A tragic wall collapse at the Simhachalam temple in Visakhapatnam during the annual Chandanotsavam festival has claimed the lives of at least 11 people, including three women, and left several others injured.
The incident occurred during the early hours of the festival, when thousands of devotees had gathered to witness the rare Nijaroopa darshan of deity Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.
Visakhapatnam District Collector Harendhira Prasad and Commissioner of Police Shankha Brata Bagchi rushed to the site to oversee rescue and relief operations. The bodies and injured were immediately shifted to King George Hospital.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced an ex gratia of ₹25 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹3 lakh for each injured person. He has also constituted a three-member official committee to investigate the cause of the wall collapse.
The Chandanotsavam festival, a highly anticipated spiritual event, involves the ceremonial removal of sandalwood paste from the temple deity, revealing the idol’s true form to devotees. The ritual began with a Suprabhata Seva at 1:00 am, followed by the removal of the paste using specially crafted silver scrapers.
Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the deceased and ensure medical attention for the injured, while the probe committee begins its investigation into safety lapses and accountability.
