A devastating incident marred the sacred Chandanotsavam celebrations at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, as a wall collapse claimed eight lives and left over ten devotees injured. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, following heavy rains that began around midnight.
Thousands of devotees had gathered at the temple to witness the NijaroopaDarshanam (true form) of the deity — a rare and auspicious occasion. At the ₹300 ticket queue line, a newly built wall suddenly collapsed, crushing several people underneath. Preliminary reports suggest the wall was hastily and poorly constructed as part of the event’s temporary arrangements. Authorities suspect that substandard construction led to the collapse under the impact of the rains.
Rescue teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), quickly reached the scene, removed debris, and recovered the bodies. Several injured devotees were rushed to nearby hospitals, with some reportedly in critical condition. Officials have expressed concern that the death toll could rise.
In response to the tragedy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held an emergency review meeting with top officials from his Undavalli residence. He ordered the formation of a high-level three-member committee to investigate the cause of the collapse. The committee includes the Chief Secretary of the Municipal Administration Department, the Chief of the Vigilance and Enforcement Wing, and the Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Department. The committee has been directed to submit a preliminary report within 72 hours. The Chief Minister assured that the government prioritizes devotee safety and promised strict measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the incident. Calling the loss of innocent devotees during a sacred occasion extremely painful, he extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Jagan urged the government to provide immediate and quality medical care to the injured and financial assistance to the victims’ families. He also emphasized the need for enhanced safety measures at religious gatherings.
Jagan is scheduled to visit Visakhapatnam to console the families of the deceased and meet those undergoing treatment in the hospital. His visit aims to offer moral support and assess the situation firsthand.
Meanwhile, growing outrage among the public and devotees has been fueled by remarks made by Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, who attributed the incident to a natural calamity. Devotees and victims’ families have strongly criticized this statement, arguing that the negligence and poor construction practices — not nature — were responsible. They demanded accountability from temple authorities and better oversight of infrastructure related to major religious events.
This incident follows a series of unfortunate events at temples in recent months, including a stampede at Tirumala during Vaikuntha Ekadashi and other safety concerns, raising alarm over the management of large-scale religious gatherings. Devotees are now demanding stringent safety protocols and responsible planning to ensure such tragedies do not recur.
