Goof-up at Simhachalam temple

Visakhapatnam: Unable to notice a woman devotee at the sanctum sanctorum of Srivarahalakshmi Nrusimha Swamy temple at the time Maha Nivedana to Lord Simhadri Appanna, the temple priests performed rituals as usual. However, after noticing their mistake, the priests sent her out and again they offered Maha Nivedana to the Lord.

According to the Hindu customs no one will be allowed, except the deputed priests at the time of Maha Nivedana. However, a woman devotee, along with the other devotees entered the    sanctum sanctorum just before giving a halt for darshan for Maha Nivedana. She stood at a corner in sanctum sanctorum, but priests failed to observe her and performed Maha Nivedana ritual. However, after noticing the same, the temple priests performed special rituals (Prakshalana) and again offered Maha Nivedana.

When contacted, executive officer of Srivarahalakshmi Nrusimha Swamy Devasthanam K Rama Chandra Mohan confirmed the incident and said that a probe was conducted in this regard. Devotees will be allowed into the sanctum sanctorum to perform  ‘Ashtottara Puja’. Action would be initiated against the persons, who failed to perform duty as per the customs, Rama Chandra Mohan said.