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Monday, January 7, 2019

Nava Narasimha Temple, Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh

Nava Narasimha Temple, Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh
Nava Narasimha Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Ahobilam near Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh, India. Ahobilam is one of the most venerated Vaishnava temples enshrining Narasimha. Ahobilam is located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh amidst the majestic hills of the Eastern Ghats range. It is accessed from Cuddappah on the Chennai Mumbai railroad. The shrine of the Ahobilam Temple, situated on the top of hills is referred as Upper Ahobilam and down below is referred as Lower Ahobilam.






This Temple enshrines nine forms of Lord Narasimha. This Nava Narasimha Kshetram enshrines Ahobila Narasimhan, Varaha Narasimhan, Malola Narasimhan, Yogananda Narasimhan, Bhavana Narasimhan, Kaaranja Narasimhan, Chakra Vada Narasimhan, Bhargava Narasimhan and Jwala Narasimhan. This is one of the major pilgrimage centers in South India and is one among the 108 Divya Desams. It is also known as Thiru Singavel Kundram.





Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
The inscriptions available at the Ahobilam temple indicate that king Vikramaditya VI of the Western Chalukya line of Kalyani worshipped the Mula Narasimha of this temple. The Utsava murthi of the temple is made of gold and it is said to be installed by the famous Kakatiya king Prathaparudra. Now, the great spiritual Jeeyars of Ahobilam Matha worship it. It is said that while returning from Srisailam, Prathaparudra stopped at the Ahobilam and had placed the idol at a place called Rudravaram near the village.  





The shrine in Lower Ahobilam was built by Vijayanagar kings is from 14th century. Krishna Deva Raya, who sought the blessings of Ahobila Narasimha before going for a battle, came back after having won the battle of Kalinga and installed the Vijaya Stambha in front of the temple here. He is also said to have made offerings of a diamond necklace, wristlet, a gold plate and gold coins here. Ramanuja and Vedanta Desikar are believed to have visited this temple. 





The Temple
The shrine of the Ahobilam Temple, situated on the top of hills is referred as Upper Ahobilam and down below is referred as Lower Ahobilam. This Temple enshrines nine forms of Lord Narasimha. 

