AHOBILAM

 A  pilgrimage to the ‘Nava Narasimha Kshetrams’ at Ahobilam, nestled in the lush green Nallamala forests along the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh is a fascinating spiritual journey which remained beyond the reach of the devotees until the 1970s

‘Aho Veeryam Aho Sauryam Aho Bahu Parakramah…Narasimham Param Deivam…Ahobilam Aho Balam’ a shloka recited by none other than the Gods themselves as they witnessed the sheer power with which Lord Sri Maha Vishnu as incarnation of Lord Ugra Narasimha ferociously slayed the demon king Hiranyakashipu using just his finger nails, to save his ardent devotee Sri Prahlada, who was also the son of Hiranyakashipu

While every incarnation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu is unique, the ‘Nrusimhavathara’ avatar is very special. In ‘Nrusimhavathara,’ Lord Sri Maha Vishnu descended upon Earth only to save a single child Prahlada from the clutches of the demon king Hiranyakashipu who had obtained a peculiar boon from Lord Shiva whereby he could not be killed by a human or an animal, neither in the day nor in the night, neither inside nor outside the palace.

Lord Ahobila Narasimha weds Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi

It is said after the Lord took the incarnation of the most ferocious form of Sri Jwala Narasimha, even the Gods were afraid and they feared that the Lord's anger would bring about the end of the world. 

Goddess Lakshmi who was born in a local Chenchu tribe then approached the Lord to pacify and calm him Him so that his anger was controlled and he could bless the devout. The Lord then wed Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi and bestowed His divine grace on the child Sri Prahlada and the whole mankind.

To date, the local Chenchu tribes treat the Lord as their ‘son in-law’ and Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi as their own daughter. Legend has it that before the annual Brahmotsavams, Lord Jwala Narasimha and Lord Prahlada Varadha travel to forty eight villages in and around Ahobilam as part of the ‘Parveta Utsavam,’ to invite the local Chenchu tribes and the locals for His marriage with Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi.

This tradition continues and each time the Lord visits a particular village, the event is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. Special honours are accorded to the local Chenchu tribes on the eve of Makara Sankranthi, the annual Brahmotsavams as well as on all festive occasions observed at Ahobilam all round the year.

Ahobilam: Sacred abode of Lord Vishnu on Earth
As per the Brahmanda Puranam, there is no deity more supreme in the entire universe than the nine deities of Lord Narasimha residing at the sacred abode of Ahobilam. Neither is there any river more pious than the Bhavanasini which flows through Ahobilam which kills the cycle of rebirth. It is also believed that Garudadri is the most sacred hill on Earth, and Prahlada is the most ardent Yogi even though he hailed from the demon clan.  

There are nine temples of Lord Narasimha at Ahobilam. 

Jwala Narasimha

The shrine of Lord Jwala Narasimha is believed to be the actual place where the Lord had slain the demon King Hiranyakashipu. The pillar from which the Lord emerged is believed to be the mountain behind this shrine, which is in a cave located in the Achalachaaya Meru Hill. One can also find a pond near the shrine called 'Raktha Kundam', where the water has a reddish tinge.According to legend, after killing the demon king, the Lord washed His hands at this pond which is why the water is a bit red in colour. This shrine is situated about 4 kms away from the Upper Ahobilam temple. Lighting ghee lamps at this shrine in the month of Karthika is considered very auspicious. 

Malola Narasimha

Situated on the Vedadri Hill, about 2 kms away from the Upper Ahobilam temple, is the fascinating temple of Lord Malola Narasimha. This shrine is also referred to as Markanda Lakshmi Kshetra. Here, the Lord has His left leg folded while His right leg is in a hanging posture. Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi is seated on the folded leg of Lord Malola Narasimha.The Lord has a set of four hands. It is believed that prayers offered at the Lord Malola Narasimha temple ushers prosperity.Varaha Narasimha  (Kroda Narasimha)

The Varaha Narasimha also referred to as Kroda Narasimha shrine is situated 2 kms away from the Upper Ahobilam temple between the Vedadri and the Garudadri hills. The Lord as Varaha Narasimha has the head of a wild boar, tail of a lion, and a human body with two hands. The Lord appears to be fondly touching the Goddess with His snout. The place is called Siddha Kshetra. It is believed that to attain success in one’s chosen path one should observe penance for 5 days.

Kaaranja Narasimha 
(Saranga Narasimha)
Worship at the temple of Lord Kaaranja Narasimha augurs abundant knowledge and wisdom for the devotees. The temple is situated about 1 km away from the Upper Ahobilam shrine and sits snugly under a Kaaranja tree. The Lord has a hooded Cobra here as a canopy. The Lord holds the Discuss and the Saaranga (bow) and hence the name, Saranga Narasimha.

Bhaargava Narasimha
It is believed that Lord Parasurama who is an incarnation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu worshipped at the temple during Akshaya Teertha and prayed that Lord Narasimha manifest Himself here in the form in which he had slain the demon king Hiranyakashipu.

The Lord manifested Himself on the request of Lord Parasurama and hence the name Bhaargava Narasimha shrine. This temple is situated about 2 kms away from the Upper Ahobilam shrine. The Lord is four handed, with two hands holding the Conch and the Discuss, while the other two are ripping apart the stomach of the demon king Hiranyakashipu.

Yogaananda Narasimha
The Yogaananda Narasimha shrine is situated about 2 kms away from the Lower Ahobilam temple. According to legend, after the demon king Hiranyakashipu was killed, Lord Narasimha is believed to have taught many Yogic asanas to his devotee Sri Prahlada at this place. The Lord here appears calm and composed in a Yoga posture. The Lord can be seen in the Padmasana posture. According to the popular belief the Lord confers bliss to the devotees who worship here.

Chatravata Narasimha
Lord Chatravata Narasimha is the tallest and the most attractive amongst all the deities of the Nava Narasimhas. The Chatravata Narasimha temple is located about 4 kms away from the Lower Ahobilam temple. As per legend, two Gandharvas (celestial musicians) named Haahaa and Hoohoo from Meru Mountains appeased Lord Narasimha with their divine music. The Lord blessed them and fulfilled all their desires.

Since then, devotees with skills in music, render performances before the deity here and seek the divine blessings of the Almighty. The devotees are of the firm belief that Lord Chatravata Narasimha grants mastery in music and fine arts to the aspiring devotees.

Paavana Narasimha
The trek to the Paavana Narasimha shrine is an arduous one. The shrine is situated in the dense Nallamala forests and is about 7 km away from the Upper Ahobilam temple. The idol is mesmerizing and under the canopy of His celestial carrier, the Adisesha (King of Snakes). Here the Lord is in the form of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.

Ugra Narasimha
‘Upper Ahobilam,’ is the abode of Lord Ugra Narasimha who is enshrined inside a cave. This is the main shrine amongst the nine temples of Lord Narasimha at Ahobilam. The temple is situated 13 kms away from the Lower Ahobilam temple. One can drive up the distance or trek along the footpath route which trails right adjacent to the beautiful Bhava Naasini River. The Lord here is believed to have self-manifested here and is a ‘Svayambhu’ also a ‘Saalagraama.’ The Lord appears ferocious with the demon king Hiranyakashipu lying across His thighs and His two hands holding the head and the legs of the demon king.
One one side, Sri Prahlada can be seen offering his prayers to the Lord with folded hands.