Ahobila Kshetra (Ahobilam) - Abode of Lord Narasimha and a Divya Desam

अहो वीर्यं अहो शौर्यं अहो बाहुपराक्रमः ।
नरसिंहं परमं दैवं अहोबिलं अहो बलम् ॥
- Aho Viryam Aho Shauryam (Lord Narasimha abides in Ahobilam in nine forms)

• Ahobilam is a Divya Desam (Glorified by Alvars) [Thiru Singavel Kundram Divya Desam]

• Ahobilam is primarily a Narasimha Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Narasimha):

- Ahobilam is identified as the place where Lord Narasimha slayed demon Hiranyakashipu.

- Lord Narasimha abides in Ahobilam in nine forms (Nava Narasimha).

- The nine forms of Lord Narasimha are:
(1) Bhargava Narasimha
(2) Yogananda Narasimha
(3) Chatravata Narasimha
(4) Ahobila or Ugra Narasimha
(5) Krodha or Varaha Narasimha
(6) Jwala Narasimha
(7) Malola Narasimha
(8) Karanja Narasimha
(9) Pavana Narasimha

- The name Ahobilam is derived from two different events. First, the Devas seeing Lord Narasimha slaying Hiranyakashipu exclaimed in wonder "Aho Balam" (What a strength!). Second, the name Ahobilam means a "Great Cave", where Sri Garuda performed penance and had the vision of the Lord. Subsequently the Lord manifested here in nine different forms known as "Nava Narasimha" due to the penance of Sri Garuda and other spiritual events. Apart from Sri Garuda, the kshetra is associated with the penances of Sri Parashurama, Bhakta Hanuman and others.

• Ahobilam is a Sant Sthalam (Place of Saints):
- Sri Adivan Satakopa Jiyar (1379 - 1458 CE) was the first Jiyar of the Ahobila Mutt. It is said that Lord Narasimha himself called him to Ahobilam in a dream and gave him sanyasa in the form of a sanyasi. Also, based on the command of Lord Narasimha he travelled with the Utsava Murthi of Malola Narasimha.

► Ahobilam - Lower and Upper Ahobilam
(Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh)

It is said that Lord Narasimha slayed demon Hiranyakashipu at Ahobilam. The Jwala Narasimha Temple of Ahobilam is identified with the place where Lord Narasimha slayed demon Hiranyakashipu. Higher up from the actual temple is a pillar-shaped rock known as Ugra Stambham. It is said that Lord Narasimha manifested from that pillar and slayed Hiranyakashipu.

The whole Ahobilam is divided into two parts:

1. Diguva Ahobilam or Lower Ahobilam: Contains a single (main) shrine of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.
2. Yeguva Ahobilam or Upper Ahobilam: Contains the nine forms of Lord Narasimha with the Ahobila Narasimha as the main shrine.

The distance between Lower Ahobilam and Upper Ahobilam is around 12 km. One needs to drive through the ascending road with beautiful mountain forests on both sides.

The nine different forms of Lord Narasimha are listed by the sloka below:
Jwala Ahobila Maha Lola |
Krodha Karanja Bhargava |
Yogananda Chatravata |
Pavaneya Nava Moorthayah ||

- They are:
1. Jwala Narasimha
2. Ahobila Narasimha
3. Malola Narasimha
4. Krodha or Varaha Narasimha
5. Karanja Narasimha
6. Bhargava Narasimha
7. Yogananda Narasimha
8. Chatravata Narasimha
9. Pavana Narasimha

The Nava Narasimha temples are also often grouped according to their proximity to Lower or Upper Ahobilam.

