Tirupati: A pilgrimage to the ‘Nava Narasimha Kshetrams’ at Ahobilam, nestled in the lush green Nallamala forests along the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh is a fascinating spiritual journey which remained beyond the reach of the devotees until the 1970s.
Manifestation of Lord Narasimha at Ahobilam
‘Aho Veeryam Aho Sauryam Aho Bahu Parakramah…Narasimham Param Deivam…Ahobilam Aho Balam’ a shloka recited by none other than the Gods themselves as they witnessed the sheer power with which Lord Sri Maha Vishnu as incarnation of Lord Ugra Narasimha ferociously slayed the demon king Hiranyakashipu using just his finger nails, to save his ardent devotee Sri Prahlada, who was also the son of Hiranyakashipu
While every incarnation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu is unique, the ‘Nrusimhavathara’ avatar is very special. In ‘Nrusimhavathara,’ Lord Sri Maha Vishnu descended upon Earth only to save a single child Prahlada from the clutches of the demon king Hiranyakashipu who had obtained a peculiar boon from Lord Shiva whereby he could not be killed by a human or an animal, neither in the day nor in the night, neither inside nor outside the palace.
46th Azhagiyasingar performing rituals to deities of Lord Malola and Krishna at Ahobila Mutt.
Lord Ahobila Narasimha weds Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi
It is said after the Lord took the incarnation of the most ferocious form of Sri Jwala Narasimha, even the Gods were afraid and they feared that the Lord's anger would bring about the end of the world.
Goddess Lakshmi who was born in a local Chenchu tribe then approached the Lord to pacify and calm him Him so that his anger was controlled and he could bless the devout. The Lord then wed Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi and bestowed His divine grace on the child Sri Prahlada and the whole mankind.
To date, the local Chenchu tribes treat the Lord as their ‘son in-law’ and Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi as their own daughter. Legend has it that before the annual Brahmotsavams, Lord Jwala Narasimha and Lord Prahlada Varadha travel to forty eight villages in and around Ahobilam as part of the ‘Parveta Utsavam,’ to invite the local Chenchu tribes and the locals for His marriage with Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi.
This tradition continues and each time the Lord visits a particular village, the event is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. Special honours are accorded to the local Chenchu tribes on the eve of Makara Sankranthi, the annual Brahmotsavams as well as on all festive occasions observed at Ahobilam all round the year.
Ahobilam: Sacred abode of Lord Vishnu on Earth
As per the Brahmanda Puranam, there is no deity more supreme in the entire universe than the nine deities of Lord Narasimha residing at the sacred abode of Ahobilam. Neither is there any river more pious than the Bhavanasini which flows through Ahobilam which kills the cycle of rebirth.
It is also believed that Garudadri is the most sacred hill on Earth, and Prahlada is the most ardent Yogi even though he hailed from the demon clan. There are nine temples of Lord Narasimha at Ahobilam.
Processional deity of Lord Jwala Narasimha Swamy.
Jwala Narasimha
The shrine of Lord Jwala Narasimha is believed to be the actual place where the Lord had slain the demon King Hiranyakashipu. The pillar from which the Lord emerged is believed to be the mountain behind this shrine, which is in a cave located in the Achalachaaya Meru Hill. One can also find a pond near the shrine called 'Raktha Kundam', where the water has a reddish tinge.
According to legend, after killing the demon king, the Lord washed His hands at this pond which is why the water is a bit red in colour. This shrine is situated about 4 kms away from the Upper Ahobilam temple. Lighting ghee lamps at this shrine in the month of Karthika is considered very auspicious.
Malola Narasimha
Situated on the Vedadri Hill, about 2 kms away from the Upper Ahobilam temple, is the fascinating temple of Lord Malola Narasimha. This shrine is also referred to as Markanda Lakshmi Kshetra. Here, the Lord has His left leg folded while His right leg is in a hanging posture. Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi is seated on the folded leg of Lord Malola Narasimha.
The Lord has a set of four hands. It is believed that prayers offered at the Lord Malola Narasimha temple ushers prosperity.
Varaha Narasimha (Kroda Narasimha)
The Varaha Narasimha also referred to as Kroda Narasimha shrine is situated 2 kms away from the Upper Ahobilam temple between the Vedadri and the Garudadri hills. The Lord as Varaha Narasimha has the head of a wild boar, tail of a lion, and a human body with two hands. The Lord appears to be fondly touching the Goddess with His snout. The place is called Siddha Kshetra. It is believed that to attain success in one’s chosen path one should observe penance for 5 days.
