Simhalchalam Temple in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam, one of the most beautiful cities in the state of Andhra Pradesh serves home to various cultures, rituals and religious beliefs.
Legend is, that the King of Andhra on his way to Benaras came across this city and was mesmerized by the beauty of God Visakha, the God of Valor due to her ethereal form, face and skin and named the city as Visakhapatnam. He also instructed for a temple to be made which is now inundated deep with the coastal line. Just like the temple of Visakha, Vizag serves home to various other renowned temples in the town. One such famous temple is the Simhachalam Temple.
About Simhachalam Temple
Simhachalam Temple is a temple situated on the suburbs of Simhachalam in the city of Vizag. The Temple is dedicated to Narasimha i.e. the Man-Lion which was an avatar of Lord Vishnu. “Simha” meaning Lion and “Achala” meaning Hill describes the temple with the presiding deity as Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy on a hill top. Simhachalam Temple is one of the eighteen “Narasimha Kshetras”, the shrines of Lord Vishnu in India.
The architectural style of the central shrine is Oriya however the entrance is Dravidian. Simhachalam temple is rich in its architectural beauty and sculpture which is a combination of the Konarak's Sun temple and the styles of the Chalukyas and the Cholas. Highlights of the temple are the carved 16-pillared Natya mandapa and the 96-pillared Kalyana mandapas.
There are various legends, tales that depicts varied reasoning and logics behind many architectural values of the temple with the existence of the temple in it. Simhachalam Temple, due its renowned history and popular religious belief is one of the most sought after tourist spots in Vizag City. Located on a Hill Top, covered with vegetation, it looks beautiful, with a five-tier Rajagopuram and a white coloured sikara over the sanctum sanctorum. From Simhachalam Temple, one can go to Kailasagiri Hill located nearby and visit the hills.
The architectural style of the central shrine is Oriya however the entrance is Dravidian. Simhachalam temple is rich in its architectural beauty and sculpture which is a combination of the Konarak's Sun temple and the styles of the Chalukyas and the Cholas. Highlights of the temple are the carved 16-pillared Natya mandapa and the 96-pillared Kalyana mandapas.There are various legends, tales that depicts varied reasoning and logics behind many architectural values of the temple with the existence of the temple in it. Simhachalam Temple, due its renowned history and popular religious belief is one of the most sought after tourist spots in Vizag City. Located on a Hill Top, covered with vegetation, it looks beautiful, with a five-tier Rajagopuram and a white coloured sikara over the sanctum sanctorum. From Simhachalam Temple, one can go to Kailasagiri Hill located nearby and visit the hills.
Modes of Transport to the Temple:
Simhachalam temple is located at a distance of 18 kms from Visakhapatnam making it a 45 minute drive from Vizag. You could also hire a cab service or take the public transport bus and get to the temple within a span of 45 minutes again.
One must always ensure that the safety is considered at the optimum level if you are driving by yourself due to the steep height of the Hill. It is advisable to take the Simhadri Bus Service which would take you to the hill top from the foot hill. With a rotational frequency of 10 minutes and the tickets price of Rs. 6/- for adults and Rs. 3/- for children, it becomes for the most cost effective and convenient mode of transport.
Fares for using private vehicles are as follows:
Scooter Rs. 5
Car Rs. 20
Jeep Rs. 25
Lorry : Rs. 75
Empty Lorry: Rs. 50
Empty Van: Rs. 30
Loaded Van: Rs. 40
Mini Bus : Rs. 75
With immensely detailed architectural values, reasoning and history, Simhachalam temple becomes an important place to visit if you are holidaying in Visakhapatnam as many say the vacation isn’t over if you don’t pay your homage to Narasimha.
One must always ensure that the safety is considered at the optimum level if you are driving by yourself due to the steep height of the Hill. It is advisable to take the Simhadri Bus Service which would take you to the hill top from the foot hill. With a rotational frequency of 10 minutes and the tickets price of Rs. 6/- for adults and Rs. 3/- for children, it becomes for the most cost effective and convenient mode of transport.
Fares for using private vehicles are as follows:
Scooter Rs. 5
Car Rs. 20
Jeep Rs. 25
Lorry : Rs. 75
Empty Lorry: Rs. 50
Empty Van: Rs. 30
Loaded Van: Rs. 40
Mini Bus : Rs. 75
With immensely detailed architectural values, reasoning and history, Simhachalam temple becomes an important place to visit if you are holidaying in Visakhapatnam as many say the vacation isn’t over if you don’t pay your homage to Narasimha.