Temple

Located at the hilltop of Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam city, Simhadri or Simhachalam is a famous and ancient temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha. It is one of the eighteen "Narasimha Kshetras" in India.

Legend

According to the legends, the Demon King, Hiranyakasipu's son Prahalada was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. This made Hiranyakasipu angry. He tried many ways to alter Prahalada's devotion. However, Hiranyakasipu failed to do so and became infuriated. Therefore, Hiranyakasipu decided to kill Prahalada and made several attempts to kill Prahalada but was saved by Lord Narayana in each instance.  Hiranyakasipu asked his servants to throw his son into the sea and place huge mountain over him so that he cannot escape. Hiranyakasipu's servant choose to drop Prahalada in the sea near the mount Simhadri. However, Lord Narayana rescued Prahalada by jumping over the hill and lifting up Prahalada from the sea. When Lord Narayana jumped to save Prahalada, his feet sunk deep into the earth. Therefore, the god's feet are not shown anywhere at the temple, as it is said that his feet are buried in the earth. The legend says that the Simhachalam temple was built on the exact spot where Vishnu stood to protect Prahalada.

Architecture

The central shrine was built in Kalinga architectural style. The temple contain a square shrine surmounted by a high tower, a portico in front with a smaller tower above it. There is a square sixteen pillared mandapam (called the Mukhamandapam) facing this, and an enclosing verandah. It is all made of dark granite richly and delicately carved with conventional and floral ornament and scenes from the Vaishnavite puranas are depicted on it. One of the pillars is called the kappa stambham or 'tribute pillar'. It is credited with great powers of curing diseases and granting children. In the verandah is a stone car with stone wheels and prancing stone horses. The beautifully decorated Natyamandapam is on the north side of the temple  where the marriage of Lord and his consort Goddess Lakshmi is celebrated. Natyamandapam is supported by 96 pillars of black stone, arranged in sixteen rows of six each to support the Mandapam. The speciality of the pillars is that one is not similar to the other.

Picture Courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

The temple opens at 4:00 AM and closes at 9:00 PM.

Darsan Dresscode

Clean and conservative dressing is advised.

Famous Festival

Chandanotsavam
Ugaadhi (Telugu New Year)
Narasimha Jayanthi
Radhotshavam
Kalyanothsavam
Vaisakha Pournami
Teppotsavam
Vykunta Ekadasi
Giri Pradhakshina

Culture

Located in Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam is an important industrial hub in the coastal region. Being one of the largest seaports of the country, Visakhapatnam prides on its illustrious historical background and its affluent cultural heritage maintained and evolved over the centuries.

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Temple Rituals

Melkolupu(Naadaswaravadyamu) - 4:00 AM to 4:10 AM    
Suprabhatha Patanamu - 4:10 AM to 4:30 AM    
Suprabhatha Darshanamulu - 4:30 AM to 4:45 AM    
Antharalaya Sammarjanamu - 4:45 AM to 5:00 AM    
Prathararadhanamu - 5:00 AM to 6:30 AM    
Veda Itihasa Puranamula Parayanamu - 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM    
Aaradhana Ticket Darshanamu - 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM    
Sarvadarshanamulu - 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM    
Sri Swamy Vari Nithya Kalyanam - From 9:30 AM    
Mahanivedanamu (Rajabhogamu) Darshanams Break - 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM    
Sarvadarshanamulu - 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM    
Madhyana Viramamu (Pavalimpu Seva) Darshanams Break - 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM    
Sarvadarshanamulu - 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM    
Veda Parayanamu - 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM    
Ratri Aaradhanamu - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM    
Aaradhana Ticket Darshanamu - 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM  
Sarvadarshanamulu - 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM    
Eekanta Seva, Kavaata Bandhanamu - After 9:00 PM

Special Rituals

Kappasthambam is a pillar in the main temple. It is believed that the wishes of devotees who embrace the pillar with a pure mind will be fulfilled. It is believed that childless couples will get children by embracing this pillar.
Another feature of the temple is that the deity is usually covered with sandalwood paste year round and provides the "Nijaroopa Darshan" (holy manifestation i.e., without the sandalwood paste) for only 12 hours in a year. During the  Chandanayatra festival the paste will be removed ceremoniously.

Additional Info