The Simhachalam Devastanam authorities have made all the necessary arrangements for the annual Chandanotsavam festival on 3 May 2022 (today). This is the only day in the year when devotes can have the Nijarupa Darshanam of Lord Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.

The annual Chandanotsavam festival draws lakhs of devotees from AP, Odisha, Jharkhand, and other neighbouring regions. Devotees are being allowed darshan on this annual festival after a gap of two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the sources, devotees arrived at the temple late on Monday night. It's only during the annual Chandanotsavam that the original form of the deity can be seen as the idol would be covered with sandalwood paste for the remaining part of the year. 

Over 2,500 police personnel have been deployed to ensure the security of pilgrims during the festival, and parking lots have been provided to prevent traffic jams. Special buses will be being operated to the hilltop to avoid traffic jams. 

The temple's trustee Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju and his family members would be the first to have a darshan of the deity. Temple Trust Board Members, Endowments Commissioner, Principal Secretary (Endowments) and other officials would have darshan between 3.30 a.m. and 4 a.m.

District Collector A. Mallikharjuna visited the temple and inspected the arrangements for the festival. Special arrangements have been made for physically challenged persons, and special buses have been arranged for all devotees from the foothill to the hilltop. 

Giri Pradakshana is also an auspicious ritual performed by many devotees who visit this place over a 32 km long route. Devotees would walk on the roads all around the Simhachalam Hill, starting from the foothill at Simhachalam via Mudasarlova BRTS Road, Hanumanthawaka, Visalakshi Nagar, Jodugullapalem, MVP Colony Double Road, Venkojipalem, HB Colony, Seethamadhara, Balayya Sastry Layout, Port Stadium backside, DLB Quarters, Madhavadhara, Murali Nagar, NAD Junction, Gopalapatnam, Prahladapuram, Srinivasa Nagar and Gosala to return to the foothills.