"Hiranya
Sthambha Sambhuthim Prakhyaatha Paramaathmane Prahladaarthumushe Jwala
Narasimhaaya Mangalam"
The visit
to this Jwala Narasimha Temple at Ahobilam was a part of the Ahobilam Temples
Visit, on 25th and 26th August 2025, organised
by Mantra Yatra (website). Thanks to Mr Balaji Davey and
his team of Mantra Yatra for the excellent arrangement and personal care.
This place is said to
be the actual spot where the fierce anger of Narasimha reached its
culmination when he slays Hiranyakashipu. There is a Rock in the form of a pillar
near Jwala Narasimhar Temple from which Narasimha is believed to have emanated.
The list of Ahobila nine Narasimha Temples, considered as a single Divya Desam, and the individual posts' links in this blog are given below.
Jwala Ahobila Maha Lola!
Kroda Karancha Bhargava!
Yogananda Kshatravata!
Pavaneya Nava Moorthayah!!
All the above nine Narasimha Swamy Temples at Diguva
(Lower) Ahobilam and Eguva (Upper) Ahobilam are considered as one Divya Desam of 108 Divya Desams, mangalasasanam
done by Thirumangai Alwar. Thirumangai Alwar mentions this Ahobilam as Singavel
Kundram in his Pasuram (1008-17).
அங்கண்ஞாலமஞ்ச
அங்கோராளரியாய் அவுணன்
பொங்கவாகம்வள்ளுகிரால் போழ்ந்தபுனிதனிடம்,
பைங்கணானைக்கொம்புகொண்டு
பத்திமையால், அடிக்கீழ்ச்
செங்கணாளியிட்டிறைஞ்சும் சிங்கவேள்குன்றமே (1008)
செங்கணாளிட்டிறைஞ்சும்
சிங்கவேள்குன்றுடைய,
எங்களீ
சனெம்பிரானை இருந்தமிழ்_ற்புலவன், மங்கையாளன்
மன்னுதொல்சீர் வண்டறை தார்க்கலியன், செங்கையாளன்
செஞ்சொல்மாலை வல்லவர்த்திதிலரே.
(1017)
Moolavar : Sri Jwala Narasimha
Thayar
: Sri Chenchu Lakshmi
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple is also a Cave temple that faces east with a built-up mukha mandapam. Stucco
images of Narasuimhar and Prahalad are on the top of the mukha mandapam. The
shrine appears to be a natural cave. The temple of Jwala Narasimha lies higher
up the Malola temple, on a hill called ‘Achalachaya Meru’. This place is said
to be the actual spot where the ferocity or anger of the Lord reached its acme
when he tore Hiranyakasipu.
It
is somewhat difficult to reach this place as we have to pass through a narrow
passage made by cutting and chiselling the rocks of the peak on one side, while
on the other side of this passage, there is a very deep valley. One has to walk
very carefully.
It
is said that the spot where Jwala Narasimha is sitting with Hiranyakasipu on
his lap is the threshold of the main entrance door of the spacious palace of
Hiranyakasipu. Cleaving one of the pillars of the demon’s palace, Narasimha
manifested himself. The part of this pillar standing erect has the shape of a
lofty hill. This vertical, hilly pillar is called Achalachayameru. The cleave
side of the standing part is straight and at right angles to the foot part of
it. On the precipice of this peak, there are three steel posts erected. On the
surface of these steel posts, the names of the devotees erecting them are
engraved.
It
is generally believed that after slaying Hiranyakasipu, Narasimha looked very
frightful. To pacify him, Indra and other gods poured suraganga water
(celestial Ganges) on his head, which flowed down as a stream into the nearby
valley, and the latter turned into a river called Bhavanasini.
There
are three idols in the shrine:
a. Ashtabuja Narasimha
b. Chaturbuja Narasimha,
and
c. Narasimha chasing Hiranyakasipu.
a.
