Nava Narasimha Temples (Ahobilam Sri Narasimha)

The nomenclature of the Nine Narasimhas are:

• Sri Ahobila Narasimha – Jupiter.
• Sri Malola Narasimha – Venus.
• Sri Krota Narasimha – Rahu.
• Sri Jwala Narasimha – Mars.
• Sri Karanja Narasimha – Moon.
• Sri Pavana Narasimha – Mercury.
• Sri Bhargava Narasimha – Sun.
• Sri Chatravata Narasimha – Ketu.
• Sri Yogananda Narasimha – Saturn.

On reaching Ahobilam, one has to take a vehicle to travel 8 kilometers on hill route to reach here. It is situated approximately 2800 feet above sea level. It is situated between Garudathri and Vedathri hills on the banks of Bhava Nashini river.

This is one of the most easily reachable temples. The structure of the temple also has the appearance of a hill with ups and downs. The sanctum is a cave appearing like an open mouth of a crocodile. The mool murthi is a swayambu, i.e., not man-made.

Here Narasimha appears in a ferocious state as he wanted to give darshan to Devas and Garuda in the same stature in which He killed Hiranyakasipu. Garuda did penance here on a hill to have the darshan of Sri Vishnu in Narasimha Avatar. That is why one range of the hills is called Garudathri. Opposite to Narasimha, one can see the statue of Prahalada.

This is a very legendary shrine; It is believed that Sri Rama when he was wandering in search of Sri Sita during his Vanvaas days, had come to this temple and worshipped Sri Narasimha. When Sri Adi Sankaracharya was going through this place, his hand was said to be cut off by Kabalikas, the cannibal tribes who used to wear the garland of skulls.

Sri Sankara had composed “Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalamba Stotram” in this temple and on reciting this he had got his hand back. Sri Sankara had also established a Shiv Linga here to record his visit to the temple. The Shiv Linga is also being worshipped here as Ahobileshwara. Sri Sankara had also established a Narasimha Sudarshana Chakra here.

Next to the sanctum of Sri Ahobila Narasimha, there is a narrow sanctum for Chenchu Lakshmi. Chenchu Lakshmi was the reincarnation of Sri Mahalakshmi. She was born into a hunter family and was named Chenchu Lakshmi. She did penance here in one of the hills to marry Sri Vishnu in his then latest avatar. The hill range is called as Vedathri.

In the mandapam where Narasimha and Chenchu Lakshmi sanctums are situated, a circular place is cordoned off with an iron chain, and a lamp is lit on the circle. It is believed that there was another Narasimha temple below the circle and it used to be quite dark in there.

As per the information available, around 1513, the 6th Jeeyar of Sri Ahobilam Mutt, Sri Sashta Parangucha Yadhindra Desikar had gone down the cave to visit the temple, and he never came out. The cave had been closed, and a lamp is being lit on the floor above the cave.

People say that the sounds of bronze bells could be heard from the underground at nights, but there is no proof. In the temple premises, there is a 16 pillar mandapa which enables clear darshan of the temple tower, Gopuram.

Sri Ahobila Narasimha is ascribed to planet Jupiter, Guru Graha.

After coming out of Ahobila Narasimha temple, we are offered a bamboo stick for a trekking expedition on hills. The trekking starts near a 100 pillar mandapam. We have to mount a few steps and go on a slope followed by more rustic steps.

On the way, we can also see the place where Sri Ramanuja stayed and prayed. After passing a few slopes and steps, we come across a little cave temple named ‘Malola Narasimha temple’. It is situated in Vedathri Hills where Chenchu Lakshmi did penance. “Ma” means Mahalakshmi and “lola” means affection.

Here Sri Narasimha strikes an affectionate pose with four hands. He is in sitting position folding his left leg and had kept Chenchu Lakshmi on his left lap. His right leg is towards the land. The left upper hand has chakram; upper right hand has conch; lower right hand in protective pose (Abaya hastham) and the lower left hand is hugging Chenchu Lakshmi.

The urchavar (deity for procession) of Ahobilam is in the form of Malola Narasimha (Lakshmi Narasimha) only.

Sri Malola Narasimha is ascribed to planet Venus, Sukra Graha.

After coming out of Sri Malola temple, we have to mount a few rustic steps with boulders on one side and a sheer slope with water (Bhava Nashini stream) on the other side, and we arrive at Sri Krota Narasimha temple. Here Lord Narasimha appears as the combination of Sri Varaha (the third incarnation of Sri Vishnu) and Sri Narasimha.

Just a quarter kilometer away, the school of Prahalada called as Prahalada badi exists down the rocks. This is situated on the slippery rocks of Vedathri hill. The route has to be maneuvered with extreme care and caution. On reaching the spot once can sight a big rock which appears like the back of a whale; It also appears like a formation of rocks one above the other.

On the rocks, some inscriptions are discernable, and it is believed that Prahalada had written them. On the top, there is another cave form temple. For reaching there, one has to mount the rocks which are dripping with water.

