Simhachalam

Simha: Lion; Adri or Achala: Hill (one which cannot be moved, viz. hill). On the top of the hill there is a famous temple which is said to be the abode of Varaha Narasimha Swami, and hence the hill itself is called (nara) Simhachalam.

            Simhachalam is surrounded by several acres of land. In the fields and in greenhouses various cereals and vegetables are grown. All this takes place in a biological way. No pesticides are used and everything is done by hand. Even the tractor is rarely used. If more work is obtained with all the help and if 20 to 30 devotees together to help the work is done quickly. Therein lies our strength. We work together and not for profit, but for Krishna. Thus, the agricultural activities are spiritually and make us happy.

 

Monastery

            One of the most important components of Simhachalam is his monastery. The Sanskrit technical term is "Brahmacari ashram." The Brahma Caris (monks) and devote himself entirely to the development of their Krishna consciousness. They live very simply, without material possessions and thus no worries. These austerities they lie on a voluntary basis. You study, meditate and work. By this simple and sublime life of their many spiritual experiences and share them in their preaching with all who will hear it.

If one has gone through the basic training of Bhaktakurses and has qualified by practical temple life, you can enter the monkhood.

Some give this lifestyle a few years and then, strengthened by these priceless lessons of monks lives in society continue. And some are fulfilled in this life so that they spend the whole life as a monk.

Simhachalam temple in the center of the room is available with a traditional altar. On this there is the deity of Narasimha. He is worshiped along with His devotee Prahlada through millennia-old rituals.

Each day begins at 4:30 am and the worship ends with the last ceremony at 18:30. For this, the devotees gather together, as residents and guests sing musical mantras.

The Deity is located here since 1982 in the Bavarian Forest and protects all who seek refuge in Him.

 

History

It has Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy as the presiding deity. The deity at Simhachalam, the lion-man incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu is usually covered with sandalwood paste whole year and can be seen without Sandlewood for only 12 hours. 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 Odisha) (1137-56 AD) covering the image with gold while a third inscription says the eastern Ganga King of Odisha, 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 an important historical monument.

Sri Krishna Deva Raya after defeating the Gajapati ruler of Odisha 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 jewelry 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. Giripradhikshana (circumambulation), which is situated around the hill ranges (~40 km) from Hanumantha vaka/MVP colony to Simhachalam, is done by pilgrims during the auspicious days. Crowds of elderly people/youth/children are observed walking the 40 km stretch overnight. They visit the temple after the long journey and give their offerings to the deity.

It is said that during an invasion, when the Muslims were about to destroy and plunder the temple, a poet, Kurmanatha, implored Lord Varaha Narasimha to save his temple and the Hindus. In response to his fervent prayers, a huge swarm of copper hornets suddenly appeared and attacked the invading army, driving them out of the city. The swarm disappeared behind a hillock after driving out the Muslim armies. That hillock is now known as Tummedala Metta (Tummedala=of hornet, Metta=hillock).

LOCATION

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 hilltop road and the location of the eastern ghat ranges are beautiful and picturesque. The hills are densely populated with trees like cashew, shrubs and mango groves. The forestry is protected and well-conserved. The greenery attracts tourists and nature lovers.

There is also the Simhachalam railway station at Gopalapatnam, which is also a stop for some express trains.

The neighbourhoods near the pilgrimage include Srinivasanagar, Prahladapuram, Sainagar colony, Simhapuri colony, Simhapuri Layout and many other housing areas.

Reaching Simhachalam

One can reach Simhachalam from almost any where in Vizag. If you get down at the Waltair Railway Station, you can visit Simhachalam by Bus ( 6A ) or hire a Cab.
Busses numbered 6A and 40 start from the Dwaraka Bus Station ( APSRTC Complex ).
If starting from Gajuwaka, you can get Bus numbered 55. And if you want to start from Maddilipalem, get the bus numbered 540.
If you like to have a more comfortable journey, hiring a cab is 

always a good idea.

Reaching the Hill Top

You can take up the steps path to reach to the Temple. However, if you and also take up abus. Simhachalam Devasthanam runs Simhadri Bus Service to take you to the hilltop from the foothill. Busses will be available for every 10 minutes and ticketcosts Rs. 6/- per adult and Rs. 3/- for a child. The fares are nominal and isworth to go on bus if you are not a professional driver since the roads to thehill are narrow and curviest.