Thread by @vilakkoli

A thread on Ahobilam
At a distance of 64 km from Nandyal, 140 km from Kurnool, 102 km from Kadapa, Ahobilam or Ahobalam is an important pilgrimage center located in the Kurnool district of AP. Ahobilam is the holy abode of Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu (1/24)

Garuda wished for a vision of Lord Nrusimha. To fulfill his wish, the Lord settled in the hills around Ahobilam in the midst of dense forests in 9 different forms. For this reason this hill came to be known as Garudadri, Garudachalam & Garudasailam (2/24)

Ahobilam is the place where the Lord killed Hiranyakasipu and saved Prahalada. Mahalakshmi took avathar as Senjulakshmi among the Senju tribal hunters of the hills, and married the Lord. Situated amidst dense Nallamala Forest, Ahobilam is one of the 108 Divya Desams. (3/24)

This place is also called as Nava Narasimha Kshetra since Lord Narasimha is worshipped in 9 different forms Jwala, Ahobila, Malola, Kroda, Kaaranja, Bhargava, Yaogananda, Chathravata & Paavana. The town is divided into two parts, Lower Ahobilam and Upper Ahobilam. (4/24)

Of these 9 shrines, Yogananda, Chathravata & Bhargava Narasimha swami shrines are situated in Lower Ahobilam and the remaining six are in upper Ahobilam. In addition to the nine shrines, there is a temple for Prahaladavarada Varadhan in the foothills of the mountain.
(5/24)

UPPER AHOBILAM TEMPLES
1. Jwala Narasimha
Distance from Lower Ahobilam: 12KMs
Reached by: Trekking / Walking / Doli
Trip duration: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty Level: Extreme
Timings: 6 AM to 3PM
Adhipathi for planet: Mars (செவ்வாய்)
Form/Posture: Ugra
(6/24)

UGRA STHAMBHAM
At a distance of 8KMs from the Upper Ahobilam temple, we can see a cleft of the mountain dividing it into two visible parts. It is a long-held view that from the cleft, the Lord appeared in the form of Narasimha and this cleft is known as 'Ugra Sthambham'. (7/24)

RAKTHAKUNDAM
It is stated that Lord Narasimha after killing the demon Hiranyakasipu, washed his hands in this 'theertham' and hence the water is still reddish in appearance. (8/24)

2. Malola Narasimha
Distance from Lower Ahobilam: 10KMs
Travel: Trekking / Climbing stairs/ Doli
Trip duration: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty Level: Extreme
Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 5:30 PM
Adhipathi for planet: Venus (சுக்ரன்)
Posture/Form: Soumya / graceful
(9/24)

As Lord Narasimha is seen with his consort, Lakshmi, He is known as Malola(Ma=Lakshmi, Lola= beloved). It is said that the 'utsavamoorthi' of the Lord appeared to Srimath Adivan Satakopa Jeeyar, the first Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt. (10/24)

3. Kroda / Varaha Narasimha
Distance from Lower Ahobilam: 9 KMs
Travel: Trekking / Climbing stairs/ Doli
Trip duration: ~ 1 hour
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 5:30 PM
Adhipathi for planet: Raahu (ராகு)
Posture/Form: Depicted as a Wild Boar
(11/24)

The Lord is in 2 diff forms here, Varaha & Narasimha. This temple is also referred as Varaha Narasimha Temple. Here the deity is seen along with his consort Lakshmi. Don't miss the Sri Ramanuja Cave is located on the way to Kroda Narasimha Temple. (12/24)

4. Ahobila / Ugra Narasimha
Distance from Lower Ahobilam: ~50-100 steps from lower Ahobilam
Travel: Climbing stairs/ Doli
Trip duration: ~ 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 5:30 PM
Adhipathi for planet: Jupiter (குரு)
Posture: Chakrasana (13/24)

This is the Divya Kshethram with mangalasaasanam by Sri Thirumangai Azhvar who hails this ksehtram as "Singavelkundram". The Lord here appears in fierce form, called Ugra Narasimha, aka Ahobila Narasimha. A sannidhi dedicated to Sri Chenchulakshmi Thayar is also present. (14/24)

Lower Ahobilam Temples
5. Bhargava Narasimha
Travel: By Jeep & then 1/2 KM trek + 60 steep steps
Trip duration: ~ 45 minutes
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM & 3 PM - 5:30 PM
Adhipathi for planet: Suryan (சூரியன்)
Posture: Fierce (Ugra Narasimha)
(15/24)

"Bhargava Theertham" located near this temple is where Bhargava Rama performed his penance. Hence the deity is referred to as Bhaargava Narasimha Swamy. (16/24)

6. Yogananda Narasimha
Distance: a few metres from Lower Ahobilam
Travel: By Car
Trip duration: ~ 15 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 5:30 PM
Adhipathi for planet: Saturn (சனி)
Posture: Seated in yogic posture
(17/24)

7. Chathravata Narasimha
Distance: a few metres from Lower Ahobilam
Trip duration: ~ 10 minutes
Travel: By Car
Difficulty Level: Easy
Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 5:30 PM
Adhipathi for planet: Ketu (கேது)
Posture: Taala posture & sports a smile
(18/24)

8. Kaaranja Narasimha
Distance: a few metres from Lower Ahobilam
Travel: By Car
Trip duration: ~ 10 minutes
Difficulty Level: Very Easy
Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 5:30 PM
Adhipathi for planet: Moon (சந்திரன்)
Posture: Yogic posture with bow/arrow
(19/24)

This temple is believed to be the place where Lord Hanuman did tapas to have Lord Rama's darshan but the lord appeared to him as Narasimha. Since Hanuman was unwilling to recognize Him in any form but Sri Rama, Narasimha appears in Rama's form here with bow & arrow. (20/24)

9. Paavana Narasimha
Distance: 26 KMs from lower Ahobilam
Trip duration: ~ 2 to 3 hours (up/down)
Travel: By Jeep only
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 5:30 PM
Adhipathi for planet: Mercury (புதன்)
Posture: Shantha swaroopam w/ Thayar
(21/24)

10. Lakshmi Narasimha
Distance: Lower Ahobilam
Travel: By Car / Walk
Trip duration: ~ 10 minutes
Difficulty Level: Very Easy
Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 4 PM - 8:00 PM
(22/24)

This temple situated in Lower Ahobilam is dedicated to Prahlada Varada. A shrine dedicated to Sri Venkateswara exists to the south-west of this temple & is believed that Lord Venkateswara obtained the blessings of Narasimha just before His marriage with Padmavathi. (23/24)

Doli Services
Doli services are available from the starting point of Upper Ahobilam temples. The service costs about INR 3500. Even when using Doli services, one may still have to walk a bit at a few places but it's not that difficult & can be easily managed. (24/24)

With inputs from @jkgche, @RadnuS81, sannidhi bhattars and locals. For more: ahobilamutt.org/us/information…

"Aho Veeryam Aho Souryarn Aho Bahuparakramah
Naarasimham Param Daivam Ahobilam Aho Balam" 🙏🙏🙏🙏