COVID 19 casts shadow over Chandanotsavam; Simhachalam temple restricts festivities
Pandemic has cast its shadows over the annual Chandanotsavam of Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Swamy, Simhachalam.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 13 May 2021 3:11 AM GMT
Visakhapatnam: Pandemic has cast its shadows over the annual Chandanotsavam of Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Swamy, Simhachalam. Temple officials said Chandanotsavam of Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Swamy, Simhachalam will be performed without devotees on May 14.
It is going to be low key affair due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Devotees or VIPS will not be allowed to witness the festival. As per the tradition of the temple, the hereditary trustee and Chairman Sanchaita Gajapatiraju will have the first Dharsan of Swamy (in Nijarupam) and later the minister for endowments will offer silk robes on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh government. Only a few staff members will be allowed with special passes.
Even members of the trust board and special invitees cannot be allowed on the day of Chandanotsavam. The officials said there will be no entry for media representatives. The decision has been in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Temple authorities, however, would provide a live feed from Kalyana Mandapam.
In normal times, over half a million devotees from north coastal Andhra and parts of south Odisha would throng the temple for the festival.
