Jwala Narasimha Swamy Temple - Adventure and Spiritual Trek in Ahobilam.
Jwala Narasimha Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Ahobilam in Andhra Pradesh. This Temple is one of the nine Narsimha temples in Ahobilam. The temple of Jwala Narasimha Swamy, lies higher up the upper Ahobilam, on a hill called, 'Achala Chaya Meru', almost like a rock cave temple. When you see it from a distance, it looks like an opening on the face of the hill. This is about four kilometres from the Upper Ahobilam temple. Ahobilam is located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh amidst the majestic hills of the Eastern Ghats range. It is here that the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Vishnu incarnated Himself as Lord Narasimha to kill the demon Hiranyakashipu and save His great devotee Prahlada. This is one of the major pilgrimage centres in South India.
It is believed that the entire area of Ahobilam was actually Hiranyakasipu’s palace and the spot where the temple stand that Lord Narasimha actually killed the demon. This place is said to be the actual spot, where the fierce anger of the Lord reached its culmination when he tore Hiranyakasipu. From Krodha Narasimha Swamy temple the path takes a deviation towards the Jwala Narasimha Swamy temple. Immediately the scenes around changes, in to a thick forest, sunlight struggles to stream in through the tree covers, this coupled with the morning chillness is allways refreshing. Half way up the trek, you will spot the Ugra Sthambham. Though there is well laid stepped path as this is a bit longer, the game and pleasure is here on the path through Bhavanasini river.
The trek to Jwala Narasimha Temple have to negotiate your way through rocky paths. The 30-45 minute trek will leave you a little tired, especially if it is a hot day but the silence of the forest and the greenery of the Nallamala hills somehow seem to give you all the energy. A waterfall cascades down the hill forming curtain over the narrow pathway leading to the temple and you actually walk betewwn this waterfall and the mountain. There is just a spray of water in December, if you visit this place just after the rains, you will have to walk behind a full fledged waterfall. This waterfall is called the “Akasha Ganga” casting a beautiful rainbow as the sun refracts through the droplets of the waterfall.
The Jwala Narasimha idol is unique with 8 arms. Two arms hold the head and legs of Hiranyakasipu on the lap, another two arms tearing open the demon, two arms taking out the intestine of the demon and wearing it as a garland and the other two arms holding the Sankhu and chakram. The presiding deity rules planet Angaraka / Mars / Kuja. Also, Idol of Asura Kula Guru Sukracharya seated on the left side of the main idol. Idols of Narasimha fighting with the demon king, Lord Narasimha is seen coming out of the pillar, Hiranyakasipu and Prahaladha standing on either sides of the pillar and an idol of Maha Vishnu giving his darshan can be seen.
There is a small pond near this temple, it is called the “Rakhta Gundam”, believed to be a pool of water where Lord Narasimha washed his hands after killing Hiranyakasipu and to this day the water oozing out has a reddish tinge. Frankly, keeping the stories aside, it is the simplicity and serenity of nature around that you really feel presence of the Divine. Lighting ghee lamps at this shrine in the month of Karthika is considered very auspicious.
This Temple is located at about 4 Kms from the Upper Ahobilam Temple. The trek to Jwala Narasimha Temple from Upper Ahobilam seems to be tedious, as you have to pass through rocky paths and dense forest. This is a half an hour trek and leave you a little tired, especially if it is a hot day. From the temple of Malola Narasimha, there are steps to reach to the temple of Jwala Narasimha. Do not to climb but return to Krodha Narasimha Temple and then walk along the bank of Bhavanasini River to reach Jwala Narasimha temple. The last few metres to the Jwala Narasimha Temple is narrow with a deep gorge on one side and is just enough for two people to pass.
Timings: 06:00 AM - 01:00 PM and 03:00 PM - 05:30 PM
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