Ahobilam has a major religious significance and is the major centre of pilgrimage in south India located in Nandyal in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Also known as "Singavel Kundram", Ahobilam is the abode of Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in man-lion form. The temple is located in the dense forest of Nallamala. The place consists of ten shrines of Lord Narasimha located within 5kms of radius between the hills and valleys of volcanic origin. The nine forms of Lord Narasimha swami that resides in Ahobilam are Jwala Narasimha, Ahobila Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Kroda Narasimha, Kaaranja Narasimha, Bhaargava Narasimha, Yaogananda Narasimha, Chathravata Narasimha and Paavana Narasimha. As all the nine forms of Lord Narasimha are worshipped here, this place is also called as Nava Narasimha kshetram (abode of nine forms of Lord Narasimha).

The temple is divided into two parts- upper Ahobilam and lower Ahobilam, called as Eguva and Diguva Ahobilam respectively, in local language. Of these nine shrines, Yogananda, Chathravata and Bhargava Narasimha swami shrines are in lower Ahobilam and the remaining six are in upper Ahobilam. There is also another temple of Lord Narasimha Swami, called as Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple, in the lower Ahobilam where the idol of the Lord is believed to be installed by Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati. The Lord in this shrine can be called as the tenth form of Lord Narasimha Swami. Later, the temple was built by the rulers of Vijayanagara Empire. A local tribe called ‘Chencu’ inhabits the place.

It is the only place where all the nine forms of Lord Narasimha are worshipped. At lower Ahobilam, there is a temple of Prahalada Varadhan or Lakshmi Narasimha, in the foothills of the mountain. The upper Ahobilam is a home to Lord Ahobaleswar and this beautiful shrine is located at the western side of the sacred stream known as Bhavanasini that merges with River Krishna. A few kilometres away from Prahaladavarda Varadhan, there is a drinking water lake called Alwar Koneru. 

Each of the nine temples of Lord Narasimha, located in the upper and lower Ahobilam, has an interesting tale behind it.

Best time to visit Ahobilam is between August to December as the forest is in its full bloom and lush green with many water streams and waterfall flowing full fledge. On the whole there are twelve shrines to see in Ahobilam including the Ugra Sthambam. Generally one cannot visit all the nine shrines in one day, unless you are in a hurry and physically fit. Of the nine temples, Jwala and Pavana are most difficult while the others can be reached by road or trekking.

From the Ahobila Narasimha, you can cover Kroda, Jwala and Maalola in about 3 hours approximately. Maalola is about 100 steps from the left side of Kroda and the way to Jwala is still steep and narrow. The starting point for Pavana is also Ahobila Narasimha temple, but the route is on the opposite side of Jwala Temple. One has to climb some 250 very steep steps in the beginning and then walk for about 4 KM on fairly plain ground. The round trip may take about three hours. Recently, a path has been made for Jeeps to go to Pavana. It is a very rough 2 hour drive from Lower Ahobilam.

After covering these five temples, the remaining temples are very easy. Karanja is on the way to Upper Ahobilam from Lower Ahobilam, just on the road side. Yogananda and Chatravata are on plain ground about a couple of kilometre from Lower Ahobilam. You can drive on paved road for these two temples. Then you have Bhargava temple. This temple is also on plain ground about 2 Km from Lower Ahobilam, but there is no paved road. You have to hire a Jeep or Auto rickshaw to reach here.

Apart from these nine shrines, you have Ugra Sthambham (Ugra- Fierce, Sthambham- Pillar). It is said that the Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Narasimha from this mountain in response to his devotee Prahalada’s prayers and hence the name Ugra Sthambham. It is called as ‘Achalachaya Parvatha’ since its shadow doesn’t fall anywhere. We can see a cleft of the mountain dividing it into two parts. This part is said to be the part of the kingdom of Hiranyakashipu. You get a panoramic view of the entire Ahobilam from here with a clear view of Garudadri and Vedadri hills. One has to go trekking to this spot as the way is unusually steep. Its generally difficult for ladies to go there and impossible if you are with family. While on the way, one has to be extra cautious with the slopes and slippery narrow path. There is a an iron pillar on the top of this Sthambam and it is believed that one attains salvation if he/she makes three pradakshinas around the iron pillar.

There is food available at some small hotels and canteens in this place. There is a Brahmana Nitya Annadana Satram in the Upper Ahobilam where food is provided daily for nearly 400 people. You get pretty good food here, served hot if you go around 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. In addition, Sri Ahobila Matham has established a trust called Annamacharya Nitya Annadana Trust. Food is provided free of cost to the devotees of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami. Free prasadam is offered three time a day. Dadiyannam (Curd rice) is offered morning and evening. At noon time Tadiyaradhanam (full course meals) is offered.

