Over 2.5 lakh people kick-started Giri Pradakshana by 3 pm. Expected rush will be over 4 lakh

Visakhapatnam: Lakhs of devotees including women and children have kick-started their 32-km long Giri Pradakshana, a walk around the Simhachalam hills, on the occasion of the Giri Pournima in the city on Thursday. As Lord Srivarahalakshmi Nrusimha Swami temple will be closed by 12.30 pm on Friday, due to the lunar eclipse, the devotees started the walk early and continuing.

Right from the morning hours, thousands of devotees from various villages and places in the north coastal districts are coming to the Simhachalam downhills and after breaking a coconut at starting their walk.

The two main ends to the Simhachalam temple (Adivivaram and Gopalapatnam with the massive crowds, the police department closed the vehicular traffic at Vepagunta, Gopalapatnam, and Adavivaram Junctions. With the sea of devotees participating in the trekking, the vehicular traffic even on the BRTS four-lane roads facing big troubles.

Meanwhile, Lord Simhadri Appanna Chariot was flagged off by Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao along with other VIPs. The walk will start at the downhills of the temple via Adavivaram, Central Prison, Arilova Junction, Hanumanthawaka Junction, Jodugullapalem, MVP Colony, HB Colony, Seethammadhara, Port Stadium backside, Madhavadhara, NSTL Road, NAD Junction, Gopalapatnam, Prahladapuram, Old Gosala and Downhills of the temple. Later, the devotees will trek 1,200 steps route and will have Lord Simhadri Appanna darsan.