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The Temple and the Deity
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The deity at Lower Ahobilam is Prahlada varada Narasimha, in a sitting
posture facing the east and blessing Prahlada. Three Prakaras that are built in the
Vijayanagara style, similar to those found on the outer walls of the Hazaramma temple at
Hampi, bound this temple. The temple has a sanctum, mukhamantapam, Rangamantapam
marked with fine sculpture of Vijayanagara period. Massive pillars with postures of
musicians, divine figures, Yakshas riding on Yalis and horses with their rear legs mounted
on the Makaras etc., are some masterpieces. The Narasanayaka figure of Srikrishna
Devaraya is one of prominence. A little away from the temple is the Alwar Koneru, a drinking
water lake.
The Upper Ahobilam is 2800 feet above the sea level. A 9 Km.
hill path, cutting across the aesthetic beauty of hills and forests with several
waterfalls, takes us to the Upper Ahobilam. This enshrines the Ahobileshwar or Guha Narasimham and Ugra Narasimham.
The Ahobileshwar temple is located on the western side of the sacred stream of Vavinasi, which joins River Krishna. Near these shrines is a
pillar, which is said to be the one from which Narasimha emerged.
Ahobilam enshrines the deities –
Ahobila Narasimha Varaha Narasimha Malola
Narasimha Yogananda Narasimha Bhavana Narasimha Kaarancha
Narasimha Chakra Vada Narasimha Bhargava Narasimha Jwala
Narasimha. |
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In the temple at lower Ahobilam are the
festival images of all the forms of Narasimhas, other than Malola Narasimha, the festival
image of which is in the Ahobil Mutt. Festival images were brought in vogue only during
the period of Prataparudra, earlier to which only the main idol or the moolavirat was
worshipped during the Chalukyan king Vikramaketu. Krishna Devaraya is known to have made
some life donations here.
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