Penchalakona Arya Vysya Satram Phone Number Rooms Booking
Editorial note: This page is an informational guide only. Tirumala Tirupati Online is an independent pilgrim-information blog and is not affiliated with the Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department, or any booking service. For accommodation or seva, please use the official AP Endowments / temple channels linked below and confirm every detail with them before you travel.
Planning a trip to Penchalakona and wondering where to stay? The short answer: the Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple sits in a remote forested valley in Nellore district, and pilgrim stays there are arranged through the temple’s own devasthanam under the AP Endowments Department — not through private agents or reseller websites. The temple and the surrounding village offer only simple, basic pilgrim facilities, so most visitors either take a day trip from Nellore or Rapur, or arrange a modest room on arrival through the temple office. This guide explains the temple, the kind of stay options that exist in general terms, and the official channels to use — with no booking hype and no unofficial contact numbers.
Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple — Quick Facts
| Full name | Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Penchalakona |
| Deity | Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy (Swayambhu / self-manifested) with Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi |
| Location | Penchalakona village, Rapur mandal, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh |
| Significance | One of the Nava Narasimha kshetras of the Telugu states; set in the Eastern Ghats beside the Kandaleru stream |
| Darshan timings | 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM (confirm on the official portal) |
| Main festival | Annual Brahmotsavam over five days in Vaisakha (April–May), coinciding with Narasimha Jayanti |
| Managed by | Temple devasthanam under the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department |
| Official portal | tms.ap.gov.in/PLNPKN and aptemples.ap.gov.in |
About the Temple
The Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple stands at the foot of a hill in the Penchalakona valley, deep in the Eastern Ghats about 70 km west of Nellore city. The presiding deity is worshipped as a Swayambhu — a self-manifested form of Lord Narasimha — and the shrine is counted among the Nava Narasimha (nine Narasimha) kshetras spread across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The setting is genuinely scenic: forested slopes, seasonal waterfalls, and the Kandaleru stream that rises from the surrounding ranges.
According to the temple’s Sthalapurana, sage Kanva Maharshi is believed to have performed penance in this valley. The better-known legend explains the name itself: after Lord Narasimha slew Hiranyakashipu, his fierce anger would not subside, and Goddess Lakshmi approached him here in the form of Chenchu Lakshmi, a tribal maiden, and embraced him. The Telugu phrase for that embrace — “Penu vesukonuta” — is said to have given the deity the name Penusila and the place the name Penchalakona.
Darshan Timings and Festivals
The temple is generally open for darshan from 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the morning and 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM in the evening. Because this is a smaller hill shrine rather than a large city temple, timings can shift on festival days and during maintenance, so it is worth confirming on the official AP Endowments temple page before a long journey.
The temple’s flagship event is the annual Brahmotsavam, celebrated over five days during the month of Vaisakha (April–May) and timed to coincide with Narasimha Jayanti. The festival features rituals such as Dhwajarohanam (flag hoisting), the various Vahana Sevas, the Tiruchi Utsavam and Chakra Snanam, and it draws large crowds from across the region. If you plan to visit during Brahmotsavam, expect the valley to be busy and simple accommodation to fill quickly.
Staying Near Penchalakona — How It Works
Penchalakona is a small pilgrimage village, not a resort town, so it is important to set expectations. The stay options fall into two broad categories, and in every case arrangements are made through official temple/devasthanam channels or ordinary public accommodation — never through private “booking” resellers.
- Temple / devasthanam pilgrim facilities: The temple, administered under the AP Endowments Department, maintains basic rest facilities and choultry-style rooms for pilgrims within or near the temple complex. These are simple, functional rooms intended for short stays around darshan. Categories, availability and any nominal charges are decided by the devasthanam and are handled at the temple office; they are not published as a fixed online tariff, so confirm current details directly with the temple administration on the official portal.
- Accommodation in nearby towns: Because facilities in the village itself are limited, many pilgrims prefer to base themselves in Rapur (about 30 km away) or in Nellore city (about 70 km away), where a wider range of ordinary hotels and lodges is available, and make a day trip to the temple.
Since the temple sits inside a forest valley, most visitors treat Penchalakona as a same-day darshan rather than an overnight destination, timing their arrival for the morning or evening darshan window and returning to a larger town for the night.
Arranging a Stay the Right Way
To keep things simple and safe:
- Use only the official AP Endowments temple portal (tms.ap.gov.in/PLNPKN) or the umbrella site aptemples.ap.gov.in to check what the devasthanam currently offers.
- For any temple room, deal with the temple office directly on the official channels — do not pay advances to third-party sites claiming to “reserve” Penchalakona rooms.
- For a hotel stay, book through the accommodation provider’s own verified channel in Rapur or Nellore.
- Carry a valid government photo ID, as it may be required at check-in for temple accommodation.
How to Reach Penchalakona
The temple is well connected by road, though the last stretch runs through hilly, forested terrain.
| From Nellore | About 70 km west; APSRTC buses and taxis run via Rapur |
| From Rapur | About 30 km; the nearest major town, with frequent onward transport |
| From Rajampet | About 85 km |
| Nearest railway stations | Nellore and Vedayapalem; continue by bus or taxi |
| By bus | APSRTC services operate from Nellore, Gudur and Rapur; Tirupati pilgrims often route via Rapur |
Because bus frequency to the temple itself can be limited, especially in the evening, many pilgrims travel by taxi or private vehicle for flexibility, and plan their return before dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there accommodation at the Penchalakona temple?
The temple devasthanam, under the AP Endowments Department, maintains basic pilgrim rest facilities and choultry-style rooms near the complex. They are simple and meant for short stays around darshan. Current availability and any charges are handled by the temple office — confirm on the official AP Endowments portal rather than relying on any private listing.
Can I book a Penchalakona temple room online in advance?
There is no verified public online booking tariff for this small temple. Any accommodation should be arranged through the temple’s own devasthanam / AP Endowments channels. Avoid third-party or reseller websites that claim to book rooms here.
What are the temple darshan timings?
Generally 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Timings can change on festival days, so confirm on the official portal before a long trip.
Where else can I stay near Penchalakona?
Most pilgrims stay in Rapur (about 30 km) or Nellore city (about 70 km), where ordinary hotels and lodges are available, and make a day trip to the temple.
When is the best time to visit?
The cooler months and the annual Brahmotsavam in Vaisakha (April–May), which coincides with Narasimha Jayanti, are the most popular. Expect larger crowds and limited local accommodation during the festival.
How do I reach the temple from Tirupati or Nellore?
From Nellore it is about 70 km west via Rapur by APSRTC bus or taxi. Tirupati-side pilgrims usually route through Rapur, which is the nearest major town about 30 km from the temple. The nearest railheads are Nellore and Vedayapalem.
Sources & last verified (July 2026)
- AP Endowments Department — Temple Management System, Penchalakona (PLNPKN): tms.ap.gov.in/PLNPKN
- Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District (Government of AP) — temple page: spsnellore.ap.gov.in
- AP Temples (Government of Andhra Pradesh) — endowments portal: aptemples.ap.gov.in
- Wikipedia — Penchalakona (location, Nava Narasimha, festival context): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penchalakona
This site is an independent pilgrim guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the Penchalakona temple, the AP Endowments Department, or any temple authority. Timings, festival dates, facilities and any charges are set by the temple administration and can change without notice — always verify on the official AP Endowments portal before you travel.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026