Ahobilam – It Is One Of The 108 Divya Desams And Narasimha Worshipped In Nine Different Forms

AHOBILAM 

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Ahobilam or Ahobalam is an important pilgrimage center located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Ahobilam is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Andhra Pradesh and also one of the best Places to visit in Andhra Pradesh.

Ahobilam is the holy abode of Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in man-lion form. According to legend, this is the place where Lord Narasimha killed Hiranyakasipu and saved Prahalada. Though the initial temples were built by Chalukyas in 8th century, most of the current structures were rebuilt by Vijayanagara kings around 15th century.

Situated amidst dense Nallamala Forest, Ahobilam is one of the 108 Divya Desams. This place is also called as Nava Narasimha Kshetra since Lord Narasimha is worshipped in 9 different forms and separate temples exist for all the forms within a radius of 5 km from the main temple. 

Jwala Narasimha, Ahobila Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Kroda Narasimha, Kaaranja Narasimha, Bhargava Narasimha, Yaogananda Narasimha, Chathravata Narasimha and Paavana Narasimha are the nine forms of Lord Narasimha in Ahobilam. Few of these temples have easy access, but most of them have to be reached by difficult treks through thick forest and rocky paths.

The town is divided into two parts, Lower Ahobilam and Upper Ahobilam. Of these nine shrines, Yogananda, Chathravata and Bhargava Narasimha swami shrines are situated in Lower Ahobilam and the remaining six are in upper Ahobilam. There is also another temple of Lord Narasimha Swami in the lower Ahobilam where the idol of the Lord is believed to be installed by Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati. 

Ahobilam is a small town and food is available at small hotels and canteens. There is a Brahmana Nitya Annadana Satram in the Upper Ahobilam where food is provided daily for nearly 400 people. 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 Swamy.

Brahmothsavam is celebrated in the month of February to mid-March. All the 9 shrines can be visited in 2 days with help of guide. The best time to visit Ahobilam is from October to March while the peak season is from February to May. Usually it takes 1 day to visit Ahobilam.

By Air

Hyderabad Airport is the nearest airport, 333 km from Ahobilam.

By Train

Nandyal Railway station is the nearest railway station, located 66 km away from Ahobilam. It is connected to major cities like Howrah, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Goa, Machelipatnam, Vijayawada, Hubli, Puri, Vizag and Bhubaneswar.

By Bus

Ahobilam is very well connected by bus with nearest town Allagadda (25 km). There are state buses available from Chittoor, Nandyal, Kadapa, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Nellore, Chennai and Kurnool for Allagadda.

Sangameshwara Temple – Boatings Are Carried For The Followers To Go To The Temple Because Its Surrounded By Water

SANGAMESHWARA TEMPLE

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The Sangameswara Temple in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh State of India. It is an ancient temple located close to the Muchumarri, at the confluence of the Bhavanasi and Krishna rivers. The temple is on the foreshore of the Srisailam Reservoir.

Devotees are allowed to the temples in the vicinity to be relocated to higher grounds, When the Srisailam Dam was being constructed, but did not allow the Sangameswara Temple to be shifted.

As a result, this temple is considered unique as it stays submerged under water most of the year and emerges just for 45 to 60 days in a year when the water level recedes in summer.

The Srisailam Dam was constructed in 1981 and thereafter the temple surfaced for the first time in 2003 and this trend is going on ever since. The Sangameswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to local legend, when the Pandavas were exiled, they wanted to do pray to Lord Shiva.

The Pandavas felt that the site was sacred because it was located at the confluence of the two rivers and their five tributaries, namely Veni, Tunga, Bhadra, Bheemarathi and Malapaharini. Bhima, one of the five Pandavas, was asked to bring a Shiva Lingam.

Bhima went looking for one, but failed to return to his brothers with a lingam. So Dharmaraja, the eldest Pandava, installed a lingam made from neem wood. And, the temple was built around this sacred site.

When the temple surfaces, boats are used to transport devotees from the shore to the temple, as it stays surrounded by water.  It is during this time that the temple priests perform special prayers and other rituals. Before the temple is opened to the public, silt from the temple premises is first removed.

By Bus

Government Buses and private travel buses are available to reach this temple. This temple is 98km away from Kurnool. Since this temple is surrounded by water in all directions devotees use boats to reach this temple.

By Train

The nearest Railway station to this Temple is Kurnool Railway Station. From here buses are available to reach the nearest shore to the temple. Boats are available to access the temple.

By Air

The nearest airport is Hyderabad. Government Buses and private taxis are available to reach Kurnool. From here many buses are available to reach this temple.

Konda Reddy Buruju – It Was A Guard And Was Used As A Top-Security Prison

KONDA REDDY BURUJU

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The Konda Reddy Buruju or Kurnool Fort is located in the heart of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh State of India, and is one of the prominent landmarks of the town.

It was believed to be built by Achyuta Devarayalu, belonging to Vijayanagar Empire and stands even today as the splendorous examples of the architecture of those times. Konda Reddy Fort is a site considered worth visiting for tourists in the district.

It was constructed between 14th and 16th centuries and the impressive fort reflects the glorious history of the Kurnool region. It was initially believed to have been built by Achyuta Devarayalu of Vijayanagar Empire.

Konda Reddy Buruju was a sentinel and was used as a prison. Chronicles has it that, a revolutionary named Konda Reddy was imprisoned by the Nawab of Kurnool when he tried to oppose him.

Konda Reddy (1597-1643), the last ruler of Alampur defeated KurnoolNawab who was a subordinate and an associate of the Golkonda Kings several times. After a prolonged battle Konda Reddy was captured and imprisoned in the fortress.

