Thread by @rasu667

AHOBILAM
Part 1.
#WalkToTemple
#Bharatiyavastukala

As soon as we entered Ahobilam, to the left of the road, saw this beautifully carved Mandapam. I thought 'Aha, emi Mee bhagyamu' (how fortunate you are). Common people relaxing in a piece of history & beauty. Pillars with Yali.

Ahobilam is the abode of Narasimha Deva. Located in Nallamala forests of Kurnool dist, it is 60 km from Nandyal. It has 9 forms of Narsimha. Divided into Eguva (upper) Ahobilam & Diguva (lower) Ahobilam, it has 4 temples apiece & a temple on the way up called Karanja Narasimha.

Karanja Narasimha is so called as he is installed under a Karanja tree. It has a stone tortoise beneath a tree. It has pieces of carved pillars at the entrance with carvings of Ganesh, Balakrishna, Gajalakshmi, Vishnu & Hanuman.
The atmosphere is very peaceful & divine.

Then we proceeded to Upper Ahobilam. From the car park area, we could see a mandapam in some distance. The hill looks as if it has been torn apart.
After climbing steps, we see another Mandapam with carved pillars, used by people for resting. From here we go to Ugra Narasimha.

Ugra Narasimha is the main temple in upper Ahobilam. Here Narsimha Deva is worshipped with his consort Chenchu Lakshmi. Lakshmi Devi came in the form of Chenchu Lakshmi to placate and cool down Narsimha Deva in his angry form. The Murti is in a cave and is said to be Svayambhu.

Till today, the Chenchu's (a tribe) send many things to the temple and are the general caretakers as they believe that it is their aadapaduchu (daughter) who resides in the temple. Lighting a lamp to Chenchu Lakshmi is considered auspicious.

Carvings on the walls of the temple.

From here, we can go to Varaha Narsimha or Kroda Narsimha temple going through the forest. The trek is relatively easy compared to the treks to Jwala Narsimha & Malola Narsimha.
We covered the trek to Varaha Narasimha but gave the other two a miss due to health reasons.

Varaha Narsimha Murti Garbagriha is also in a cave. Narsimha is boar faced in this form, with his consort Lakshmi Devi.
The pillars have carvings.
The temples of upper Ahobilam are closed at 7pm each day for the safety of the piligrims & caretakers, as the temples are in forest

Ahobilam Narsimha Deva is mentioned in Kurma Purana, Padma purana & Vishnu purana.
Brahmanda purana says this place was once the palace of Hiranyakashyapu & that he was slain in this Kshetra. That is the reason this whole range is considered holy.

Another Mandapam with pillars, of which only few are carved. This must have been built by the rulers for the piligrims to rest.

This is a small Murti kept for the piligrims to pray, and steps to go to another temple. The steps to be taken are many. People tie a piece of cloth here, I think as some sort of ritual or Deeksha. I am just assuming.

@Gopanarya @gurichopra
Do you know about this Kshetra of Narasimha Deva? In part 2 or 3 of Ahobilam, I will be posting about a beautiful temple, so don't miss it.