Yeguva Ahobila Narasimha Swamy Temple (Upper Ahobilam), Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh

Yeguva Ahobila Narasimha Swamy Temple (Upper Ahobilam), Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh

Yeguva Ahobila Narasimha Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Ahobilam in Andhra Pradesh. This is the main temple and the earliest of all nine Narasimha temples in Ahobilam. Upper Ahobilam is 2800 feet above sea level. It is an arduous trek to upper Ahobilam from the foothills.

Legends

Chenchu Lakshmi calms down Lord Narasimha:

According to history of Ahobilam, Lord Narasimha gave his darshan to Prahladha after killing Hiranyakasipu. His anger was so intense when he finished slaying Hiranyakasipu that none of the Gods including Lord Shiva could calm him down. So, they went to Mahalakshmi to seek her help. She came down as a girl from the Chenchu tribes and married him after which his anger got reduced.

Lord Shiva prayed to Lord Narasimha here:

Lord Shiva is said to have prayed to Lord Narasimha here.

Adi Sankara visit to this Temple:

Adi Sankara got back his hand cut by Kapalikas so he sang the Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalamaba Sthothram and has also installed a Shivalingam and Sudarshana Narasimha Yantram in this temple.

Bhavanasini River:

Bhavanasini River flowed here so Narasimha could clean his hands after the Hiranya Samharam. 

Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Garuda:

Garuda performed penance here to get darshan of Lord Vishnu. On seeing his intense penance, Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Garuda.

The Temple

This is the main temple and the earliest of all nine Narasimha temples in Ahobilam. There is shrine for Lord Shiva facing Lord Narasimha Shrine immediately after the entrance. The Upper Ahobilam Temple consists of Mukha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and faces east but whereas the Garbha Griha faces north because of the orientation and situation of the natural cave. Adjoining the Mukha Mandapam, a Dwajasthamba and an ornate Balipeedam are situated. The sides and eastern gate leads to Malola and Jwala Narasimha shrines.

Presiding Deity is called as Ahobila Narasimha Swamy. The presiding deity rules planet Guru / Jupiter. The main shrine at Upper Ahobila was carved out of a big egg like rock with Mandapams. The sanctum is actually a low-roofed cave and it is believed that the idol here is Swayambu (self-manifest). This Saligrama form of Ahobila Narasimha is fierce (Ugra) and is in the sukhasana pose. The Lord appears ferocious with the demon king Hiranyakasipu lying across his thighs and his two hands holding the head and the legs of the demon king. He is seen tearing apart the chest of Hiranyakasipu.

On one side, Prahladha can be seen offering his prayers to the Lord with folded hands. The presiding deity rules planet Guru. Sanctum is situated inside a cave. Vimanam over the sanctum is Guha Vimana. The moolavar images were the only shrines of worship during the period of the Chalukyan king Vikrama Ketu, while it was during the period of Prathaparudra that festival images were made. Krishna Devaraya is known to have made endowments here. 

The Utsava deity of Ahobila Narasimha Divya Desam is seen at the Lakshmi Narasimha Prahaladha Varadan Temple at Lower Ahobilam. Mother is called as Chenchu Lakshmi. She is housed in a separate shrine. She is seated in padmasana. Chenchu is a tribe and Goddess Lakshmi was born among this tribe and married Narasimha after he slayed Hiranyakasipu. Since the Chenchu tribe are meat eating people even till this day locals offer meat at the Chenchu Lakshmi shrine which is located near the Pavana Narasimha shrine. The two crests of the hill are called Vedadri and Garudadri, through which the Bhavanasini Theertham flows.

There is a pillar near the Ugra Narasimhar and the Guha Narasimhar shrine; said to be the pillar, facing which the demon Hiranyakasipu asked Prahladha to demonstrate the omnipresence of Vishnu. There is a shrine for Sudarshana on the Temple premises. The exterior of upper Ahobilam is decorated with excellent sculptures. Also, the Utsava Murthi of Jwala Narasimha is worshipped here every day and Nitya abishekam and Kalyanam are performed here to Jwala Narasimha. There is a tank situated near the temple, which supplies water to the residents of the Upper Ahobilam. 

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 06.00 AM to 01.00 PM and 03.00 PM to 05.30 PM.

Festivals

The annual Brahmothsava performed in February attracts large number of devotees from neighboring states. 

Singers

Thirumangai Azhvaar visited and sung praise referring to this location in his verses as Singavel Kundram.

Connectivity

The shrine is situated on a steep hill accessed from Lower Ahobilam through a narrow Ghat road. The motor able road ends at a narrow passage near Bhavanasini River after travelling 6 Kms from Lower Ahobilam. The main temple can be reached by trekking up the hill from here on well laid steps for about 2 Kms. 

Location | Photos