Because of his valour and untiringly resolve to fight the Muslim rulers, the fort came to be known as Konda Reddy Buruju. He escaped from the fortress digging a tunnel across the River Krishna toAlampur and ultimately lost his kingdom to Golkonda Kings.

There was once a tunnel across the River Tungabhadra to Alampur on other side. This is the site of the prison where Konda Reddy had breathed his last and hence the tower was subsequently named in his memory.

The bastion appears in the shape of a huge pillar and consists of two storeys. From the highest point of the monument, visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of Kurnool. It is also believed that the rulers of Gadwal Kingdom used the tunnel here to escape from the Muslim conquerors during 17th century. The tunnel was closed many decades ago.

By Air 

Kurnool doesn't have its own airport. Hyderabad Airport is the nearest airport - at a distance of 213 km from Kurnool. It runs flights to and from all the major cities of India. Moreover, it has some international connections too.

By Rail

Kurnool Railway Station happens to be on the Secunderabad-Bangalore railway line. Owing to this fact, it is connected with all the stations falling on the line. You can approach either Hyderabad or Bangalore in order to reach other parts of India. From here, you can get passenger trains to Hyderabad, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Hubli.

By Road 

Kurnool has a good network of state as well as district roads. National Highway No.7 traverses through this city, connecting it with other parts of India. Places like Cuddapah, Anantapur, Chittoor and Hyderabad are well-connected by various state and private bus services. Private taxis can be hired from anywhere in the state to travel here.

Srisailam Temple – It Is Placed At A Pinnacle Of 457 Meters On The Southern Bank Of Krishna River

SRISAILAM TEMPLE 

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The holy town of Srisailam is located on top of the Nallamala Hills in Kurnool District. It is situated on the banks of Krishna River, about 212 kilometres south of Hyderabad. Because of its forest sanctuary, the town is a popular weekend getaway destination.

However, it also is known for its Shiva shrine. Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple, which is dedicated to Mallikarjuna Swamy, is located in Srisailam.

The temple is placed at a height of 457 metres, on the southern bank of Krishna River. It was constructed about six centuries ago, during the reign of King Harihara Raya from the Vijayanagar Dynasty.

The temple is built in the typical Vijayanagar architecture and what makes it special is that it is home to one of the twelve Jyothirlingas found in India. The sanctum sanctorum is shaped like a shell and enshrines Lord Mallikarjuna.

The presiding Deities of this Kshetram God Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is one of the eighteen Mahasakthis and both are believed to be self-manifested.

The unique feature of this Kshetram is the co-existing of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one Temple complex, which is the rare and only of its kind.

At this place the river Krishna flows through a deep narrow valley, approximately 100 meters wide and nearly at a depth of 1000 meters from the hill top.

The river flows at a distance of 70 Km to the up of Srisailam and continues to flow in the same valley for a further distance of 80 Km to the down till it reaches Nagarjunasagar.

The narrow flow of the river at such deep valley is fine looking and more pleasant near Srisailam where it is called as Pathalaganaga. Actually the river takes two repeated bends at Pathalaganga with in a short distance and makes a large stretch of high Plateau in each bend.

The right part of it we have Srisailam and whereas on the left there is ruined Chandraguptanagara which is mentioned in the Skandapurana and also some of the celebrated Literary works of 12th to 16th centuries.

By Air

Nearest airport is Hyderabad which is from 232km

By Train

Trains come up to Markapur (on the Guntur-hubli line), 85 km from srisailam, from where you can get a taxi or bus.

By Bus

State Transport buses and the local Devasthanam buses ply regularly.

MANTRALAYAM

MANTRALAYAM

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Mantralayam is a constituency in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra river on the border with neighbouring Karnatakastate. It is also called as Manchale.

The town is popular for the Samadhi of Saint Raghavendra Teertha and is a highly sought-after religious destination by devotees of Lord Vishnu. The followers of the saint believe that he was the incarnation of Bhakta Prahlad, who was character from the Hindu epic Mahabharatha and an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu.

Mantralayam is associated with the famous saint Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, renowned Hindu saint and philosopher. Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, lived between 1595 and 1671 was an influential saint in Hinduism.

Followers of the saint consider him to be an incarnation of Bhakta Prahallada, who was saved by Vishnu in the avatar of Narasimha. Sri Raghavendra Swamy is said to have performed many miracles during his lifetime and has a large following even today. 

Mantralayam is a small and peaceful town situated on the banks of the River Tungabhadra and gets thousands of devotees from all over the country.

This is the place where the Vaishnava saint Sri Guru Raghavendra took Jeeva Samadhi (tomb). Mantralayam is situated near the border of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh along the banks of River Tungabhadra, a chief tributary of River Krishna.

Darshan Timings: 6 AM to 8:30 AM,

9:30 AM to 2 PM

 4 PM to 9.30 PM.

By Air

 The closest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. Hyderabad Airport is 250km from Mantralayam. If you are wondering how to reach Mantralayam from here, book a Hyderabad flight and then take a taxi or cab to Mantralayam.

By Train

The train station, called Mantralayam Road, is located about 15 k.m.away from Mantralaya, locally, it is also known as Tungabhadra. It is easily accessible by train as it on the Chennai /Bangalore – Mumbai line. Almost all train stops at Mantralaya Road station which is just 12 Kms from the Mutt. For those coming from Mumbai, Mumbai – Chennai Express starting from Mumbai at 2 PM is most convenient as it reaches Mantralaya by 4 AM. Bangaloreans can reach Mantralaya by Udyan Express.

By Bus 

 Mantralayam has a Mantralayam Bus Station maintained by the APSRTC. Make a Mantralayam visit by bus in any of the buses available from the region you’re travelling because all buses reach the Mantralayam Bus Station as its final destination in Mantralayam.

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