Ahobilam Temple

Introduction

Ahobilam Temple is a very famous place of worship dedicated to the Narasimha Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Narasimha was the unique incarnation that Vishnu took to put an end to the ruthless demon Hiranyakashipu and, thus, save Hiranya's son and Vishnu devotee Prahlada and the people, from the atrocities of the Rakshasa. As the name suggests, Nara Simha was the terrific form with a human body and a lion face and features, which the Lord took to circumvent the incredible boons that the demon obtained and overpower him. This temple is also known as Singavel Kundram, where 'Singam' means lion in Tamil, and 'Kundram' is a mountain. Ahobilam is a cluster of temples located in the mountain ranges of the Eastern Ghats in the Ahobilam village, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. There are 9 temples for the various forms of Narasimha, spread within a circle of about 5 km, while there is also a temple for him as Prahlada Varada, at the foothills. Thus the temples are spread between the upper and lower Ahobilams. The Azhwar saints have sung the glory of this Lord in many of their hymns, and hence, this shrine is also regarded as a Divya Desam, a very sacred abode of Lord Vishnu.

The pilgrimage to the Ahobilam temples is tough and often involves going on foot in arduous terrains.

Temple Legends

Scriptures and legends regard Ahobilam, as the place where Vishnu took the mighty man-lion incarnation of Narasimha, to destroy demon Hiranyakashipu and protect Vishnu devotee, Prahlada. Narasimha is also said to have emerged from a pillar, which is believed to be a rock found here.

Besides, Devas, the celestial beings were said to have been wonderstruck to see Narasimha, the terrific man-lion form, and exclaimed 'Aho Bala,' that is, 'what a might!' And so this place came to be called Aho Balam or Ahobilam.

As per ancient texts like Brahmanda Purana, Garuda, the mighty bird mount of Vishnu did severe penance in these mountains for many years, to get the vision of the Narasimha form that destroyed Hiranya. At last, Garuda is said to have got the exhilarating darshan of Jwala Narasimha in all his glory, in a cave. The mountain range where Garuda performed the penance became Garudachala or Garudadri. As Garuda got Narasimha's vision in a big cave, the place itself got the name 'Aho Bilam,' the great cave.

Senjulakshmi is the Lord's consort here. Legends claim that Goddess Lakshmi was born as Senjulakshmi in the clan of the tribal hunters, here and married the Lord.

It is also said Prahlada meditated here on the Lord for a long time, and that Narasimha taught him many Yogic feats.

The History and Architecture of Ahobilam Temple

The 9 Narasimhas enshrined in the Ahobilam temples are – the Jwala Narasimha, Ahobila Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Kroda Narasimha, Karanja Narasimha, Bhargava Narasimha, Yogananda Narasimha, Kshatravata Narasimha, and Pavana Narasimha. These deities can be worshipped in their individual temples, situated amidst the mountain ranges of Ahobilam.

In addition to these, Narasimha, as Prahlada Varada can be worshipped in the main temple complex at the base of the mountains, at ground level. The festival deities of many of the hill temples are also housed here, due to security and other considerations.

The temples built in the Dravidian style of architecture have been expanded, rebuilt and renovated principally by the Vijayanagara rulers, in the 15th and 16th century CE.

Up in the mountainous region, there is a cleft of a massive rock, divided somewhat into 2 parts. This is known as the Ugra Sthambham and is believed to be the massive pillar of demon Hiranya's palace, splitting which Lord Narasimha emerged out. Prahlada can also be worshipped in a cave not far from Ugra Sthambham along with Prahlada Narasimha Swamy. This shrine is called Prahlada Mettu. Raktha Kundam is the most sacred of the many water bodies of this place.

It is said that Narasimha cleaned his blood-stained hands in these waters, after killing Hiranya, and that is the reason its waters are reddish in color, even now.

Temple Festivals

Brahmotsavam is the important festival of this shrine, celebrated during the Tamil month Masi (February-March). Lord Prahlada Varada is taken in grand processions during this 10-day festival. Swati is the birth star of Narasimha, and on the Swati star days of every month, all the 9 Narasimha deities are given ceremonial sacred baths, known as Thirumanjanam.

Benefits of worshipping Ahobilam Lord Narasimha

Narasimha is a powerful God, and Ahobilam is considered his place of advent. People seek refuge in him to ward off the negative impacts of the present difficult times of Kali Yuga. It is believed that he will help devotees gain courage, confidence, and strength, fulfill their honest wishes and grant them the boon of a happy, healthy, and contented life.