Simhachalam Temple

Simhachalam Temple
Simhachalam Temple
Simhachalam Temple Location in Andhra Pradesh
Geography
Coordinates	17°45′59″N 83°15′02″E / 17.7664°N 83.2505°E / 17.7664; 83.2505Coordinates: 17°45′59″N 83°15′02″E / 17.7664°N 83.2505°E / 17.7664; 83.2505
Country	India
State/province	Andhra Pradesh
District	Visakapatnam
Locale	Visakhapatnam
Culture
Primary deity	Vishnu, Narasimha
Architecture
Architectural styles	Kalinga Architecture, South Indian
History and governance
Website	http://simhachalamdevasthanam.net/

Hinduism
Part of a series on

Hindu History
Concepts God Brahman Ishvara Views on monotheism God and gender Life Atman Maya Karma Samsara Purusharthas Dharma Artha Kama Moksha Ethics Niti shastra Yamas Niyama Ahimsa Asteya Aparigraha Brahmacharya Satya Damah Dayā Akrodha Ārjava Santosha Tapas Svādhyāya Shaucha Mitahara Dāna Liberation Bhakti yoga Jnana yoga Karma yoga
Schools Six Astika schools Samkhya Yoga Nyaya Vaisheshika Mimamsa Vedanta Dvaita Advaita Vishishtadvaita Other schools Pasupata Saiva Pratyabhijña Raseśvara Pāṇini Darśana Charvaka
Deities Trimurti Brahma Vishnu Shiva Other major Devis / Devas Puranic Saraswati Lakshmi Parvati Shakti Durga Kali Ganesha Kartikeya Rama Krishna Hanuman Vedic Prajapati Rudra Indra Agni Dyaus Bhumi Varuna Vayu
Texts Scriptures Vedas Rigveda Yajurveda Samaveda Atharvaveda Divisions Samhita Brahmana Aranyaka Upanishad Upanishads Rigveda: Aitareya Kaushitaki Yajurveda: Brihadaranyaka Isha Taittiriya Katha Shvetashvatara Maitri Samaveda: Chandogya Kena Atharvaveda: Mundaka Mandukya Prashna Other scriptures Bhagavat Gita Agama (Hinduism) Other texts Vedangas Shiksha Chandas Vyakarana Nirukta Kalpa Jyotisha Puranas Vishnu Purana Bhagavata Purana Nāradeya Purana Vāmana Purana Matsya Purana Garuda Purana Brahma Purana Brahmānda Purana Brahma Vaivarta Purana Bhavishya Purana Padma Purana Agni Purana Shiva Purana Linga Purana Kūrma Purana Skanda Purana Varaha Purana Mārkandeya Purana Itihasas Ramayana Mahabharata Upavedas Ayurveda Dhanurveda Gandharvaveda Sthapatyaveda Shastras and Sutras Dharma Shastra Artha Śastra Kamasutra Brahma Sutras Samkhya Sutras Mimamsa Sutras Nyāya Sūtras Vaiśeṣika Sūtra Yoga Sutras Pramana Sutras Charaka Samhita Sushruta Samhita Natya Shastra Divya Prabandha Tirumurai Ramcharitmanas Yoga Vasistha Swara yoga Shiva Samhita Panchadasi Stotra Sutras Text classification Śruti Smriti Timeline of Hindu texts
Practices Worship Puja Temple Murti Bhakti Japa Bhajana Yajna Homa Vrata Prāyaścitta Tirtha Tirthadana Matha Meditation and Charity Tapa Dhyana Dāna Yoga Asana Hatha yoga Jnana yoga Bhakti yoga Karma yoga Raja yoga Rites of passage Garbhadhana Pumsavana Simantonayana Jatakarma Namakarana Nishkramana Annaprashana Chudakarana Karnavedha Vidyarambha Upanayana Praishartha Keshanta Ritushuddhi Samavartana Vivaha Antyeshti Ashrama Dharma Ashrama: Brahmacharya Grihastha Vanaprastha Sannyasa Festivals Navaratri Vijayadashami (Dasara) Diwali (Deepavali) Shivaratri Holi Kumbha Mela Ratha Yatra Vishu Bihu Baisakhi Mesha Sankranti Puthandu Ganesh Chaturthi Onam Rama Navami Janmashtami Raksha Bandhan Durga Puja
Gurus, saints, philosophers Ancient Gautama Angiras Aruni Ashtavakra Annamacharya Jaimini Kanada Kapila Pāṇini Patanjali Raikva Satyakama Jabala Valmiki Vyasa Yajnavalkya Medieval Nayanars Alvars Adi Shankara Basava Akka Mahadevi Allama Prabhu Siddheshwar Jñāneśvar Chaitanya Gangesha Upadhyaya Gaudapada Jayanta Bhatta Kabir Kumarila Bhatta Madhusudana Madhva Namdeva Nimbarka Prabhakara Raghunatha Siromani Ramanuja Sankardev Purandara Dasa Kanaka Dasa Jagannatha Dasa Vyasaraya Sripadaraya Raghavendra Swami Gopala Dasa Śyāma Śastri Vedanta Desika Tyagaraja Tukaram Tulsidas Vachaspati Mishra Vallabha Vidyaranya Modern Aurobindo Coomaraswamy Chinmayananda Dayananda Saraswati Gandhi Krishnananda Saraswati Narayana Guru Prabhupada Ramakrishna Ramana Maharshi Radhakrishnan Sivananda U. G. Krishnamurti Vivekananda Yogananda Ramachandra Dattatrya Ranade Mata Amritanandamayi
Other topics Calendar Criticism Denominations Iconography Mythology Nationalism (Hindutva) Persecution Pilgrimage sites Hinduism and Jainism / and Judaism Hinduism by country
Glossary of Hinduism terms Hinduism portal

