A Quick Trip to Simhachalam Narasimha Temple in Andhra Pradesh by Road
There comes a time in life when we seek peace. And when it is about peace, what can be better than heading to a religious place, right? One of the religious places where you will not only feel peace all around but you can also enjoy a fabulous road trip is Simhachalam temple, Vizag. Apart from being one of the most well-known temples in India, the Simhachalam temple is also a favorite place for history buffs. The temple is located atop Simhadri hill, at an elevation of 800m above sea level. It is also called Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and dates back to the medieval age.
The Temple is an architectural delight
The temple is worth visiting because of its architectural style. You can see the Kalinga-Dravidian style with a verandah which is a square two-tier structure. On top of it, there is even a small tower. You can also find 3 courtyards and 5 gateways on the premises of the temple.
To reach the top of the temple, you have to take a thousand stairs. Dark granite has been used in the verandah which is designed with floral designs and you can even witness the scenes from Vaishnav Puranas. What else you can see? Well, a statue of a horse-driven chariot and a 16-pillared mandapam on the porch of the temple.
Simhachalam temple timings
The temple opening time for the disciples and visitors is from 7 am to 4 pm, and it reopens in the evening at 6 pm and closes at 9 pm. On some of the special occasions and festivals, the timings may change.
Daily Seva and Darshan timings
- Suprabhata Seva: 4 am
- Darshanam timings: 7 am to 8:30 pm
- Breaks: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm to 3 pm; 7 pm to 7:30 pm
- Ekantha Seva: 9 pm
Simhachalam darshan tickets online booking
The special darshan ticket of this temple is INR 100, for each person. You can either stand in the queue near the temple at special counters to get the ticket or book it online.
Best time to visit in Simhachalam temple
Vizag and all its nearby areas are actually very hot during the summer season. Therefore, to explore the temple and the places close to the temple, you should choose a time between November and February.
Accommodation near Simhachalam temple
If you want to stay here for some days and visit the nearby places as well, you can book your stay at any accommodation located near to this temple. Some of the hotels that are mostly preferred by tourists here are:
- Fairfield by Mariott Visakhapatnam
- FabExpress B Square
- Treebo Trend Siesta
- Dolphin Hotel
- Four Points by Sheraton Vishakhapatnam
- Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels
Best Places to visit near Simhachalam temple
When you decide to spend some time at Simhachalam temple, you also must use the time to explore the places nearby. This will make your road trip even more interesting. So, let us check out the nearby places to visit from Simhachalam temple.
1. Araku Valley
Located in the Visakhapatnam district, Araku Valley is a beautiful hill station that is often frequented by tourists. While the valley is surrounded by mountains such as Raktakonda, Chitamogondi, Galikonda, and Sunkarimetta, you can also take a tour of Ananthagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forests. Among these mountains, Galikonda hill is the tallest in the entire state of Andhra Pradesh. Another thing about Araku Valley is the coffee plantation. As you enter the valley, you will be surrounded by the refreshing aroma of coffee plantations. Some of the major attractions here include Borra caves, Tribal Museum, Tyda, Sangda Falls, and Padmapuram Botanical Gardens.
- Things to do: Taking a tour of different attractions, hiking, trekking, and rappelling
- Distance from Simhachalam: 104 km
- Best time to visit: October-February
2. Visakhapatnam
Popularly called Vizag, Visakhapatnam is one of the largest cities in the state. It is usually an industrial city; however, over the years, it has become a tourist hot spot. While you are here, you can head to some of the best beaches and spend your time listening to the sound of waves. You can also enjoy the view of the scenic hillocks. And if you want some entertainment in Vizag, you can even check out the modern amenities available in the city. There are three hills in the city, Sri Venkateshwara Konda, Ross hill, and the Dargah Konda, and these are dedicated to three different faiths. The major attractions in Vizag that you must visit are Submarine Museum, Kailasagiri Hill Park, Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, Simhachalam hills, the War Memorial, and the Naval Museum.
- Things to do: Visiting attractions
- Distance from Simhachalam: 17 km
- Best time to visit: October-March
3. Rajahmundry
It is the cultural city of Andhra Pradesh. It is believed that the great poet Nannaya came up with the Telugu script in this city only. This is also the place where several movements took place during the freedom struggle in India. Some of the top tourist attractions in Rajamundry are Sri Kotilingeshwara Temple, the Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Temple, ISKCON temple, etc.
- Things to do: Taking a tour of several attractions
- Distance from Simhachalam: 204 km
- Best time to visit: December-January
To make the most out of your Simhachalam trip by road, you can choose the car on rental service. You can choose the kind of car that is apt for your trip. The self-drive car rental in Vizag can easily be enjoyed by downloading the Revv app on your smartphone. Just a few clicks and you will get the car at your home in just a few days