Every month on Swati Thirumanjanam, Abhishekam is performed for all the nine deities of Narasimha. It is said to be a special day to visit Ahobilam. Brahmothsavam is celebrated in the month of February to mid March which is the time when Ahobilam looks bustling with festive mood. The celebration last for 10 days and it is the best time to have the glimpse of the Lord. However, you will have to bear the heat and crowd during this time. Some important numbers are railway enquiry, Cuddapah: 8562-44349, Nandyal: 8514-43028, Kurnool: 8518-20110. To reach places like Jwala Narasimha and Ugra Sthambha you will require a guide as the way is difficult to find.

Overall, Ahobilam provides best opportunity for trekking and you can also walk around for some beautiful captivating scenic beauty with plenty of water ponds, streams and resting places. Also there are several caves on the way. All-in-all, a visit to Ahobilam rejuvenates your devotion with a package of adventure and fun.

The legends of the temple have it that Lord Garuda (eagle which is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu) did penance and wished for a vision of Lord Narasimha in the form of Avathara (incarnations). To fulfil his wish, the Lord settled in the natural rock caves of Nallamala hills in the dense forests in Ahobilam. From then on this place came to be known as Garudadari, Garudachalam and Garudasailam.

It is also said that this place was the kingdom of Hiranyakasipu- a king who believed himself as the God and who had a boon given by Lord Brahma that he would neither be killed by a man, woman, animal, in the morning, at night nor in the air, water or earth nor with any of the weapons. He had a son named Prahalad, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Narasimha. This annoyed his father and in many attempts to kill him, prahalad was saved by Lord Narasimha. Thus Lord Narasimha took the form where he was lion-headed with the body of a man and killed Hiranyakashipu on his lap in order to save his devotee Prahalad. From then on this place came to be known as Prahaladavarada Narasimha Temple. 

The Avatar of Lord Vishnu as Lord Narasimha swami is a famous and important one. To save Prahalada, who was a great devotee, the Lord took on the incarnation of Narasimha swami and killed Hiranyakashipu. While fighting with this God, Hiranyakashipu, whom was a great devotee of Lord Siva, prayed to, Lord Siva to save him in the last moment. Lord Siva who, by nature, cannot but respond immediately to a call in distress on the part of his sincere devotees, immediately rushed to the aid of Hiranyakashipu and took the shape of a Sarabha (a demon) and fought with Lord Vishnu and at last died at the hands of Lord Vishnu. Since Sarabha was none other than Lord Siva himself, Lord Vishnu had to exert himself tremendously and had to evoke all his powers before he could kill Sarabha. To do this, Lord Vishnu evoked the full wrath and fury of which he was capable and hence, even after killing Sarabha, the wrath of the Lord was so great that he could not control himself and was wandering with that fearful aspect in the forest of Dandakaranya.

Ahobilam is situated on the Nallamala Hills about 24kms from Allagadda Taluk Headquarters. It is 112kms from Cuddapah on Chennai-Mumbai line and about 65kms from Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh. You can reach here by bus or train. There are plenty of buses from Hyderabad and Kurnool. There are trains via Kurnool, Nandyal and Cuddapah which halt at Ahobilam. Allagadda is well-connected by state buses from Hyderabad, Kurnool, Chittoor, Tirupati, Nellore and Chennai.

The nearest airports are at Hyderabad and Tirupati from where you can take a bus, hire a taxi or private car or catch a train to reach Ahobilam. The distance between Hyderabad and Ahobilam is about 380 Km. If you are travelling by train, take Thungabadra Express from Hyderabad (Kachiguda Railway Station) to Kurnool. This train leaves Hyderabad (Kachiguda) at 7:00 p.m. and reaches Kurnool around 10:30 p.m.

From Kurnool, Ahobilam is about 150 Kms. You can hire a taxi or take a bus from Kurnool. The approximate cost would be Rs.1400 for the round trip. The return train arrives Kurnool at 1:15 a.m. and reaches Hyderabad at 5:20 a.m. You may also take a bus from Hyderabad to Allagadda. From Allagadda, Ahobilam is about 30 Km. Town buses ply between Allagadda and Ahobilam every 45 minutes. The last bus leaves Ahobilam to Allagadda at 9:45 p.m. You may also hire a taxi from Allagadda which is the best and convenient option. You can also drive down from Hyderabad which takes about 8 hours if you halt for refreshments. From Chennai, Ahobilam is 400 kms. There are trains from Chennai to Kadapa (the Bombay mail). From Kadapa, Ahobilam is 100 kms and can be reached in bus or taxi.