Simhachalam temple also to shut down

Amaravati, March 19 After the Tirumala Tirupati temple, Simchalam temple of Andhra Pradesh also announced on Thursday that it is shutting down for devotees in view of Covid-19 scare.

With the state government advising major places of worship to ensure that there are no congregations, the Sri Varha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam district announced that pilgrims will not be allowed for 'darshan' from March 20 until further orders.

The decision was taken at the emergency meeting of Trust Board under the chairmanship of Sanchaita Gajapati Raju. 'This was to ensure safety of the pilgrims and the community at large,' the board said in a statement.

It said the decision was taken as per the guidelines and instructions by the Union Health Ministry and the state government.

However, the daily kainkaryas, daily rituals and regulars sevas will continue, the board said, that all necessary precautions and health guidelines are being put in place for archakas and temples employees.

ms/vd

( With inputs from IANS )