The Ahobilam Narasimha Swamy Temple in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh is a holy abode of Lord Narasimha, Lord Vishnu as a lion-man form. Set in the Eastern Ghats’ Nallamala Hills, 400 meters high with views of rugged forests, this 8th-century shrine spreads across nine sacred spots. Known for its Brahmotsavam festival, the temple is one of the popular temples of Lord Narasimha in India.
Legend of the Temple
The main legend of Ahobilam Narasimha Swamy Temple comes from the Narasimha Purana. Long ago, the demon Hiranyakashipu tormented his son Prahlada, a Vishnu devotee. Vishnu took the form of Narasimha, half-lion, half-man, and defeated the demon on these hills in order to protect Prahlada. The nine shrines honor Narasimha’s forms, and people say praying here gives strength and calm. Another story tells of a Chalukya sage in the 8th century who saw Narasimha in a dream, asking for shrines across the hills. He built them, and Ahobilam grew holy, making Narasimha the hills’ guardian.
History of the Ahobilam Narasimha Swamy Temple
The temple’s history goes back to the 8th century with the Chalukyas, though some say worship began far earlier. A stone writing from 750 CE nearby points to a holy site, but the nine shrines we see started with Chalukya kings. Old records say priests kept their rituals strong. By the 14th century, Vijayanagara king Harihara II added paths, as temple stones show. The Reddy kings, from the 1300s to 1400s, gave gold and lamps, making it a big place for faith, old books tell.
In the 1500s, the temple was a lively spot, with tribal folk, traders, and devotees keeping it strong, Kurnool’s logs say. The Vijayanagara rulers, from the 14th to 16th centuries, built steps up the hills, tying the temple to their lands. In 1515, Krishnadevaraya honored Narasimha as a royal deity, linking it to grand festivals. The Qutb Shahis held Ahobilam briefly in the 1600s, then the British came by 1858, but the prayers held firm. After 1947, Andhra’s government took over, and the Endowments Board runs it now. Telugu songs by saints like Annamacharya, who sang for Vishnu, spread its name, helping Andhra’s Bhakti ways grow. As a key Vaishnava shrine, it draws thousands seeking Narasimha’s grace, making it a big part of Ahobilam’s culture.
Architecture of the Temple
The Ahobilam Narasimha Swamy Temple blends Chalukya and Vijayanagara styles, scattered across nine shrines in the hills. The main shrine, Ahobila Narasimha, has a three-story gopuram, 20 meters tall, covered with carvings of Narasimha’s battles, dancers, and yali beasts, painted white and red. A stone door, carved with gods, leads to the sanctum, where the 8th-century Narasimha idol, 5 feet tall, glows with oil lamps. A small shrine for Goddess Lakshmi, built in 1100, is near. The main holy room, fixed in 1400, has stone pillars with Vishnu Purana scenes and Chalukya signs.
The navaranga hall, with 12 pillars, shows Ramayana tales and Vijayanagara marks. A 10-foot Garuda statue, carved in 1350, stands outside, facing the deity. The courtyard has a holy tank, Prahlada Pushkarini, for washing before prayers. Other shrines, like Jwala Narasimha, are reached by rough paths. Wall carvings from the 1200s, kept by the ASI, show Narasimha’s victory, making every stone a piece of the past. The temple’s hilltop spots, looking over Ahobilam’s forests, join it to the town’s old days as a faith hub, near the Penna River.
Festivals and Rituals
Many festivals are celebrated in the temple, especially Brahmotsavam in February or March, a grand festivity from Chalukya times. On this day, Narasimha’s murti (idol) is carried in a chariot, with priests chanting mantras and offering flowers. Vaikuntha Ekadasi is also celebrated by devotees with fast and worship of the devta, with lamps lighting the hills.
Telugu bhajans and Kuchipudi dances, sharing Narasimha’s tales, ring through the shrines. Brahmotsavam’s special puja, with camphor scents, mixes faith and joy, as locals tell of Narasimha’s grace.
Getting to the Temple
Ahobilam is quite remote but reachable. Kadapa Airport, 120 km away, has flights from Hyderabad (1 hour) or Chennai (1.5 hours). Taxis take 3 hours to the temple. Nandyal Railway Station, 60 km away, links to Hyderabad (5 hours), Bangalore (8 hours), and Chennai (10 hours). Buses or taxis from Nandyal take 2 hours. Buses from Kurnool (150 km, 3 hours) or Hyderabad (350 km, 7 hours) stop at Allagadda, 25 km away. Local jeeps cost 50-100 rupees to the temple. No entry fee, but pujas may cost 100-500 rupees.
Practical Tips for Visiting
Andhra Pradesh gets very hot, up to 40°C, with rains from June to September. November to February is cooler, around 21°C. Best time to visit the temple is at 6 AM to skip crowds and heat. Wear clothes covering shoulders and knees, kurtas or dhotis are recommended. Brahmotsavam gets full, so book pujas early. Bring water and sturdy shoes for the hill paths. Jeeps in Ahobilam cost 50-100 rupees.
Final Thoughts
The Ahobilam Narasimha Swamy Temple is truly a testament of devotion and architectural excellence that reflects Andhra’s sacred past. Lord Narasimha calls devotees from all over the world providing protection to his devotees, making it a must-visit among Andhra’s shrines.
