The famous Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is located near Visakhapatnam. In this temple, devotees can have darshan of Lord Vishnu’s Narasimha Swamy avatar, one of the ten Dashavatara incarnations. The temple is situated on Simhachalam Hill, and the deity is also affectionately called Simhadri Appanna by devotees. The true form of the deity is visible to devotees for only 12 hours in a year. The West Gopuram of the Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple can be seen facing the temple. The temple is located 18 km from Visakhapatnam and 5 km from Simhachalam town.
The temple is located at a distance of 12 km for those who choose to walk via the steps, requiring them to climb a total of 1,000 steps. There are two ways to reach the temple: one is by vehicle, and the other is by walking up the steps. The temple timings are from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM, then from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and finally from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM.From the West Gopuram visible in front, if you go to the left side, you’ll find the entry points for darshan. On this side, there is also a park.
TTD Srivari Nijapada Darshanam 2025: Booking,Sevas & Timings
History of the temple
Historical records indicate that the construction of this temple began in 1087 CE. The temple we see today was built in the 13th century by the kings of Orissa according to Kalinga architectural style. This is why the gopurams inside the temple appear slightly different compared to the gopurams of South Indian temples. Later, the Vijayanagara kings further developed the temple.
Kappasthambam is a pillar in the main temple, which will fulfil wishes of devotees who embrace the pillar with a pure mind. Kappasthambam has an in-built Santhanagopala Yantram, which is empowered to bless childless couple with children by embracing the pillar.
Sevas which are available in the Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
| Ritual Name | Description | Price (₹) | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashtottara Sathanamarchana | Chanting of 108 names of the deity | 200 | – |
| Sahasranamarchana | Chanting of 1,000 names of the deity | 500 | 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM |
| Ammavaraki Ashtottara Sathanamarchana | Chanting of 108 names dedicated to the Goddess | 100 | – |
| Kappasthambham Aalinganam | Embracing the Kappasthambham pillar, believed to fulfill wishes | 25 | – |
| Gopooja | Worship of cows | 50 | – |
| Nitya Kalyanam | Daily celestial marriage ceremony of the deity | 1,000 | 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM |
| Garuda Seva | Special worship invoking Garuda, the divine vehicle of Lord Vishnu | 500 | – |
| Swarnapushparchana | Offering of golden flowers | 2,116 | Every Thursday and Sunday, 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM |
| Saswatha Laksha Kumkumarchana | Permanent endowment for offering kumkum (vermilion) worship | 20,000 | – |
| Saswatha Laksha Tulasi Pooja | Permanent endowment for offering Tulasi leaves worship | 20,000 | – |
| Nityapooja, Bhogakainkaryamu | Daily worship and food offering endowment | 10,000 | – |
| Saswatha Nitya Kalyanam | Permanent endowment for the daily celestial marriage ceremony | 10,000 | – |
| Saswatha Garuda Seva | Permanent endowment for Garuda Seva | 5,000 | – |
| Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva | Lighting of 1,000 lamps | 250 | Every Saturday, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
| Sudarsana Narasimha Yagam | Fire ritual dedicated to Lord Narasimha | 2,500 | Monthly on Swathi Nakshathram day |
| Sri Lakshmi Narayana Vratham | Vow-based worship dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi | 100 | – |
| Suprabhata Seva | Early morning wake-up ritual for the deity (one person allowed) | 100 | 2:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Eekanta Seva | Nighttime ritual performed before the temple closes | – | After 9:00 PM |
| Kavaata Bandhanamu | Ritual of closing the temple doors | – | After 9:00 PM |
How to reach:
- Nearest airport is Visakhapatnam Airport Visakhapatnam
- Airport to Simhachalam: Around 14 km Nearest public road transport is Visakhapatnam
- RTC Complex Visakhapatnam
- RTC Complex to Simhachalam: Around 22km Nearest railhead is Visakhapatnam railway station Visakhapatnam railway station to Simhachalam: Around 20km
What are the visiting options for the diety
- You can enter the temple from the West entrance. Those going for free darshan or the ₹100 darshan have to see the deity from a distance.
- To enter the sanctum sanctorum and have a closer darshan of the deity, there is a ₹300 special ticket.
- The deity’s idol in this temple is covered with sandalwood paste throughout the year. During the Vaishakha Shuddha Tadi time, the old sandalwood paste is removed, and the deity is covered with fresh sandalwood paste. During this time, for only 12 hours, devotees can have the true form darshan of the deity.
- The Chandanotsavam (sandalwood festival) is celebrated grandly in this temple.
- During this time, lakhs of devotees visit the temple. After having darshan of the deity and coming out
Speciality of the temple
there is a special pillar here called the “Kappa Sthambham.” “Kappa” means tax, and in ancient times, people used to pay taxes at this pillar, which is how it got its name. Devotees believe that if they touch this pillar and make a wish, it will be fulfilled. To approach the Kappa Sthambham, there is a ₹25 ticket per person. Above the temple’s sanctum sanctorum…
Prasadam and annadanam of the temple
As you come down from the South Gopuram, you can see the temple’s front gopuram.
- There are also prasadam counters here. If you go a little further past these counters, you’ll reach the Annadana Satram (free food distribution center).
- At the prasadam counter, you can get laddus and pulihora. One laddu costs ₹15, and 100 grams of pulihora also costs ₹15.
Official Contact Details (2025)
Temple Office Phone:
- You can try contacting the temple office at +91-891-2950001 or +91-891-2950002 (these were the official numbers in previous years; verify for 2025).
Website:
- Check the official website (if available): https://simhachalamdevasthanam.net (verify for updates).
Email:
- Some temples provide email support (e.g., simhachalamdevastanam@gmail.com – confirm for 2025).
Visakhapatnam Devasthanam Board:
- The temple is managed by the Andhra Pradesh Devasthanam Board, so you can also contact them for inquiries.