Ahobilam

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Ahobilam
అహో బిలం

Holy Site

Upper Ahobilam temple Gopuram

Ahobilam

Location in Andhra Pradesh, India

Coordinates: 15.1333°N 78.7167°ECoordinates: 15.1333°N

78.7167°E

Country India
State Andhra Pradesh
District Kurnool
 Elevation 327 m (1,073 ft)

Languages
• Official Telugu

Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)

close up shot of Ugra stambham peak atAhobilam, Nallamala Hills

Ahobhilam (Telugu: అహో బిలం,[1] Sanskrit: अहोबिलम्) also known as Ahobalam is located in
the Allagadda mandal ofKurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located at a distance of 40 km
from Nandyal and about 150 km fromKurnool, the district headquarters. There are two temple houses,
lower Ahobilam and upper Ahobilam.
According to the legend, this is where Lord Narasimha blessed Prahlada and killed
the demon Hiranyakashipu.

Contents
[hide]

 1 Geography
 2 Etymology
 3 The temple
o 3.1 Legend
o 3.2 Diguva and Eguva (Lower and upper Ahobilas)
o 3.3 Nine(Nava) Narasimhas
 4 Gallery
o 4.1 Sri Ahobilam Mahatyam
o 4.2 Legend of Chenchu Lakshmi
 5 Demographics
o 5.1 People
 6 Transport
 7 References
 8 External links

Geography[edit]
Ahobalam is located at 15.1333°N 78.7167°E.[2] It has an average elevation of 327 meters (1076 feet).

Etymology[edit]
Tamil poems "The Nalayira Divya Prabandham (Tamil:C )" is a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses
(Naalayira in Tamil means 'four thousand') composed before 8th century AD, by the 12 Alvars, and was
compiled in its present form by Nathamuni during the 9th – 10th centurieshas .In this ten poems
dedicated to the god of Ahobilam.These were composed by Tirumangai Alwar (Tamil:திருமங்கை
அழ்வார்),Tamil saint Tirumangai Alwar(one of the twelve Alvars,who lived in the 8th Century A.D has
composed ten poems in praise of the God of Ahobilam.Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.Vaishanava
bhakti literature was an all-India phenomenon, which started in the 6th-7th century A.D. in the Tamil-
speaking region of South India, with twelve Alvar (one who is immersed in God) saint-poets, who wrote
devotional songs. The religion of Alvar poets, which included a woman peot, Andal, was devotion to God
through love (bhakti), and in the ecstasy of such devotions they sang hundreds of songs which embodied
both depth of feeling and felicity of expressions (Indian literature(Official Website of Govt of India), Sri
Vaishnavam
Aho is an exclamation word. Bhalam (bhalam means energy). It is equivalent of 'oh the mighty energy'
and thus aho-bhalam of lord Narasimha swamy. One famous slokam that explains this is:
Aho veeryam! aho shouryam! aho baahu parakrama!
Naarasimham param deivam aho bhilam! aho balam!
Meaning: Oh! what a great valour he has! oh his great gallantry! oh those great powerful shoulders of the
greatest of the Gods Lord Narasimha, and what a mighty cave it is! and what a mighty divine strength He
has!
Annamacharya also mentions in his slokas about Ahobalam.
garuDAdri vEdAdri
rachachla velasinaTTi ramAvanita eepe
machchikagala alamElumanga eepe
ichchaTi venkaTAdri née ahObalamunandu
nichchalu tAvukonna nidhAnamu eepe
Meaning: She is goddess Ramaa who established herself amidst us. She is Alamelumanga dear to all.
She is the eternal treasure established on Venkatadri and Ahobalam

The temple[edit]

Nava Narasimha Kshetram

 Narasimha Swamy

God Name: Narasimha or Prahladha Varadha[3]

Goddess Name: Amritavalli (Lakshmi devi)[4]
Pushkarni: Indra Pushkarni
Vimanam: Vimanam Guha Vimanam
Temple Name: Yogananda Narasimha
Temple Name: Jwala Narasimha
Temple Name: Bhargava Narasimha
Temple Name: Chatravata Narasimha
Temple Name: Varaha Narasimha
Temple Name: Malola Narasimha
Temple Name: Paavana Narasimha
Temple Name: Karanja Narasimha
Location: Allagadda
State and Country: Andhrapradesh, India
Lower Ahobilam Temple Gopuram.

