Sri Sri Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Simhachalam. Andhra University Vice-Chancellor and Spouse Offer Prayers to Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.

Visakhapatnam, May 08:The Honorable Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University, Visakhapatnam—Professor Rajasekhar—along with his spouse, visited the holy shrine of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy in Simhachalam on Friday.

The Temple Executive Officer, Sri Jallepalli Venkatrao, extended a warm welcome to the couple at the temple's Rajagopuram (main tower entrance). Amidst the melodious sounds of the Nadaswaram and the chanting of Vedic mantras by temple scholars, the Vice-Chancellor and his spouse were accorded a traditional temple welcome with full honors.

Prior to their *Darshan* (sacred viewing) of the deity, the Vice-Chancellor reverently embraced the *Kappasthambham* (Pillar of Faith)—a pillar believed by devotees to possess immense spiritual power.

Subsequently, they proceeded to the sanctum sanctorum (*Garbhalayam*) to offer their prayers to the presiding deity and performed special rituals. On this occasion, the temple priests expounded upon the divine significance and glory of the Lord.

Following the *Darshan*, Vedic scholars performed *Veda Ashirvachanam* (Vedic blessings) for the Vice-Chancellor and his spouse within the temple *Mandapam* (hall). The Temple Executive Officer, Sri J. Venkatrao, honored the Vice-Chancellor with the Lord's *Sesha Vastram* (sacred silk cloth) and presented him with the Lord's *Prasadam* (sacred food offering) and a framed portrait of the deity as a memento.

                BK.V.SHARMA EDITOR