Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Ahobila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Ahobilam, in Allagadda mandal of Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, is one of the holiest places of Lord Narasimha in all of India. Set among the forested hills of the Nallamala range in the Eastern Ghats, Ahobilam is revered as the very place where the Lord appeared as Narasimha to save his devotee Prahlada. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Sri Vaishnava tradition, and it is celebrated as the Nava Narasimha Kshetra – the home of nine shrines of the Lord. The main temple at Lower Ahobilam (Diguva Ahobilam) is dedicated to Sri Prahlada Varada Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy – the Lord in his gentle form, blessing Prahlada.
The Legend
According to tradition, Ahobilam was the realm of the asura king Hiranyakashipu, who hated Lord Vishnu and tormented his own son Prahlada for his unshakable devotion. When Hiranyakashipu mockingly struck a pillar and asked whether Vishnu was there too, the Lord burst forth from it as Narasimha – half man, half lion – and slew the asura. A tall, pillar-like cleft rock in the hills, the Ugra Stambham, is revered as the pillar from which the Lord emerged.
Seeing the Lord's tremendous power, the devas are said to have cried out "Aho Balam!" – "What strength!" – and so the place came to be called Ahobalam, or Ahobilam. Another explanation links the name to bilam, the cave in which the Lord is worshipped at Upper Ahobilam.
Prahlada Varada – Lower Ahobilam
At Lower Ahobilam, the Lord is worshipped in his saumya (peaceful) aspect as Prahlada Varada – the giver of boons to Prahlada – together with Goddess Lakshmi. The temple, built in its present form largely in the 16th century, is the main temple of Ahobilam and holds most of the place's inscriptions. Its pillared halls show the Vijayanagara style. The processional (utsava) images of the Lord are kept here, and the festivals of Ahobilam are centred on this temple.
The Nava Narasimha Shrines
Upper Ahobilam (Eguva Ahobilam) lies about 8 km away, in a narrow ravine between the Vedadri and Garudadri hills, through which the sacred Bhavanasini stream flows. Tradition says the Vedas performed penance on Vedadri, and Garuda on Garudadri. In and around the valley stand the nine shrines of the Lord: Ahobila Narasimha (the oldest, in the fierce ugra form), Bhargava Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha, Yogananda Narasimha, Chatravata Narasimha, Karanja Narasimha, Pavana Narasimha, Malola Narasimha and Varaha (Kroda) Narasimha. Together these nine shrines form one Divya Desam, and many pilgrims spend one or two days visiting all of them.
History
Ahobilam was praised by the 9th-century poet-saint Thirumangai Alvar, and it is counted among the 108 Divya Desams. The temples received patronage from the Kakatiya and Reddy rulers in the 13th and 14th centuries, and above all from the kings of Vijayanagara – of the Saluva and Tuluva dynasties – in the 15th and 16th centuries; the great emperor Krishnadevaraya himself visited and endowed the shrines. Ahobilam is also the birthplace of the Ahobila Matha, an important Sri Vaishnava monastic institution founded in medieval times.
Festivals
- Brahmotsavam – the grand annual festival in the month of Phalguna (usually February–March).
- Narasimha Jayanti – the day of the Lord's appearance, on the Shukla Chaturdashi of Vaishakha (usually April–May).
- Swati Nakshatra – every month, on the Lord's birth star, a gramotsavam is held and abhishekam is performed to Sri Narasimha with 108 kalasas.
- Vaikuntha Ekadasi – darshan through the northern gateway (usually December–January).
Visitor Information
- Timings: Lower Ahobilam is listed as open about 6:00 am – 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm; the Upper Ahobilam shrines about 7:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Please check locally, especially on festival days.
- Nava Narasimha darshan: several of the nine shrines involve forest paths and steep climbs; allow at least a full day, go with a local guide, and carry water.
- Season: the cooler months from about October to February are the most comfortable for the hill shrines; paths can be slippery in the rains.
- Etiquette: traditional dress is recommended; remove footwear before entering.
How to Reach
- By Road: Lower Ahobilam is about 24 km from Allagadda, which lies on the Kurnool–Kadapa highway; APSRTC buses run from Allagadda and Nandyal.
- By Train: the nearest major railway station is Nandyal Junction, about 63 km away.
- By Air: the nearest airport is Kadapa Airport (CDP), about 87 km away by road; Kurnool Airport at Orvakal (KJB) is about 120 km away.
Other Narasimha Kshetras
Devotees of Lord Narasimha also visit Kadiri, Mangalagiri, Antarvedi and Yadadri. In the same district, about 58 km away, is the great Shiva kshetra of Mahanandi.
