Simhachalam Temple – Overview
The Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple or the Simhachalam Temple is located on the Simhachalam hill in Visakhapatnam city of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is situated at an altitude of about 300 meters above sea level. The temple is dedicated to Lord Varaha Narasimha, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, and his consort Goddess Simhavalli Thayar.
It is dedicated to Lord Narasimha Swami, a lion-man avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is one of the 32 Narasimha temples in Andhra Pradesh and was a major centre since time immemorial.
Simhachalam Temple Timings
Simhachalam Temple opens from 7.00 am to 4.00 pm in the morning and from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm in the evening.
| Temple Timings | Pooja/ Darshan details |
| 04:00 AM | Temple Opening Hours |
| 04:00 AM to 04:10 AM | Melkolupu |
| 04:10 AM to 04:30 AM | Suprabhatha Seva |
| 04:30 AM to 04:45 AM | Suprabhatha Darshan |
| 04:45 AM to 05:00 AM | Antharalaya Sammarjanamu |
| 05:00 AM to 06:30 AM | Prathararadhanamu |
| 05:30 AM to 09:30 AM | Purana Patanamu |
| 05:30 AM to 06:30 AM | Aaradhana Ticket Darshan |
| 06:30 AM to 11:30 AM | Darshan |
| 9:30 AM Onwards | Kalyanotsavam |
| 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM | Mahanivedana |
| 12:00 PM to 02:30 PM | Darshan |
| 02:30 PM to 03:00 PM | Temple remains Closed |
| 03:00 PM | Temple reopens |
| 03:00 PM to 07:00 PM | Darshan |
| 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM | Veda Parayanamu |
| 07:00 PM to 08:30 PM | Ratri Aaradhanamu |
| 07:30 PM to 08:30 PM | Aaradhana Ticket Darshan |
| 08:30 PM to 09:00 PM | Darshan |
| After 09:00 PM | Ekanta Seva Temple Closing Hours |
History of this Temple
In the history of Simhachalam Temple two demon brothers, King Hiranyakashipu and King Hiranyaksha were born to sage Diti. The demon brothers performed severe penance and pleased Lord Brahma to grant them a boon. Once invincible, his atrocities increased day by day and he troubled the people of the three worlds.
Hiranyaksha wanted all his subjects and even his son Prahlad to chant his name and worship him. Being an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu, Prahlad refused to chant his father’s name and considered only Lord Vishnu as the supreme deity. Enraged Hiranyaksha harassed his son in various ways. He even tried to kill her son.
It is believed that Lord Vishnu himself appeared in the avatar of Narasimha and saved Prahlad. Thus to pay his homage, Prahlad built a huge temple for Lord Narasimha in the city of Visakhapatnam.
Place to visit near this Temple
Laxminarayan Swami Temple
Lakshmi Narayan Temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. This temple was built by Jugal Kishore Birla in 1939, it is built in an area of 7.5 acres. This Lakshmi Narayan temple is dedicated to Lakshmi Narayan. The temple has idols of Lord Narayan, Goddess Lakshmi. The temple is constructed in the South Indian style, the walls of the temples are carved with Vedas. Laxminarayan Swami Temple is one of the famous Vaishnava temples in South India.
Kanaka Mahalakshmi Ammavaru Temple
Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Ammavaru is the presiding deity of the kings of Visakhapatnam. Sthala Purana states that the idol of Goddess Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi was found in a well which is located in the centre of the road. One has to cover a distance of 13.3 km from Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple to Lakshmi Devi Temple and the travel time taken is 31 minutes.
Also Read: Banke Bihari Temple Uttar Pradesh, Timings, Travel Guide and How to reach
How to reach Simhachalam Temple
By Air- The nearest airport to Simhachalam Temple is Visakhapatnam Airport, Visakhapatnam which is at a distance of 10 km from the temple. From here you can easily reach this temple by using local transport services.
By Train- The nearest railway station to Simhachalam Temple is Visakhapatnam Railway Station which is 7 km from the temple. From here you can reach this temple by using the taxi or auto.
By Road- Dwarka bus stand is very close to the temple complex. Visakhapatnam city is well connected to various cities and good bus facilities are available round the clock. There are also many other local modes of transport like autos, taxis and private cabs.
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