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Ahobilam, is a great religious centre of
considerable antiquity, it is located 74-km from Nandyal and 26-km from
Allagaddal. It is a reputed Hindu pilgrim centre, especially for
Vishnavites. The temple is divided into two parts- the lower 'Ahobilam'
and the upper Ahobilam. The upper Ahobilam is a plateau 2,800' above sea
level.
The
two crests of the hill are being called "Vedadri" and "Garudadri",
through which the sacred 'Bhavanasani Teertham' flows. The Teertham
divides into two and joins Kumadavati and Pennar. The Teertham is said to
be an 'Antarvahini' i.e., a river that flows inside during part of its
course. This place is known as "Singavel Kundram". This temple
lies in the Centre of three 'Prakara', which are built in the Vijayanagar
style.
The Legends
The lord in upper Ahobilam is said to be a 'Swayambu' i.e.,
self-manifest. There are two popular legends for the, derivation of the
word Ahobilam. It is stated that the 'Devas', while witnessing the
'Ugrakala' of the Lord and the terrific aspect he took on in order to tear
to pieces Hiranyakasipu, sang in his praise and hence the place has come
to be known as Ahobilam. The other version is that because of the great
cave, the Ahobila, where 'Garuda' worshipped and realised the Lord, the
place itself is come to be called Ahobila. 'Chenchus' are a peculiar
tribal people who live in these hills.
The temple of 'Prahlada Varada' is 'Lakshminarasimha'. Down the hill, is
the lower Ahobilam, which is dedicated to Lord Narasimha - one of the
'Dasha Avatars' of Lord Vishnu, which he took on in order to kill the
demon Hiranyakashyapu. From the foot of the hill one has to ascend up the
hill, to reach what is called Upper Ahobilam At upper Ahobilam worship is
offered to 'Navanarasimhas', the nine forms of Lord Narasimha. Nearby this
temple there is 'Alwar Koneru', which supplies good drinking water.
Nine Forms Of Lord Narasimha
There is a temple of 'Chatravata Narasimha' (first form), about a mile
and a half from the main temple. The image of the deity is installed under
pippal tree surrounded thorny bushes.
'Yogananda Narasimha', is the second form of the nine forms. The popular
legend is that after destruction of Hiranyakasipu, Lord Narasimha taught
Prahlada his disciple, several yogic postures and the Lord in this aspect
is called Yogananda Narasimha. The temple is a magnificent one, with a
'mandapa' and 'gopura'. It is said that the 'Maha Rishis', 'Gobhila' and
'Bharadwaja' are said to have done 'Tapascharya' in order to rid
themselves of the sins that they had committed.
Amongst several shrines of Narasimha installed on the hill path, about
six miles, and is cut across virgin hills and forests, and served by
several cascades of exquisite natural beauty is a shrine of 'Karanda
Narasimha' (third form).
Very near is the shrine of Yogananda Narasimha is the shrine of 'Guha
Narasimha' (fourth form), at the entrance of which is a huge pillar.
In a southern slope of the hill the Lord in his fierce aspect called
'Ugra Narasimha' (fifth form) is worshipped. The popular belief is that
Lord Vishnu emerged as Ugra Narasimha and killed the demon from the
pillar, which Hiranyakasipu kicked asking his son to prove whether Lord
Vishnu was immanent in that pillar. It is said that the existing pillar is
the same pillar.
The shrine of 'Kroda Narasimha' (sixth form), where the Lord is
worshipped in the form of a boar is located at three furlongs from the
shrine of Ugra Narasimha. It is believed that if 'Narayana Satakshari
Japa' and 'Parayana' of 'Varahakanda' are done at this-shrine for three
days, it bestows immense spiritual benefit to the devotee.
The famous shrine of 'Malola Narasimha' (seventh form) is located just
two miles from Kroda Narasimha Shrine. The deity here is a 'Santaroopa',
always in sport with the divine mother Lakshmi. The famous 'Kakathiya'
King 'Prataparudra' has donated the 'Utsava Vigraha' made of gold, which
is under worship, by the great spiritual seers of Ahobilam called the "Ahobilam
Jeers".
The 'Jwala Narasimha' shrine (eighth form), an eight armed form rushing
out of the pillar is where the Ugrakala of the Lord is seen, and this is
said to be the actual spot, where the fierce anger of the Lord reached its
climax when he tore Hiranyakasipu.
Nearby, is the 'Pavana Narasimha' (ninth form), where worship in the
'Shakta' form of the worship of the Lord, is said to be done.
Festivals
Sri 'LakshmiNarasimha Swami Bramotsavam' is celebrated annually for four
days from 'Phalguna Suddha Panchami' (February-March). About 20,000 Hindu
devotees attend it.
Rail & Road: There are three
routes, which a tourist can opt for to reach Ahobilam according to their
convenience. 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 Banganapalli and Koilakuntla.
The other and easy route is to get down at
Cuddapah, which is a district
headquarters and an important railway station in the
Chennai -
Mumbai route. From
Cuddapah one has to travel to Allagadda, which is forty miles over and
from there by bus to Ahobilam.
Tourists can stay at Lakshmi Nilayam Tourist rest house, TTD Choultry and Arya Vysya Choultry at lower Ahobilam.