There are nine temples around the Nallamala Forest range, and in terms of sculpture and architecture all
these nine temples stands to be an ultimate testament for the ancient sthapathis in planning and
sculpting these temples. A few temples can be reached through trekking. Some temples are inside the
cave. Some temples are very difficult to trek to. The nine planets that define the human fates are believed
to have worshipped these nine Lord Narasimhas to get relief from Rakshashas (demons) and curses of
sages for their actions. This is main theme of the work of the great Telugu poet Errana, the “Nrisimha
Puranam”. The hereditary powers of the temple rest with the Pontiff HH Azhagiyasingar of Ahobila Mutt.
Currently the 45th Jeeyar of this lineage is the reigning Pontiff. Occasionally when HH Jeeyar performs
Mangalasasanam (pays respects at the temple) at Ahobilam, the Serthi Utsavam is performed (the
Moolavar of Malola Nrusimhar and the Utsavar) are united.
The Nallamala hills are personified as Adisesha with his head at Tirumala, middle at Ahobilam and the tail
atSrisailam.
Legend[edit]
According to legends it is believed that when the Devas saw the manifestation of Lord Vishnu as half-lion,
half-man, they shouted "Ahobala" (great strength) as well as "Ahobila" (great cave in which the current
sanctum is). Hence, this place could be called either "Ahobalam" or "Ahobilam". The mention of this place
is present in Brahmanda Purana. The place where Lord Narayana appeared from the stone pillar to kill
Hiranyakashipa can be seen in this place. The name of this pillar is Ugra Sthambha, which is now
referred as “Ukku SThambha” in Telugu, which incorrectly translates to iron pillar.
Diguva and Eguva (Lower and upper Ahobilas)[edit]
In the lower Ahobila Lakshmi Narasimha Swami is in a peaceful form. The temple has exquisite stone art.
The history of Ahobila temple is sculptured in the stone form. Lord Srinivasa himself is said to installed
the main deity here. He is said to have sought the blessings of Narasimha before his wedding but finding
the Narasihma in fierce form in Upper Ahobila, he is said to have installed the peaceful form in the lower
Ahobila. The temple complex also had temples for Adivan Sathagopulu. The sculptures of coronation of
Lord Srirama (Sreerama Pattabhishekha), the ten incarnation of Lord Vishnu (Dasavatharas), statues of
Poet Annamacharya are present on the walls of the temple. Annamacharya is said to have spent some
time here composing songs praising the Lord Narasimha. The great sage Lord Pothuluri
Veerabrahmendra Swamy is said to have meditated here to write Kalagnana (the knowledge of the
future) which set forth a spiruitual movement. It is a common practice to worship the Prahlada Varada
Narasimha (the Narasimha who gave boons to Prahlada) in lower Ahobilam before worshipping Eguva
(Upper) Ahobila Narasimha, who is present eight kilometers away on a hilltop inside a cave. After
worshipping the Lord, it is another practice to visit Navanarasimhas (nine Narasimhas). The legend says
Lord Narasimha, after slaying Hiranyakasipa was roaming around the forest hills of Ahobilam making
fearsome laughs and settling at nine places to bless the devotees. Here are the Nava Narasimha
temples. Another legend describes when Lord Garuda did penance to see Lord Vishnu in
Lord Narasimhaform. Thereafter, Lord Narasimha took nine different forms in this hill.
Nine(Nava) Narasimhas[edit]