Simhadri or Simhachalam is a Hindu temple located in Visakhapatnam city suburb of Simhachalam in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Lord Narasimha (the man-lion), an incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu. The central shrine was built in Kalinga architectural style.

Description

Statue at Simhachalam temple of Lord Narasimha killing the demon Hiranyakashipu

"Simha" in Sanskrit means lion; "Adri" or "Achala" in Sanskrit means hill. The temple is located at the top of a hill; hence the temple is called Simhachalam. Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy, the lion-man incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is the presiding deity of the temple. The temple is one of the eighteen "Narasimha Kshetras", the shrines of Lord Narasimha, in India. The deity is usually covered with sandalwood paste year round and can be seen without sandalwood ("nijaroopa darshan" – holy appearance in true form) for only 12 hours per year.^[1] On Akshaya Tritiya Day, the deity is re-covered with sandalwood paste. The festival of 'Chandana yatra' or 'Chandanotsavam' falls every year in Vaisakha (May).

The deity is in the tribhangi posture, with two hands and the head of a lion on a human torso. An inscription dated 1098 AD of the Chola King Kuloththunga provides a clue as to its antiquity. Another inscription names a queen of the Eastern Ganga of Kalinga (ancient Odisha) (1137–1156), while a third inscription says the eastern Ganga King of Odisha, Narasimhadeva II (1279–1306), built the central shrine in 1267. More than 252 inscriptions in Odia and Telugu describe the antecedents of the temple.

Sri Krishna Deva Raya visited the shrine in 1516 and 1519. He offered numerous valuable jewellery, of which an emerald necklace is still in the temple. For the last three centuries the royal family of Vizianagaram, the Pusapati Gajapathis, have been the temple's trustees. The last King of Vizianagaram Dr.PVG Raju Garu donated Lakhs of acres of land to Simhachalam Devastanam.

Geography

The Simhachalam temple faces west. According to religious belief, an east-facing entrance brings prosperity, while a west-facing one brings victory. The temple is situated among hills covered with cashew trees, shrubs, and mango groves. Many pilgrims undertake Giripradhikshana (circumambulation) of the hill on auspicious days. Neighbourhoods near the pilgrimage include Srinivasanagar, Prahladapuram, Sainagar colony, Simhapuri colony, and Simhapuri Layout. The journey often extends into the night, as the route is around 40 kilometres (25 mi). Pilgrims then visit the temple to give offerings to the deity.

Legends

Hiranyakasipu was a Rakshasa king and a reincarnation of one of Vishnu's Dwarapalakas (gatekeepers) in Vaikuntha (heaven). The other palaka was born as his brother Hiranyaaksha. The gatekeepers, Jaya and Vijaya, were cursed by Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanathkumara, and Sanathsujatha because the gatekeepers did not allow these four to take darshan of Mahavishnu. As a result, the gatekeepers were reincarnated three times. Hiranyakasipu decided to perform austerities (tapasya) to appease Lord Brahma, which would allow him to become immortal. However, Lord Brahma said that it was not possible.then brahma give a boon to hiranyakashaka that was if anybody try to kill you they must be want to kill you without placing on land.so it must become secret.that's why he become so dare anybody never kill him.

