Ahobilam Temple, Andhra Pradesh – Overview
The Ahobilam Temple is a very famous place of worship dedicated to the Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu. Narasimha was a unique incarnation that Vishnu took to put an end to the ruthless demon Hiranyakayshap and thus save Hiranya’s son and Vishnu devotee Prahlad and the people from the torture of the demon.
Ahobilam is a group of temples located in the mountain range of the Eastern Ghats in Ahobilam village in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. There are 9 temples for various forms of Narasimha, spread over a radius of about 5 km, while there is also a temple for him in the form of Prahlad Varada at the foothills. Thus, the temples are spread between Upper and Lower Ahobilam.
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History of this Temple
The nine Narasimhas revered in the Ahobilam temples are Jwala Narasimha, Ahobila Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Krodha Narasimha, Karanja Narasimha, Bhargava Narasimha, Yogananda Narasimha, Kshatravata Narasimha, and Pavana Narasimha. These deities can be worshiped in their individual temples located amidst the mountain ranges of Ahobilam.
Besides these, Narasimha, as Prahlad Varada, can be worshiped at ground level, in the main temple complex at the base of the mountains. The festival deities of many hill temples are also kept here for security and other reasons. The temples built in the Dravidian style of architecture were expanded, rebuilt and renovated mainly by the Vijayanagara rulers in the 15th and 16th centuries CE.
In the hilly area there is a huge rock crack, which is somewhat divided into 2 parts. It is known as Ugra Stambham and is believed to be the giant pillar of the demon Hiranya’s palace, which is broken by Lord Narasimha. This pilgrimage is called Prahlad Mettu. The most sacred of the many water bodies in this place is the Raksha Kundam. It is said that after killing Hiranya, Narasimha washed his blood-stained hands in these waters, and that is the reason why its water is still red in colour.
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Tourist attraction near Ahobilam Temple
Yaganti
Yaganti in Kurnool is famous for the wonderful temple of Sri Yaganti Swami, a famous Shiva temple, dating back to the 5th-6th centuries. The main idol of the temple is Ardhanarishvara, that is, Shiva. It is one of the best tourist places in Kurnool. And Parvati conjoined.
Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary
Spread over an area of 614 square kilometres, the Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary was established in the year 1988 and being home to some rare and endangered species such as the Great Indian Bustard and the Lesser Florican, the place continues to be popular among tourists. It’s also a great site for birdwatchers
Oravakallu Rock Garden
Oravakallu Rock Garden is a fascinating stretch of igneous rock formations. Located at a distance of about 20 km from the main city, the park is famous for boating and cave museums and serves as a popular picnic spot for those traveling with their kids. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kurnool.
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How to reach Ahobilam Temple
By plane- The nearest airport to this temple is Bangalore airport, which is at a distance of approximately 172 km from Ahobilam.
By Train- The nearest railway station to this temple is Kondapuram railway station, which is about 13 km away, from where buses and private vehicles are available to reach the temple.
By Road- There are regular bus services from Nadayal, 40 km from Nadayal, 150 km from Kurnool and Alagadda, 20 km from Ahobilam, to reach the lower Ahobilam temple. Private vehicles also run on these routes.
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