Route map of Ahobilam Nava Narasimha Temples

Lord Narasimha in nine forms are

Bhargava Narasimha Swamy
This Lord is present on a hillock at a distance of 2.5 km from Lower Ahobilam, with Akshaya
(inexhaustible) thertha (lake). Lord Parsurama is said to have performed penance for Lord Narasimha. An
worship of the Lord after a bath in the Akshaya Theertha would make the Lord give Lakshmikara (hand
possessing Goddess Lakshmi or prosperity) thus blessing in all manners.
Yogananda Narasimha Swamy
This place is suitable for meditation. Prahlada is said to have obtained all the prosperity after meditating
upon the Lord here. The compassionate Lord here rescues the people who seek help out of difficulties.
◌™ Chatravata Narasimha Swamy
One of the astrological planets, Ketu is said to have worshipped the Lord here and gained all comforts.
People willing to study fine arts seek blessings from this Lord.
Ahobila (Ugra) Narasimha Swamy
This is the main Lord of all Nava Narasimha's and is also referred as the main temple in Upper Ahobilam.
Goddess Chenchu (local forest tribe who have been ardent worshippers of the Lord for ages) Lakshmi is
with the Lord. Heart-felt prayer to the lord destroys all fear and timidness.
Varaha Narasimha Swamy
Located at a distance of 1 km from Upper Ahobilam,Present with the divine consort Lakshmi, Lord
removes the obstacles and ensures success to the worshippers.This temple is also referred as Kroda
Narasimha swamy. The statue is in side a small rock cut formation facing the perennial stream of water.
Malola Narasimha Swamy
This temple is present in Lakshmi Parvata (Hill). Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi along with the Lord, bestows
blessing on the devotees. Worshipping this Lord brings Brahmananda (unlimited joy) to this world and the
higher world.
Jwala Narasimha Swamy
Lord Narsimha appears fierce slaying Hiranyakasipa with his nails. Serving the Lord ensures success in
all efforts, marriages are made. Lighting a ghee lamp in the month of the Karthika and meditating on Lord
dispels all sins and brings fame and name. This temple is the toughest to reach compared to other
Narasimha temples. A small red water pond named "Raktha Gunda Theertham" can be seen on the way
to the temple which is said to be the place where Narasimha swamy washed his hands after slaying the
Demon.
Paavana Narasimha Swamy
This is said to be the most peaceful form among the Nava Narasimha Kshetras. This is said to Kshetra
Ratna (jewel among the Kshetras)and is also referred as Pamuleti Narasimha swamy. Sages have said
that the Lord here liberates the devotees from all the sins in the past lives and sins in the current life
(knowingly or unknowingly).
Karanja Narasimha Swamy
Serving the Karanja Swamy with three austerities (thought, word and action) brings enlightenment and
the Lord bestows all desires.
Every year, in the month of Phalguna Brahmotsavas (ceremonies performed by the Lord Brahma) are
held. Apart from this, every month, on the star day of the Lord, which is Swathi, Gramotsavas (village
ceremonies) are celebrated. On that day, Thirumanjan Seva (service) is performed with 108 Kalasas(holy
vessels) grandly, A lot of pilgrims visit the temple on the auspicious Swati nakshatra day.
Each of these nine forms have a beautiful story woven with strands of myth, fancy legends and epic tales.
According to popular belief, one form of the Lord, the Pavana Narasimhaswamy, when offered the prasad
returns half of the offering back to the devotee. On these lines, the Jwala Narasimhaswamy is supposed
to be the ferocious form. This form personifies the cumulative and intense anger of the God. It is believed
that the original site of shrine of Jwala Narasimhaswamy was the mouth of a volcano and it is only the
proxy shrine which is accessible to the devotees.
Belief is that the navagrah's attained their power of being the planet by worshiping these deities of
Narashimha. It is believed that the people having malefic effect of any planet could get some reprieve by
worshiping Narasimha.
Legend also states that Goddess Mahalakshmi took birth as a human in a tribe, named Chenchu Lakshmi
and married Lord Narasimha after the death of Hiranyakashpu. Narasimha Jayanthi will be celebrated
with pomp and glory. The local tribals celebrate the marriage of Goddess Mahalakshmi as
ChenchuLakshmi and Lord Narasimha.

