Sri Kadiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Kadiri, in Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh (formerly Anantapur district) about 150 km north of Bangalore and 90 km southeast of Anantapur, is one of the principal Narasimha shrines of the Rayalaseema region. The sanctum is open daily from around 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM, with the early-morning rituals starting at 5:00 AM and general (sarva) darshan opening at 6:30 AM. The temple’s distinguishing feature is the deity’s origin: the murti is treated as swayambhu, said to have emerged from the roots of a kadiri (Indian mulberry, Morinda citrifolia) tree, from which both the temple and the town take their name. This article covers timings, the abhishekam schedule, the swayambhu story and reaching Kadiri.
Daily timings
- Temple opening: 5:00 AM (for internal rituals)
- General Sarva Darshan: 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Evening darshan: 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
- Festival days: the afternoon closure can be delayed to 3:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays draw the largest weekend crowds. Mondays, particularly during Karthika Masam, see substantial weekday traffic. The afternoon closure is enforced from 12:30 PM onwards on most weekdays.
Abhishekam and reserved sevas
- Abhishekam: 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM, at the published rate of around ₹300
- Suprabhata Seva: 5:00 AM, the first ritual of the day
- Archana, Sahasranama Archana: available at the counter
- Kalyanotsavam: reserved seva, performed on booking
- Tirumanjanam: the full Vaishnava abhishekam
Booking is at the temple counter and through the AP TMS Endowments portal. The seva fee schedule is published at the counter; the figures shift with periodic revisions.
The kadiri tree and the swayambhu origin
The temple’s puranic origin: the principal murti of Lakshmi Narasimha is said to have emerged spontaneously from the roots of a kadiri tree (the Indian mulberry, Morinda citrifolia). The town and the temple both take their name from this tree, and the original tree’s location is preserved within the temple complex. The principal murti, with five faces (pancha mukha) and standing posture, is in a niche behind the inner sanctum doorway; the standard sarva darshan offers a clear view.
The five-faced Narasimha is iconographically distinctive: of the major Narasimha shrines in southern India, Kadiri is among the few with a pancha-mukha form. The temple’s tradition identifies the five faces with five aspects of the avatar’s divine power.
History across the Cholas, Pallavas and Vijayanagara
The temple’s documented structure dates from the late Pallava and early Chola periods (9th to 11th centuries). The principal expansions are Vijayanagara-era work, particularly under the Saluva and Tuluva dynasties of the 15th and 16th centuries. The mandapas and the principal gopuram reflect the typical Vijayanagara temple-building idiom of the period. The temple has stayed in continuous worship across the centuries, with successive ruling powers in the Rayalaseema region adding to the complex.
For what it’s worth, Kadiri is one of the easier-to-add Narasimha temples on a Bangalore–Anantapur route. The 150 km drive from Bangalore makes it a comfortable day trip, and the temple’s lighter crowds (compared to Yadagirigutta and Ahobilam) mean a quiet darshan is realistic on most weekdays. Pair it with the Penukonda fort (about 70 km north) for a fuller day.
Reaching Kadiri
- From Bangalore: about 150 km north. 3 to 3.5 hours by car via NH 44.
- From Anantapur: 90 km southeast. 2 hours by car.
- From Tirupati: about 175 km west. 4 hours by car.
- From Hindupur: about 60 km. 1.5 hours.
- By bus: APSRTC and KSRTC buses run from Bangalore, Anantapur and Tirupati.
- By rail: Dharmavaram is the nearest mainline railway station, about 60 km away.
- By air: Bangalore (BLR) is the nearest major airport.
Major festivals
- Brahmotsavam (March): 9-day annual festival with daily vahana sevas and the Garuda Seva.
- Narasimha Jayanti (May, Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi): the deity’s birth festival.
- Kalyanotsavam (during the Brahmotsavam): the divine wedding ritual.
- Karthika Masam (November–December): daily deepam offerings.
- Vaikuntha Ekadashi (December–January): the principal Vaishnava observance of the year.
Common questions
Is there an entry fee?
General Sarva Darshan is free, as at AP TMS-managed temples. Reserved sevas (abhishekam at around ₹300, kalyanotsavam at higher rates, Sahasranama Archana) are paid at the temple counter. The fees are published at the counter and on the AP TMS portal.
When is the best time to visit?
October to March is the cool and pleasant season for the Rayalaseema region. April to June is hot. Weekdays in winter offer the best balance of weather and crowd levels. Weekend visits, particularly Saturdays, are heavier. Festival weeks (Brahmotsavam in March, Narasimha Jayanti in May) draw the largest crowds; advance booking for sevas is necessary for those windows.
Where to stay overnight?
Limited accommodation in Kadiri town itself; the AP TMS guesthouse and a few private hotels operate within walking distance of the temple. Most day-trip visitors stay in Anantapur (90 km), Hindupur (60 km) or return to Bangalore. The accommodation in Kadiri town is basic and oriented toward devotee families.
One limitation worth noting
Specific abhishekam slot fees and seva availability are revised periodically by the AP TMS Endowments department. The figures above (₹300 abhishekam, the morning and evening windows) reflect the temple’s currently published practice. For a planned visit, the AP TMS portal or the temple counter on arrival is the authoritative source.
For background, see the AP TMS Endowments portal.
