Simhachala Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swami (Simhadri Appanna) Temple, Simhachalam, Visakapatnam, AndhraPradesh, India

Simhadri or Simhachalam temple is a Hindu temple located near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, South India. It is dedicated to the incarnation (Avatar) ofVishnu known as Narasimha (the man-lion). The temple is a mix of Orissan (main/central shrine) and Dravidian (entrance) styles of architecture

Simha means Lion and Adri or Achala means Hill Simha+Achala= simhachala Simha+Adri= Simhadri (Lion Hills).  
Atop the hill 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 (13km) in the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

 Significance

It is one of the eighteen "Naarasimha Kshetras" i.e. shrines of Lord Narasimha in India. The main deity inside the temple sanctorum gives "nijaroopa darshan" (holy appearance in true form) for only 12 hours in a year i.e. on Akshaya Tritiya day, the rest of the time the deity is covered with Sandalwood paste. The darshan described as 'Chandana yatra' or 'Chandanotsavam' falls every year in Vaisakha masa (May).

Simhachala Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple History 

It has Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy as the presiding deity. The deity at Simhachalam, the lion-man incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu is usually covered with sandalwood paste. The original shape of the deity in the tribhanga posture has two hands with the head of a lion on a human torso. An inscription dated as far back as 1098 AD of the Chola King Kuloththunga provides some clue as to its antiquity. Another inscription shows a Queen of the Eastern Ganga of Kalinga (ancientOrissa) (1137-56 AD) covering the image with gold while a third inscription says the eastern Ganga King of Orissa, Narasimha Deva, built the main/central shrine in 1267 A.D. With more than 252 inscriptions in Oriya and Telugu describing the antecedents of the temple, it is a historically important monument.

Sri Krishna Deva Raya after defeating the Gajapati ruler of Orissa Gajapati Prataparudra Dev visited the shrine twice in 1516 AD and 1519 AD and offered numerous villages for maintenance of bhogam (worship) along with valuable jewellery of which an emerald necklace is still in the temple. For the last three centuries the royal family of Vizianagaram, "The Pusapati Gajapathi's" have been the temple's trustees. 

Legend of Simhachala Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swami 

 Hiranyakasipu was a Rakshasa king. He was in fact one of Vishnu's Dwarapalakas or gate keepers in Vaikuntha, Jaya and Vijaya. They had to take birth in the mortal world thrice because of a curse given by Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanathana and Sanathkumara, who were not allowed to take darshan of Mahavishnu by them. The other palaka was born as his brother Hiranyaaksha.

Hiranyakasipu wanted to become immortal and hence performed austerities (tapasya) to propitiate Lord Brahma. However, Lord Brahma said that was not possible so Hiranyakasipu asked Lord Brahma to grant him a boon so that he could not be killed by any animal or a man neither in the morning nor in the night, by any weapons, neither in sky nor on the earth.
Hiranyakasipu wanted the entire world to worship him. But, Prahalada, his son, was a devotee of Lord Narayana and always expressed his bhakti towards Him. In spite of warning him several times, Hiranyakasipu could not alter Prahlada's devotion.
This made Hiranyakasipu angry and he made numerous attempts to get Prahlada killed. One of them was to throw him off the top of a mountain. However, Vishnu rescued him by moving the mountain and made a small path for Prahaladha. It is said that in the place where the Lord stood to protect Prahaladha is the place where the temple is built.
The most important thing about this temple is that here we can't see the God's feet. It is said that the feet is buried inside the earth. Lord Narayana came to rescue Parahalada on Garuda and when they threw Parahalada Lord Narayana jumped from Garuda to save him and in this process his feet went deep into the earth

Architecture

This temple combines the orissan and Chalukyan features of temple construction, and and it attracts scores of Pilgrims from both Andhrapadesh and Orissa.

It Contains a square shine surmounted by a high tower, a portico in front with a smaller tower, a square sixteen pillared mandapam  facing portico and and an enclosing verandah, all made of dark granite,

One of the pillars in the MUKHAMANTAPA of temple is named KAPPAM STAMBHAM or the pillar of tribute, this pillar was infused with only Godly and Miraculous powers. Since the devotes who aspire some desires to get fulfilled put forward offerings (Kappam) to this pillar, this pillar assumed the Name Kappastambham, at the bottom of this pillar SanthanaGopala Swamy  Image (Yanthram) was installed.  

On the north side of the temple there is an excellent NATYAMANDAPAM where KALYANOTSAVAM is performed. 96 pillars of black stone support this mandapam, exquisitely carved and arranged in sixteen rows of six each.

 The Simhachalam temple faces west unlike so many others which face east. An east-facing entrance, according to religious belief, brings prosperity while a west-facing one brings victory.