On reaching the temple, one can see a small silk-clad statue of Sri Narasimha and a small statue of Prahalada.

Sri Krota Narasimha is ascribed to the north lunar node, Rahu Graha.

After worshipping Sri Varaha, we start for the real mountain expedition. We have to pass through some slopes and mud steps for a few layers, and we come to a forest path. The forest path has small and tiny boulders with the water flowing underneath.

From where we stand, we can see mountains around us and on one side of the path, there is a sheer depth where Bhava Nashini river flows. In rainy seasons, the devotees should also hold on to the rope tied on the side of the path to prevent from falling.

The path winds from left to right to left, and unless we see the returning devotees, we will never know as to whether we are on the right track. The bamboo sticks come very handy here. We have to walk on this path for nearly 3 to 4 kilometers (the exact distance is not clear).

The small boulders are incredibly slippery, and the small stones appearing flat turn out to have sharp bottoms which make us jittery.

After negotiating this path for a while, we witness a huge split rock which is called Ugra Sthamba. Ugra Sthamba is the pillar from where Sri Narasimha emerged at the behest of Prahalada. One can see that there is a split of rocks and the face of the rock appears like Sri Narasimha.

From the point from where we see Ugra Sthamba, one has to mount the rough terrain (mostly crawling) for nearly two kilometers to reach Ugra Sthamba. It is exceptionally daring, and only those with love for adventures go for Ugra Sthamba and hoist a saffron flag there.

All the other usual devotees just offer a namaskara to Ugra Sthamba and proceed on the mountain path.

After some maneuvering on the rustic mountain path, we come across cement steps (550 numbers) which are quite steep. The rails on the side save us from falling. The steps are winding, and only after a considerable time, one can see the glimpse of the temple.

After mounting the steps, one has to go up the slope with covering (with dripping water) on one side and a sheer drop of the mountain on the other side. The shape of this path to the temple appears like adisesha (snake), and under the head portion, this temple lies.

This is the place where the killing of Hiranyakasipu took place after the fight. The Narasimha is called “Jwala Narasimha“. “Jwala” means raging fire. As the Lord was extremely angry and raging like fire, He is called “Jwala Narasimha“.

In the temple, there are three statues, the main deity of Sri Narasimha has eight hands, with Hiranyakasipu on the laps. Sri Narasimha’s left leg is folded, and the right leg is down straight.

One of the left hands holds both the legs of Hrianyakasipu and a pair of hands pierce the stomach of the demon and extract the intestines and wear them as garland; the upper two hands hold chakra and conch.

On the one side of this statue, there is a statue depicting the fight between Sri Narasimha and Hiranyakasipu. On the other side, Prahalada keeps bowing to Sri Narasimha. The temple is very small. Soon after coming out, the tribals offer us “panakam“, i.e., water made of jaggery.

After the arduous journey, the panakam is really a heaven sent, and we can feel it being absorbed by our body when we down the drink glass by glass. When we return, in a few steps, we can see ‘Raktha Gunta‘ which means blood pond.

The legend is that in this pond, Sri Narasimha had cleaned his hands after killing Hiranyakasipu. The water looks red; If we take in a jug, it appears normal; the taste is also delicious.

Sri Jwala Narasimha is ascribed to planet Mars, Angaraka Graha.

It may be noted that apart from the rustic dangerous mountain path for 3 to 4 kilometers, we have to mount nearly 1200 steps to reach Jwala Narasimha temple from Ahobila Narasimha temple one way.

The return journey is equally tedious, But the very thought of having accomplished the darshan of Jwala Narasimha gives us strength and energy to come down.

This temple is visited on return from the hills and is situated on the western side of Garudathri Hill. On the left-hand side, the sanctum of Sri Anjaneya in worshipping pose exists. The main deity is Sri Karanja Narasimha is with bow and arrow just like Sri Rama.

In the premises, there is an Ebony tree under which Sri Anjaneya, the eternal, has gone into penance to see Sri Vishnu. Sri Vishnu appeared in the form of Sri Narasimha before him.

Sri Anjaneya, however, insisted that he preferred to see only the form of Sri Rama. Sri Narasimha told him that he and Rama are one and, in the hills, he could appear only as Narasimha. To convince Sri Anjaneya, he appeared with bow and arrow.

The Sanskrit name for the ebony tree is Karanja. As Sri Narasimha appeared under this tree, he is called as Sri Karanja Narasimha. The tree is still there, and a massive status of tortoise is placed under the tree.

Sri Karanja Narasimha is ascribed to planet moon, Chandra Graha.

The approximate time taken to cover the above four temples is 4 to 5 hours. If one starts at 8.00 AM, it will be ideal. For those not physically fit to take the mountain terrain, the “doli” facility s available for a fee whereby the devotee is put on a chair and physically carried by four men.

This temple is situated in the southern side of the Garudathri Hills. To reach this, there are two ways, one being the strenuous uneven mountain path comprising of approximately 850 steps and the other being riding in a jeep into the uneven forest area for about 20 kilometers.

