary trustee, Shri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, and his family will be the first to offer prayers at 3 a.m.
The State Endowments Department will present silk robes to the deity on behalf of the government, while the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will also make a similar offering. VVIPs and dignitaries will be allowed darshan during designated slots.
General darshan will begin at 4 a.m., with exclusive timings for protocol VIPs from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. and again from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. The ‘Nijaroopa Darshanam’ will conclude with abhishekam and Vedic rituals by 11 p.m. Notably, there will be no ‘ashirvachanams’ or inner sanctum darshan on this day.
