Star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli visited the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam on Sunday to offer prayers. The visit came a day after India clinched the ODI series against South Africa with a 2-1 margin, following a victory in the final match at the ACA-VDCA Stadium.
Kohli was accompanied by all-rounder Washington Sundar, India’s fielding coach T. Dilip, his family members, and officials from the Andhra Cricket Association. This spiritual visit followed a similar trip by head coach Gautam Gambhir, who had offered prayers at the shrine on Saturday.
Upon their arrival, the cricketing delegation was received by Simhachalam Devasthanam Deputy Executive Officer S. Radha and Assistant Executive Officer K. Tirumaleswara Rao. As part of the rituals, Kohli embraced the ‘Kappa Sthamba’ (sacred pillar), a traditional practice believed to fulfill wishes, before proceeding to take darshan of the presiding deity.
Following the special prayers, Vedic scholars recited Veda Ashirvachanam to the accompaniment of Nadaswaram and Vedic chants. The temple administration honored the players by presenting Kohli with the Swami Vari Sesha Vastram (sacred cloth), a portrait of the deity, and prasadam.
The Simhachalam Temple, located on the "Lion Hill" about 15 km from the city center, is a Vaishnavite shrine dedicated to Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha. The deity represents a rare fusion of three avatars of Vishnu: Varaha (the boar), Narasimha (half-lion, half-man), and Lakshmi Narasimha.
Uniquely, the idol remains covered in sandalwood paste throughout the year, giving it the appearance of a Shivalinga, with the sandal paste removed only once a year during the Chandanotsavam festival. The temple is accessible by road from key junctions in Vizag and attracts devotees from across the country.
An official from the temple body confirmed the details of the high-profile visit to the media. "Kohli visited the temple along with his family members and Team India representatives," the official stated. The visit sparked interest on social media, towards the cultural significance of the shrine.