Nestled about 80 km west of Nellore near Rapur mandal, the centuries’ old shrine lies deep within the wildlife sanctuary named after Penusila Narasimha Swamy. Surrounded by the verdant Veligonda hill ranges, dotted with igneous rock formations and cascading waterfalls, the temple offers a rare blend of spiritual fervour and ecological richness.
Rooted in ancient lore, the shrine is associated with the Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu, symbolising the triumph of good over evil and protection of devotees. Perched at an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet in the Eastern Ghats, the sacred site is flanked by a massive serpent-shaped hill formation, stretching across Nellore and Kadapa regions.
Streams flowing down the hills feed the Kandaleru Reservoir, sustaining nearby villages. Mythology traces the presence of Sage Kanva at the temple, who is believed to have performed penance on the banks of the local river.
The shrine holds deep cultural significance as the Kuladaivam (family deity) for thousands of families across the SPSR Nellore and neighbouring districts. Many devotees name their children Penchalaiah and Penchalamma after the deity. As part of a long-standing tradition, people of the region abstain from non-vegetarian food for 15 days—from Amavasya to Pournami—during the Brahmotsavams, wherever they may be living.
Daily rituals and trikala pujas will mark the Brahmotsavams. The festival will begin on Shuddha Ekadashi and culminate with Narasimha Jayanti, marked by the grand Garuda Seva.
The temple also houses shrines of Lord Anjaneya, regarded as the kshetrapalaka (guardian deity). Devotees follow the tradition of first offering prayers at the nearby Gollaboya shrine before praying to the main deity.
* Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Penchalakona is revered as Kuladaivam (family deity) by thousands of families with roots in SPSR Nellore and nearby districts
* Children are often named Penchalaiah and Penchalamma after the deity
* Devotees abstain from meat for 14 days from Amavasya to Pournami, regardless of their location
Key Events
· April 27 (Monday): Festival begins
· April 29 (Wednesday): Golden Hanuman Seva – 10:00 a.m.
· April 30 (Thursday): Narasimha Jayanti and Golden Garuda Seva – 11:00 a.m.
· May 1 (Friday): Kalyanotsavam (morning) and Rathotsavam (evening)
· May 2 (Saturday): Chakrasnanam and Teppotsavam (night)
· May 3 (Sunday): Festival concludes
Facilities for Devotees
· Free meals under Nitya Annadanam scheme
· Daily programmes
· Spiritual discourses
· Music and cultural programmes
· Religious dramas