It is said that when Muslims during one of their invasions were about to destroy and plunder the temple, a poet by name Kurmanatha implored Lord Varaha Narasimha to save his temple and the Hindus. In response to his fervent prayers, a huge swarm of copper hornets suddenly appeared and attacked the invading army and drove them out of the city. The swarm disappeared behind a hillock after driving out the Muslim armies. That hillock is now known as Tummedala Metta (Tummedala=of hornet, Metta=hillock).

Fairs and festivals

Four major festivals are being celebrated every year which were introduced and traditionally celebrated. 

Chandanotsavam or Nijaroopa Darshanam

The main deity inside the temple sanctorum gives “NIJAROOPA DARSHAN” (Holy appearance in true form) for only 12 hours in a year on Akshaya Trutiya tidi, the rest of the time deity is covered with sandaiwood past. The darshan described as Chandana yatra or Chandanotsavam falls every in vaisaka masa (MAY).

Akshaya Truthiya Chandanotsavam attracts millions of devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu.

Kalyanotsavam

 

This occurs on the 11^th day, 

Ekadasi in the first half of the lunar month of March or April and extends over a period of 5 days that is from the 11^th day to the full moon day.

Narasimha Jayanti

The narasihma jayanti festival, which occur on the Fourteenth day of the first half of month of Vaisaka is celebrated as Birth day of the lord

Giripradikshana

Giripradhikshana (circumambulation) around the hill range (40 km) from Hanumantha vaka/MVP colony to Simhachalam is done by piligrims during the auspicious days. Crowds of elderly people/youth/children are observed walking the 40 km stretch over night. They visit the temple after the long journey and give their offerings to the deity.

Simhachala Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple Timings & Visiting Hours

He gives “Nijaroopa darshan” (holy appearance in true form) for only 12 hours in a year and on all the remaining 364 days and 12 hours, the Lord is covered with sandalwood paste

Asthottaram	50.00
Sata Namarchana -	100.00
Sahasra Namarchana –	100.00
Visista Nitya Kalayanam (Special) –	500.00
Visista Nitya Kalyanam (Ordinary)	100.00
Garuda Seva	200.00
Laksha Kumkjumarchana	500.00
Laksha Tulasi Puja	1000.00
Kappasthambham Aliganam	10.00
Dampathalinganam	15.00
Kodedooda Pradkshina	15.00
Suprbatha Seva			4.00am
Spl Darshanam    ( Rs 20/- to 100/-)	07.00	To	011.30
Darma Darshanam	07.00	To	11.30
Break	11-30	To	12.30
Darma Darshanam	12.30	To	02.30
Break	2.30	To	03.00
Darma Darshan	03.00	To	07.00pm
Spl Darshanam    ( Rs 20/- to 100/-)	03.00	To	07.00
Break	07-00	To	07-30
Darma Darshan	07-30	To	08-30
Spl Darshanam    ( Rs 20/- to 100/-)	07-30	To	08-30
Eekantha Seva			09.00

Temple closed at 9.00pm

Accommodation

In Simhachalam down hills and up hills excellent accommodation facilities are available

Guest Houses: Gold spot, Satyavathi, Prahalda.

Chou tries: Uphill:  Gajapathi, Simhadri Nilayam, Simhavalli tayar

Downhill: Pushkarini, T.T.D., T.T.D. (V.I.P) Puroorva

Marriage Halls : P.P.Hall, Vijayarama Raju & Goda Kalyanamandapams are available.

Cottages: Sivarama, Ramana Reddy, Annapurna & Seethamma cottages

Accommodation Enquiry PRO

Cell No 9959494499
Office 0891-2715242

How to Distance Simhachala Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple

Hyderabad	Vishakhapatnam	598 km
Warangal	Vishakhapatnam	520 km
Tirupathi	Vishakhapatnam	617 km
Vijayawada	Vishakhapatnam	355km
Rajahmundry	Vishakhapatnam	175Km
Annavaram	Vishakhapatnam	124 Km
Vishakhapatnam	Simhachalam	12 Km

How to Reach Simhachala Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple

Visakhapatnam is about 600 km from Hyderabad and is well connected by Rail and Road.

APSRTC And Privet runs frequent buses from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry and Annavaram

The nearest airport is Visakhapatnam (16Km)

Visakhapatnam to Simhachalam No of Buses Available  

Address for correspondent Executive Officer Joint Commissioner

Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari 
Devasthanam
Simhachalam.
Visakhapatnam
Andhra Pradesh

Email ID:  jc_eo_simhachalam@ yahoo.co.in

 0891 - 2010462 / 2010452

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