Normally, the second option is preferred. The jeep ride is anything but smooth. The jeep wades through boulders and rocks and evades protruding trees in the path. There is a huge pile-up of dirt of all hues, and the ride is extremely raw and thrilling to the core.

However, once we reach the temple, we forget everything else and are eager to have the darshan. This is the actual place where Sri Narasimha married Sri Chenchu Lakshmi. The swami is in Kalyana kolam. River Pavana runs in this place.

There is a legend that Sri Chenchu Lakshmi, the reincarnation of Sri Mahalakshmi was born in the hunter community to marry Sri Maha Vishnu when he took Sri Narasimha Avatar. Soon on the occurrence of the avatar, Sri Chenchu Lakshmi married Sri Narasimha.

Since she is from the hunter community, the tribals consider Sri Narasimha as their son-in-law. As is the prevalent practice, they offer the sacrifice (Bali) of goat, sheep, poultry, etc. , as appeasement.

People living around the area walk on the rough terrain for 6 to 7 kilometers, stay the night and offer the sacrifices in the morning.

In the temple, a Shiva linga is established. There is also a cute vigraha of Sri Venu Gopal. In this temple also, panakam is served as prasadam.

Sri Pavana Narasimha is ascribed to planet mercury, Budha Graha.

To reach this temple, one has to travel back in the 20-kilometer forest ride, reach a normal road and again take another stretch of four kilometers mountain road by jeep. This temple is situated in Vedathri Hills.

After the mountain route, we have to walk half a kilometer of the rough mountain path. At the end of the path, we can see the pond named Akshaya Theertham. It is also called as Bhargava Theertham.

The Legend is that Sri Parasurama did penance in this area to have the darshan of Sri Narasimha in the same pose of killing Hiranyakasipu. The other name for Sri Parasurama is Sri Bhargava. He had dug the pond there and hence it is called Bhargava Theertham.

Sri Narasimha appeared before him in the pose of killing Hiranyakasipu. Hence this temple is called Sri Bhargava Narasimha temple.

In this image, Sri Narasimha had four hands with two upper hands holding Charka and Conch & the lower hands killing Hiranyakasipu. One can see the sword of Hiranyakasipu in a frozen state.

From the pond, we have to go up the mountain through 130 cement steps.

Sri Bhargava Narasimha is ascribed to Sun.

This temple is in the eastern side of Garudathri Hills. Here Sri Narasimha is in a very serene state. He has four hands, the upper two holding Chakra and Conch, lower right hand in protective pose (Abhaya Hastham) and lower left hand kept on the left thigh in a relaxed pose.

The legend is that soon after the killing of Hiranyakasipu, Sri Narasimha was in very ferocious state and two singers in Deva Loka (heaven) named Aaha and Oohoo were sent down to sing songs to cool the temperament of Sri Narasimha.

They duly came down and sung. Sri Narasimha was sitting under a Banyan Tree, and he relaxed after hearing the songs. ‘Chatra’ means umbrella and ‘Vata’ means Banyan Tree. Hence this temple is known as Chatravata Narasimha Temple. The statues of Aaha and Oohoo are also present in this temple.

Sri Chatravata Narasimha is ascribed to the south lunar node, Kethu Graha.

This temple is on the western side of Vedathri Hills. The legend is that Sri Narasimha, after the killing of Hiranyakasipu, had taught Prahalada specific yogic mudras and their significance. Here Sri Narasimha has four hands the upper two holding Chakra and Conch & the two lower hands showing yogic mudras.

In this temple premises, there is another Sri Narasimha temple named “Bala Yogananda Narasimha” which was constructed in a single day. Apart from this, there is another sanctum named “Nava Narasimha” depicting all the Nine Narasimhas of Ahobilam.

This provides solace to the persons who could not physically reach all the nine temples.

Sri Yogananda Narasimha is ascribed to the planet Saturn, Sani Graha.

This temple is situated at Lower Ahobilam. The temple is huge and beautiful. The original mandapa named Ranga Mandapa has lots of 16th centuries sculptured pillars. The main deity is Sri Narasimha called Prahalada Varada. He has four hands and has kept Sri Mahalakshmi in his lap. There is also a separate sanctum for Sri Srinivasa.

The legend is that Sri Srinivasa (Thirumala Sri Balaji) took the blessings of Sri Narasimha before he married Sri Padmavathi. One can also see the vigraha of the baby Sri Krishna here.

At the entrance of the temple, there are two sthambams. One is dwajasthambam, and the other is jayasthambam to symbolize the victory of recovering the temple from other cults.

The Author, Mrs. Prabha Ravi is a Cost Accountant cum Company Secretary by profession and worked as a Company Secretary in an MNC, India and now is a freelance writer. Born and brought up in an orthodox family in Mylapore, Chennai, she had opportunities to listen to various discourses and lectures on Religion and Spirituality and is an ardent devotee since childhood. From her school days, she also used to participate in various competitions be it oratorical or writing on scriptures both religious and social and thus had access to various literary works on Hinduism.