SIMHACHALAM TEMPLE/ACCOMMODATION AT SIMHACHALAM TEMPLE/SIMHACHALAM TEMPLE DARSHAN TIMINGS/SIMHACHALAM

SIMHACHALAM TEMPLE/ACCOMMODATION AT SIMHACHALAM TEMPLE/SIMHACHALAM TEMPLE DARSHAN TIMINGS/SIMHACHALAM

Simhadri or Simhachalam temple is a Hindu temple located near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, South India. It is dedicated to the incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu known as Narasimha (the man-lion).


Origin of the name

SIMHACHALAM NARISIMHA SWAMY

                                                   simhachalam-temple sky view
Simha: Lion ; Adri or Achala: Hill (one which cannot be moved, viz. hill).

Atop the hill is a famous temple said to be the abode of Varaha Narasimha Swami, and hence the hill itself is called (nara) simhachalam. The temple is situated in the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Significance

It is one of the eighteen "Naarasimha Kshetras" i.e. shrines of Lord Narasimha in India. Simhachalam temple is known as the second richest temple in India (after Tirupati) earning a revenue of Rs. 520 million. The statue of the deity gives "nijaroopa darshan" (holy appearance in true form) for only 12 hours in a year i.e. on Akshaya Tritiya day, the rest of the time the statue is covered with Sandalwood paste. The darshan described as 'Chandana yatra' or 'Chandanotsavam' falls every year in Vaisakha masa (May).

Legend

Hiranyakasipu was a Rakshasa king. He was in fact one of Vishnu's Dwarapalakas or gate keepers in Vaikuntha, Jaya and Vijaya. They had to take birth in the mortal world thrice because of a curse given by Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanathana and Sanathkumara, who were not allowed to take darshan of Mahavishnu by them. The other palaka was born as his brother Hiranyaaksha.

Hiranyakasipu wanted to become immortal and hence performed austerities (tapasya) to propitiate Lord Brahma. However, Lord Brahma said that was not possible so Hiranyakasipu asked Lord Brahma to grant him a boon so that he could not be killed by any animal or a man neither in the morning nor in the night, by any weapons, neither in sky nor on the earth.

Hiranyakasipu wanted the entire world to worship him. But, Prahalada, his son, was a devotee of Lord Narayana and always expressed his bhakti towards Him. In spite of warning him several times, Hiranyakasipu could not alter Prahlada's devotion.

This made Hiranyakasipu angry and he made numerous attempts to get Prahlada killed. One of them was to throw him off the top of a mountain. However, Vishnu rescued him by moving the mountain and made a small path for Prahaladha. It is said that in the place where the Lord stood to protect Prahaladha is the place where the temple is built.

The most important thing about this temple is that here we can't see the God's feet. It is said that the feet is buried inside the earth. Lord Narayana came to rescue Parahalada on Garuda and when they threw Parahalada Lord Narayana jumped from Garuda to save him and in this process his feet went deep into the earth.

 

Temple History

Simhachalam Temple

It has Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy as the presiding deity.

Giripradhikshana [cirum ambulation] around the hill range [~40 km]from Hanumantha vaka / MVP colony to Simhachalam is done by piligrims during the auspicious days. Crowds of elderly people / youth / children are observed walking the 40 km stretch over night. They visit the temple after the long journey and give their offerings to the deity.

The deity at Simhachalam, the lion-man incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu is usually covered with sandalwood paste. The original shape of the deity in the tribhanga posture has two hands with the head of a lion on a human torso. An inscription dated as far back as 1098 AD of the Chola King Kuloththunga provides some clue as to its antiquity. Another inscription shows a Queen of the Eastern Ganga of Kalinga (ancient Orissa) (1137-56 AD) covering the image with gold while a third inscription says the eastern Ganga King of Orissa, Narasimha Deva, built the main/central shrine in 1267 A.D. With more than 252 inscriptions in Oriya and Telugu describing the antecedents of the temple, it is a historically important monument.

