Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam, Ahobilam

About Ahobilam Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple:

Ahobilam is a sacred place located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, surrounded by magnificent hills of Eastern Ghats range. It is here the Supreme Godhead incarnated Himself as Lord Narasimha Swamy to kill the demon Hiranyakashipu and to save his beloved devotee Prahlada. Si Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple situated here is one of the popular pilgrimage centres in South India. Also known as Thiru Singavel Kundram, this shrine is renowned as one among the 108 divya-deshams.

The Eastern Ghats range is compared to Sri Adi Sesha, the great serpent bed of Lord Vishnu. Tirupati lies on its seven hoods, Ahobilam on its stomach and Sri Shailam on its tail. According to Brahmanda Purana, Ahobilam was the abode of the demon king Hiranyakashipu who was killed by the Lord Narasimhaswamy.

Ahobilam – The Great Strength:

The Supreme Lord incarnated as Lord Narasimha, having human body and lion head, tore apart demon Hiranyakashipu into pieces. Witnessing this divine act, the demigods praised Lord Narasimha as ‘ahobala’ meaning ‘great strength’.

Nava Narasimha Temples in Ahobilam:

Nine temples exist in Ahobilam, which are enshrined with the self-manifested deities of the Lord Narasimha. These nine deities are worshipped by the names Sri Jwala Narasimha, Sri Ahobila Narasimha, Sri Malola Narasimha, Sri Kroda Narasimha, Sri Karanja Narasimha, Sri Pavana Narasimha ,Sri Bhargava Narasimha, Sri Yogananda Narasimha, and Sri Chatravata Narasimha.

There are two divisions of the Ahobilam, which are : Upper Ahobilam or Eguva Ahobilam and the Lower Ahobilam or Diguva Ahobilam. Upper Ahobilam, situated at about ten kilometres from the Lower Ahobilam, includes the following temples: Ahobila Narasimha, Krodha Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha and Malola Narasimha. Lower Ahobilam constitutes the following temples: Sri Yogananda Narasimha, Chatravatha Narasimha, Pavana Narasimha and Bhargava Narasimha. The temple of Sri Karanja Narasimha is situated on the way from Lower Ahobilam to Upper Ahobilam. There is a popular belief among the devotees that the nine planets acquired their power after worshipping these nine forms of the Lord and hence whoever worships these nine forms can overcome the ill effect of the respective planet.

Narasimha Swamy Temples at Upper Ahobilam:

Ahobilam Narasimha Temple
Kroda / Varaha Narasimha Temple
Jwala Narasimha Temple
Malola Narasimha Temple

Narasimha Swamy Temples at Lower Ahobilam:
Yoganandha Narasimha Temple
Chatravata Narasimha Temple
Paavana Narasimha Temple
Bhargava Narasimha Temple

Karanja Narasimha Swamy Temple is in between Upper and lower Ahobilam and Lower Ahobilam.