(1) Bhargava Narasimha: 2 km from the Lower Ahobilam
(2) Yogananda Narasimha: 2 km from the Lower Ahobilam
(3) Chatravata Narasimha: 4 km from Lower Ahobilam
(4) Ahobila or Ugra Narasimha: Located just after reaching the Upper Ahobilam which is 12 km from Lower Ahobilam
(5) Krodha or Varaha Narasimha: 1 km from the main temple of Ahobila Narasimha in Upper Ahobilam
(6) Jwala Narasimha: 4 km from the main temple of Ahobila Narasimha in Upper Ahobilam
(7) Malola Narasimha: 2 km from the main temple of Ahobila Narasimha in Upper Ahobilam
(8) Karanja Narasimha: Located just a few hundred meters away from main temple of Ahobila Narasimha in Upper Ahobilam
(9) Pavana Narasimha: 6 km from the main temple of Ahobila Narasimha in Upper Ahobilam

► Ahobilam - Bhargava Narasimha
(Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh)

This Temple is located at a distance of 2 km from the Lower Ahobilam. One needs to trek the entire distance through beautiful forest area. Sri Parashurama or Bhargava Rama is said to have performed penance here. Hence the name Bhargava Narasimha. Near the temple is a tank with cool fresh water which is known as Bhargava Teertha or Akshaya Teertha. A flight of steps near the temple tank leads to the temple. The Image of Lord Narasimha here is around 3 feet high with four hands. With the lower two hands, the Lord is slaying demon Hiranyakashipu. With the upper two hands, the Lord is holding Shankha and Chakra. Bhakta Prahlada is standing on the right with folded hands.

► Ahobilam - Yogananda Narasimha
(Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh)

This Temple is located at a distance of 2 km from the Lower Ahobilam. It is believed that after slaying demon Hiranyakashipu, Lord Narasimha taught several yogic postures to Prahlada here. The Image of Lord Narasimha here is around 2 feet 8 inches high with four hands. The Lord is sitting in Yogic posture where the legs are crossed and tied with yogapatta. With the upper two hands the Lord is holding Shankha and Chakra. The other two hands are resting on the knees.

► Ahobilam - Chatravata Narasimha
(Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh)

This Temple is located at a distance of 4 km from Lower Ahobilam on the same route as the Yogananda Narasimha. The temple of Lord Narasimha here is near a Banyan tree (Vata) which forms an umbrella (Chatra). Hence he is called Chatravata Narasimha. Lord Narasimha is said to have blessed two gandharvas (celestial musicians) named Haha and Huhu, who came from Meru Parvata and sang melodious songs before the Lord. By that blessings they became renowned singers in the three worlds. Even today, devotees sing songs before the Lord to get his blessings. The Image of Lord Narasimha is depicted as sitting in padmasana. The Lord has four hands. With the upper two hands, the Lord is holding Shankha and Chakra. With the lower right hand, the Lord is showing the abhaya mudra (gesture of granting fearlessness). The lower left hand of the Lord is placed over the left thigh.

► Ahobilam - Ahobila or Ugra Narasimha Narasimha
(Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh)

This is the main temple and the earliest of all the temples. It is located just after reaching the Upper Ahobilam. The Lord manifested here in his Ugra or fierce form. It is believed that the Image of Lord Narasimha here is Swayambhu (self-manifested).

► Ahobilam - Krodha or Varaha Narasimha
(Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh)

The Temple is located at a distance of 1 km from the main temple of Ahobila Narasimha (of Upper Ahobilam). One needs to trek along the beautiful hilly forested route along the side of Bhavanashini river. There is the Kalakshepa Mandapam on the way which is a resting place with many pillars. One descends into an enchanting narrow valley formed between the Vedadri and Garudadri hills. The crystal clear waters of river Bhavanashini forms the Varaha Kundam. There are two Images in this cave shrine, one of Lakshmi Narasimha and the other of Varaha Narasimha with consort Bhudevi. Bhudevi is seen embracing the snout of the Lord. Lord Varaha is having two hands. Though the head is of boar, the tail of the Lord is that of a lion.

► Ahobilam - Jwala Narasimha
(Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh)

The Temple is located at a distance of around 4 km from the main temple of Ahobila Narasimha (of Upper Ahobilam). The trek is quite arduous. One passes through the Varaha Narasimha temple and then the path becomes quite steep. However, one walks through the beautiful rocky forested paths with cool shades of tall trees and river streams with crystal clear waters. Artificial steel stairways are placed in some portions of the path for ascending the steep heights. One finally reaches the cave of Lord Jwala Narasimha adjacent to a steep falling mountain side. The place is cool and filled with divine vibrations.

