Simhachalam Temple

Simhachalam Temple
Rajagopuram (main tower) of the Simhachalam temple
Simhachalam Temple Location in Andhra Pradesh
Geography
Coordinates	17°45′59″N 83°15′02″E / 17.7664°N 83.2505°E / 17.7664; 83.2505Coordinates: 17°45′59″N 83°15′02″E / 17.7664°N 83.2505°E / 17.7664; 83.2505
Country	India
State/province	Andhra Pradesh
District	Visakhapatnam
Locale	Visakhapatnam
Culture
Primary deity	Varaha Narasimha (Vishnu)
Consort	Simhavalli Thayar (Lakshmi)
Important festivals	Chandanotsavam Kalyanotsavam Narasimha Jayanthi Vijayadashami
Architecture
Architectural styles	Kalinga Architecture Dravidian architecture
History and governance
Website	http://simhachalamdevasthanam.net/

Simhadri or Simhachalam is a Hindu temple located in Visakhapatnam city suburb of Simhachalam in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Lord Narasimha (the man-lion), an incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu. The central shrine was built in Kalinga architectural style. The Kshetrapalaka of Simhachalam is Kalabhairava and pilgrims must visit the Kalabhairava Temple in the area prior to visiting the Narasimha Swamy temple.

The Sthala Purana (local legend) of Simhachalam consists of 32 chapters; the number denotes the manifestations of Narasimha. According to Dr. V. C. Krishnamacharyulu, the legends of Simhachalam and other Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh were written in the 14th century after the attempted establishment of Islam in the region. He added that the writers wrote the legends inspired from the stories of Narasimha available in the Hindu puranas. Hence, Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana form the major sources. However, the legend of Simhachalam provides new information about the previous life of the temple's founder Prahlada. The first four chapters of the legend cover the importance of Simhachalam, its deity and the principal water body Gangadhara.

Once, the Four Kumaras visited lord Vishnu's abode Vaikuntha as children. Jaya-Vijaya, the demigod gatekeepers of Vaikuntha, failed to recognise them and denied their entry. In resentment, they cursed the duo stating that they would have to give up divinity, born and live the lives of mortal beings on earth. Vishnu failed to revoke the curse of the Kumaras and felt sorry. He later offered two solutions: either being Vishnu's devotees in seven human lives or his enemies in three demonic lives. Jaya-Vijaya could not bear separation with Vishnu for a long time and chose the second possibility.