Pavana Narasimha Swamy Temple, Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh

Pavana Narasimha Swamy Temple, Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh

Pavana Narasimha Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Ahobilam in Andhra Pradesh. This Temple is one of the nine Narsimha temples in Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh. Pavana Narasimha Temple is situated on the bank of River Pavana, situated in the middle of the forest. This Temple is said to be the most peaceful form among the Nava Narasimha Kshetras. This Temple is said to be Kshetra Ratna (jewel among the Kshetras).

Legends

Narasimha love towards Chenchu Lakshmi:

Returning after the completion of Hiranya Samhara, an angry Narasimha’s eyes fell on the beautiful Chenchu Lakshmi of the Ahobilam hills. Lured by her beauty and wanting to marry her, he displayed his love by searching the entire hilly region to find non-vegetarian food for Chenchu Lakshmi. In memory of this event, every Saturday, the residents of this region present a hen as food to Lakshmi Narasimha at this temple.

Lord Narasimha, Son in Law to Chenchu Tribe:

Mahalakshmi took Avatharam as Chenchu Lakshmi in the tribal group in nearby forest and got married to Lord Narasimha. Local tribes visit this temple regularly and offer meat to this Lion God, as for them, Lord Narasimhar is their son-in-law.

Adi Shankara created Narasimha Karavalamaba Stotra here:

It is said that it was here where Sri Adi Shankara was reciting (or creating) the Narasimha Karavalamaba Stotra for his protection against the Kapalika tantric, who wanted to offer him for his Kali.

Sage Bharadwaja got relieved of Brahma Hatya Dosham:

Sage Bharadwaja rid himself of the great sin of Brahma Hatya at this place.

The Temple

Pavana Narasimha Temple is situated on the bank of River Paavana, situated in the middle of the forest. Dwajasthambam can be found in front of this temple. Presiding Deity is called as Pavana Narasimha. He is also known as Pamuleti Narasimha Swamy.  The Lord is seen with seven headed Adhisesha above his head and with Chenchu Lakshmi on his lap. Sage Bharadwaj can be found at his feet. The presiding deity rules planet Mercury / Budha.

On certain days it is here that the tribes of the forest come together and offer animals to the Lord outside of the temple compound. The Chenchu Lakshmi shrine is situated at about 1 Km from the Pavana Narasimha Temple. Archana can be performed here as the priest resides beside the temple.

Prayers

The Lord here liberates devotees from the all the sins of past lives and the present lives which might have been committed knowingly or unknowingly.

Connectivity

The Temple is situated in the dense Nallamala forests and is about 7 Kms away from the Upper Ahobilam Temple. The trek to the Paavana Narasimha shrine is an arduous one. This is the most difficult of the nava Narasimha temples to reach. One will have to take special jeep to reach this temple or walk through a tough 2 hours trip across a rocky terrain to reach this temple. Do not visit this temple after 5 pm as it gets very dark and the forest houses wild animals.

Location