Ahobilam Temple: Enchanting Journey Through the Glorious History

Ahobilam is a sacred town nestled in the picturesque hills of the Eastern Ghats in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It holds immense significance as the center of worship for Narasimha, the lion-headed avatar of Lord Vishnu. The town is adorned with nine Hindu temples and several shrines dedicated to Narasimha.

The main Narasimha Swamy temples in Ahobilam were initially constructed or expanded by the Vijayanagara emperors during the 15th and 16th centuries. Unfortunately, the temples faced destruction when the Mughals attacked in 1578. Nevertheless, they were later restored and expanded, showcasing a blend of architectural styles from different periods.

According to legend, Ahobilam is the place where Lord Vishnu, in his Narasimha form, vanquished the demon Hiranyakashipu to protect his ardent devotee Prahlada. The iconic moment of Narasimha emerging from a rock pillar is depicted in various sculptures and murtis across the temples. Additionally, Garuda, the divine eagle and vehicle of Lord Vishnu, prayed to witness the avatar of Narasimha, and as a result, the deity settled in nine different forms across the hills of Ahobilam.

The Lower Ahobilam Temple, built in the Vijayanagara style, features a Sanctum, a Mukhamantapam, and a Rangamantapam adorned with exquisite sculptures. Intricate carvings of Yakshas, Yalis, horses, and divine figures embellish the massive composite pillars in the Rangamantapam. Within the sanctum, the peaceful form of Narasimha Swami is worshipped alongside Utsava idols of Prahlada Varada, Pavana Narasimha, and Jwala Narasimha, who has ten hands and is flanked by Sreedevi and Bhoodevi. The temple also houses a small idol of the first Jeeyar, Sri Adivan Satakopa Swami.

In proximity to the Narasimha temple in Lower Ahobilam, there is a shrine dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, illustrating the moment when he sought blessings from Narasimha before his marriage with Padmavathi.

As per the history of Ahobilam, after slaying Hiranyakashipu, Narasimha’s intense anger was soothed when he received darshan from Prahlada. Despite the attempts of other gods, only Mahalakshmi, who took the form of a girl from the Chenchu tribes, was successful in calming Narasimha’s fury. They got married, and his anger subsided.

The Upper Ahobilam Temple consists of mukha mantapa and maha mantapa, facing east, while the garbha griha faces north due to the orientation of the natural cave. The main shrine, carved out of a large egg-like rock with mandapas, houses the self-manifested idol of the fierce form of Narasimha, known as Ugra Narasimha or Ahobila Narasimha. There is also a shrine dedicated to Chenchulakshmi adjacent to the main deity. The exteriors of Upper Ahobilam are adorned with exquisite sculptures. Daily worship and rituals are performed to the utsava murthy of Jwala Narasimha here. A nearby tank supplies water to the residents of Upper Ahobilam.

In conclusion, Ahobilam holds a rich heritage and remains a significant pilgrimage site where devotees worship Lord Narasimha in all his divine forms, seeking his blessings and protection.