Nava Narasimha Temple, Ahobilam – Trekking

Nava Narasimha Temple, Ahobilam – Trekking

The temple visits can be organized in four parts:

1.    Lower Ahobilam

2.    Upper Ahobilam 

3.    Upper Ahobilam Treks

4.    Pavana

1. Lower Ahobilam:

Temples: Yogananda (7), Chatravada (8), Bhargava (6) and Prahaladha Varada (D).

Yogananda (7) and Chatravada (8) - Both these temples are just 3 Kms from Lower Ahobila entry point and are accessible by good motorable roads. Bhargava (6) can only be reached by local Auto/Jeep and is a very rough drive of 20 minutes from Lower Ahobilam. Negotiate the prices for Auto and Jeep before you get in. Aged persons and people with back aches need to be very careful of this ride. Instead, one may trek the same path of approximately 3 Kms. From the Auto/Jeep drop point, it is a climb of about 100 steps. The above darshans (6, 7, 8) would take 2 to 3 hours. Visit to Bhargava (6) is normally combined with the jeep trip of Pavana (9). Prahaladha Varada (D) is a huge temple complex and one may need an hour or more inside the Temple complex. 

2. Upper Ahobilam:

Temples: Karanja (5) and Ahobilam (2).

The 8 Kms road from Lower Ahobilam to Upper Ahobilam is a well laid motorable road. Karanja (5) is situated on the Lower Ahobilam to Upper Ahobilam Route. It can be visited while returning. The temple Ahobilam (2) may be visited after completing the treks. Local guides are available here. Also, dolis can be organized for elders. One may also rent sticks to aid their trek, though it may not be needed for all.

3. Upper Ahobilam Treks:

Temples: Krodha (4), Malola (3), Prahaladha Badi (C), Jwala (1) and Ugra Stambham(A).

All these places are located on rocky terrain and inside dense forest. These places cannot be visited on bare feet. Most of the pilgrim’s wear slippers or shoes. It would be a good idea to start early in the morning as one may need 3 hours for the trek (a trek to Ugra Sthambam (A) – would take additional 2 to 3 hours). Trek path starts just by the side of Ahobilam (2) and leads to Krodha / Varaha (4). There is a route, marked in paint to Pavana (9) just behind the Ahobilam (2) and this is covered in Section 4). 

Path 1:

Krodha (4) – 15 mins – Malola (3) – 60 mins – Jwala (1). 

There are well laid stairs that lead to Malola (3). This is a climb for 15 to 20 mins. There is a partly rocky (and slightly treacherous) path (which might also not be clearly marked) from Malola (3) to Jwala (1) via bridge explained in path 2. This path requires climbing both up and down and takes nearly 1 hour. 

Path 2:

Krodha (4) – 15 mins – Bridge – 45 mins – Jwala (1) – 45 mins – Return to bridge – 30 mins – Malola (3). 

From Krodha (4) one may also take a path through the river bed, mostly just rocks (this path has markings on the rocks to guide, or one can follow others). This path is slightly on a rough terrain till it reaches a bridge in around 15 minutes. This leads to a wooden bridge which forks into two well laid paths: one to Jwala (1) and the other to Malola (3). From there, one need to climb around 350 well laid but treacherous steps to reach Jwala (1).

Path 3: 

Krodha (4) – 15 mins – Bridge – Jwala (1) – Return to Krodha (4) – Malola (3).

Just before Jwala (1), there is a steep climb to Ugra Stambham (A). One may need sticks for support. Sticks are also available on rent at Jwala (1). This trek may need additional two hours for to and fro. From Malola (3), a path leads to Prahaladha Badi (C). It may take 1 hour to complete this round trip. On the way back, visit Krodha (4) and Ahobilam (2) and then Karanja (5). 

4. Pavana:

Temples: Pavana Temple (9)

Path1: 

By trek from Upper Ahobilam:

One has to climb 500 steps (path starts just behind Ahobilam Temple (2)) and then trek for 5 Kms in the rocky forest area. This may need 3 to 4 hours. 

Path 2:

By Jeep from Lower Ahobilam:

Jeep rides (8 Seaters) are available from Lower Ahobilam. Price for this can be shared with other pilgrims. This path is through forest and the ride will be bumpy and very strenuous. Elders and pilgrims with back ache may have to avoid this travel. One-way trip is nearly 1 hour. The rides will be available till 3 pm at Lower Ahobilam. as entry into forest area may not be allowed after that.

Doli Service & Jeep Services:

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 4000 INR for ferrying devotees to the shrines of Krodha Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha and the Ugra Stambham peak.

The other shrines of Yogananda, Chatravada, 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.