Following rituals that began at midnight on Sunday, the Devasthanam made elaborate arrangements for the 'Nija Rupa' darshan, which takes place on 'Vaishakha Shuddha Thadiya'.

On the auspicious 'Akshaya Trithiya, the presiding deity of Simhachalam will be witnessed in its original form without the shield of sandalwood paste.

As part of the festival celebrations, temple hereditary trustee and Governor of Goa, P Ashok Gajapathi Raju along with his family members availed the first Nija Rupa darshan, a ritual followed for decades at the Devasthanam.

On behalf of the State government, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha offered 'pattu vastralu' (silken clothes) to Lord Narasimha.

This was followed by allowing Nija Rupa darshan for common devotees.

District Collector Abhishikth Kishore, City Police Commissioner Shakhabrata Bagchi, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and Endowments Commissioner K Ramachandra Mohan oversaw the organisation of the 'Chandanotsavam'.

Starting in the early hours of Monday, people continued to witness Nija Rupa darshan until night.

By 6 pm, 90,000 devotees had availed the darshan at the hills. Although there was low footfall in the initial few hours, the queue lines picked up after a while.

Barring a few devotees, who felt suffocated at the venue, the festival was organised in a hassle-free manner. Keeping the previous lapses in view, the district administration made elaborate arrangements at the Simhachalam to make the festival a grand success.

NGO representatives and volunteers extended their services to the devotees by providing drinking water and refreshments and prasadam at the queue lines.