Confusion over Giri Pradakshina at Simhachalam

Visakhapatnam: There is confusion among devotees over annual ‘Giri Pradakshina’ (32-km long walk around Simhachalam temple) on ‘Ashadha Pournima,’ which falls in July every year, but this year due to lunar eclipse on July 27, the temple authorities appealed to the devotees to start pradakhana on July 26 evening instead of July 27 evening and conclude on July 27 afternoon.

‘Giri Pradakshana’, a 32-km long walk around Lord Varaha Lakshminrusimha Swamy temple located at Simhachalam, is an annual festival of north coastal Andhra and parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. Over three lakh devotees will participate in the walk and after having darshan of Lord Simhadri Appanna the ritual would complete.

The devotees will present at the foothills of the temple and after breaking coconut, they will start the walk. Devotees believe that the walk is equivalent to walking around the world (Prapancha pradikshina and also kailasa pradakshna).

‘Giri Pradakshina’ will start at the foothills of Simhachalam via Adavivaram, Central Jail, Arilova, Hanumanthavaka, Jodugullapalem Beach, MVP Double Road, HB Colony, Seethammadhara, Madhavadhara, NAD Junction, Gopalapatnam, Prahladapuram, foothills of Simhachalam and concludes at the uphills of the temple. The total distance of walking is 32 km, including 1,200 steps, from foothills.

However, as the world’s longest lunar eclipse falling this month on full moon day, the devotees are in a dilemma when to start and when to conclude ‘Giri Pradakshina’ this year. Every year over three lakh devotees are participating in the walk, including children and women, in large numbers.

“One should not bother about lunar eclipse. The devotees can observe the ritual as usual. The happenings in the universe are different and not to be affected by the human beings. The devotees can start their walk on July 27 morning or July 26 after midnight,” Narayana Sarma one of the eminent astrologists in Visakhapatnam told The Hans India.

Meanwhile, devasthanam authorities said that the doors will be closed at 1 pm on July 27 and will be opened in the morning next day on July 28 after performing ‘Samprokshana’ due to lunar eclipse.

“Darshan of Lord Simhadri Appanna will be stopped from 1 pm on July 27. We are already urging the devotees to conclude their ‘Giri Pradakshina’ ritual before the event. Every year over three lakh devotees are coming for darshan of the Lord after the 32-km long walk”, said executive officer Sri Varahalakshmi Nrusimha Swamy Devasthanam K Ramachandra Mohan.