Ahobila Narasimha
Ahobilam is located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh in the hills of the eastern ghats Situated in the Nallamalla Hills, Ahobilam is about 24 Kms from Allagadda and 112 Kms from Cudappah and 65 Kms from Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh and can be reached by bus from Hyderabad and also by rail via Kurnool and then by bus from there.
The temple consists of nine shrines to Lord Narasimha located around a 12 KM circle. In addition to the nine shrines, there is a temple for Lord Prahalada in the foothills of the mountain. Due to security reasons and the difficulty in performing daily worship, many of the utsava vigrahas of the nine shrines are kept in this temple.
Jwala Ahobila Malola Kroda Karanja Bhargava
Yogananda Kshatravata Pavana Nava Moorthayaha.
Manager, Malola Guest House
Ahobilam 518 545, Kurnool District, A.P
Phone: 08519 – 252 025/0252 045
094905 15284
Ahobilam is located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh in the hills of the eastern ghats Situated in the Nallamalla Hills, Ahobilam is about 24 Kms from Allagadda and 112 Kms from Cudappah and 65 Kms from Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh and can be reached by bus from Hyderabad and also by rail via Kurnool and then by bus from there.
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The temple consists of nine shrines to Lord Narasimha located around a 12 KM circle. In addition to the nine shrines, there is a temple for Lord Prahalada in the foothills of the mountain. Due to security reasons and the difficulty in performing daily worship, many of the utsava vigrahas of the nine shrines are kept in this temple.
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Jwala Ahobila Malola Kroda Karanja Bhargava
Yogananda Kshatravata Pavana Nava Moorthayaha.
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The Nine Narasimha sthalas are :- 1. Jwala Narasimha 2. Ahobila Narasimha 3. Malola Narasimha 4. Kroda Narasimha 5. Karanja
Narasimha 6. Bhargava Narasimha 7. Yogananda Narasimha 8. Kshatravata Narasimha and 9. Pavana or holy Narasimha.
The Sthalapurana of Ahobilam in Sanskrit gives an account of nine forms of Narasimha, worshipped here. They are: -
1. BHARGAVA NARASIMHA SWAMY
The Bhargava Narasimha Swamy is situated at a distance of two kilometres from the Lower Ahobilam, on a hill, near the sacred
The Bhargava Narasimha Swamy is situated at a distance of two kilometres from the Lower Ahobilam, on a hill, near the sacred
pond, known as 'Bhargava Theertham', where Bhargava Rama performed his penance. Hence the Lord of the temple is known as
Bhargava Narasimha Swamy.
2. YOGANANDA NARASIMHA SWAMY
This temple is to the south-east of Lower Ahobilam at a distance of 2 kilometres. The popular legend is that after killing
This temple is to the south-east of Lower Ahobilam at a distance of 2 kilometres. The popular legend is that after killing
Hiranyakasipu, Lord Narasimha taught Prahlada several yogic postures. Therefore, the Lord in this aspect is called Yogananda
Narasimha.
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3. CHATRAVATA NARASIMHA SWAMY
About three kilometres from lower Ahobilam, the image of the deity is installed under a peepal tree, surrounded by thorny
About three kilometres from lower Ahobilam, the image of the deity is installed under a peepal tree, surrounded by thorny
bushes. Hence, the Lord is called as Chatravata Narasimha Swamy.
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4. AHOBILA NARASIMHA SWAMY
The temple, situated on the Upper Ahobilam, at a distance of eight kilometres from the Lower Ahobilam, is the main temple and
The temple, situated on the Upper Ahobilam, at a distance of eight kilometres from the Lower Ahobilam, is the main temple and
the earliest of all the nine temples there. The Lord here appears in his fierce aspect, called Ugra Narasimha, who is the
presiding deity of the temple and is known as Ahobila Nrisimha Swamy. It is firmly believed the Lord Narasimha was
'Svayambhu' (self-manifest) here.