Ashtabhuja Narasimha…
The
main deity seated at the centre has eight arms. He is seated on a Garudapeeda, and a small image of Prahlada is placed to the left of Narasimha, standing with
folded hands/ Anjali hastam. The sculpture suggests massive energy and vigorous
action. The first pair of hands catches hold of Hiranyakashipu’s crown and
renders him motionless, while the other pair, by tightly gripping the sword-carrying hand of Hiranyakashipu, completely disarms and overpowers him. The
second pair of hands is engaged in tearing open the entrails of the demon lying
on the folded right leg of the God. The third pair of hands holds Sankha and
Chakra, and the fourth pair holds the intestine of the demon in the shape of a
garland. A prabhavali with kirtimukha is carved in the same stone.
Stylistically, this image goes back to the early Vijayanagara period.
b.
Chaturbhuja Narasimha…
This
image is depicted in the standing posture coming out of the pillar
(Stambhodbhava-murti). This is said to represent the Kevala Narasimha form.
This is a very rare form and appears to be earlier. Narasimhar has four hands,
the two upper hands holding chakra and shankha, and the lower hands are depicted
downwards as though he is tearing the demon. But peculiarly, the demon is not
depicted. Lakshmi is seated to the right, and Prahlada stands to the left, and
the god is adorned with Karandamakuta.
Stylistically, this image appears to be earlier than the above and may belong to
the 7th-8th century CE.
c.
Narasimha chasing the Hiranyakashipu…
The
third image depicts Narasimha as advancing towards Hiranyakashipu from the
right, as the latter is approaching in a defiant attitude, with his sword
lifted up to strike. Narasimha is made to take hold of the body of
Hiranyakasipu to overpower him. Moreover, the right hand of Narasimha is held
up as if he is going to deal a blow to the enemy with the open palm of the
hand.
The
conventional lion’s face, the conical Airita, the expressionless attitude and
other details place the image in the 10th-11th centuries CE.
ARCHITECTURE
The
natural cave serves as a sanctum sanctorum and a built-up mukha mandapam. The
front face of a mandapa is with haras and stucco images of Jwala Narasimha,
Garudan and Anjaneyar. The mandapa was built abutting the hill, and hence, there
is no Vimanam.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
This is one of the 108
Sri Vaishnava Divya Desams. Sri Thirumangai Alwar, one of the Alwars who lived
in the 8th century CE, composed ten Pasurams of Nalayira Divya Prabandham on
Ahobilam. Hence, this Nava Narasimhar group of temples might have existed
during the 07th to 08th Century CE. Later, the rulers Chalukyas,
Kaktiya, Reddy Kingdom, Vijayanagara, Gadwal Samasthanam, and the British extended
contributions to the Ahobilam Temple. During the Mohammedan invasions, the
temple’s property and jewels were looted and damaged. The same was rectified and
brought back to worship.
There are altogether
30 inscriptions and copper plates recorded at Ahobilam. These inscriptions are
in the Upper and the Lower. Ahobilam is engraved on the walls, pillars and stray
stone slabs. The earliest of the inscriptions of Ahobilam belongs to the time
of Chalukya Kirtivarman II (744- 755 CE) and the latest to the time of
Venkatapatiraya II (1585-1614 CE). Most of the inscriptions are donor
records.
As per the
inscriptions, this place was called ‘Vobula', 'Ahobala’, 'Ahobila', 'Ahobilagiri', 'Vedadri’, 'Diguva Tirupati‘, 'Garudadri’, 'Virakshetra’, Achalachaya
Meru’, 'Singavel Kunram', 'Nidhi', and
Nagari', etc..
Two inscription
tablets with sahankha and chakra are kept on the south side entrance.
Ref:
1. The
temple’s website
2. A book on AHOBILAM
SRI NARASIMHA SWAMY TEMPLE, Prof. R. VASANTHA, published by TTD, Tirupati.