Hiranyakasipu's son Prahlada was a devotee of Lord Narayana and always expressed his devotion (bhakti) towards him. Hiranyakasipu could not alter Prahlada's devotion and became infuriated. He made several attempts to have Prahlada killed, including throwing him off a mountain top, putting him in a chamber of snakes and throwing him into a cage of a hungry tiger. Vishnu rescued Prahlada by moving the mountain and creating a small path, burning up the snakes and vanished the tiger. As the avatar Lord Narayana, Vishnu came to rescue Prahlada. When Lord Narayana jumped to save Prahlada, his feet sunk deep into the earth. Therefore, the god's feet are not shown anywhere at the temple, as it is said that his feet are buried in the earth. The legend says that the Simhachalam temple was built on the exact spot where Vishnu stood to protect Prahlada.

A second legend says that when the Muslims were about to destroy and plunder the temple during an invasion, a poet named Kurmanatha implored Lord Varaha Narasimha to save the temple and the Hindus. In response to these prayers, a huge swarm of copper hornets suddenly appeared and attacked the invading army, driving them out of the city. The swarm then disappeared behind a hillock now known as Tummedala Metta (Tummedala: of hornet; Metta: hillock).

Transport

Walking: By walking you can reach the temple, which is 1.1 kilometers distance.

Road: Simhachalam can be accessed by road from Simhachalam Bus Depot by APSRTC city buses, which is 4.4 kilometers, or by Simhachalam Temple Bus Service. APSRTC operates frequent buses from Dwaraka RTC complex in Visakhapatnam city which is 19.9 kilometers to SimhachalamTemple.

Rail: The nearest railway station is at Simhachalam, about 11.1 kilometres from Simhachalam Temple.Visakhapatnam railway station is the main station which is about 18.5 kilometers.

Airport: The nearest airport is Visakhapatnam Airport, about 13.2 kilometres from Simhachalam. It operates daily flights to Hyderabad, New Delhi, Chennai, Banglore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Tirupati, and Port Blair. It also has international connectivity with Dubai via Hyderabad, Singapore, Kuala Lampur.

Gallery

Stone throne behind the temple
Exit to the temple
Parking lot opposite the Gopuram
The long hike towards Simhachalam
Mandapa constructed in 2010
Temple exit
Wooden chariot at the temple

References

↑ "Simhachalam". Retrieved 6 August 2013.

Visakhapatnam topics

History	Satavahana dynasty Pallava Dynasty Eastern Chalukyas Chola Dynasty Kakatiya Dynasty Delhi Sultanate Musunuri Nayaks Vijayanagar Empire

Neighbourhoods and suburbs	Akkayyapalem Allipuram Anakapalle Anandapuram Arilova Asilmetta Bheemunipatnam Chintalagraharam Daba Gardens Dayalnagar Dibbapalem Dondaparthi Duvvada Dwaraka Nagar Gajuwaka Gangavaram Gnanapuram Gopalapatnam Hanumanthawaka Isukathota Jagadamba Centre Kancharapalem Kanithi Balancing Reservoir Kurmannapalem Maddilapalem Madhurawada Maharanipeta Malkapuram Marripalem Mindi Muralinagar MVP Colony NAD X Road Naiduthota Parawada Pedagantyada Peda Waltair Pendurthi Pothinamallayya Palem Railway New Colony Resapuvanipalem Rushikonda Seethammadhara Sheela Nagar Simhachalam Siripuram Sivajipalem Sriharipuram Suryabagh Thatichetlapalem Thagarapuvalasa Tunglam Venkojipalem Vepagunta Visakhapatnam Steel Plant

Visitor Attractions	Bheemili Beach Indira Gandhi Zoological Park INS Kursura Submarine Museum Kambalakonda Eco Park RK Beach Shilparamam Jaatara Rushikonda Beach Sivaji Park Kailasagiri Visakha Museum VUDA Park Yarada Beach

Government	Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region

Places of worship	Simhachalam Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple

