Simhachalam Trip — Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Visakhapatnam
Premium Trip Package
The sandalwood-covered deity on a hill above Visakhapatnam, whose true form is revealed for a single day each year on Akshaya Tritiya.
- Region
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Duration
- 2 days
- Deity
- Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy
- Best time
- October to February; Chandanotsavam on Akshaya Tritiya
- Boarding from
- Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam
About the Simhachalam trip
At Simhachalam the deity of Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy stays covered in a thick coat of sandalwood paste all year. The nija roopa — the actual form — is visible only on Chandanotsavam, the day of Akshaya Tritiya, when the sandalwood is removed for a few hours. That one day draws lakhs of devotees up the hill.
On every other day the temple is a calm, beautiful eleventh-century Kalinga-style structure surrounded by pineapple groves, and it pairs perfectly with a Visakhapatnam stay.
We plan Simhachalam either as a focused Chandanotsavam trip, where crowd strategy decides everything, or as a relaxed two-day Vizag experience with comfortable stays.
Trip Highlights
- Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy darshan on the Simhagiri hill
- Chandanotsavam nija roopa darshan planning for Akshaya Tritiya
- Kappa Stambham and the temple's Kalinga architecture
- Vizag beach road, Kailasagiri and Submarine Museum add-on
- Optional pairing with Araku or Annavaram
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival and Simhachalam
Reach Visakhapatnam, drive up Simhagiri, darshan and prasadam, then the beach road in the evening.
Day 2
Vizag and return
Kailasagiri, Submarine Museum or Rushikonda beach, then the return journey.
What's Included
- Complete trip planning and a day-by-day itinerary built around darshan timings
- Travel arrangements for the route — train, bus or road transfer as per the plan
- Comfortable, conveniently located accommodation on twin-sharing basis
- Local transport for sightseeing and temple transfers through the trip
- Darshan, seva and pooja registrations wherever advance booking is permitted
- Dedicated coordination and assistance from planning until you return
What's Not Included
- Meals and personal dining not specified in the itinerary
- Special sevas, VIP darshan or pooja not included in your chosen package
- Personal expenses, shopping, tips and porterage
- Anything not listed under What's Included
Important Information
- Package details are prepared for your travel dates, group size and preferred comfort level.
- Darshan and seva timings are decided by the temple administration and can change on festival days.
- Accommodation and transport are confirmed once your dates and traveller count are finalised.
Darshan and travel notes
Frequently asked questions about Simhachalam
When is Chandanotsavam at Simhachalam?
On Akshaya Tritiya, usually in late April or early May. It is the only day the deity's original form is visible without the sandalwood covering.
How far is Simhachalam from Visakhapatnam railway station?
About 16 km, roughly 40 minutes including the hill climb.
Can Simhachalam and Araku be combined?
Yes, and it is the most popular pairing we plan — Simhachalam and Vizag on the first day, Araku on the following days.