Kaaranja Narasimha
(Saranga Narasimha)
Worship at the temple of Lord Kaaranja Narasimha augurs abundant knowledge and wisdom for the devotees. The temple is situated about 1 km away from the Upper Ahobilam shrine and sits snugly under a Kaaranja tree. The Lord has a hooded Cobra here as a canopy. The Lord holds the Discuss and the Saaranga (bow) and hence the name, Saranga Narasimha.
Bhaargava Narasimha
It is believed that Lord Parasurama who is an incarnation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu worshipped at the temple during Akshaya Teertha and prayed that Lord Narasimha manifest Himself here in the form in which he had slain the demon king Hiranyakashipu.
The Lord manifested Himself on the request of Lord Parasurama and hence the name Bhaargava Narasimha shrine. This temple is situated about 2 kms away from the Upper Ahobilam shrine. The Lord is four handed, with two hands holding the Conch and the Discuss, while the other two are ripping apart the stomach of the demon king Hiranyakashipu.
Yogaananda Narasimha
The Yogaananda Narasimha shrine is situated about 2 kms away from the Lower Ahobilam temple. According to legend, after the demon king Hiranyakashipu was killed, Lord Narasimha is believed to have taught many Yogic asanas to his devotee Sri Prahlada at this place. The Lord here appears calm and composed in a Yoga posture. The Lord can be seen in the Padmasana posture. According to the popular belief the Lord confers bliss to the devotees who worship here.
Chatravata Narasimha
Lord Chatravata Narasimha is the tallest and the most attractive amongst all the deities of the Nava Narasimhas. The Chatravata Narasimha temple is located about 4 kms away from the Lower Ahobilam temple. As per legend, two Gandharvas (celestial musicians) named Haahaa and Hoohoo from Meru Mountains appeased Lord Narasimha with their divine music. The Lord blessed them and fulfilled all their desires.
Since then, devotees with skills in music, render performances before the deity here and seek the divine blessings of the Almighty. The devotees are of the firm belief that Lord Chatravata Narasimha grants mastery in music and fine arts to the aspiring devotees.
Paavana Narasimha
The trek to the Paavana Narasimha shrine is an arduous one. The shrine is situated in the dense Nallamala forests and is about 7 km away from the Upper Ahobilam temple. The idol is mesmerizing and under the canopy of His celestial carrier, the Adisesha (King of Snakes). Here the Lord is in the form of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.
Ugra Narasimha
‘Upper Ahobilam,’ is the abode of Lord Ugra Narasimha who is enshrined inside a cave. This is the main shrine amongst the nine temples of Lord Narasimha at Ahobilam. The temple is situated 13 kms away from the Lower Ahobilam temple. One can drive up the distance or trek along the footpath route which trails right adjacent to the beautiful Bhava Naasini River. The Lord here is believed to have self-manifested here and is a ‘Svayambhu’ also a ‘Saalagraama.’ The Lord appears ferocious with the demon king Hiranyakashipu lying across His thighs and His two hands holding the head and the legs of the demon king.
One one side, Sri Prahlada can be seen offering his prayers to the Lord with folded hands.
Devotees Trekking to Nava Narasimha Shrines in Nallamala Forest.
Best time to trek to the Nine Shrines
The ideal time to begin the trek to all the nine Narasimha shrines would be at around 5 am in the morning from the Upper Ahobilam shrine as the base point.
The devotees can first visit the Varaha/Kroda Narasimha Shrine, then the Malola Narasimha and Prahlada Badi. Then the devotees can worship at Jwala Narasimha shrine and halt there for a while.
From Jwala Narasimha shrine, the devotees can begin their trek to the Ugra Sthambham-believed to be the place where Lord Narasimha had slain the demon King Hiranyakashipu. A trek to the Ugra Sthambham would be the most difficult one as the hillocks are very steep to climb.
From Ugra Sthambham, the devotees can return back to the Upper Ahobilam base and halt for a while. By then, half the day would be over.
A little after 1 pm, the devotees can get back to the Upper Ahobilam shrine after darshan at Kroda Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha shrines and the Ugra Sthambham peak.
