Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Kutumbam

SIMHACHALAM TEMPLE

Location:
Simhadri or Simhachalam is a Hindu temple located in the

Visakhapatnam City suburb of Simhachalam in Andhra Pradesh, South India resembles the rich cultural heritage Visakhapatnam holds
It is dedicated to the incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu known as Narasimha
(the man-lion).

LEGEND:

India Atop the hill at a height of 244 mts, popularly called the Hill of the Lion Lord, is the temple of Lord Vishnu in the avatara of Sri Narasimha Swami varu. is a famous temple said to be the abode of Varaha Narasimha Swami, and hence the hill itself is called (Nara)simhachalam. The temple is situated in the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

The hill temple of Simhachalam can be seen as one approaches Vishakapatnam from Vizianagaram by train. Simhachalam – the hill of the lion is located at a distance of 18 km from Vishakapatnam. The hill temple is accessed via a motorable road, up the hill. This temple combines the Orissan and Chalukyan features of temple construction, and it attracts scores of pilgrims from both Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.

Simhachalam

UNIQUE FACTS:

The presiding deity here is Varaha Lakshminarasimha, combining the iconographic features of Varaha nd Narasimha. The original shape of the deity in the tribhanga posture has two hands with the head of a lion on a human torso.
The image resembles a Shivalingam covered with sandal paste. It is only once a year, during the Chandana Visarjana that the sandal paste is removed, and the image is seen by pilgrims. The main deity is covered with sandal paste(Chandanam) throughout the year except on Vaishaka Sudda Thadiya. On this auspicious day, the main deity givesNijapada Darshan( the true form of God ) for 12hrs only.
Legend has it that the Ugra form of Narasimha as he killed the demon Hiranyakashipu was so fierce that the image is kept covered by sandal paste throughout the year. History says that Prahlada – a devotee of Lord Vishnu was being tortoured by his father. Lord Vishnu in the avatara of Lord Nrusimha kills Prahlada’s father and saves the child.

Temple History:

Kulottunga Chola I of Tamilnadu, made endowments to this temple, Simhachalam

as evidenced from inscriptions dating back to the year 1087. The Vengi Chalukyas of Andhra Pradesh renovated the original shrine in the 11th century. Much of the structure as it stands to day is the result of renovation by Narasimha I, of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, in the second quarter of the 13th century CE. Krishna Deva Raya, the Vijayanagar monarch visited this temple in the year 1516, as seen from inscriptions here. There are as many as 525 inscriptions in this temple.
This great temple built in the 11th century by the King Sri Krishnadevarayam, is one of its kind in the country. Inscriptions on the temple date back to 1098 AD.

Noteworthy features of the temple:

This temple boasts of a beautiful stone chariot drawn by horses. The Kalyana Mandapa within the temple has 16 pillars with bas reliefs depicting the incarnations of Vishnu. Narasimha, the man lion incarnation of Vishnu is seen in several depictions throughout the temple.
The artwork here has elements of similarity with that of Konark. Elephants, flowers and plants are portrayed in plenty. The outer walls of the sanctum depict images of a royal personality (said to be King Narasimha) in various postures.
Important Utsavam Celebration:
Millions of devotees from round the world visit this temple every year especially during the Chandanotsavam Festival Season. On the annual ritual Chandanotsavam day, the Lord is covered with a new fresh layer of Sandalwood.

Address:
On Simhachalam Hill, Near By Police Station, Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam,
Executive Officer Simhachalam Devasthanam
Opp to Bustand
Adavivaram,
Simhachalam -530028.
Telephone Number : 0891-2764949

How to Reach:

One can reach Simhachalam from almost any where in Vizag. If you get down at the Waltair Railway Station, you can visit Simhachalam by Bus ( 6A ) or hire a Cab.
Busses numbered 6A, 28 and 40 start from the Dwaraka Bus Station ( APSRTC Complex ).If starting from Gajuwaka, you can get Bus numbered 55. And if you want to start from Maddilipalem, get the bus numbered 540.

Temple Timings:
Simhachalam Temple Darshan Timings

Morning	07:00am to 11:30am
Afternoon	12:30pm to 3:00pm
Evening	04:00pm to 7:30pm

Where to stay: – Cottages at the top of hill A.P.T.D.C Chandana Tourist rest house,
Temple Cottage,
Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam Cottages Are available…

1. Reaching Simhachalam

One can reach Simhachalam from almost any where in Vizag. If you get down at the Waltair Railway Station, you can visit Simhachalam by Bus ( 6A ) or hire a Cab.

Busses numbered 6A and 40 start from the Dwaraka Bus Station ( APSRTC Complex ).

If starting from Gajuwaka, you can get Bus numbered 55. And if you want to start from Maddilipalem, get the bus numbered 540.

If you like to have a more comfortable journey, hiring a cab is always a good idea.

Reaching the Hill Top

You can take up the steps path to reach to the Temple. However, if you and also take up a bus. Simhachalam Devasthanam runs Simhadri Bus Service to take you to the hill top from the foothill. Busses will be available for every 10 minutes and ticket costs Rs. 6/- per adult and Rs. 3/- for a child. The fares are nominal and is worth to go on bus if you are not a professional driver since the roads to the hill are narrow and curviest.

Fares for using Private Vehicles to reach hill top
Scooter Rs. 5/-
Car Rs. 20/-
Jeep Rs. 25/-
Lorry Rs. 75/-
Empty Lorry Rs. 50/-
Empty Van Rs. 30/-
Loaded Van Rs. 40/-
Mini Bus Rs. 75/-

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