Visitors to the Simhachalam Temple must follow certain rules, says the authority

Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu who combines the iconographic qualities of Varaha and Narasimha, is the presiding deity here. Throughout the year, the idol is smeared in sandal paste.

The idol is only visible to pilgrims during the Chandana Visarjana. The Simhachalam Temple is one of Andhra Pradesh's thirty-two Narasimha temples that are prominent pilgrimage sites.

Due to the increased number of COVID-19 instances, the Simhachalam Devasthanam authorities, who manage the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Visakhapatnam, have enforced certain rules. Officials from the AP Endowments Department have released guidelines that must be observed by all temples. Simhachalam Temple officials have been asked to strive toward lowering the daily number of worshipers following AP Endowments Department rules.

Devotees would not be permitted near the main sanctum, and the quantity of Arjitha Seva tickets will be reduced as a result. Additionally, the temple administrators intend to restrict the daily number of devotees who come to the temple to do sevas (volunteer work) rather than just have a darshan.

The distribution of free prashadam (annaprashadam), bathing at Gangadhara, blessing devotees with shatari (a crown-like object), and offering of theertham (holy water) have all been discontinued. In Simhachalam Temple, the COVID-19 protocols shall be followed following the Endowments Department and State Government requirements.

To ease social distance, the authorities have established the required arrangements. Masks must be worn within the temple, and Devasthanam buses will run as usual. Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Visakhapatnam was closed to the public during the previous COVID 19 outbreak in March of 2020. The priests, on the other hand, continued to perform the daily rituals, sevas, and pujas to the god of the Simhachalam Temple as usual.

By Yashaswini