After resting at the Upper Ahobilam shrine for a while, the devotees can begin their trek to the Pavana Narasimha shrine which again is considered a long trek, as the shrine is located about 7 kms away from the Upper Ahobilam shrine within the dense Nallamala forests.
On their return, the devotees can have darshan at Yogananda, Chatravata, Bhargava and Karanja Narasimha shrines which are situated close to the Lower Ahobilam temple and are accessible by road.
Doli Service
Doli services are available at Ahobilam which is good news for those devotees who are not in a position to undertake a trek owing to their physical condition or age and yet wish to visit the Nava Narasimha shrines. Doli carriers charge Rs 2500-3500 INR for ferrying devotees to the shrines of Kroda Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha and the Ugra Sthambham peak.
The other shrines of Yogananda, Chatravata, Bhargava, Karanja Narasimha and Pavana Narasimha are accessible by road. For visiting these shrines, the devotees can engage local transportation (Mahindra Commander Jeeps/Tata Sumo).
The devotees are charged Rs 3.000 for a group of 8 persons. There are about 400 such vehicles operational for the service at Ahobilam.
Ugra Sthambham
Ugra Sthambham is believed to be the exact spot/pillar from which Lord Narasimha emerged to slay the demon king Hiranyakashipu.
This place is about one km away from the Jwala Narasimha shrine and located amidst the dense Nallamala forests. One can see a symbolic iron pillar on top of the Achalachaaya hill.
The footprints of the Lord are etched here.
Lower Ahobilam Temple
The journey to the Nava Narasimha Kshetras ends with the worship at the Lower Ahobilam temple which is the abode of Lord Prahlada Varada Narasimha. According to legend, the idol of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha at Lower Ahobilam was installed and worshipped by Lord Venkateswara before his wedding with Goddess Padmavathi.
Best Time to Visit Ahobilam
For devotees planning to offer worship at all the nine abodes of Lord Narasimha at Ahobilam, the rainy season around August-November would be the best time to plan their pilgrimage. If lucky, you could also spot the Royal Bengal Tiger which roars across the jungles of the dense Nallamala forests.
But beware, it is always best to move in a big group and under the guidance of a well-acquainted guide in order to be safe and also not to get lost in these parts of the woods.
Transition through an old-timer’s eyes
Saroja Lakshmi Narayanan (an 88-yr-old devotee), whose family has been in the service of Lord Ahobilesa for the last 57 years now, narrates her experiences surrounding the transition of Ahobilam over the last 5 decades.
“Ahobilam in those days was very difficult to reach with absolutely no roads and very little transportation.
With wild animals including tigers wandering around freely all along the route from Allagadda to Ahobilam, very few people used to visit Ahobilam in those days. When my husband R. Lakshmi Narayanan was appointed as Manager at the Sri Ahobilam temple, the income of the temple was around '8,000 per annum with very few devotees visiting the shrine. And very limited number of festivals used to be observed at Ahobilam those days.
“My husband who acted as a link between the state government and the Ahobila Mutt was instrumental in bringing about better infrastructure at Ahobilam which included improved road connectivity, electricity, renovation of the Rajagopurams of the Lower and Upper Ahobilam temples, construction of pedestrian steps to Upper Ahobilam, bringing in road connectivity from Lower Ahobilam to Upper Ahobilam temple, etc.
“With better infrastructure in place at Ahobilam than before, the pilgrim crowds began to swell over the years. And with the help of several ardent devotees of Lord Ahobilesa along with the support of some philanthropists, my husband introduced several new festivals at the Ahobilam temple which added to devotee attraction who were drawn to the pomp and gaiety at the ancient shrine.”
“But I fondly remember that getting decent food and accommodation was still a major concern for the devotees including VIPs visiting Ahobilam shrine as there were hardly any restaurants at this pilgrim shrine. And to overcome this concern of the devout, we personally took care of the hospitality needs of the pilgrims, the government officials as well as the VIPs. We even used to accommodate devotees and cook food for them at our home itself, to ensure that not a single devotee on a pilgrimage to Ahobilam was left hungry,” she adds.
“Several VIPs including former President of India Sri Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy who was also the Chairman of the renovation committee of Ahobilam, T.T. Krishnamachary, former Speaker of Lok Sabha, former Prime Minister Sri P.V. Narasimha Rao, former Prime Minister Sri H.D. Deve Gowda and many others from diverse fields who came to Ahobilam have been our guests,” she added.