Gallery[edit]


Trek to Ugra stambham at Ahobilam

 

A foot Bridge to one of the Nava Narasimha Temple at Ahobilam

Lower Ahobilam Gopuram

Dry Evergreen Forests along Nallamala hills at Ahobilam

Dirt road along Nallamala Forests near Ahobilam

Sri Ahobilam Mahatyam[edit]
The Lord Narasimha is a Vara prasaddhi (One who bestows blessings readily). Hiranyakasyapa (son of
Sage Kashyapa) asked for specific boons to ensure his immortality and attained demonic powers due to
these boons. Lord Vishnu took form as Lord Narasimha (a complex form of half-man and half-lion) to be
able to destroy the demon. Ahobilam is the exact location of the demon Hiranyakashupu's palace, which
the epic stories of Lord Narasimha speak of. This place still has remnants, relics and ruins of the demon's
palace. The pillar from which the God arose is marked by its base stone and can be accessed after an
almost vertical climb up the hill. It is believed that the entire mountain split up into two, due to the impact
of pillar getting shattered by God and God rising from it subsequently. The pillar's base stone is thus, on
the edge of the cliff. In between the 2 hills is a deep gorge like a cleft. Lower Ahobilam temple deity is
said be installed by Tirumala lord Venkateswara himself before his wedding, since the lord of upper
Ahobilam has a Ugra (angry) form. There are several Narsimha temples in the surrounding hills like
Pamuleti Narasimhaswamy, which are popular among local populations. Lord Narasimha appears in
different forms as Ugra Murthi(aggressive form), Shanta Murthy (tranquil form), Yoga Murthy (in penance)
and Kalyana Murthy with his consort Sri Chenchu Lakshmi.
Legend of Chenchu Lakshmi[edit]
After slaying Hiranyakashyapa, Lord Narasimha proceeded to the Nallamala forest in his UgraAvataram
(aggressive form). The devas were worried about this form and prayed to Goddess Lakshmi to pacify
him. She took form as Chenchu Lakshmi, a tribal girl, in the same forest. On seeing her, Lord Narasimha
asked her to marry him. She put him through a lot of tests to calm him down completely before agreeing
to marry him.

Demographics[edit]
Since Ahobilam is in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Telugu is widely spoken in the town of Ahobilam.
People[edit]
Up to 1954, people of the Chenchu tribe lived as many families collecting honey and bamboos. As of
today, there are only two to five families living there. The remaining families have relocated to different
places in Kurnool district.

Transport[edit]
It is conveniently accessible by bus from Nandyal, Kurnool and Hyderabad. Ahobilam is not connected by
rail; the closest railway stations are Nandyal (on theBangalore-Vizag(Visakhapatnam) route)
and Cuddapah (on the Mumbai-Chennai route). There are three routes reaching Ahobilam. Pilgrims from
the north can get down at Nandyal, which is a Railway junction from Kurnool, and travel by bus
to Allagadda and Ahobilam, which is only thirty miles from Nandyal. The second route is from Dhone
which is another railway station and from which one can reach Ahobilam
via Banganapalle and Koilkuntla.
The other and easy route is to get down at Kadapa which is a district headquarters and an important
railway station in the Madras - Bombay route. From Cuddapah one has to travel to Allagadda, which is
forty miles over and from there by bus to Ahobilam

References[edit]
1. Jump up^ http://books.google.co.in/books?
ei=fGXhUPTuBerD0QWAq4CgCw&id=z3LXAAAAMAAJ&dq=Annamayya+Tamil+songs&q=Tamil+po
ems#search_anchor
2. Jump up^ Falling Rain Genomics.Pedda Ahobilam
3. Jump up^ http://vedagnana.org/Content/Temples/List/74_Ahobilam.php
4. Jump up^ http://vedagnana.org/Content/Temples/List/74_Ahobilam.php

 Ahobilam temple hundis burgled

External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has
media related to Ahobilam.

