Skip to main content

Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam

The temple of Sri Varaha Narasimha Swamy is located in Simhachalam, very close to Visakhapatnam, one of the fast developing cities in the east coast of Andhra Pradesh.

The city is known for its natural beauty and has much tourist potential, virgin beaches and pristine sea waters. The city lies on the main line of Howrah-Madras mail and is easily accessible. The local people are innocent, lovable and hospitable too. The ancient temple of Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Simhachalam is one of the important temples of A.P.
----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Narasimha Swamy is one of the 10 incarnations (Dasavataram) of Lord Vishnu. Narasimha Swamy has a peculiar beastly form with a lion's face and a human body. He emerged from a pillar when it was broken by the demon King Hiranyakashyipa - father of Prahlad who was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu.
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
Simhachalam is one of the famous temples of Lord Narasimha Swamy. This 11th century temple is located on a hill and is at a distance of nearly 15 Km from Visakhapatnam. The temple with its 252+ inscriptions in Oriya (the language spoken by the people of Odisha) and Telugu, has historical importance. The beautiful 16-pillared Natya Mandapam (Dance Hall) and the 96-pillared Kalyana Mandapam (Marriage Hall) stands as a testimony of the rich and expert skilled work of the artisans.

Courtesy: Google Images
The uniqueness of the deity is that it is covered with coats and coats of sandalwood paste and hence the Moolaviraat (the original deity) is not seen but looks like a lingam due to the coats of sandalwood paste. Few days prior to Chandanotsavam all the dried coats of sandalwood paste are removed from the main deity. Chandanotsavam is a special religious festival which is celebrated on Vaisakha Suddha Tadiya day i.e the 3rd day after Amavasya in the Hindu month of Vaisakh i.e. on Akshaya Tritya / Akha Teej - the gold rush day.

On this auspicious day devotees are allowed to have the darshan of Moolavirat or Nijaroopa Darshan of the original deity of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. And late night on this day a fresh coat of sandalwood paste is smeared on the deity after the darshan is stopped for devotees. Hence devotees throng to the temple on this auspicious day to have the Nijaroopa Darshanam of the Lord.

Temple timings and poojas

The temple opens daily at 4.00 a.m with the Suprabhatam.
  • 4.30 a.m to 6.30 a.m - Balabhogam Naivedyam and Mangalasnanam
  • 6.30 a.m onwards, the temple is open for devotees for darsanam of the Lord.
  • 9.30 a.m to 10.30 a..m -  Nitya Kalyanam
  • 11.30 a.m to 12.15 p.m - Rahabhogam / Mahanaivedyam
  • 12:15 p.m to 2.30 p.m - temple is open for devotees.
  • 2.30 p.m to 3.00 p.m - closes.
  • 3.00 p.m to 7.00 p.m - open for devotees.
  • 4.00 p.m to 6.00 p.m - devotees can have free darsanam.

How to reach

You can easily reach the temple by road from Visakhapatnam which is on the Howrah-Chennai main line. You can either take a cab or take the State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) bus or any other private bus which frequently ply from various places in Visakhapatnam

Accommodation There are a number of budget as well as luxury hotels in and around Visakhapatnam. And you can get almost international standard rooms at a reasonably good price in these hotels like Hotel Dasapalla, Hotel Dolphin, Fortune Inn, The Taj, The Park Hotel etc.

Kanaka Mahalakshmi temple in Burjupeta, Visakhapatnam is the famous temple of Visakhapatnam.

Popular posts from this blog

Seemantham - The South Indian Traditional Baby Shower ceremony

Seemantham is a traditional south Indian way of celebrating baby shower. The same is celebrated in north India as 'godbharai' ('god' means lap in Hindi - 'd' in 'god' is pronounced as 'the' and bharai means 'to fill'). The celebration differs from region to region. Seemantham is also known by the names 'poolu mudupu' (i.e adoring flowers in the hair) and 'gajulu todagadam' (i.e wearing glass bangles) in Telugu. It is celebrated in the 5th or 7th or 9th month of pregnancy. Seemantham is one of the 16 Hindu samskaras known as 'simantonnayana' in Sanskrit. It is a samskara of the embryo / foetus that develops in the pregnant woman's womb. Usually, seemantham is celebrated for the 1st pregnancy only and not for the subsequent conceives. There are certain superstitious believes on celebrating the function. In the olden days, people believed that pregnant women are easily prone to 'dishti' or evil e

How To Perform Aksharabhyasam At Home And Basar temple

Aksharabhyasam Meaning The word 'Akshara' means letters (alphabets) in Sanskrit and 'abhyasam' means practice. Aksharabhyasam is a traditional religious function of Hindus. It is also known as 'Vidyaarambham' which literally means starting of education. In this function a child is given initiation for writing / education. With this function the child is ready to receive formal education in a school. The function is performed in different ways in different regions of India. When to perform aksharabhyasam In the olden days, aksharabhyasam was performed when the child was 5 years old. But presently because of early education at Kindergarten level, parents perform this ceremony when the child is in his 3rd year i.e. after the child completes 2 years. Normally there is a belief that aksharabhyasam should not be performed after the child completes 3 years and is in its 4th year. Where to perform aksharabhyasam The function can be performed either in a temp

School Speeches - Farewell Speech By School Principal to Outgoing Students

Author Reserves All Rights. Listen to the speech in my YouTube Channel: This sample speech would be helpful for the school principal to deliver on the occasion of school farewell day party. Respected teachers and my dear students, Good Morning / Good Afternoon to each one present here and a very warm welcome to you to the school farewell party. It's a nostalgic feeling as I remember my student life in school and my school farewell party. I am sure we all have mixed feelings on this day which is a blend of joy and sadness. On one hand you feel enthusiastic as you will be stepping into a completely new different world where you will find relatively more freedom than in a school life. While on the other hand you will feel sad as you have to depart from your school / classmates. My dear friends the time has come to bid you all farewell with a heavy heart from this esteemed institution which protected you, cared for you, supported you and guided you all these years.