A complete guide on Simhachalam Devasthanam: Simhachalam Temple Timings, History, Festivals, Darshan Ticket Pricess. Simhachalam devasthanam special darshan ticket.
Simhachalam
India is famous for its numerous spiritual and holy temples. Hindu devotees value temples as the best refuge places during difficult times. Temples are sacred places where all pilgrims connect with their deities through prayers, offerings, rituals and holy festivals. Devotees believe that temples result in prosperity, blessings, answered prayers, guidance and peace.
The Simhachalam temple is a Hindu temple in Andhra Pradesh in Simhachalam Hill Range. It is presided over by Lord Vishnu, also known as Varaha Narasimha. It is believed that Lord Vishnu saved His devotee, Prahlada, from being killed by his father, Hiranyakashipu, therefore taking the form of a lion’s head and the human body.
The Varaha Narasimha deity, apart from Akshaya Trutiya, is covered with sandalwood paste resembling a Linga. The paste is removed annually during the Vaishaka in April or May. Women with childbearing issues can seek blessings from the temple to bear children.
History of the Simhachalam Temple
Simhanchalam is an ancient temple of about one thousand years but was discovered in the 11th century due to King Kulottunga’s inscription. The inscription recorded a present of a garden given by a private individual. During the reign of Narasimha Deva, the temple underwent some transformation. Architectural adjuncts were added to the temple, giving it a new look. The Gangas in the temple added a sub-shrine dedicated to manifestations of Lord Vishnu. Other inscriptions record that land and jewellery were donated, and the temple underwent a complete renovation.
According to the Simhachalam temple legends, the famous Chola King, Kulothunga Chola, constructed it in 1098. The queen of Kalinga then brought a golden armour, the Lord Vishnu statue. Narasimha Deva, king of the Eastern Ganga, built the central shrine in 1267.
Pusapati Ganjapatis has conducted every activity in the temple for the last three centuries. The temple faces west, while the deity of Lord Vishnu faces east. Lord Narasimha’s deity is unique since it has a tribhanga posture with a lion’s head and a human chest.
Simhachalam Temple
Structure of the Simhachalam temple :The shrine in the middle follows the Kalinga architecture. The shrine is square and has a high tower at the top, a portico and a small tower at the front. In the temple are a sixteen-pillared Mandapam and a veranda of dark granite designed from scenes from the Vaishanavite Puranas and traditional floral ornamentation. The veranda hosts a horse-driven chariot statue.
A beautiful natyamandapam is also located in the temple where marriage rituals occur. The natyamandapam is held up by 96 black stone pillars presented in sixteen rows. The temple’s architectural structure attracts pilgrims and tourists worldwide. The rainfall, climatic conditions and soil nature influenced by the sea level promote the growth of flora and medical herbs that cure human and cattle diseases.
Festivals at Simhachalam Temple
Festivals taking place in Simhachalam temple: Festivals are also known as utsavas. They are classified into two; those regulated by customs and traditions and the ones governed by Agama texts. The saves are divided into daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and annual. The utsavas are meant for the prosperity and spiritual growth of the pilgrims. Festivals performed in the Simhachalam temple include the following;
Chandanotsavam
Chandanotsava is also referred to as Chandan Yatra. It is celebrated from April to May during the Akshaya Tritiya festival. During this utsavas, the Sandalwood paste covering the moolavar is removed after a year. The pilgrims get to view their deity’s actual image once a year. The Sandalwood paste is taken off the moolavar at 4:00 am.
Kalyonotsavam
Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam Kalyonotsavam is the annual marriage of Varaha Narasimha. This festival occurs on the 11th day of the first quarter of the Chaitra month. Kalyonotsavam is celebrated five days since the gift was made on the fifth day of the Chaitra month.
Other festivals celebrated in the Simhachalam Temple are;
- Narasimha Jayanti
- Kamadahana
- Navratrotsav
- Karthika Deepavali
- Giripradakshina
- Krishna Janmashtami
Simhachalam Temple Timings
| Day | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 07:00 AM – 04:00 PM | 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 07:00 AM – 04:00 PM | 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 07:00 AM – 04:00 PM | 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM |
| Thursday | 07:00 AM – 04:00 PM | 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM |
| Friday | 07:00 AM – 04:00 PM | 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM |
| Saturday | 07:00 AM – 04:00 PM | 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM |
| Sunday | 07:00 AM – 04:00 PM | 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM |
Simhachalam Special Darshan Charges and Timings
Sri Simhachalam visit days are from Monday to Friday. October to March are the most preferred days to visit the Simha chalam temple. The temple has two visiting durations, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Visiting the temple is free, but only Rs. 100/- is charged per person for special darshan.
How to Reach Simhachalam Temple
- Air
The Visakhapatnam International Airport is the closest to the Simhachalam temple, only 14 kilometres away.
- Railway
The nearest railway station is 18 kilometres from the Simhachalam temple called Visakhapatnam Railway Station.
- Road
Besides the Waltair Railway Station are bus numbers 6A, 55 and 40, which may drop you at the Simhachalam temple.
Points to Note When Travelling to Simhachalam Temple
- Visitors and devotees are prohibited from carrying mobile phones or photographing on the temple premises.
- Anyone visiting the temple should be barefooted.
Simhachalam Temple Vizag Contact Number
Contact: 089129 79666
Temple Address
Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam
Simhachalam Road, Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530028
Official Website
Visit this link http://www.simhachalamdevasthanam.net/home.html
FAQ’s
Where can you stay if you visit the Simhachalam temple?
Visitors and pilgrims can reside in cottages at the hilltop, Temple cottages and Chandana Tourist rest house.
Annavaram to simhachalam distance?
126 Kilometres on Road
How many steps in simhachalam temple
50 Steps