Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/PYsVpT88mRQ
References: https://hindupad.com/history-simhachalam-temple/
The Varaha Lakshmi
Temple at Seemanchalam situated on seemanchalam hills, is one of the 18
Narasimha kshetras in the country, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple has a
beautifully carved 96-pillared Kalyana mantapa and a natya mandapa.
The most significant
feature of the temple is that Lord Vishnu’s idol appears as both Varaha and
Narasimha in this temple and this temple is said to be built at the exact spot
(as per legend), where Lord Narasimha saved Prahalada from his father
Hiranyakashapu (Sthala Puran).
The form of
Varahanarasimha (Dwayavathara) was assumed by Vishnu while saving Prahalada
when he was thrown from the mountain, at the place called Simhadri, because it
was Prahalada’s wish to see his Lord in both the incarnations, one by which he
already killed Hiranyaksha and the other through which he would kill
Hiranyakasipu.
Legend further says,
Prahalad
The oldest
inscriptions dated back to 1098 AD of Chola King Kulothunga Choda (son of Raja
Raja Narendra of Rajamahendravarman earlier Rajamhundry). Sri Krishna Deva Raya
of Vijayanagara Dynasty also donated ornaments to this temple as per few
inscriptions out of 525.
Anantavarman
Chodaganga Deva of Kalinga of Eastern Ganga Dynasty who conquered utkala
(Odisha) had his inscriptions as the second one which are found stating he
donated for the construction.
This is one of the temples
that received the prestigious International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) certification. Assessing various factors of the Simhachalam Devasthanam,
including the services offered to the devotees, cleanliness, and greenery, the
HYM International Certifications issued the honour.
Architecture:
The architecture of
the temple is a typical Dravidian style with a main Gopuram in the front.
Although the temple is believed to be present from before 10th
century, the present structure is said to be a mix of Dravidian and Kalingan
style and is supposedly built by Eastern Dynasty King Narsingha Deva I ( Akthayi
Senapathi on his command) around 13th century with consecration by
his son Bhanudeva in 1268 AD.
After Tirumala
(Tirupati), Seemanchalam is the second largest temple in Andhra Pradesh, and is
one of the 32 Narasimha temples in AP, which are very important pilgrimage
centers. Along with Srikurmam and Jagannath Temple, Puri, this temple is an
important center for Vaishnavism during the medieval period.
How to Reach:
The temple is in the
northern side of Vizag and lies in the highway if you are coming from
Vizianagaram side. Everything is well managed, starting from entrance. At the
entrance in the bottom of the hill, one has to pay for entrance and car
parking. Vehicles can move right till the temple and the parking space is huge,
ver y large. There are dedicated lines for free darshan and paid darshan and
everything is very well managed.