Simhachalam temple timings

Checked 2026-09-16 against the official sources below

Simhachalam temple timings run from Suprabhata Seva at 4 am to closing at 9 pm, with All Darshanams open in three long windows and two short closures for temple rituals. The Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple sits on Simhachalam hill near Visakhapatnam and is run by the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department. Below is the schedule from the department’s own site and the drive from nearby cities.

Daily timings at Simhachalam

The Endowments Department’s Temple Timings page gives one schedule for every day. The temple opens at 4 am with Suprabhata Seva, closes briefly for Aaradhana (no darshan or sevas) until 5.30 am, then opens for All Darshanams from 6.30 am to 11.30 am. The temple closes for Rajabhogam from 11.30 am to 12.15 pm and for Pavalimpu from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm, with darshan in between and again from 3.30 pm to 7 pm and 8.30 pm to 9 pm.

TimeWhat happens
04:00 to 04:30Suprabhata Seva
04:30 to 05:30Aaradhana (no darshan or sevas)
05:30 to 06:30Aaradhana Seva
06:30 to 11:30All Darshanams
11:30 to 12:15Break (Rajabhogam)
12:15 to 14:30All Darshanams
14:30 to 15:30Break (Pavalimpu)
15:30 to 19:00All Darshanams
19:00 to 20:30Aaradhana Seva
20:30 to 21:00All Darshanams

Getting to Simhachalam from Visakhapatnam

Simhachalam hill is on the edge of Visakhapatnam. By road it is only 23 km from central Visakhapatnam, about 25 min of driving, which makes it an easy half day visit. The table below shows the drive from other cities.

FromRoad distanceDrive time
Hyderabad578 km7 h 25 min
Bengaluru991 km12 h 35 min
Chennai813 km10 h 25 min
Vijayawada361 km4 h 35 min
Visakhapatnam23 km25 min
Kurnool698 km8 h 45 min

Sources

Temples change timings and rules during festivals and eclipses. Confirm on the trust’s website the week you travel. This site is independent and does not sell tickets or rooms.

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Frequently asked questions

What are Simhachalam temple timings?

The temple opens at 4 am with Suprabhata Seva. All Darshanams run 6.30 am to 11.30 am, 12.15 pm to 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm to 7 pm and 8.30 pm to 9 pm, per the Endowments Department’s timings page.

Why does Simhachalam temple close at midday?

The temple closes for Rajabhogam from 11.30 am to 12.15 pm and for Pavalimpu from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm.

How far is Simhachalam from Visakhapatnam?

Only about 23 km by road, roughly 25 min of driving.

Who runs Simhachalam temple?

The Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department, which lists timings and bookings on tms.ap.gov.in.

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Pro Tip: Electronic Cloakroom Counters and Traditional Dress Code Rules

Mobile phones, smart fitness bands, wireless earphones, and cameras are strictly prohibited inside the main Vaikuntam Queue Complex and sanctum sanctorum. Before stepping into the queue line, deposit all electronics at the free computerized TTD electronic baggage counter and keep your receipt safely in a crossbody pouch. Men must wear traditional dhotis with upper cloth or kurthas with pajamas (western jeans and shorts are prohibited in special entry darshan). Women must wear sarees, half-sarees, or churidars with a dupatta.

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