Nearly 6 lakh devotees complete 32 km Giri Pradakshina
Nearly six lakh devotees participated in the annual 32-km Giri Pradakshina pilgrimage at Simhachalam, doubling the previous year's attendance. The event caused significant congestion across the city as pilgrims trekked through the night to offer prayers.
Why it matters
The massive turnout reflects the cultural and religious significance of the event and highlights the logistical challenges of managing large-scale public gatherings.
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.
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