Simhachalam, on a hill near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, is a great temple of Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha, a form of Vishnu that joins the boar and the man lion together.
Your ordinary darshan is free. Through most of the year the deity is covered in a thick coat of sandal paste, and only on one day a year do you see the true form. For a shorter wait you book a quick darshan and sevas on the official Andhra Pradesh government temple portal. You book on the government portal, not on a reseller.
Free and special darshan
- Your ordinary darshan of Lord Varaha Narasimha is free and open to all.
- For a shorter wait you book a paid quick darshan on the government portal.
- On weekends, on Narasimha Jayanti, and above all at Chandanotsavam the crowds are enormous, so book ahead and reach early.
[The exact darshan and seva types and amounts are shown on the official portal, tms.ap.gov.in. Last checked 14 September 2026.]
The sandal paste form
The special thing at Simhachalam is that the deity stays covered in a thick coat of sandalwood paste, the chandanam, through most of the year, so what you see is a smooth sandal form, not the carved idol. People believe this cools the fierce Narasimha. You take darshan of this sandal form on an ordinary visit. Once a year, priests remove the paste for a single day, when they show the true stone form.
Chandanotsavam
The greatest day is Chandanotsavam, usually in the summer around Akshaya Tritiya, the one day the priests fully remove the sandal paste, so you can see the original form of the Lord for a few hours before they coat it again. Lakhs of pilgrims come for this rare darshan. If you plan to visit for Chandanotsavam, reach very early, be ready for an enormous crowd through the night, and book your stay far ahead.
Sevas and rooms
On the government portal you book sevas and abhishekams in your name, and the Devasthanam accommodation for pilgrims. You pay online and keep your confirmation, then present it at the temple or the guest house. Book a room early for Chandanotsavam and festival days, when they fill fast.
How to book, step by step
Open the official Andhra Pradesh government temple portal, tms.ap.gov.in, and pick the Simhachalam temple, then a quick darshan, a seva, or a room. Choose your date and slot, add your details, and pay online, then download your confirmation. Reach the temple in good time, carry your confirmation and identity, and dress modestly, as at any temple.
How to reach
Simhachalam is about sixteen kilometres from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Visakhapatnam has an airport and a major railway junction, both close to the hill. You reach the temple by road up the Simhachalam hill, and there is a road and steps to the top. Many pilgrims make it a half day trip from the city.
What to carry
Carry your booking confirmation, a photo identity, and a little cash or a card. Dress modestly. Carry water for the hill, and be ready for a wait on busy days. If you come for Chandanotsavam, carry patience and reach very early, because the queue runs through the night.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Your biggest mistake would be booking on a private "VIP darshan" site, when the official channel is the government portal, tms.ap.gov.in. Next, do not expect to see the carved idol on an ordinary day, because the deity is coated in sandal paste except at Chandanotsavam. Do not come at Chandanotsavam without a plan, into an enormous crowd. Do not miss pairing the trip with Visakhapatnam and its beaches.
Questions people ask
Is Simhachalam darshan free?
Yes, your ordinary darshan is free. A paid quick darshan and sevas are booked on the government portal.
What is the official website?
The Andhra Pradesh government temple portal, tms.ap.gov.in, for the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam.
Why is the deity covered in paste?
A thick sandal paste coat covers the deity through most of the year, believed to cool the fierce Narasimha.
What is Chandanotsavam?
The one day a year, usually around Akshaya Tritiya, when the paste is removed and you see the true form for a few hours.
How do I reach Simhachalam?
By road from Visakhapatnam, about sixteen kilometres, up the Simhachalam hill.