Sri Krishna Deva Raya after defeating the Gajapati ruler of Orissa Gajapati Prataparudra Dev visited the shrine twice in 1516 AD and 1519 AD and offered numerous villages for maintenance of bhogam (worship) along with valuable jewellery of which an emerald necklace is still in the temple. For the last three centuries the Royal family of Vizianagaram, "The Pusapati Gajapathi's" have been the temple's trustees.

Recent developments

In October 2007, the Government of Andhra Pradesh approved a master plan for the development of the region into Divyakshetram on similar lines of Tirumala.

Trivia

The Simhachalam temple faces West unlike so many others which face East. An east-facing entrance, according to religious belief, brings prosperity while a west-facing one brings victory.

The hill top road, as well as the location of the eastern ghat ranges are beautiful and pictersque. The hills are densely populated with trees of various types like Cashew, shrubs, mango groves etc., The forestry is protected and well conserved. The greenary is really good and attracts tourists as well as nature lovers for spending their leisure in praising the nature.

The localities near the piligrame include Srinivasanagar, Prahladapuram,Sainagar colony, Simhapuri colony and many other housing areas.

 Chandanotsavam or Nijaroopa Darshanam

Chandanotsavam or Nijaroopa Darshanam is a major ritual celebrated on Akshaya Trutiya day at Simhachalam Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple. In 2010, Chandanotsavam is observed on May 16, 2010. During Chandanotsavam, devotees can have Nijaroopa darshanam or the actual shape of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha swamy. On normal day, Simhachala Lord will be visible with Chandanam pootha (covering of sandalwood paste).

On Vaishakha Shudda Thadiya (the third day in Vaishakha masam), the real form of the Lord with wild boar’s face, human trunk and lion’s tail will be exposed to public view. Of the four layers of chandanam to be applied to the deity, the first layer is applied after sahasra ghatabhishekam at 9 p.m. on Akshaya Tritiya day. The second layer on Vaisakha Poornima, the third on Jyesta Poornima, and the final chandanam pootha on Ashada Poornima.

Akshaya Truthiya Chandanotsavam attracts millions of devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu.

SIMHACHALAM TEMPLE DARSHAN TIMINGS;

. Temple Timings: Morning 7am to 4pm ; Evening 6pm to 9pm

simhachalam temple accommodation; 

Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam

Accommodation

Guest Houses : Goldspot, Satyavathi, Prahalda.


Choultries : Uphill:- Gajapathi, Simhadri Nilayam, Simhavalli tayar

Downhill:- Pushkarini, T.T.D., T.T.D. (V.I.P) Puroorva

Marriage Halls : P.P.Hall, Vijayarama Raju & Goda Kalyanamandapams are available.

Cottages : Sivarama, Ramana Reddy, Annapurna & Seethamma cottages

are available to the pilgrims at Simhachalam.

Sl.No Name Location Number of Rooms Cost of room per day
1 Gajapathi Choultry Uphill 1 to 24 (Ordinary) 75/-
25 to 36 (Geazer) 150 /-
37 to 48 (Deluxe) 100 /-
2 Simhadri Nilayam Uphill 8 100/-
3 Sivarama Cottages Uphill 1 300/-
4 Ramana Reddy Cottage Uphill 1 300/-
5 Annapurna Cottage Uphill 1 500/-
6 Seethamma Cottage Uphill 1 300 /-
7 Pushkarini Choulty Downhill 40 100/-
8 Puroorva Choulty Downhill 19 50 /-
9 T.T.D Choulty Downhill 12 100 /-
10 T.T.D (VIP)Choulty Downhill 6 150 /-
11 P.P Hall Visakhapatnam 1 Hall 5000/-
P.P Hall (Upstairs) -- " -- 1 Hall 5000/-
12 Goda Kalyanamandapam Downhill 1 Suit 1000/-
13 Vijayaramaraju Kalyanamandapam Downhill 1 Hall 2000/-


Note : - Reservation of Accommodation is available for 24hours at Downhill Choultries as well as at Uphill Choultries.

