Penchalakona Temple — Pilgrim Information Guide

Editorial note: This page is an informational guide only. Tirumala Tirupati Online is an independent pilgrim-information blog and is not affiliated with the property, any temple authority, or any booking service. For any accommodation booking, please use the official TTD website or contact the property directly through their own verified channels.

Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Penchalakona is an ancient hill shrine in Rapur mandal of Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, about 70 km west of Nellore town. It enshrines a swayambhu (self-manifested) form of Lord Narasimha and is counted among the Narasimha shrines of the region. Set at the foot of the forested Eastern Ghats beside streams and waterfalls, it draws pilgrims from across Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states, with the biggest gatherings on Saturdays and during the annual Brahmotsavams. This guide covers the deity, the legend behind the name, darshan and seva timings, festivals and how to reach — drawn from the temple’s own Devasthanam and official records.

Where is Penchalakona temple?

Penchalakona is a village and pilgrimage centre in Rapur mandal, Nellore district (PIN 524414), nestled in a scenic valley of the Eastern Ghats. The Penchalakona hill is among the highest points of the Eastern Ghats within the district. The perennial Kandaleru river — historically called Kanva Yeru — originates from waterfalls in these ranges, flows through the Rapur area and empties into the Bay of Bengal near Krishnapatnam. The shrine is managed by the Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Vaari Devasthanam.

The swayambhu deity — why “Penusila”

The presiding image of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is swayambhu, believed to have manifested on its own rather than being sculpted. According to the temple’s account, two stones are naturally intertwined to form a lion’s head above a body — in Telugu penu means “twist” and sila means “stone,” which is how the Lord came to be known as Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and the place as Penusilakonda, later Penchalakona. The deity is revered as especially powerful and is traditionally invoked as a protector of chaste women. For many devotee families across Nellore and Rayalaseema, the Lord here is worshipped as their kula devata (family deity).

Sthala purana and the Chenchu Lakshmi legend

The temple’s sthala purana links the valley to sage Kanva Maharshi, who is believed to have performed penance here, giving the area its old repute as a thapovan (place of austerity). Local tradition holds that after Lord Vishnu appeared as Narasimha and slew Hiranyakashipu, he married Chenchu Lakshmi at Bhairagikona, a spot a short distance from Penusilakonda, and freed the sages who were being tormented by rakshasas. A well-loved folk legend tells of a herdsman from nearby Gonupalli who met an old man in the kona; the elder revealed that the Lord had established himself there and asked the herdsman to inform the villagers — and then, when the herdsman turned back, the old man had transformed into a rock, confirming the divine presence.

Darshan timings and daily sevas

The temple follows a full daily schedule of sevas beginning before dawn, with two main Sarva Darshanam (free general darshan) windows. The table below lists the principal daily timings published by the Devasthanam. Timings can shift on festival days and special occasions, so confirm the current schedule on the official temple channel before travelling.

Additional weekly sevas include Sri Adhilakshmi Ammavari Abhishekam (Fridays), Sri Anjaneya Swamy Abhishekam and Aaku Pooja (Tuesdays) and Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva (Saturdays). Arjitha sevas such as the Kalyanam can be availed at the temple counter, subject to the day’s arrangements.

Festivals — the annual Brahmotsavams

The temple’s biggest festival is the annual Brahmotsavams, celebrated in the Telugu month of Vaisakha (April–May) and coinciding with Narasimha Jayanti. The five-day celebration traditionally runs from Suddha Dwadasi to Bahula Padyami and features Dhwajarohanam (flag hoisting), a series of vahana sevas (processions on different mounts), Tiruchi Utsavam and the concluding Chakra Snanam. Thousands of devotees converge on Penchalakona during these days, making it the peak season at the shrine. Saturdays through the year are also considered especially auspicious for Lord Narasimha here.

How to reach Penchalakona

The temple is best reached by road, with regular buses and taxis from Nellore, Gudur, Venkatagiri and Rapur. The Devasthanam publishes several approach routes; the most common are listed below.

• By rail: Nellore is the most convenient railway station; Gudur Junction is another well-connected railhead. Taxis and buses run from there to the temple.
• By air: The nearest airport is Renigunta (Tirupati) International Airport; Chennai International Airport is the larger long-haul gateway.

Accommodation, annadanam and amenities

The Devasthanam maintains its own pilgrim rest houses (satrams and athidhi grihams) at Penchalakona, ranging from simple non-AC rooms to AC suites. Published categories include the Sree Vari Nilayam and Sree Chenchu Lakshmi Nilayam satrams and the Sree Penusila Athidhi Gruham blocks, with tariffs spanning roughly ₹200 to ₹2,250 depending on room type and occupancy. Rooms are allotted by the temple office, and during festival peaks they are typically provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For current availability and any reservation facility, use only the temple’s own official channel or the Andhra Pradesh Endowments temple-services portal — see the Sources note below.

A daily Annadanam (free lunch) has been served at the temple since 4 April 1992, beginning around 12:45 PM at the Annadanam complex for visiting pilgrims. The complex runs on donations, which the Devasthanam accepts from any amount upward. A goshala (cow shelter) and other pilgrim amenities are also maintained on the premises.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the main deity at Penchalakona temple?

The presiding deity is Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, a swayambhu (self-manifested) form of Lord Narasimha, worshipped along with Goddess Adilakshmi.

What does the name “Penchalakona” mean?

It derives from Penusila — penu (“twist”) and sila (“stone”) — describing the naturally intertwined rock that forms the Lord’s lion-head image. Penusilakonda over time became Penchalakona.

What are the darshan timings?

Sarva Darshanam is generally available in two windows — around 6:30 AM in the morning and 3:00 PM in the afternoon — with sevas from about 5:00 AM until the Ekantha Seva at 7:30 PM. Timings vary on festival days, so confirm on the official channel.

When is the temple’s main festival?

The annual Brahmotsavams fall in the month of Vaisakha (April–May), coinciding with Narasimha Jayanti, and run for about five days from Suddha Dwadasi to Bahula Padyami.

How far is Penchalakona from Nellore and Tirupati?

It is roughly 70–75 km west of Nellore (via Podalakur) and about 28 km from Rapur. Tirupati is connected by road via Venkatagiri, and Renigunta (Tirupati) is the nearest airport.

Is accommodation available at the temple?

Yes. The Devasthanam runs its own satrams and guest houses with AC and non-AC rooms. For allotment details use only the temple’s official channel or the AP Endowments portal — this website does not handle bookings.

Sources & last verified (July 2026)

• Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam (official) — History, Sevas, Route Map & Annadanam
• Government of Andhra Pradesh, Nellore District portal — Temple listing
• AP Endowments temple-services portal — tms.ap.gov.in
• Wikipedia — Penchalakona

Tirumala Tirupati Online is an independent pilgrim-information guide and is not affiliated with the temple, its Devasthanam, TTD or any government body. Timings, tariffs and festival dates can change — always reconfirm on the official temple channel or the AP Endowments portal before you travel.

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Last reviewed: July 7, 2026