Key Information at a Glance
| Temple | Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Penchalakona |
| Deity | Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy (Swayambhu form), worshipped with Chenchu Lakshmi |
| Location | Penchalakona village, Rapur Mandal, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh |
| When (month/season) | Telugu month of Vaisakha, starting on Shuddha Ekadasi (usually April or May) |
| Duration | About five days, culminating around Narasimha Jayanti with the Garuda Seva |
| How to reach | Around 70 km from Nellore city and 30 km from Rapur, set within the Veligonda hills |
About the Penchalakona temple
The Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple sits at the foot of a valley in the Veligonda hill ranges, within the wildlife sanctuary named after the deity. It is counted among the Nava Narasimha Kshetras, the nine shrines of Lord Narasimha spread across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and draws pilgrims from across the southern states.
Local tradition links the site to the story of Lord Narasimha after he slew the demon Hiranyakashipu. Unable to calm his fury, the Lord is said to have wandered the forest until Goddess Lakshmi approached him in the form of a tribal woman, Chenchu Lakshmi, and embraced him here. The Telugu word for that embrace gave the place its earlier name, Penusila, which over time became Penchalakona. The presiding deity is regarded as Swayambhu, or self-manifested, in a rock form.
About the Brahmotsavam and day-wise highlights
A Brahmotsavam is the temple’s principal annual festival, a sequence of elaborate daily worship and processions that honour the deity over several days. At Penchalakona it runs for about five days and is marked by trikala puja, the three daily worship cycles of morning, midday and evening, along with special abhishekams and devotional offerings.
What pilgrims can generally expect across the festival:
- Opening day: The festival commences on Shuddha Ekadasi with ankurarpana and inaugural rituals that set the deity’s vahana (vehicle) processions in motion.
- Middle days: The utsava murti is taken out on different vahanas and decorated in varied alankarams, with daily archana, abhishekam and cultural offerings.
- Concluding day: The celebration peaks around Narasimha Jayanti, the appearance day of Lord Narasimha, with the grand Garuda Seva when the deity is carried on the Garuda vahana.
Because the precise order and timing of individual sevas are decided by the temple each year, treat the above as a general guide rather than a fixed minute-by-minute schedule.
When it is held and how to check current dates
The Brahmotsavam is tied to the Hindu lunar calendar, not to a fixed Gregorian date. It begins on Vaisakha Shuddha Ekadasi and closes around Narasimha Jayanti, which together usually place the festival in April or May. Since the lunar months shift relative to the English calendar, the exact start and end dates change every year.
This page is intentionally evergreen and does not publish a specific year’s dates as current. To plan a visit, confirm the live schedule from the temple administration or the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department, which manages the shrine. Verifying the official dates also helps you account for any crowd-management or darshan arrangements made for the festival period.
Location and how to reach
The temple lies in Penchalakona village, Rapur Mandal, in the Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, surrounded by forested hills and seasonal waterfalls.
| From Nellore city | About 70 km by road, via Rapur |
| From Rapur | About 30 km; buses and taxis connect to the temple |
| Nearest town hub | Rapur, reached from Nellore by APSRTC bus or road |
| Terrain | Hilly forest setting in the Veligonda ranges; a short uphill walk leads to the nearby waterfall |
Road conditions and bus frequency can vary, especially during the rains and on festival days, so check current transport options before setting out. Entry to the temple and its services is free of charge; this guide does not arrange travel, darshan, accommodation or payments of any kind.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Penchalakona Brahmotsavam held?
It is a five-day festival in the Telugu month of Vaisakha, starting on Shuddha Ekadasi and ending around Narasimha Jayanti, which usually falls in April or May. The exact dates change every year with the Hindu lunar calendar, so confirm the current-year dates with the temple.
Which deity is worshipped at the Penchalakona temple?
The presiding deity is Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy in a self-manifested form, worshipped together with Chenchu Lakshmi. The shrine is one of the Nava Narasimha Kshetras of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
What is the main highlight of the festival?
The festival is celebrated with daily processions of the deity on different vahanas and trikala puja, and it culminates around Narasimha Jayanti with the grand Garuda Seva, when the deity is carried on the Garuda vahana.
How do I reach the Penchalakona temple?
The temple is about 70 km from Nellore city and 30 km from Rapur, set in the Veligonda hills. Buses and taxis run via Rapur. Confirm current bus timings and road conditions before travelling, especially during festival days or the rainy season.