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5. KRODA (VARAHA) NARASIMHA SWAMY
The temple of this Lord is one kilometre away from the main temple of Ahobila Nrisimha Swamy on the Upper Ahobilam. The image
The temple of this Lord is one kilometre away from the main temple of Ahobila Nrisimha Swamy on the Upper Ahobilam. The image
of the deity has the face of a boar (varaha or kroda) and the Lord is seen along with his Consort, Lakshmi. Hence the Lord of
the temple is known as Krodakara (Varaha) Narasimha Swamy here.
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6. KARANJA NARASIMHA SWAMY
This shrine is situated at a distance of one kilometre from the Upper Ahobilam and one furlong from the road leading to Lower
This shrine is situated at a distance of one kilometre from the Upper Ahobilam and one furlong from the road leading to Lower
Ahobilam. The image of the deity is installed under a tree, called 'Karanja Vruksham'. Hence this Lord is called Karanja
Narasimha Swamy.
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7. MALOLA NARASIMHA SWAMY
Nearly two kilometres from the main temple of Upper Ahobilam, is the famous shrine of Malola Narasimha Swamy. The deity here
Nearly two kilometres from the main temple of Upper Ahobilam, is the famous shrine of Malola Narasimha Swamy. The deity here
appears in 'soumya' (graceful) form. As Lord Narasimha is seen with his consort, Lakshmi, He is known as Malola Narasimha
Swamy. The word 'Malola' means beloved to Lakshmi (Ma=Lakshmi, Lola= beloved). It is said that the 'utsavamoorthi' of the
Lord appeared to Srimath Adivan Satakopa Jeeyar, the first Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt. Right from the founder, i.e., the first
Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt down to the 44th pontiff, Srivan Satakopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatheendra Mahadesika, the present
jeeyar, the utsavamoorthi of Malola Narasirnha Swamy is worshipped and it is taken by them whenever they are on religious
tours, visiting the villages every year. Recently, the 45th Jeeyar Srivan Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatheendra Mahadesikan has
taken over the worship.
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8. JWALA NARASIMHA SWAMY
The temple of Jwala Nrisimha Swamy, lies higher up the above temple, on a hill called, 'Achalachaya Meru'. This is about four
The temple of Jwala Nrisimha Swamy, lies higher up the above temple, on a hill called, 'Achalachaya Meru'. This is about four
kilometres from the Upper Ahobilam temple. This place is said to be the actual spot, where the fierce anger of the Lord
reached its culmination when he tore Hiranyakasipu.
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9. PAVANA NARASIMHA SWAMY
Nearby the above temple, is the shrine of Pavana Narasimha, on the banks of the river, Pavana and it is about six kilometres
Nearby the above temple, is the shrine of Pavana Narasimha, on the banks of the river, Pavana and it is about six kilometres
from the Upper Ahobilam temple. Hence the Lord of the shrine is known as Pavana Narasimha Swamy.
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In addition to the shrines mentioned above, there is a famous shrine dedicated to God Narasimha Swamy in the Lower Ahobilam,
which is popularly known as Prahlada Varada Sannidhi. The other objects of this place are 'Ugra Sthambham' and 'Prahlada
Mettu'
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(a) UGRA STHAMBHAM
At a distance of eight kilometres from the Upper Ahobilam temple, we can see a cleft of the mountain dividing it into two
visible parts. It is a long-held view that from the cleft, the Lord appeared in the form of Narasimha and this cleft is known
as 'Ugra Sthambham'.
(b) PRAHALADA Shrine
The small shrine, situated in a cave on the hill, is in between Ugra Sthambham and the Upper Ahobilam. It is dedicated to
Prahlada Narasimha Swamy. The image of the Prahlada is installed in a small cave.
There are a number of holy 'theerthas' (water ponds) around this place. Rakthakundam is the most important. It is stated that
Lord Narasimha after killing the demon Hiranyakasipu, washed his hands in this 'theertham' and hence the water is still
reddish in appearance.
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Ahobilam 518 545, Kurnool District, A.P
Phone: 08519 – 252 025/0252 045
094905 15284
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Annadana Mahatwa
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Once in Life time one must Visit Ahobilam and a Rare Bliss one and all get.
----- Hari Om -----
