Exhausted devotees rest along the roadside after completing the 32-km Giri Pradakshina around Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: V RAJU
The annual ‘Giri Pradakshina’ of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Simhachalam witnessed an unprecedented turnout this year, with nearly six lakh devotees participating in the sacred 32-km circumambulation, almost doubling last year’s footfall.The pilgrimage, which commenced from Tholi Pavancha on Tuesday evening, gathered momentum steadily as thousands of devotees continued to arrive well past 7 p.m. to begin the trek. Roads across the city transformed into a sea of pilgrims, with devotees from all age groups, including children, women, elderly persons and youth participating in the annual ritual with unwavering devotion.As the night progressed, the influx of pilgrims continued unabated. By early Wednesday morning, areas such as Gopalapatnam, Simhachalam and the newly opened Lakshmi Narasimha Marg witnessed an enormous rush. Devotees moved at a snail’s pace along several stretches due to the sheer volume of participants.Despite exhaustion after walking through the night, pilgrims remained determined to complete the circumambulation. Many were seen resting briefly on roadside pavements before resuming their journey, while others continued the trek despite fatigue. After completing the ritual, several devotees proceeded to the Simhachalam temple for darshan of the presiding deity, while many returned to Tholi Pavancha to offer prayers before heading home.According to officials at the Command and Control Centre, a total of 5,84,149 devotees had participated in the Giri Pradakshina by 5 a.m. on Wednesday.The return journey also witnessed heavy congestion at major bus stops and transport hubs. APSRTC buses were packed with devotees returning to their destinations, while many opted for autorickshaws to avoid standing in overcrowded buses after the long trek. Published - July 29, 2026 09:03 pm IST
