Ahobilam is a town situated in Nallamala Hills of Kurnool district in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Surrounded by hills of the Eastern Ghats, Ahobilam is a picturesque town sitting pretty in the lap of nature. It is the center for the worship of Narasimha, the fourth Avatar of Lord Vishnu with the body of a man and the head of a lion. There are nine temples dedicated to Shri Narasimha in Lower and Upper Ahobilam, giving the name “Nava Narasimha Kshetra’. Temple is Called Ahobilam Narasimha Swamy Temple.
Ahobilam History – Hiranyakashipu’ Palace
Hiranyakashipu was a demon king who had terrorized the world for a long. His brother Hiranyaksha had been killed by Lord Vishnu in an earlier Avatar of Varaha.
Hiranyakashipu, because of a boon granted by Lord Brahma could not be killed by a man or beast, in the day or at night, not inside a house or outside, not in the sky or on earth and not by any weapon. Bhakta Prahlad was his son, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of repeated attempts by Hiranyakashipu, Bhakta Prahlad would not be deterred from his path of Bhakti. Hiranyakashipu even tried to kill him a number of times but did not succeed, as the Lord protects his devotees.
The area where Ahobilam is now situated was once the location of Demon King Hiranyakashipu’s Palace and Nagar. This was the palace where Shri Narasimha emerged from a pillar and killed Hiranyakashipu after a fierce battle. This was many ages ago. Nature took its course and several mountains and hills came to be formed, thus preserving the area where Lord Vishnu appeared. It is now known as Nava Narasimha Kshetra. The mention of Ahobilam can be found in numerous Puranas and other religious texts.
The Nine Narasimha Temples
The Nine Narasimha Temples are –
Jwala Narasimha, Ahobila Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Krodha Narasimha, Karanja Narasimha, Bhargava Narasimha, Yogananda Narasimha, Kshatravata Narasimha and Pavana Narasimha.
All these temples are located at various distances up in the hills and within a five km radius of Lower Ahobilam. They can be reached by walking. Earlier it used to be very strenuous as there were no proper tracks. In recent years a lot of improvements have been made and the treks are much easier now.
Lower Ahobilam
The main temple in the town area known as Lower Ahobilam is dedicated to Prahladavarada. This means ‘The Lord who always blesses and protects Prahlada’. The temple is surrounded by three Prakaras and has a number of Mandapams in the adjoining areas. In the sanctum of the temple, the Utsav Murtis of some of the temples up in the hills are kept. This is because of the difficulty in the daily worship of those temples. A little distance from the Narasimha temple is a shrine dedicated to Sri Venkateswara. On the temple grounds, there is a Vijaya Stambha which was built to mark the victories of King Krishnadevaraya.
Ugra Stambham and Prahlad Mettu
Ugra Stambham is a cleft in the rock face of a mountain and it is believed this is the pillar Shri Narasimha emerged to kill Hiranyakashipu. It is located about 7 km from Lower Ahobilam.
Prahlada Mettu is a small shrine in a cave dedicated to Prahlada Narasimha Swamy. It is located a short distance from Ugra Stambham. A small Murti of Bhakta Prahlad is enshrined in the cave.
Brahmotsavam in Ahobilam
Brahmotsavam is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm in Ahobilam. This happens in the month of February/March. The whole town takes on a festive look and the celebrations last for ten days. The temple has several chariots and these are used to take Bhakta Prahlada in procession around the town.
Ahobilam Temple Timings
Ahobilam Timings, Opening and Closing Hours
Eguva Ahobilam opens from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Diguva Ahobilam opens from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm. One-hour lunch gap is there with all temples in Ahobilam.
Ahobilam Temple Darshan Timings
- Diguva (Lower) Ahobilam: 6:30 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- Eguva (Upper) Ahobilam: 7:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- Remaining Ahobilam Temples Timings: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Darshan Duration: 10 to 15 mins during weekdays. 20 to 30 mins during weekends and 30 to 45 mins during festival days.
Darshan Ticket Cost: Rs.50 for one person.
Best Time to visit Ahobilam
- Jan 3rd week to Feb 3rd week
- June to July
- Oct to Dec.
Ahobila Mutt
His Holiness, the 45th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Muth, Srimathe Sri Lakshminrisimha Divya Paduka Sevaka Srivan Satagopa Sri Narayana Yathindra Maha Desikan, ascended to Paramapadham at 12:05 AM Indian Time, Sunday, May 19th, 2013.
Ahobilam Trek
The duration of Ahobilam Trek is 10 hours. The operational timings of the package are from 7 AM to five PM. … you’ll visit four temples (Jwala Narasimha, Ahobila Narasimha, Malola Narasimha and Varaha Narasimha) in upper Ahobilam and three temples in lower Ahobilam. The remaining two temples are located inside the forest.
Ahobilam Caves
“The mountain on which Garuda performed tapas became famous as Garudachala. In the days of yore when truth and dharma prevailed, great heat was observable near the mountain- cave of Ahobila; according to legend when green grass was put in the cave, it would catch fire and smoke would be emitted. Several great Rishis lived there for a time; after some time with the knowledge that great places would become common Janapadas in the Kali age, they left for northern lands, covering up the Narasimha cave with boulders. Traditionally therefore this place is called the Narasimha Kshetra.
How to reach Ahobilam
The nearest Railway Station is Nandyal, about 63 km from Ahobilam.
The nearest airport is Hyderabad Airport, about 334 km from Ahobilam.
Kurnool to Ahobilam – 139.7 km
Where to stay in Ahobilam
Rooms are provided by the Ahobila Mutt in Lower Ahobilam. Besides, there are a number of hotels and guest houses in and near Ahobilam. APTDC also has accommodation facilities in Ahobilam.
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Ahobilam Temple Images
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Distances from Ahobilam
Kurnool – 140 km
Tirupati – 242 km
Bangalore – 341 km
Hyderabad – 356 km