Other topics: People from Visakhapatnam

Vishnu temples

Divya Desams

Andhra Pradesh, North India, Nepal	Tirupati (AP) Ahobilam (AP) Muktinath / Saligramam (Nepal) Naimisaranya (UP) Mathura (UP) Gokul (UP) Devprayag (UK) Thiruppirithi (UK) Badrinath (UK) Ayodhya (UP) Dwarka (GU)

Malai Nadu, Kerala	Thiruvananthapuram Thirukatkarai Moozhikkalam Tiruvalla Thirukadithanam Sengunroor Thiruppuliyoor Thiruvaaranvilai Thiruvanvandoor Thiru naavaay Viththuvakkodu

Madurai	Thirumeyyam Thirukoshtiyur Koodal Azhagar Temple Azhagar Kovil Tirumogoor Srivilliputhur Tiruththangal Thiruppullani

Kanchipuram	Tirukkacchi Ashtabujakaram Tiruvekkaa Tiruththanka Tiruvelukkai Tirukalvanoor Tiru oorakam Tiru neeragam Tiru kaaragam Tirukaarvaanam Tiru parameswara vinnagaram Tiru pavala vannam Tiru paadagam Tiru nilaaththingal thundam Thiruputkuzhi

Chennai	Thiruvallikeni Thiruneermalai Thiruvidandai Thirukadalmallai Thiruninravur Thiruvallur Thirukkadigai

Mayiladuthurai and Sirkazhi	Thiruvazhunthoor Thiruindaloor Kazheesirama Vinnagaram Thirukkavalampadi Thiruchsemponsey Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram Thiru Vanpurushothamam Thiruvaikunda vinnagaram Thirumanimadam Thiruthevanartthogai Thiruthetriyambalam Thirumanikkoodam Thiruvellakkulam Thiruppaarththanpalli Thalai Sanga Nanmathiyam Thiruchsirupuliyoor Thiruvali-Thirunagari

Thanjavur	Thiruccithra kootam Thirukkannangudi Thirunagai Thiru Thanjai Tirukkoilur Thirukkoodaloor Thiru Kavith Thalam Thiru Adhanoor Thirupullabhoothangudi Thirukkudandhai Thiruccherai Thirunandipura Vinnagaram ThiruNaraiyoor Thiruvinnagar Thiruvelliyangudi Thirukkanamangai Thirukkkannapuram Thirukkandiyur

Trichy	Sri Rangam Thirukkozhi Thirukkarambanoor Thiruvellarai Thiru Anbil Thirupper Nagar Thiruvanthipuram

Tirunelveli	Thiruvaramangai Thirukkurungudi Srivaikundam Thiruvaragunamangai Thiruppulingudi Thirukkurugoor Thirutthulaivillimangalam Thirukkoloor Thirukkulandhai Thentirupperai

Kanyakumari	Thiruvattaru Thiruvanparisaram

Vinnulagam (Outside the Earthly realm)	Thirupaarkadal Thiruparamapadham

Other

Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh

Anantapur	Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi

Chittor	Ardhagiri Temple Boiyakonda Gangamma Temple Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple Kapila Theertham Koneti Rayala Temple Kulandeshwara Temple Srikalahasteeswara Temple Tirumala Venkateswara Temple

East Godavari	Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Temple Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Antarvedi Neelakanteshwara Temple, Antarvedi

Guntur	Amaralingeswara Temple Kotappakonda Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Kadapa	Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta Pushpagiri Temple Complex Gandi Anjaneya Temple

Krishna	Jaladheeswara Temple Kanaka Durga Temple Paritala Anjaneya Temple Andhra Maha Vishnu Sri Peddintlamma Temple

Kurnool	Yaganti Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple Kambagiri Koulutla Chenna Kesava Temple Sangameswara Temple Mantralayam

Nellore	Ranganatha Temple, Nellore Kodandarama Temple, Buchireddipalem Penchalakona

Prakasam	Gangamma Temple, Dhenuvakonda Tripurantakam

Srikakulam	Arasavalli Srikurmam Mukhalingam

Visakhapatnam	Balighattam Nookambika Temple Simhachalam Temple Padmanabham Panchadharla

Vizianagaram	Ramatheertham Punyagiri

West Godavari	Ksheerarama Somarama Kotasattemma Temple Veerabhadra Temple

Hinduism

Aum Chakra Dharma Gurus and saints Karma Mantra Moksha Yoga Worship

Portal

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, April 19, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.