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Book on Ahobilam in English by TTD

From the Bhakti List Archives

Malolan R Cadambi • August 30, 2002 


http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/br/stories/2002082700190300.htm

AHOBILAM SRI NARASIMHASWAMY TEMPLE: R. Vasantha and M. Ramgopal;
Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams, Tirupati. Rs.100. 

AMONG THE shrines dedicated to Lord Narasimha, Ahobilam, located in
the Nallamala hills in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, occupies a
pre-eminent place. 

A religious centre of considerable antiquity and also known as
Singavezh Kundram, it has been glorified by the Vaishnava saint,
Tirumangai Azhvar, in his hymns. 

The temple is unique as it is the only place where there are shrines
for the nine forms of Narasimha (man-lion incarnation of Vishnu)
located at different points on the Upper and the Lower Ahobilam hill.
Hence it is known as "Nava Narasimha Kshetra". They are Jvala,
Ahobila, Malola, Kroda, Karancha, Bhargava, Yoga, Kshatravata and
Pavana Narasimha — each having distinctive iconographic attributes
and significance. 

The religious importance is further enhanced by its association with
Adivann Satagopa Jeeyar, the founder of the Ahobila Math, an
important Sri Vaishnava Math. The successive pontiffs of the Math
including the present Jeeyar, have done notable services to the
temple. 

The temple complex has many historical associations as reflected in
the 30 and odd inscriptions ranging from the period of Chalukya King,
Keerthivarman II to the Vijayanagara King, Venkatapatiraya II. 

The importance of these records and the architectural and sculptural
highlights (especially the nine types of Narasimha) of the temple
complex, as also the importance of the temple rituals and festivals
have been well presented. The volume is amply illustrated. 


K. V. RAMAN 

To purchase the book, you can visit the website
http://www.tirumala.org for contact and payment details.

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