Crowd safety in focus ahead of ‘Chandanotsavam’ at Simhachalam temple

Elaborate arrangements have been made for the annual ‘Chandanotsavam’ festival of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Simhachalam, which is scheduled for Monday (April 20, 2026). Authorities are gearing up to ensure a smooth and safe experience for devotees.

Over the past few months, the district administration, Endowments Department, Simhachalam Devasthanam, and city police have carried out a series of inspections, mock drills, and review meetings to streamline arrangements. Preparations were closely monitored by in-charge Minister Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, Home Minister V Anitha, Collector M. Abhishikt Kishore, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Ketan Garg, and Commissioner of Police Shanka Brata Bagchi who held multiple review meetings to assess preparedness.