Simhachalam Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Visakhapatnam
The Simhachalam Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is a famous Hindu temple located on the Simhachalam Hill Range, about 300 meters above sea level, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
The word Simhachalam means “Lion Hill.” The temple is dedicated to Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, a unique form of Lord Vishnu that combines two of his avatars—Varaha (the boar) and Narasimha (the lion-man).
At this temple, devotees worship Lord Vishnu in the form of Varaha Narasimha, who is depicted with four arms, the body of a lion, and the head of a man.
According to legend, Prahlada, the devoted son of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, was the first to worship the deity here. Later, King Pururava rediscovered the idol, which was hidden under a thick layer of sandalwood paste, after receiving a divine vision.
Even today, the idol remains covered in sandalwood paste throughout the year—except for 12 hours during the Chandanotsavam festival, when devotees get a rare chance to see the deity’s original form, known as Nijaroopa Darshanam.
Related Article 👉 Simhachalam Chandanotsavam: Nijaroopa Darshanam of Appanna Swamy
The temple attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year and is also a major tourist attraction, known for its beautiful architecture and spiritual significance.
Simhachalam Chandanotsavam 2026 Date and Time
The biggest annual festival of Simhachalam Temple, Chandanotsavam, will be celebrated on April 20, 2026. On this day, temple darshan will begin early in the morning at 3:00 a.m. During the festival, the sandalwood paste covering the deity of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is removed, allowing devotees to witness the original form of the Lord.
Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina 2026 Date and Time
This year, in 2026, the Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina will take place on July 28–29, 2026, which falls on Ashada Purnima, also known as Guru Purnima (the Full Moon day in the month of Ashada). The Guru Purnima Tithi begins on July 28, 2026, at 6:18 PM and ends on July 29, 2026, at 8:05 PM.
Every year on this occasion, lakhs of devotees participate in a 32–34 kilometer walk around the Simhachalam and Kailasagiri hills.
You can check out last year’s article for more information about:
- What is Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina?
- Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina Distance in Kilometers
- Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina Route Map
For more details, visit: 2025 Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina Article
When is Narasimha Caturdasi and Narasimha Jayanti in 2026?
Narasimha Caturdasi and Narasimha Jayanti will be celebrated on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Chaturdasi Tithi begins on the evening of April 29 and continues until the evening of April 30. The main puja takes place at sunset on April 30, which is considered the most important time for devotees to offer prayers and seek blessings.
