Devotees witness Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy ritual

Lakhs of devotees from North Coastal Andhra, neighbouring Orissa and other parts witnessed the 'Nijarupa Darshanam' ritual of Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy atop Simhachalam on the occasion of the annual Chandanotsavam today.
As per the temple's age-old tradition, its hereditary trustee Pusapati Ananda Gajapathi Raju and members of his Vizianagaram royal family had the first 'darshan' early in the morning after priests ceremoniously removed the sandalwood paste wrap of the idol.
After darshan by royal family members, officials allowed people's representatives and devotees to have the 'darshan' of God Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy until night.
Earlier, temple priests performed 'abhishekham' after ceremonious removal the sandal paste wrap of the idol.

After public view, the deity would be wrapped in sandalwood paste in four layers.
The annual festival began with hereditary trustee Pusapati Anand Gajapati Raju offering silk robes to the deity early in the morning.
Endowments Minister P Manikyala Rao and HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao too offered silk robes to the presiding diety and had a 'darshan' in the morning.