A steady rise in COVID-19 cases in the city has become a major cause of concern for the district administration ahead of the annual Giri Pradakshina, where thousands of devotees will walk in close proximity for over 30 km around the Simhachalam hill before going up to the temple to offer prayers.
The massive congregation at the Simhachalam foothills on July 12 and 13 is expected to be bigger than usual as the festival was cancelled the last two years owing to COVID-19. Officials estimate an attendance of at least five lakh.
“Around five lakh devotees had participated in the last edition of the festival. We are asking devotees to strictly abide by COVID-19 norms to prevent the spread of the virus,” Simhachalam Devasthanam Executive Officer M.V. Suryakala said on Thursday.