For more accommodation in simhachalam narasimha swamy temple log on to  

 http://www.apendowments.gov.in/Simhachalam/Pages/Accomodation.aspx.



Simhachalam devastanam contact phone numbers;


ri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam

S.No Contact Office/Officer Contact No/Address 


1 Uphill Reception 91 + 0891 – 2715242

2 Uphill Office 91 + 0891 – 2715264

3 Downhill Office 91 + 0891 – 2715435 

4 Fax 91 + 0891 – 2764949 

5 Email ID jc_eo_simhachalam@ yahoo.co.in

6 Address for correspondent Executive Officer Joint Commissioner,

Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari
Devasthanam
Simhachalam.
Visakhapatnam
Andhra Pradesh

7 IndiaAccommodation Enquiry PRO
Cell No 9959494499
Office 2715242

8 Nearest Hospital Govt Hospital having 20 beds with 2 doctors

 

 
 

Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama/ Accommodation At Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama/ Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama Contact Phone Number

Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama

Draksharamam is located 28 Km from Kakinada,50 Km from Rajahmundry and 25 Km from Amalapuram. Throughout the length and breadth of the Sacred "Mother India", there are many pilgrim centers. From amongst them "Draksharama" is the one in the Southern India on the Eastern Bank of the River Godavari. It is colloquially known as Draksharama carrying the implied meaning as "Draksharama" meaning the Abode of Daksha Prajapathi - the Father-in-law of Lord Siva and the beloved Father of 'Sati' the spiritual spouse of Lord Siva.
The history of the Sacred Pilgrimage is exhaustively dealt within the 'Skanda Purana' of Sri Vyasa. To give a brief narration of the same the story goes thus. Once Daksha Prajapathi decided to perform a Yaga. In pursuance of the same, he had been to Kailasa to invite Gods and Goddesses to sanctify his 'Yazna' and accept his hospitality. But when he had been there, Lord Siva was in his Court immersed in his spiritual splendour. But Daksha Prajapathi out of his ego of being the father-in-law of Lord Siva, mistook the Lord's trance as indifference towards him.


So, being put out at the difference of his Son-in-law he came back without inviting the Lord and the Lady to his sacrifice.
Sati in her womanish nature requested Siva to permit her to attend, the sacrifice at her parental home, even uninvited and have the pleasure of the performance and the association of her kith and kin. But Siva explained her the tragic implications that she might have to face at her parental house and let her to at her own wish. But, when she actually stepped into her parental home, none greeted her or even just asked her a mutual exchange of her well-being. Then Sathi was put out with the humiliation she had to face amidst her own blood and then and there, decided to give up her body instead of facing her beloved husband with a fallen face. So, she gave up her body then and there and fell down dead. Siva having come to know of the tragic end, sent his son 'Veerabhadra' to boot down the ego of Daksha. Siva in his pangs of separation with Sati came down to her dead body and shoultered the corpse over his shoulders and danced in 'Pralaya Thandava'.

At this juncture, the Lord Vishnu, the presenting, force of Universe, sent his 'Chakra' to cut down the body of Sathi and redeem the grief of Lord Siva. The Chakra came and cut the body of Sati into eighteen pieces feel in eighteen parts of this 'Punyabhoomi' of ours and came to be known as 'Ashta Dasa Peethas' and out of these eighteen Sri Manikyamba of Draksharama is the Twelfth.
This Holy Pilgrimage is one of the rare few, where the God and Goddess are equally important. One is Varanasi in Northern India with Viswanatha and Annapurna. Second is Srisailam in Southern India with Sri Mallikharjuna and Bramaramba and third is Draksharama with Bhimanatha and Manikyamba.

There are many mythological anecdotes scattered in many of the Sacred puranas about the 'Swayambhu' aspect of the Lord's existence here.

One of many is for once who is curious to know that Bhimanatha came down from Kailasa and settled here at the request of Parvathi herself who happened to be the daughter of Dakhsa.The historical aspect of the temple goes from the thirteenth century onwards.

