AHOBALAM

THE TEMPLE

The Navanarasimhas acre not in one place, nor they emerged at one time; These nine images are installed in separate temples scattered over area of five Krosas, and hence the place called the Panchakrosa thirtham. And they are atop and at the bottom of hill; called Upper Ahobalam and Lower Ahobalam. The biggest of the shrines is located in the Lower Ahobalam, where the awe-inspiring event took place. It is called Prahaladvarada Narasimha Swamy Aalayam - the place where Lord Narasimha blessed Prahlad. It is surrounded by three Prakaras built on the model of Vijayanagara temples. There is a pond called Alwar Koneru supplying drinking water to the locals. Next comes the Aalaya of Chatravata Narasimha lying at a distance of a mile and a half. The icon is surrounded by a thorny bush, and it is installed under Pipal tree, so justifies that name of Chatravata Narasimha, which means Narasimha under an umbrella, here the tree acts as natural eternal umbrella. It might have served a place of rest for the Lord. To witnessing the other forms, one has to ascend to the Upper Ahobalam. The distance is six miles, and the path is laid out amidst lovely colourful picturesque scenes. The Narasimha that greets on the way first is called Karanda Narasimha, and in the adjacent temple is enshrined Yogananda Narasimha icon a place where the Lord taught Yogasanas to the boy Prahlad. Ali! What a compassion! According to tradition this is the fittest for mediation and here sage Bharadwaja and Gobhila did penance to be freed from sins. They realised.

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