Travel: Ahobilam trek in Nallamala forest

Ahobilam trek through waterfalls, streams and cave temples in Nallamala forest

Ahobilam is located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh in the Nallamala Hills of the Eastern Ghats. It is one of the foremost places of worship of Lord Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is unique in the sense that it is the only place that enshrines nine forms of Lord Narasimha. Ahobilam is divided into lower Ahobilam and the upper Ahobilam. Upper Ahobilam is about 8 km away from lower Ahobilam. Ahobilam is also known as Ahobalam meaning great strength (Aho - great,balam - strength).

According to Hindu mythology, Nallamala Hills is the personification of Adisesha, the great serpent bed of Lord Vishnu. Four important Shaiva (Lord Shiva) and Vaishnava (Lord Vishnu) places of worship are located in these hills - Srisailam (Shaiva) is the tail end, Ahobilam (Vaishnava) is the middle portion, Tirumala (Vaishnava) is the head and Srikalahasti (Shaiva) is the mouth of Adisesha. One has to visit all 9 holy shrines & Ugra stambam at Ahobilam on foot. Ahobilam is also referred as Nava Narasimha kshetram as Lord Narasimha appears in nine different forms which are Bhargava Narasimha Swamy, Yogananda Narasimha Swamy, Chatravata Narasimha Swamy, Ahobila (Ugra) Narasimha Swamy, Varaha Narasimha Swamy, Malola Narasimha Swamy, Jwala Narasimha Swamy, Paavana Narasimha Swamy, Karanja Narasimha Swamy.

How to reach Ahobilam? Where to stay? Food options? Here is an interesting article by my friend SoorYa in his blog on Ahobilam. Nice read, go on.