Varaha Narasimha Swami Temple @ Ahobilam:

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/vijaynandula/8405246058/
Water Stream and Forest (Nallamala) @ Ahobilam:

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/vijaynandula/8389280521/in/photostream/
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/vijaynandula/8400321075/in/photostream/
 http://vedagnana.org/Content/Temples/List/74_Ahobilam.php
 http://kadirinarasimhaswamy.org.in/ - Kadiri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
 Sri Narasimhaswamy Temple, Ahobilam
 http://www.ahobilamutt.org/temples/ahobil/ahobil.html
 http://ddtrips.blogspot.com - Ahobilam travelogue
 Ahobilam - photogallery
 Ahobilam - Nithin's photogallery
 Ahobilam Nava Narasimhar Temple on Google Maps. Can be / shared / emailed/ embedded in
web page/ blog
 Nava Narasimhakshetras map
 http://indiantemplesbyshram.blogspot.in/2013/03/andhra-temples-ahobila-ahobala-nava.html

List of Andhra Pradesh Temples

Ahobilam Nine famous NarasimhaSwamy Temple | Amaravati Temple | Annavaram
Satyanarayana Swami Temple | Arasavalli Temple
Ardagiri Veeranjaneya Temple | AshtaLakshmi Temple | Badrachalam Rama
Temple | Basar Saraswathi Temple | Birla Mandir
Bhadrakali Temple | Bhattiprolu | Chilkur Balaji Temple | Devipuram
Temple | Draksharama Temple | Kanaka Durga Temple | Kanipakam Temple
Kodanda Rama Temple | Mahanandi Siva Temple | Mallikarjun Temple | Manakamana
Temple | Pallikondeswarar Temple
Panakala Narasimha Temple | Ramappa Temple | Ryali | Sammakka Sarakka
Temple | Sanghi Temple | Tirumala Tirupati Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple | Undavalli Caves | Veerabhadra Temple

List of Hindu Temples

A Hindu temple is called Mandir or Kovil or Devasthanam or Dega (Nepal Bhasa) or
Ambalam (Malayalam) or other words in differentIndian languages. It is usually
dedicated to a primary deity, called the presiding deity, and other deities associated
with the main deity. In the United States and other Western nations though, most
mandirs are dedicated to multiple deities. Most practising Hindus maintain a mandir
in their homes for daily worship & meditation.
Here is a list of Hindu temples, sorted by location.
Andhra Pradesh Temple
 Ahobilam Nine famous NarasimhaSwamy Temple
 Amaravati Temple
 Annavaram Satyanarayana Swami Temple
 Arasavalli Temple
 Ardagiri Veeranjaneya Temple
 AshtaLakshmi Temple
 Badrachalam Rama Temple
 Basar Saraswathi Temple
 Birla Mandir
 Bhadrakali Temple
 Bhattiprolu
 Chilkur Balaji Temple
 Devipuram Temple
 Draksharama Temple
 Kanaka Durga Temple
 Kanipakam Temple
 Kodanda Rama Temple
 Mahanandi Siva Temple
 Mallikarjun Temple
 Manakamana Temple
 Pallikondeswarar Temple
 Panakala Narasimha Temple
 Ramappa Temple
 Ryali
 Sammakka Sarakka Temple
 Sanghi Temple
 Tirumala Tirupati Temple
 Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
 Undavalli Caves
 Veerabhadra Temple
Arunachal Pradesh Temple
 Parasuram Kund

Assam Temple
 Kamakhya Temple
 Sukreswar Temple
 Sivadol Temple
 Umananda Temple

Bihar Temple
 Hariharnath Temple
 Vishnupad Mandir

Chandigarh Temple
 Chandi Mandir
 Mansadevi Temple
 ISKON Temple

Chhattisgarh Temple
 Bhoramdeo Temple
 Kudargarh Temple
 Mahamaya Temple

Delhi Temple
 Akshardham Temple
 Chattarpur Temple
 Gauri Shankar Mandir
 ISKON Temple
 Kalka Mandir
 Laxminarayan Temple
 Uttara Swami Temple

