A Journey to the abode of Lord Narasimha in the midst of tranquility!

Ahobilam is the place where Lord Narasimha blessed Prahlada and killed the demon Hiranyakashipu. Ahobilam is located in Karnool district of Andhra Pradesh in the hills of the Eastern Ghats. It is very popularly known that the Nallamalai range of mountain in Andhra Pradesh is a manifestation of Adisesha Himself and that at the tail end is Sri Sailam, the middle part is Ahobilam and the head is Tirupati. Mention of Legends connected with Ahobalam can be found in Brahmanda Purana, Kurma Purana, Padma Purana & Vishnu Purana.

Ahobila Narasimha Temple:

The temple, situated on the upper Ahobilam, at a distance of eight kms from the Lower Ahobilam, is the main temple and the earliest of all the nine shrines. The lord in the main altar here appears in his fierce aspect. Hence, He is called Ugra Narasimha. He is the presiding deity of the temple and is also known as Ahobilam Narsimha. This Narsimha deity manifested ‘svayambhu’ (self-manifest).

Krodha or Varaha Narasimha:

The shrine of Varaha Narasimha is one km away from the main temple of Ahobila Narasimha of the upper Ahobilam. Walking alongside the Bhavanashini river east-wards and Kalakshepa Mandapa, we arrive at the cave shrine of Krodha (Varaha). Surrounded by attractive natural scenery all around. The lofty mountains over-grown with tall trees are awe inspiring. In the narrow valley between Vedari and Garudadadri, the silver stream of Bhavanasini glides on beautifully. In this cave shrine, there are two deities, one of Lakshmi-Narasimha and another sthanaka figure of Varaha Narasimha with His consort, Goddess Bhudevi. The Goddess is shown as embracing the ‘snout’ portion of the Lord, just as she did while being raised by Him up from the ocean waters after piercing Hiranyaksha with His tusks and then slaying him. Varaha stands in a tribhanga posture with only two hands, the head of the boar and the tail of the lion on a human torso.

Jwala Narasimha:

The temple of Jwala Narasimha lies higher up the Malola temple, on a hill called ‘Achalachaya Meru’. This is about four kms from the upper Ahobilam temple. This place is said to be actual spot where the ferocity or anger of the Lord reached its acme when He tore Hiranyakashipu. It is somewhat difficult to reach this place as we have to pass through a narrow passage made by cutting and chiseling the rocks of the peak on one side, while to the other side of this passage there is a very deep valley. One has to walk very carefully. It is told that the spot where Jwala Narasimha is sitting with Hiranyakashipu on His lap is the threshold of the main entrance door of the spacious palace of Hiranyakashipu.

After slaying Hiranyakashipu, Narasimha looked very frightful. To pacify Him, Indra and other demigods poured Suraganga water (Celestial Ganges) on His head, which flowed down as a stream into the nearby valley and later into the river called Bhavanashini. In front of this shrine there is a small pond below a fully open cave. The water of this pond is very reddish. The color of this water is said to be due to Narasimha’s washing His hand here after tearing the abdomen of Hiranyakashipu.

The shrine appears to be a natural cave. There are three deities in the shrine, Ashtabhuja Narasimha, Chaturbhuja Narasimha and Narasimha chasing Hiranyakashipu.

Ugra Stambha:

At a distance of eight kms from the upper Ahobilam, we can see a cleft of the mountain dividing itself into two visible parts. It is a long-held view that from the cleft, the Lord appeared in the form of Narsimha and this cleft is known as ‘Ugra Stambham’. The path way to this place is a very arduous one.

Malola Narasimha:

Malola shrine is situated nearly two kms from the main temple of the upper Ahobilam. The Deity here appears in ‘Soumya’ (peaceful) form. As Narasimha is seen with his consort, Sri Lakshmi, He is known as Malola Narasimha. The word ‘Malola’ means beloved of Lakshmi (ma= Lakshmi, Lola=beloved). The shrine is on a level surface of a peak of the Vedadri Mountain. This place is also called Markonda Lakshmi Kshetra.

Prahlada Mettu:

This small shrine situated on the hill is in between ugra stambham and the upper Ahobilam. It is dedicated to Prahlada. The deities of Narsimha and Prahlada are installed in a small cave. This is the place where Prahalda had his school with Teachers Shanda and Amarka.

Karanja Narasimha:

This shrine is situated at a distance of one km from the upper Ahobilam and one furlong away from the road leading to lower Ahobilam. The Bhavanashini River glides on at the left of the road. The shrine is under a Karanja tree, which accounts for the name Karanja Narasimha. The deity of the Lord appears to be seated in meditation, with a hooded cobra over the head. The upper right hand holds a Chakra and upper left hand has Saranga, or bow. The lower hands are in Dhyana mudra.

Prahlada Varada Narasimha Temple:

Though this temple is not one of the Nava Narasimha temples, it is very much closely connected with this kshetra and hence popularly visited. In this temple, the Lord is seated facing Prahlada. In the altar is also placed the utsava vigrahas of nine Narasimha forms. The Temple is very wide, a peaceful place of worship.

Chatravata Narasimha:

The shrine of Chatravata is about four kms away from the Lower Ahobilam, on the same road leading to Yogananda. The temple is small and is under the shade of an umbrella-like banyan tree. Hence, the Deity here is called Chatravata Narsimha. The Deity is seated in the padmasana pose on a low padmapitha. The two upper hands hold the Chakra and Shankha. The Lower right hand is in the Abhaya posture, while the lower left hand is a Katihasta, placed on the waist and the left thigh.

Yogananda Narasimha:

This shrine is at a distance of two kms to the southeast of Lower Ahobilam. The Lord is in yogic posture of the legs being crossed and tied with a Yogapatta. The Deity is four-handed and holds Chakra in the upper hand and Shankha in the upper left hand. The other two hands rest on the knees.

Pavana Narasimha:

Pavana Narasimha shrine is situated on the bank of the river Pavani and it is about six kms. from the upper Ahobilam temple. This shrine is in the middle of a dense forest. The main Deity is with four hands. The upper two hands carry Shankha and Chakra. The lower right hand is in Abhaya pose, while the lower left hand is shown as embracing Lakshmi-devi, seated on His left thigh. The Lord is seated in Sukhasana posture on Adisesha, with His left leg folded while the right leg is bent at the knee. Dangling down over the head of Narsimha is found a seven-hooded Adisesha, spread like an umbrella. Lakshmi-devi is shown seated on the thigh of the Lord with right hand embracing the Lord.

Bhargava Narsimha Shrine:

The Bhargava Narsimha shrine is situated at a distance of two kms from the Lower Ahobilam on a hill, near the sacred pond known as Bhargava Tirtham. It is the site where Bhargava Rama performed his penance, hence the Lord of the temple is known as Bhargava Narsimha. The entire distance is to be covered on foot. At some distance down a deep incline, we come to a very calm place where we find a beautiful pond of cool, fresh and crystal clear water surrounded by ever green thick shrubs and tall trees. The pond is also called Akshaya Tirtha. At a few yards away from this pond there is a flight off some steps, climbing up which we reach the Bhargava shrine.

May Lord Lakshmi Narasimha shower His blessings to all readers