The Simhachalam Devasthanam authorities, managing the Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Visakhapatnam, have imposed certain norms due to the rising numbers in COVID-19 cases. The AP Endowments Department officials have recently issued guidelines that are to be followed at all temples. As per the AP Endowments Department guidelines, Simhachalam Temple authorities have been requested to work towards reducing the daily number of devotees. Accordingly, devotees will not be allowed near the main sanctum, and the number of Arjitha Seva tickets will be reduced. Additionally, the temple authorities are also planning to reduce the daily count of the devotees who visit the temple to do voluntary work (sevas) and not just have a darshan.
Additional features such as the distribution of free prashadam (annaprashadam), bath at Gangadhara, blessing the devotes with shatari (a crown-like object), and offering of theertham (the holy water) have also been stopped. The COVID-19 protocols will be followed in accordance with the guidelines of the Endowments Department and State Government in Simhachalam Temple. The authorities have made necessary arrangements to facilitate social distancing. Wearing masks inside the temple is mandatory and Devasthanam buses will operate as usual. During the earlier COVID 19 outbreak, Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Visakhapatnam was shut down to the public in March,2020. But the daily rituals, sevas, and pujas to the deity of the Simhachalam Temple were conducted as usual by the priests.
The presiding deity here is Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu, combining the iconographic features of Varaha and Narasimha. The idol is covered with sandal paste throughout the year. It is only during the Chandana Visarjana, the idol is seen by the pilgrims. The Simhachalam Temple is one of the thirty-two Narasimha temples in Andhra Pradesh, that are considered important pilgrimage centres.
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