 

This temple is one of the "Pancharamas". This is an ancient and holy pagoda. This is one of the reputed piligrim centers in Andhra Pradesh. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees visit the temple and worship the Lord to receive blessings.
This temple is a protected Monument. The Archaeological Department has to undertake the renovation works of this temple to create beauty and divine atmosphere. The wealth of inscriptions and epigraphical details that can be glanced from the inscriptions on the walls of this temple are a paradise for the epigraphist and the historian.

This temple is managed by the Executive Officer under the control of the Endowments Departments. Devi Navaratrulu, Karthika Masam, Dhanurmasam, Birthday Celebration of Sri Bhimeswara Swamy varu, Subrahmanya Shasti, Maha Sivaratri and Kalyanam etc., are the important festivals of this Temple.

 How to reach Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama?

Drakasharama is located in East Godavari district near Kakinada. Rajahmundry is the nearest airport. Draksharama constitues one of the five Arama kshetras of Andhra Pradesh, sacred to Shiva, the other four being Kumararama, Ksheerarama and Bheemarama and Amararama. Draksharama, Sree Sailam and Kalahasti together constitute the three sacred Shivalingams of Andhra Pradesh, giving it its ancient name Trilinga Desa. 


Festivals At Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama

Sarrannavarathri Festival from Asviyuja Suddha Padyami to Dwadasi every year (October).
Kartheeka Monday Festivals and Jwalathoranam in Karteeka masam every year (November).
Sri Swamyvari Birthday on Margasira Suddha Chaturdhasi every year (December).
Shasti Festival in the Month of December every year
Sri Swamyvari Kalyanam on Bhisma Ekadasi Day in Magha Masam Every year (February).
Mahasivarathri Festival in Maghamasam every year (February-March).


 Accommodation At Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama

There is one Choultry adjacent to the compound wall of the Temple
Founder family member,
Sri P.V.R.Choultry,
Santhinagar,
kakinada-3,
East Godavari District
Phone no: 0884 - 2363535.

 Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama Contact Phone Number:

The executive Officer,
Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple,
Draksharama,
Ramachandrapuram(M),
East Godavari District,
A.P,
pin-533 262,
Phone no: 08857- 252488

Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama pooja details:

Laksha Patri Pooja – Rs. 350.00/-

Laksha Kumkumarchana – Rs. 300.00/-

Laksha Vattula Nomu – Rs. 300.00/-

Surya Namaskaramulu – Rs. 100.00/-

Ekadasa Rudramu - Rs. 100.00/-

Mahanyasa Purvaka Abhishekamu – Rs. 30.00/-

Sahasra Kumkumarchana – Rs. 30.00/-

Laghu Vyasa Poorvaka Eka Vaara Abhishekamu – Rs. 20.00/-

Ashtoottara Kumkumarchana – Rs. 20.00/-

Masasivaratri Abhishekam (Every month) – Rs. 10.00/-

Masasivaratri Kumkuma Pooja (Every month) – Rs. 10.00/-

Abhishekam (Every Monday) – Rs. 10.00/-

Pooja (Every Friday) – Rs. 10.00/-

Nomulu / Aksharabhyasam / Annaprasana – Rs. 100.00/-

Special Darsanam Ticket (On Festivals) – Rs. 5.00/-

Kesakhandana – Rs. 5.00/-

Upanayanamu – Rs. 100.00/-

Abhishekam Ticket (Monthly) – Rs. 300.00/-

Kunkumarchana Ticket (Monthly) – Rs. 300.00/-

Scooter Pooja – Rs. 20.00/-

Pooja for Tractor/Van/Car/Auto – Rs. 40.00/-

Pooja for Larry/Bus– Rs. 60.00/-

Abhishekam at the time of Dasara Festival (For 10 days) – Rs. 100.00/-

Kumkumarchana at the time of Dasara Festival (For 10 days) – Rs. 100.00/-

Rudra Homam – Rs. 100.00/-

Japam/Tarpanam /Nava Varaarchana – Rs. 100.00/-

Nitya Kalyanam – Rs. 500.00/-

Sthala Puranam – Rs. 3.00/-

General Marriage – Rs. 200.00/-

Marriage in Kalyana Mandapam – Rs. 300.00/-

Marriage in Nandi Mandapam – Rs. 300.00/-

Marriage in Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple – Rs. 300.00/-

