Ahobilam, one of the 108 temples and celestial abodes of
Lord Vishnu, is situated near
Nandyal in
Andhra Pradesh. The deity here is in the form of
Lord Narasimha, with a lion head and a human body.
The greatest attraction in Ahobilam is the temples housing nine forms of Lord Narasimha, known as 'Nava Narasimha Kshetra.' It is one of the ‘divyadesams’ in the state. The temple has two parts - the lower Ahobilam and the upper Ahobilam. The lower Ahobilam houses Prahladavarada Narasimha, the form of Lord Narasimha blessing Prahlada. This temple is located in the center of three Prakaras built in Vijayanagara style. Alwar Koneru, a drinking water lake, is a short walk from the temple.
Legend has it that Garuda wished for a vision of Lord Vishnu in the incarnated form of Narasimha. The Lord fulfilled his wish by settling in the hills around Ahobilam. Afterwards, the hill came to be variously known as Garudadri, Garudachalam, and Garudasailam.
Ahobilam is 363 km from Hyderabad, 262 km from Tirupati and 74 km from Nandyal. Hyderabad Airport and Tirupati Airport are the nearest airports. Nandyal Railway Station (74 km) and Cuddapah Railway Station (118 km) are the nearest railheads. Ahobilam can be reached by bus from Allagadda (34 km), which is connected by state buses from Hyderabad, Tirupati, Chittoor, Cuddapah, Kurnool, Nellore and Chennai.
Vistors can stay at Lakshmi Nilaya tourist rest house, TTD Choultry or Arya Vysya Choultry at lower Ahobilam.
Sri Ahobila Mutt is one of the most important Sri Vaishnava religious institutions in India. Prahladavarada Narasimha temple, Alwar Koneru and Nine forms of Lord Narasimha are the major attractions.
