Chandonatsavam (Nija Roopa Darshanam)

According to legend, it was ordained that the idol be covered with sandalwood paste so as to reduce the intensity of the Lord's fiery nature and that His `nijaroopam' should be revealed only once in a year on the auspicious day of `Akshaya Tadiya'.

Every year on this day temple priests would remove the sandalwood paste covering the idol and perform special pujas.

The priests will start removing the sandalwood layer around 2.30 a.m. after which As per tradition, members of the erstwhile Vizianagaram royal family will have the first. Th Roayl Family will enter the sanctum sanctorum carrying sandalwood to have the darshan and will offer prayers to the Lord.

It is believed that when the deity is stripped of all the SandalWood Paste, it is the hottest day in Vizag.