Simhachalam Temple Hair Offering Timings Location Ticket
Hair offering (tonsure, locally called mokku or keśa khaṇḍana) at the Simhachalam temple is done at the temple’s Kalyanakatta, where devotees have their heads shaved as a vow to Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy before darshan. There is no online booking for the tonsure itself: pilgrims walk up to the Kalyanakatta on the day of their visit, obtain a token/ticket at the counter, and the temple’s barbers perform the shave. The tonsure area operates through the daytime darshan hours, and after the offering devotees bathe and proceed for darshan of the Lord. Below is a factual, up-to-date guide to the timings, location and how the offering works, with links to the official Andhra Pradesh Endowments portal for anything you want to reconfirm.
Simhachalam Temple Hair Offering — Timings, Location & Ticket
The temple on Simhachalam Hill is officially the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam, Simhachalam, and it is administered by the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department. The hill shrine sits roughly 18 km from Visakhapatnam city, at about 300 m elevation. The Kalyanakatta (tonsure hall) is part of the temple’s pilgrim-facility complex on the hill, so devotees fulfil the hair-offering vow at the same site where they take darshan.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Temple (official name) | Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam, Simhachalam |
| Managed by | Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department |
| Location | Simhachalam Hill, ~18 km from Visakhapatnam city, Andhra Pradesh |
| Offering | Head tonsure / hair offering (mokku) at the temple Kalyanakatta |
| Hair-offering timings | Daytime hours (commonly reported as about 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM); reconfirm on the day, as it can vary on festival days |
| Booking | No online/advance booking for tonsure — spot token/ticket at the Kalyanakatta counter |
| Sequence | Tonsure → bath → darshan of the Lord |
| Official portal | tms.ap.gov.in/SMCHLM |
Timings
The Kalyanakatta functions through the temple’s daytime darshan window. Independent pilgrim guides consistently report the hair-offering hours as roughly 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Treat this as indicative rather than a fixed, officially published slot: on major festival days such as Chandanotsavam, Kalyanotsavam and Giri Pradakshina, crowd-control measures and closures for rituals can change when the tonsure counter opens or shuts. If you are travelling specifically for the offering, it is safest to reconfirm the day’s hours on the official Endowments portal before you set out.
Location
The Kalyanakatta is located within the temple’s facility area on Simhachalam Hill. Because Simhachalam’s main sanctum is at the top of the hill, pilgrims who drive up or take the ghat road/steps will find the tonsure hall and the associated bathing area signposted near the main queue complex. Ask the temple staff or security on-site to direct you to the Kalyanakatta counter — it is a short walk from the darshan lines.
Ticket & how the offering works
Hair offering at Simhachalam is walk-in. You reach the Kalyanakatta, collect a token/ticket at the counter, and one of the temple-appointed barbers carries out the tonsure. There is no facility to reserve a tonsure slot online or by phone in advance — the online booking systems on the Endowments portal cover darshan, sevas and accommodation, not the Kalyanakatta. After the shave, devotees bathe (bathing/wash facilities are provided near the tonsure area) and then join the darshan queue for the Lord.
Simhachalam is a family deity (kula devata) for many Telugu households, and the first tonsure of a newborn child is frequently offered here as a long-standing family vow. If you are bringing an infant for the first haircut (puttu ventrukalu), carry the child’s essentials and expect the same walk-in process.
On the cost
An exact, officially published tonsure fee for Simhachalam is not listed on the temple’s public portal at the time of writing, and figures quoted on third-party sites are not reliable. Rather than print a number that may be wrong, we recommend confirming any charge at the Kalyanakatta counter itself or via the official portal. What is well documented officially is the accommodation entry fee of ₹100 (uniform for all devotees) if you also plan to book a room. Keep the tonsure amount as “confirm on the official portal / at the counter.”
Booking darshan, sevas & accommodation (official portal)
While the tonsure is walk-in, your darshan and stay can be planned online through the Andhra Pradesh government’s official temple systems. The Simhachalam devasthanam’s pilgrim services — Seva and Accommodation — are published on the state TMS portal, and bookings are also handled through the AP Temples portal at aptemples.ap.gov.in. Accommodation categories on the hill include choultries, cottages, guest houses and kalyana mandapams, with the ₹100 entry fee applied uniformly. Use only these official government portals for any reservation.
Click Here for the Location of the Simhachalam Temple Hair Offering
Click Here to Know the details about the TTD Tirumala e Darshan Booking Counter Timings
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Simhachalam hair offering (Kalyanakatta) timings?
The Kalyanakatta operates during the temple’s daytime hours; pilgrim guides commonly cite about 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Because hours can change on festival days, reconfirm on the official portal before travelling.
Can I book the tonsure online in advance?
No. There is no online or advance booking for the hair offering. You collect a token/ticket at the Kalyanakatta counter on the day of your visit. Online booking on the official portal is for darshan, sevas and accommodation only.
Where is the Kalyanakatta located?
It is within the temple facility area on Simhachalam Hill, near the darshan queue complex, about 18 km from Visakhapatnam city. On-site staff can point you to the counter.
How much does the hair offering cost?
An exact fee is not officially published on the temple’s portal at present, so we do not quote a figure. Confirm the current charge at the Kalyanakatta counter or via the official Endowments portal.
What is the correct sequence — tonsure or darshan first?
The customary order is to complete the tonsure at the Kalyanakatta, bathe, and then proceed for darshan of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.
Which is the official website for Simhachalam bookings?
The Andhra Pradesh Endowments portals: tms.ap.gov.in/SMCHLM and aptemples.ap.gov.in. Use only these for seva, darshan and accommodation.
Sources & last verified (July 2026)
- Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam, Simhachalam — official Endowments portal (Seva): tms.ap.gov.in/SMCHLM/cnt/seva
- Official Endowments portal (Accommodation): tms.ap.gov.in/SMCHLM/cnt/accommodation
- AP Temples government portal: aptemples.ap.gov.in
- Simhachalam devasthanam site: simhachalamdevasthanam.net
tirumalatirupationline.com is an independent pilgrim-information guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with TTD, the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department, or the Simhachalam Devasthanam. Timings, fees and facilities can change; always reconfirm on the official portal before travelling.
See also: Antarvedi Temple Sudarshana Homam Timings Online Booking
See also: Melmaruvathur Om Sakthi Abhishekam Online Booking Ticket Price
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
