Simhachalam: The head of Sri Sarada Peetham, Sri Swaroopanandendra Saraswati Swami, criticized the arrangements made for the Simhachalam Appanna Chandanotsava, a festival held in the Simhachalam temple, stating that they were not up to par. The Swami expressed his concern over the mismanagement of the festival and the resulting difficulties faced by the devotees. He was quoted as saying, "For the first time in my life, I attended such a Chandanotsava. I have never seen such misery. I am wondering why I came for darshan. Tears are coming after seeing the condition of the devotees." The Swami further criticized the lack of an Executive Officer for the temple and blamed the in-charge EO for the poor arrangements. He emphasized that proper arrangements were necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of the devotees. He also alleged that the rituals in the inner sanctum sanctorum were violated.
