Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina 2026 Route Map & Distance, Giri Pradakshina Date & Time
Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina 2026 will take place on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, on the occasion of Ashadha Purnima (Guru Purnima). The Purnima Tithi begins on July 28, 2026, at 6:18 PM and ends on July 29, 2026, at 8:05 PM.
Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina is an annual spiritual event observed on Ashadha Purnima at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam. Every year, 3–5 lakh devotees participate in a 32–34-kilometer circumambulation of the Simhachalam and Kailasagiri Hills.
Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina Distance in Kilometers
The Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina is approximately 32–34 kilometers long, following a clockwise circular route around the Simhachalam and Kailasagiri Hills. The exact distance may vary slightly depending on the route followed by devotees. The route map path is provided below.
Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina Route Map
The journey of the Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina begins at the foothills of the Simhachalam Temple (known as Tholi Pavancha or the Simhachalam Devasthanam Steps Starting Point) and follows a clockwise path around the hills.
The Giri Pradakshina route passes through several neighborhoods in Visakhapatnam. It starts from Tholi Pavancha and continues through Adavivaram, Mudasarlova, Arilova, Hanumanthawaka, Police Quarters Road, Appugarh, Tenneti Park, Lumbini Park Junction, MVP Main Road, Venkojipalem, HB Colony, Seethammadhara, Port Quarters, Madhavadhara, NAD Junction, and Gopalapatnam. The Pradakshina ends either at the Simhachalam Temple (hilltop) or returns to the starting point at Tholi Pavancha, depending on the devotee’s preference.
Below are the simplified route points for the Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina:
🛕 Tholi Pavancha (Start)
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📍 Adavivaram
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📍 Mudasarlova
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📍 Arilova
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📍 Hanumanthawaka
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📍 Police Quarters Road
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📍 Appugarh
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📍 Tenneti Park
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📍 Lumbini Park Junction
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📍 MVP Main Road
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📍 Venkojipalem
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📍 HB Colony
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📍 Seethammadhara
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📍 Port Quarters
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📍 Madhavadhara
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📍 NAD Junction
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📍 Gopalapatnam
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🛕 Simhachalam Temple (Hilltop) | 🏁 Return to Tholi Pavancha (Completion Point)
The Simhachalam Devasthanam organizes the Giri Pradakshina, and the entire route is crowded with lakhs and thousands of devotees. Along the way, there are medical camps and drinking water facilities available.
The Devasthanam requests that devotees carry their own food and water, as there may be long queues at the stalls along the route. Additionally, the Simhachalam Devasthanam has made arrangements for parking and other facilities to enhance the convenience of devotees.
If you plan to attend the Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina, remember to:
👉 Wear comfortable clothing.
👉 Carry food, water, and necessary medicines if required.
👉 Bring a power bank for mobile charging.
👉 Pack a raincoat—it's almost a tradition! For the past 30–40 years, it has rained during the Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina almost every year. However, there was no rain last year 2025.
Simhachalam Temple Darshan Timings on Giri Pradakshina Day (2026)
On Tuesday, 28 July 2026, devotees participating in the Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina can also have darshan at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. As of now, the temple has not officially announced any special darshan schedule for Giri Pradakshina 2026. Devotees are advised to follow the temple's regular darshan timings and check for any festival-day updates issued by the temple authorities.
Under the regular schedule, the temple opens at 4:00 AM for Suprabhata Seva, while Sarva Darshan is available in multiple sessions throughout the day, and the temple closes at 9:00 PM after the night rituals. Due to the large number of pilgrims on Giri Pradakshina day, waiting times may be significantly longer, and the temple administration may revise the darshan schedule if required.
About Simhachalam Temple
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.
Also read this related article 👉 Simhachalam Chandanotsavam: Nijaroopa Darshanam of Appanna Swamy
