Acharyas of Ahobilam -4

[Guest guest]

Brief Description of the Nava Nrsimha Kshetras.

(1) Bhargava Narasimha Swamy: This temple is situated at a distance

of two kilometers from Lower Ahobilam, on a hill, near the sacred

pond known as Bhargava tirtham, where Bhargave Rama performed his

penance. Hence the Lord of the temple is known as Bhargava Narasimha

Swamy.

 

(2) Yogananda Narasimha Swamy: This temple is to the southeast of

Lower Ahobilam at a distance of two kms. After killing

Hiranyakasipu, Lord Nrsimha taught Prahalada several yogic postures.

Therefore, the Lord in this aspect is called Yogananda Narasimha.

 

(3) Chatravata Nrsimha Swamy: About 3 kms from Lower Ahobilam, the

deity is installed under a Peepal tree, surrounded by thorny bushes.

Hence, the Lord is called as Chatravata Narasimhaswamy.

 

(4) Ahobila Nrsimha Swamy: The temple, situated on the Upper

Ahobilam, at a distance of 8 kms from Lower Ahobilam, is the main

temple and the most ancient of the nine temples. This Ugra Narasimha

deity is Swayam-Vyakta (self-manifest).

 

(5) Krodakara (Varaha) Narasimha Swamy: The temple of this Lord is 1

km away from the main temple of Ahobila Nrsimha in Upper Ahobilam.

The deity has the face of a boar (Varaha or Kroda) and the lord is

seen along with His Consort, Lakshmi.

 

(6) Karanja Narasimha Swamy: This shrine is situated at a distance

of 1 km from Upper Ahobilam and 2/5 km from the road leading to Lower

Ahobilam. The deity is installed under a tree called Karanja

vrksham.

 

(7) Malola Nrsimha Swamy: Nearly 2kms from the main temple of Upper

Ahobilam, is the famous shrine of Malola Narasimha Swamyy. The deity

here appears in 'soumya' (graceful) form. As Lord Narasimha is seen

with His consort, Lakshmi, He is known as Malola Nrsimha Swamy. The

word 'Malola' means beloved to Lakshmi (Ma=Lakshmi, lola=beloved).

The Utsavamurti of the Lord appeared to Srimat Adivan Shatakopa

Jiyar, the first Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt. Right from the founder in

1398 upto the present Jeer (the 45th Jeer Srivan Shathakopa Sri

Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikar) the utsavamurti is worshipped as the

main deity of Sri Ahobila Mutt. The deity travels with the Jeers

wherever they go and it is at their feet (the Malola Lakshmi

Nrsimha Swamy deities) that Prapatti is performed.

 

(8) Jwala Nrsimha Swamy: The temple of Jwala Nrsimha Swamy lies

higher up on the Achalachaya meru hill than the Malola Lakshmi

Nrsimhaswamy temple. This is about 4kms from the Upper Ahobilam

temple. It is here, where the fierce anger of the Lord reached its

culmination when He tore Hiranyakasipu apart.

 

(9) Pavana Nrsimha Swamy: Nearby the above temple, is the shrine of

Pavana Narasimha, on the bank of the river Pavana, and it is about 6

kms from the Upper Ahobilam temple. Hence the Lord of the shrine is

known as Pavana Narasimha Swamy.

 

In addition to the shrines mentioned above, there is a famous shrine

dedicated to Lord Nrsimha Swamy in Lower Ahobilam, which is popularly

known as Prahalada Varada Sannidhi.

 

Ugra Stambham: At a distance of 8 kms from the Upper Ahobilam temple

we can see a cleft of the mountain dividing it into two visible

parts. This is the spot from where the Lord appeared and is

therefore called Ugra Stambham.

 

Prahalada Mettu: The small shrine situated in a cave on the hill, is

in hetween Ugra Stambham and Upper Ahobilam. It is dedicated to

Prahlada Nrsimhaswamy. A deity of Prahlada is installed in a small

cave. There are a number of holy 'tirthas' or ponds around this

area. Of these, Raktakundam is the most important. This is where

Nrsimhaswamy washed His hands after killing Hiranyakashipu. The

water is still said to be red in appearence.

 

Lower Ahobilam:

The temple surrounded by three prakaras in Lower Ahobilam is

dedicated to Prahlada Varada i.e. the Lord who bestows His grace on

Prahlada. With Vijayanagar style noticeable in the structure, there

are a number of mantapams outside the temple. A shrine dedicated to

Sri Venkateswara exists to the south west of this Narasimha temple

and lends view to the episode that Lord Venkateshwara obtained the

blessings of Nrsimha just before His marriage with Padmavathi. The

Mukha Mantapa there, is now used as the Kalyana Mantapam for Mrsimha

Swamy. With Lakshminarasimha as the presiding deity, the main temple

consists of a sanctum, Mukhamantapam and Rangamantapam with numerous

pillars intracately carved and carrying rich sculptures. There are

also three smaller shrines for Lakshmi, Andal, and Azhwars. In the

sanctum are also kept Utsavamurtis of Prahalada Varada, Pavana

Narasimha, and processional deities of Jwala Nrsimha endowed with ten

hands and with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi on either side. A small deity

of the first Jiyar Sri Adivan Shathakopa Swami is also kept before

them.

 

What is apparent and observable is Lord Nrsimha's posture in three

places including the one in a pillar, of a divine ascetic presenting

ascetic order to the first Jiyar of Sri Ahobila Mutt. Both in Upper

and Lower Ahobilam, it is a common sight on the pillars to see Lord

Nrsimha wooing His consort Chenchu Lakshmi. The Lord chasing

Hiranyakasipu as seen on one pillar and Him bursting forth from

another pillar are very realistic. Thanks to the 44th Jeer's

efforts, and also that of the co-operation of the Endowments dept of

the A P govt, the complex has been renovated, though a lot is desired

to be done. It would not be out of place to mention that good

resting places free or paid boarding arrangements (similar to

Tirupati), privision of enough drinking water, and Devasthanam

canteens would go a long way to attract more pilgrims. The annual

Brahmotsavam performed in February every year is a great attraction

that lures both the common folk and the religious pandits to

participate in them. Though under the care of Sri Ahobila Mutt,

whose Jeers are hereditary trustees, co-operation from the public and

the government would help improve Ahobilam further.

 

There is a tall Jayastambam erected in the spacious ground outside

the temple walls to mark the victory of Krishnadeva Raya. The

Kakatiya Kings especially Pratapa Rudra also contributed towards

additional structures and maintenance of the Ahobilam complex.

 

To be continued -- description of Azhagiya Singar.