Siṁhādri Narasiṁha

Siṁhādri Narasiṁha

Siṁhādri — Narasimha of the Lion Hill

Location

• Place: Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (17.7589°N, 83.2536°E)

Story & Significance

Siṁhādri (Lion-Hill) Narasimha temple atop 800-ft Simhachalam near Visakhapatnam. The deity is a composite: Varāha-Narasiṁha (boar-lion-Vishnu) in a self-manifested form. The idol is permanently smeared with sandalwood paste — visible only on Chandana Yātrā (Vaishakha shukla 3, May) when the paste is removed and the actual stone form is shown for 12 hours. Three dynasties — Chola, Kalinga, Eastern Ganga — supported the shrine.

Worship & Festival

Daily aarati (dawn + dusk); abhisheka; flower and coconut offerings; evening deepa-dhyana. Annual festival features procession, special darshan, distribution of prasadam, and gathering of community.

Why This Entry Matters

Each district of India has its own gods, stories, and sacred places. Cataloguing them — with real coordinates and authentic local tradition — respects the richness of India's lived religious diversity.