Goa Temple
 Kamakshi Temple
 Mahadev Temple
 Mahalasa Temple
 Mahamaya Kalika Temple
 Mangueshi Temple
 Shanta Durga Temple
Gujarat Temple
 Akshardham Mandir
 Ambaji
 Palitana
 Santram Mandir
 Somnath Temple
 Swaminarayan Mandir (Bhuj)
 Swaminarayan Mandir (Ahmedabad)
 Swaminarayan Mandir (Dholera)
 Swaminarayan Mandir (Gadhada)
 Swaminarayan Mandir (Juna)
 Swaminarayan Mandir (Vadta)

Himachal Pradesh Temple

 Chamunda Devi Temple
 Jwalamukhi Devi Temple
 Chintpurni Devi Temple
 Masroor Temples
 Naina Devi Temple
 Sheetla Devi Temple

Jammu And Kashmir Temple

 Amarnath Cave
 Hari Parbat Temple
 Kalika Temple
 Kheer Bhawani Temple
 Raghunath Temple
 Vaishno Devi Temple

Jharkhand Temple
 Deoghar Temple

Karnataka Temple
 Aihole Temple
 Anegudde
 Annapoorneshwari Temple
 Badami Cave Temple
 Bala Krishna Temple
 Chamundeswari Temple
 Cheluvanarayana Temple
 Chennakesava Temple
 Chitrapur Math
 Devarayanadurga Temple
 Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
 Hoysaleswara Temple
 ISKON Temple
 Karinjeshwara Temple
 Kateel
 Keshava Temple
 Melukote
 Mookambika
 Murudeshwara
 Nandi Temple
 Nanjangud
 Nellitheertha Cave
 Padutirupathi
 Shringeri
 Somnathpur Temple
 Udupi
 Virupaksha Temple

Kerala Temple
 Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
 Ananthapura Lake Temple
 Attukal Temple
 Blandevar Temple
 Chettikulangara Devi Temple
 Guruvayur Temple
 Killikkurussimangalam Temple

Maharashtra Temple
 Mumba Devi Temple
 Siddhivinayak Temple
 Kailasha Temple
 ISKON Temple
 Trimbakeshwar Shiva
 Karla Caves
 Bhuleshwar Temple
 Shri Bhadra Maruti Mandir
 Shri Swaminarayan Temple
 Chaturshringi Temple
 Dashabhuja Temple

Orissa Temple
 Ananta Vasudeva Temple
 Chamundeswari Temple
 Jagannath Temple
 Lingaraj Temple
 Mukteswara Temple
 Parasu Rameswara Temple
 Rajarani Temple
 Samaleswari Temple
 The Sun Temple
 Brahmeswara Temple

Rajasthan Temple
 Birla Mandir
 Eklingji Temple
 Galta Temple
 Govind Devji Temple
 Jagdish Temple
 Karni Mata Temple
 Osian Temple
 Shrinathji Temple

Tamil Nadu Temple

 Aeri Katha Temple
 Airavatesvara Temple
 Aksheeswaraswamy Temple
 Bhoothalingaswamy- Temple
 Brihadeeswarar Temple
 Chidambaram Temple
 Kumbeswarar Temple
 Kamakshi Temple
 Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal Temple
 Kapaleeshwarar Temple
 Keezha Thiruvenkatana Temple
 Meenakshi Temple
 Mela Thiruvenkatanatha Temple
 Nellaiappar Temple
 Parthasarathy Temple
 Punnainallur Mariamman Temple
 Shore Temple
 Sikkal Singaravelan
 Sri Adikesavaperumal Temple
 Srinivasa- Perumal Temple
 Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
 Uppiliappan Temple
 Vaitheeswaran Temple
 Varadharaja Perumal Temple

Tripura Temple
 Sundari Temple

Uttar Pradesh Temple

 Durga Temple
 Hanuman Temple
 Sarnath Temple
 Krishna Janmabhoomi
 Vishwanath Temple
 J K Temple (Kanpur)
 ISKON Temple (Vrindavan)
 Mahakaleshwar Temple

Uttarakhand Temple
 Badrinath Temple
 Kedarnath Temple
 Haridwar
 Rishikesh
 Devprayag
 Yamunotri
 Surkanda Devi

West Bengal Temple

 Dakshineswar Temple
 Kalighat Temple