Marriage in Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple – Rs. 300.00/-

Marriage in Amma vari Temple – Rs. 400.00/-

Sri Swamy vari Archana – Rs. 5.00/-

Abhishekam/Kumkumarchana through MO – Rs. 100.00/-

Ubhayam at the time of Dasara – Rs. 500.00/-

Nitya Samuhika Abhishekam, Kunkumarchana (For One Year) – Rs. 730.00/-

Note: Devotees themselves has to arrange priests for all above Abhishekas and Poojas. Pictures of Swamy and Ammavaru are sold here.

Additionally Saswata Kalyanam, Saswata Pooja Padhakams are there. Devotees who wants to join in the Saswata Pooja Scheme has to send Rs. 2, 500.00/- to the EO, Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Draksharamam. Debit on that money used for the Mahanyasa Purvaka Abhishekam and Sahasranama Kumkumarchana for Goddess on behalf of the devotee when he wants. These poojas will be going on for Lifelong.

Devotee who wants to join in the Saawatha Kalyanam has to send Rs. 4, 000.00/- by DD/MO. Debit on that money is used for Swamy Kalyanam on requested day (except festivals) for the lifetime and Prasadham will be sent to your address.

Devotee who buy Nityabhishakam Ticket of Rs. 730.00/-, Abhishekam for Swamy and Kumkuma Pooja for Ammavaru will be done daily, for the period of one year, Prasadham will be sent monthly once.

Please note that for the below days, Saswatha Kalyanam, Nitya Kalyanam would not be conducted in the Temple.

On Ekadasi in every month.

On Purnima in every month.

On Masa Sivaratri in every month.

On Sabhannavaratri Celebrations (Dasara) upto Asweyuja sudha padyami lagayathu dwadasi.

On all Mondays in Kartika Masam and the day of Purnima.

On kalyanam of Sri subramanyeswara Swamy Margasira Sudha Shasti and Shasti Celebrations.

On Birthday of Sri Swamy vari Margasira Sudda Chaturdasi.

On Kalyanam of Swamy in Magha masam and 7 days from Bhishma Ekadsi in every year.

Arjita Kalyanam in Maga masam, 2 days of Mahasivaratri.
Note:

Temple’s Guest house is located at Kotipalli, Near RTC Bus Stand, is of distance at ½ KM. Rent for large Dormitory is Rs. 200.00/- per day and small Dormitory is Rs. 100.00/- per day.

This Temple is 20km far from Kakinada, 45km far from Rajahmundry, 6 km far from Ramachandrapuram, and 36km far from Ravulapalem. RTC bus facilities is there.

Kanukalu, Mudupulu to the Bhimeswara Swamy through the Hundi are belongs to Sri Bhimeswara Swamy and Amma varlu and not accepted through other channels.

Donors of Gold and Silver garments and Jewelry to Swamy varu and Amma varu are requested to collect the payment receipts from the temple counter.



Rahu, Ketu Pooja – Rs. 200.00/-

Naga Pratishta – Rs. 500.00/-

Abhishekam, Kumkumarchana for Karteeka masam, (Prasadam will send to your Address) – Rs. 600.00/-

Devi Navaratrulu (10 days & Prasadam will send to your Address) – Rs.200.00/-

Saswata Poojalu (Done Pooja once in a year & Prasadam will send to your Address) – Rs. 2500.00/-

Saswata Kalyanam (Done Pooja once in a year & Prasadam will send to your Address) – Rs. 4000.00/-

Govu Pooja – Rs. 116.00/-

For more details log on to              http://www.draksharamabhimeswaraswamy.org.in/english/main.htm