AHOBALAM

A little higher up is the Jwalanarasimha Aalaya, and it is said that Narasimha's fiercest anger was displayed here with which the stomach of the demon cut asunder; the final one is Pranava Narasimha situated next to this. It is Swayambhu. It is here the shatka form of worship is offered to the deity. Starting at the Lower Ahobalam, one one has to reach the Upper Ahobalam to see all the images of Navanarasimhas - Prahladavarda Narasimha; Chatravata Narasimha; Karanda Narasimha; Yoganandanarasimha, Gunanarasimha, Krodha Narasimha, Malolanarasimha, Jwala Narasimha and finally Pavana Narasimha. All these images have their shrines, some big and imposing, others small, yet sublime fit enough to enshrine the deity. Many distinguished devotees belonging to class and mass are inspired and received the Lord's anugraha - their desires fulfilled. As the Lord has a preference for genuine devotion, he succours at the right moment to the right bhakta. Illustrious realised souls sung in praise of him in many forms. For Alwars, it is their Bhuloka Vaikunta and is as sacred as Srirangam. Sri Sankaracharya in his Karavalambana Stotra equated him with the Lord of Kshiroadadhi which means Srimannarayana.

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