Thousands of devotees began the annual Giri Pradakshina of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy of Simhachalam in the early hours of Tuesday (July 28, 2026), setting off on the 32-km circumambulation despite intermittent drizzle.
The pilgrimage began at the Tholi Pavancha, at the foot of the Simhachalam hill, where devotees offered prayers and broke coconuts before starting the trek. The pleasant weather, with light rain, added to the festive spirit, and many pilgrims described it as ideal for the long walk.
Devotees break coconuts at the Tholi Pavancha, at the foot of the Simhachalam hill, before setting out on the 32-km Giri Pradakshina in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. About 11,000 had started the walk by 10 a.m.
Video: @krdeepu18pic.twitter.com/upnfRkzEYQ
— The Hindu – Andhra Pradesh (@THAndhra) July 28, 2026
Devotees of all age groups, including the elderly, women, children and the young, took part. A large number of college students were seen in raincoats, continuing the trek in high spirits. Several coconut-breaking counters and queue lines were arranged at the starting point for the smooth movement of pilgrims.
Simhachalam Devasthanam Executive Officer J. Venkat Rao was present at the Tholi Pavancha, monitoring the arrangements and the movement of devotees. A Command and Control Centre was set up near the starting point, where officials monitored the crowd through surveillance systems and coordinated the flow of pilgrims.
According to officials at the Command and Control Centre, around 28,000 devotees had begun the trek by noon.
Special arrangements were made for devotees unable to undertake the entire 32-km trek. They performed a circumambulation of the temple atop the hill, a practice traditionally believed to carry spiritual significance equal to completing the full Giri Pradakshina.
By around 10 a.m., a steady stream of pilgrims had reached Hanumanthawaka Junction, covering nearly 11 km of the route. The route runs from the Tholi Pavancha through Hanumanthawaka, past Kailasagiri and along MVP Colony and Seethammadhara, before returning to the temple. Many participants said they had been taking part in the pilgrimage for years.
“This is my fourth consecutive Giri Pradakshina. The first year was quite challenging, but it has gradually become easier. I started around 7 a.m. and hope to complete the trek by 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.,” said J. Aruna, a resident of Gajuwaka, during a brief halt at Hanumanthawaka Junction.
Officials expect the number of devotees to rise sharply later in the day, after the ceremonial chariot of the presiding deity leaves the temple; a large section of pilgrims traditionally begins the circumambulation after seeking the deity’s blessings during the procession. Many walk through the night, and volunteers’ stalls along the route offer water, buttermilk, tea and snacks, with oil-massage stalls, including the decade-old service near the Sivalayam at NAD Junction, easing blistered feet.
Over the years, the Giri Pradakshina has grown into one of the most significant annual religious events in the region, with lakhs of devotees undertaking the circumambulation. Many believe that completing the trek with faith fulfils their wishes and brings peace and prosperity.
Published – July 28, 2026 12:46 pm IST
