Here’s Everything You Need To About ‘Ahobilam’ Narasimha Temple In Kurnool!

Ahobilam is located in the Nallamalla ranges of Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh and is considered to be one of the 108 Vaishnava Divyadesams in the country. The region is famous for its two beautiful temples located in lower Ahobilam and upper Ahobilam. The Nallamalla ranges south of river Krishna, down to Tirupati and are called `Sesha Parvatha`. Sesha is the name of the king of serpents. The hood of the sesha is at Tirupati, the tail at Sri Sailam and the middle is situated at Ahobilam. Nallamallas at the tail are called Sringiri, at the middle are called Vedagiri and the hood is referred to as Garudagiri.

According to legend, this is where Lord Narasimha blessed Prahlada and killed the demon Hiranyakashipu. Ahobilam is one of the ancient Vaishnava shrines of India and it has a matha at Srirangam. The idol of the presiding deity Lord Narasimha is shown in a sitting posture with jatagata or matted hair. This is the unique posture of Vishnu and which can only be seen here. A rivulet, popularly known as Bhavanasi flows near the temple, which has crystal clear water. It is believed that there is a cave underneath the temple where stays a Swayambhu (self manifested) Narasimha. Another story says that the demon Hiranyakashipu exclaimed `Ahobilam! Ahobilam!` when he saw the ferocious and gigantic form of Lord Narasimha. Hence, the place was named as Ahobilam.

The shrine of the Ahobilam temple is situated on the top of the first range and is referred to as Upper Ahobilam and the lower ranges down below are called Lower Ahobilam. A huge temple surrounded by a number of buildings can be seen at the Upper Ahobilam. The main shrine or the “sanctum sanctorum” at Upper Ahobilam was carved out of a big egg like rock with mandapams. There is a tank here, which supplies water to the residents of the Upper Ahobilam temple. It is mainly for growing flowers for the shrine.

There is a Lower Ahobilam below which consists of a big temple and enclosures. It was built according to the South Indian style of Temple construction. Thousands of pilgrims can stay here in this temple. The priests of both Upper and Lower Ahobilam stay there even today.