It is in this place that Lord Narasimha is said to have slayed demon Hiranyakashipu. Still higher up (which is a still more difficult trek) is a pillar-shaped rock known as Ugra Stambham. It is said that Lord Narasimha manifested from that pillar and slayed Hiranyakashipu.

The Lord manifested a very fierce form while slaying the demon, and his anger did not subside even after that. So the devas are said to have poured the waters of the celestial river Ganga (Suraganga) over his head, which became river Bhavanashini. Just below the cave there is a small kunda with reddish water known as Rakta Kunda. It is said that Lord Narasimha washed his hands here after slaying the demon which turned its water red.

There are three Images in the shrine. The combination of the three Images form the sequence of the stages in which the Lord slayed Hiranyakashipu. First, is the Chaturbhuja form (with four hands) when Lord Narasimha is emerging from the pillar. Second, is the form when Lord Narasimha is advancing towards demon Hiranyakashipu. Third is the Ashtabhuja form when the Lord is slaying Hiranyakashipu.

- The Image of the Chaturbhuja form of the Lord is shown as coming out of the pillar (Stambhodbhava murti). The upper two hands are holding the Shankha and the Chakra. The lower two hands are in the posture as if to tear the demon. Devi Lakshmi is on the right and Prahlada is on the left.
- The Image of the Lord advancing towards Hiranyakashipu has two hands. With the left hand the Lord is about to catch hold of the demon and with the right hand the Lord is about to strike the demon with his open palm. Hiranyakashipu is shown with an uplifted sword to strike the Lord.
- The Image of the Ashtabhuja form of the Lord has four pairs of hand. The first pair of hands hold the Shankha and the Chakra. The second pair of hands render the demon motionless and disarms him (by pressing him down). The third pair of hands tear the stomach of the demon. The fourth pair of hands hold the intestine in the shape of a garland.
The Image of Prahlada is seen with folded arms.

► Ahobilam - Malola Narasimha
(Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh)

The Temple is located at a distance of 2 km from the main temple of Ahobila Narasimha (of Upper Ahobilam). It is located on the Vedadri mountain. One has to trek through beautiful forest paths to reach the temple. The Image of Lord Narasimha is in Sowmya form with his consort Devi Lakshmi. The Lord is seated on a raised seat. The right leg of the Lord is hanging down. The left leg is folded and on his thigh is sitting Devi Lakshmi. The feet of the goddess rests on a Lotus which has sprouted from the earth. The Lord is having four hands. With the upper two hands, the Lord is holding the Shankha and the Chakra. With the lower right hand the Lord is showing the Abhaya mudra. With the lower left hand the Lord is embracing Devi Lakshmi. The word Malola is derived from Ma (Devi Lakshmi) and Lola (Beloved). It means beloved of Lakshmi.

► Ahobilam - Karanja Narasimha
(Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh)

This Temple is located just a few hundred meters away from main temple of Ahobila Narasimha (of Upper Ahobilam). Bhakta Hanuman performed penance under a Karanja tree to have the darshan of Sri Rama. The Lord first appeared in the form of Narasimha. When Hanuman persisted on getting the darshan of Sri Rama, the Lord assumed a form with a bow in hand (similar to Sri Rama). The Image of the Lord is depicted in meditative posture with the hood of the cobra over the head. The Image has four hands. With the upper right hand, the Lord is holding the Chakra. With the upper left hand, the Lord is holding the Saranga bow. The lower hands are in Dhyana mudra.

► Ahobilam - Pavana Narasimha
(Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh)

The Temple is located at a distance of 6 km from the main temple of Ahobila Narasimha (of Upper Ahobilam). One has to trek through the rocky forested paths to reach the temple.The shrine is located on the bank of river Pavani. The Image of Lord Narasimha is with his consort Devi Lakshmi. The Lord is seated on Adishesha whose hood also forms the umbrella of the Lord. The right leg of the Lord is hanging down. The left leg of the Lord is is folded and on his thigh is sitting Devi Lakshmi. The Lord is having four hands. With the upper two hands, the Lord is holding the Shankha and the Chakra. With the lower right hand the Lord is showing the Abhaya mudra. With the lower left hand the Lord is embracing Devi Lakshmi.