Over two lakh devotees had set out on the annual Giri Pradakshina of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy of Simhachalam by 5 p.m. on Tuesday (July 28, 2026). Of them, 1.35 lakh began the walk in a single hour after the ceremonial chariot of the presiding deity left the temple.
The 32-km circumambulation began at the Tholi Pavancha in the early hours, in intermittent drizzle. Around 11,000 devotees had begun the trek by 10 a.m. and 28,000 by noon, according to officials at the Command and Control Centre. The count rose to 2.10 lakh by 5 p.m.
Over 2.10 lakh devotees walked the 32-km Giri Pradakshina route in Visakhapatnam by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, some under umbrellas and some in the drizzle. Numbers swelled after the temple chariot began its procession.
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Devotees of all age groups, including the elderly, women, children and the young, took part. A large number of college students were seen in raincoats, continuing the trek in high spirits. Several coconut-breaking counters and queue lines were arranged at the starting point for the smooth movement of pilgrims.
Simhachalam Devasthanam Executive Officer J. Venkat Rao was present at the Tholi Pavancha, monitoring the arrangements and the movement of devotees. A Command and Control Centre was set up near the starting point, where officials monitored the crowd through surveillance systems and coordinated the flow of pilgrims.
Special arrangements were made for devotees unable to undertake the entire 32-km trek. They performed a circumambulation of the temple atop the hill, a practice traditionally believed to carry spiritual significance equal to completing the full Giri Pradakshina.
By around 10 a.m., a steady stream of pilgrims had reached Hanumanthawaka Junction, covering nearly 11 km of the route. The route runs from the Tholi Pavancha through Hanumanthawaka, past Kailasagiri and along MVP Colony and Seethammadhara, before returning to the temple. Many participants said they had been taking part in the pilgrimage for years.
Devotees crowd around volunteers distributing prasadam and food along the Giri Pradakshina route at Simhachalam.
| Photo Credit:
K.R. Deepak
“This is my fourth consecutive Giri Pradakshina. The first year was quite challenging, but it has gradually become easier. I started around 7 a.m. and hope to complete the trek by 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.,” said J. Aruna, a resident of Gajuwaka, during a brief halt at Hanumanthawaka Junction.
Officials expect the number of devotees to rise sharply later in the day, after the ceremonial chariot of the presiding deity leaves the temple; a large section of pilgrims traditionally begins the circumambulation after seeking the deity’s blessings during the procession. Many walk through the night, and volunteers’ stalls along the route offer water, buttermilk, tea and snacks, with oil-massage stalls, including the decade-old service near the Sivalayam at NAD Junction, easing blistered feet.
Youngsters hang on to the rear of a packed APSRTC bus bound for Simhachalam during the Giri Pradakshina rush in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
K.R. Deepak
Over the years, the Giri Pradakshina has grown into one of the most significant annual religious events in the region, with lakhs of devotees undertaking the circumambulation. Many believe that completing the trek with faith fulfils their wishes and brings peace and prosperity.
A devotee dressed as Lord Narasimha walks the 32-km Giri Pradakshina route at Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit:
K.R. Deepak
Published – July 28, 2026 12:46 pm IST
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