The Temples and places of interest in Ahobilam are listed below;
Upper Ahobilam (Yeguva Ahobilam):
1. Ahobilam Narasimha Temple (Guru / Jupiter):
For brief details, please refer below link;
2. Krodha Narasimha Temple (Rahu / North Node):
For brief details, please refer below link;
3. Jwala Narasimha Temple (Chevvai / Mars):
For brief details, please refer below link;
4. Malola Narasimha Temple (Shukran / Venus):
For brief details, please refer below link;
On the way from Lower Ahobilam to Upper Ahobilam:
5. Karanja Narasimha Temple (Chandran / Moon):
For brief details, please refer below link;
Lower Ahobilam (Diguva Ahobilam):
6. Yogananda Narasimha Temple (Shani / Saturn):
For brief details, please refer below link;
7. Chatravada Narasimha Temple (Ketu / South Node):
For brief details, please refer below link;
8. Pavana Narasimha Temple (Bhudan / Mercury):
For brief details, please refer below link;
9. Bhargava Narasimha Temple (Surya / Sun):
For brief details, please refer below link;
Other places of Interest:
A. Ugra Stambham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
B. Bhavanasini:
A rivulet, popularly known as Bhavanasini flows near the temple, which has crystal clear water.
C. Prahladha Badi:
For brief details, please refer below link;
D. Prahladha Varadan Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Chenchu Lakshmi Cave Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Theerthams:
Theerthams associated with this Temple are Indira Theertham, Narasimha Theertham, Papanasa Theertham, Gaja Theertham and Bhargava Theertham.
Alwar Koneru:
There is a drinking water lake at a short distance from this temple and it is named as 'Alwar Koneru'.
Inscriptions
There are several inscriptions inside both the Lower and Upper Ahobilam temples. A 14th Century inscription records the construction of the steps at the Upper Ahobilam (Divya Desam) Temple. A 15th century inscription reveals the gifting of the village (Kaluvacheru- Komaragiripuram) by Karama Reddi for the conduct of the daily rituals and worship at the Divya Desam. A mid-16th century inscription reveals the contributions made by Vijayanagar kings. Kakatiya kings also contributed to the improvement of the temple and the mandapas. Inscriptions relating to the 16th century provide insights into the building of mandapam, Garuda Stambha and festivals on 220 days in the year relating to the Lower Ahobilam temple. Another interesting inscription refers to ‘Thaligai’ to be presented to the Lord twice a day- once at noon and the other in the evening at the Lower Ahobilam Temple.
Trekking
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple Opening Time
Upper Ahobilam Temple: 07.00 A.M – 01.00 P.M & 02.00 P.M – 06.00 P.M
Lower Ahobilam Temple: 06.30 A.M – 1.00 P.M & 03.00 P.M – 08.00 P.M
Other Narasimha Temples:  10.00 A.M – 05.00 P.M (01.00 P.M – 02.00 P.M (Lunch Break)).
After 3.00 P.M, the forests authorities do not allow the jeep / vehicle to pass through the forests to reach Pavana Narasimha.
Festivals
Currently, there are festivals on 180 days of the year. Kalyana Utsavam, Swati Homam and Specific Prarthana Abhishekams are particularly sacred here. 10 days Narasimha Jayanthi on Vaikasi, Aippasi 10 days Pavitrotsavam (4 days Lower Ahobilam & 6 days Upper Ahobilam), Thai - Maasi – 45 days procession to 33 villages around Ahobilam, Panguni – 12 days Brahmotsavam, Chitrai - Week long Utsavam for Pavana Narasimha, every month, on the Swathi Nakshatram, there is a special Abhishekam for all the nine Narasimhas. On this day an abhisheka is performed to Sri Narasimha with 108 kalashas.
Singers
Singavelkunram, praised in Tirumangai Alwars decad of 10 verses in Tamil, is the Ahobila Divya Desam, enshrining as many as nine images of Narasimha - and is one of the two Divya Desams in Andhra Pradesh. Thirumangai Azhvaar begins the first of his 10 verses on Singavel Kundram by praising Narasimha's physical strength and his special appearance in a half man-half lion posture and tearing Asura Hiranya’s chest while the world looked awe struck at his power and ability to destroy the Asura.
அம் கண் ஞாலம் அஞ்ச அங்கு ஓர் ஆள்
அரி ஆய் அவுணன்
பொங்க ஆகம் வள் உகிரால் போழ்ந்த
புனிதன் இடம்
பைங்கண் ஆனைக் கொம்பு கொண்டு
பத்திமையால் அடிக்கீழ்ச்
செங்கண் ஆளி இட்டு இறைஞ்சும்
சிங்கவேழ் குன்றமே
The difficulty of visiting Singavel Kundram can be seen from this verse of Thirumangai where he says that it is almost impossible to reach this temple as this is a rocky terrain with constant forest fires and the presence of bow wielding hunters. 
முனைத்த சீற்றம் வின்சுடப்போய் மூவுலகும் பிறவும்
அனைத்தும் அஞ்ச ஆள் அரி ஆய் இருந்த
அம்மானது இடம்
கனைத்த தீயும் கல்லும் அல்லா
வில் உடைய வேடரும் ஆய்
தினைத்தனையும் செல்ல ஒண்ணாச்
சிங்கவேழ் குன்றமே - Thirumangai Periya Thirumozhi-1014
Prayers
Many devotees believe that the nine planets got their powers after worshipping these nine forms of the Lord and anyone who worships these nine forms can overcome the ill effect of the respective planet. Prayers at the feet of the Lord are submitted for relief from the threats of enemies. Devotees perform abishek and do archanas with Tulsi leaves.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Ahobilam is soon after rainy season i.e, August and September. One can see Ahobilam in its full beauty with all the waterfalls and rivers filled up. July to February is ideal to visit Ahobilam. The other months are very hot with temperature ranging from 35 Deg C to 45 Deg C. 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. 
Accommodation
There are quite a good guest houses in Ahobilam. There are good restaurants as well in Ahobilam. There is a Nitya Annandana hall where the lunch is served every day to the pilgrims. Since Ahobilam is a forest area, you get bare facilities. For Room Booking: +91 94905 15284
Facilities
For the devotees who are physically incapable of climbing, Doli facility is available at the entrance of Ahobila Narasimha Temple.   
Contact
Nava Narasimha Temple,
Ahobilam, Kurnool District,
Andhra Pradesh
Phone: +91 8519 252 025 / 252 045 / 252 097
Mobile: +91 94905 15284 / 96032 27118 / 94418 02368
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Diguva Ahobilam Bus Stop, 27 Kms from Allagadda, 50 Kms from Gazulapalli Railway Station, 54 Kms from Koilakuntla Railway Station, 61 Kms from Nandyal, 64 Kms from Nandyal Railway Junction, 67 Kms from Banaganapalli, 118 Kms from Dhone, 140 Kms from Kurnool, 227 Kms from Ongole, 322 Kms from Amaravathi, 335 Kms from Hyderabad Airport and 351 Kms from Hyderabad.
Ahobilam is accessible by bus from Nandyal, Kurnool and Hyderabad. Ahobilam is not connected by rail; the nearest railway stations are Gazulapalli, Koilakuntla and Nandyal. Pilgrims from the north can get down at Nandyal, which is a railway junction from Kurnool, and travel by bus to Allagadda and Ahobilam. The other route is from Dhone which is another railway station and from which one can reach Ahobilam via Banaganapalli and Koilakuntla. Nearest Airport is located at Hyderabad.
Location

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