LEGENDS
Hiranyakashipu
(son of Sage Kashyapa) did a penance on Brahma to get a boon of immortality, to
take revenge on Maha Vishnu, who killed his brother Hiranyaksha. Both the
brothers were Dwarapalakas for Maha Vishnu in their previous birth. Brahma
said he cannot give a boon of immortality. Hiranyakashipu said that if the
boon of immortality cannot be given, alternatively, he asked for a boon of not
being killed by a man or animal, not being killed day or night, not being
killed on the floor or in the sky, not being killed outside or inside a specific
place, and not being killed by any weapon. Brahma granted the boon. After
obtaining the boon, he conquered three lokas and took the position of Indra. He
thought himself to be superior to God, and Hiranyakashipu ordered that no one
should pronounce the name of Maha Vishnu and worship him.
In
the meantime, Narada made Parhalad, son of Hiranyakashipu, a devotee of Maha
Vishnu, since he was in the womb of his mother. After Prahalad grew up, he
started worshipping Maha Vishnu. Angered, he tortured his son
and tried to kill him. He asked Prahalad whether Maha Vishnu would come from
the pillar and save him. Prahalad said, “Yes, he will”. Hiranyakashipu hit the
pillar with a mace. Maha Vishnu in the form of Narasimha came out of the pillar, breaking it vertically, took Hiranyakashipu, sat on the door frame and kept him on
his lap. With protruding nails of fingers, he tore his stomach, took out the
intestine, wore it as a garland and finally killed him.
With
the blood splashed on his hand and face, Maha Vishnu has become more ferocious
and behaves like a demon. Came to this Nallamala forest and roamed. The worried
Devas sought the help of Maha Lakshmi to pacify him. She took the form of
Chenchu Lakshmi, a tribal girl, in the same forest. On seeing her, Lord
Narasimha asked her to marry him. After marriage, Maha Lakshmi, as Chenchu
Lakshmi, sat on the left lap of Naraimha, and he became calm.
The Garuda wishes to have darshan of Maha Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar and the Para Thathwa. As per
the advice of Kashyapa Prajapathi, Garuda did a penance to Maha Vishnu. Satisfied with
Garuda’s penance, Maha Vishnu gave him the Narasimha avatar and stayed at nine
places with different forms to bless devotees.
Since Garuda did penance on this hill, the hill is called “Garudadri”.
Believed to be the Garuda
The
temple of Jwala Narasimha is believed to be the actual place where Narasimha
killed the demon King Hiranyakashipu. The pillar from which the Lord emerged is
believed to be the mountain behind this shrine, which is in a cave located in
the Achalachaaya Meru Hill.
The
water of the pond in front of the temple is called 'Raktha Kundam', where the
water is reddish in colour. It is believed that Narasimha washed his hands
after killing Hiranyakasipu, hence the colour was changed to reddish.
To
date, the local Chenchu tribes treat Narasimhar as their ‘son-in-law’ and
Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi as their own daughter. As per the legend, before the
annual Brahmotsavams, Sri Jwala Narasimha and Sri Prahlalada Varadar are taken
in procession to forty-eight villages in and around Ahobilam as part of the
‘Parveta Utsavam,’ to invite the local Chenchu tribes and the locals for Narasimha’s
marriage with Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi.
All
the Nine Narshimha are associated nine planets. This Jwala Narasimha is
associated with the planet Kjua - Mars.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular
poojas, special poojas are conducted on Sankranthi, on the day of Makara
Sankranthi.
Abhishekam
is performed to Lord Jwala Narasimha Swamy in Upper Ahobilam.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open from 9:00 hrs
to 16:00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
Ahobilam
Math website
Sevas and Bookings /
Enquiry -+91 9440120878
Mr
Narendra Kumar may be contacted on his mobile number 9642844839, for Local
Guide, Poojas, Darshan, Stay, Food, and Jeep for the two temples.
HOW
TO REACH
The vehicles will
stop at Equva Ahobilam Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. From there, this Jwala
Narasimha Swamy temple can be reached through trekking. The trekking distance
will be about 2 km from Equva Ahobilam Temple, and the climbing is a little moderate.
This temple is about
24 km from Diguva Ahobilam Sri Prahalada Varadar / Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy
Temple, 27 km from Allagada, 58 km from Nandyal Railway Station, and 112 km
from Tadipatri.
The nearest Railway Station
is Nandyal Railway Station.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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