There are many myths about Ahobilam. Chief among them is it is very difficult to visit the place. Like many myths, this is false. Ahobilam is a very easy place to visit. You can have darisanam of all Narasimhars.
Ahobilam is known as SingaveLkunRam. Thirumangai alwar has sung 10 pasurams. He calls Narasimha as AaL Ari. AaL is Nara, Ari means singam. Beautiful translation.
Logistics
From Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad, there are buses to Allagadda. Ahobilam is 30km from Allagadda. From Bangalore and Hyderabad, there are trains to Nandyal. Ahobilam is 74km from Nandyal. From Chennai, there are trains to Cuddapah. Ahobilam is 118km from Cuddapah.
You can stay at Ahobila Mutt. Or at Haritha, AP Tourism Hotel (08519 252 060/040 2329 8456/8457). Food at Haritha.
Darisanams
There are 13 places to see in Ahobilam - The nine Narasimhars
- Yogananda Narasimhar (in Lower Ahobilam, accessible by road)
- Chatra Vata Narasimhar (in Lower Ahobilam, accessible by road)
- Bhargava Narasimhar (in Lower Ahobilam, accessible by 15min auto/ jeep ride over rough terrain, no road)
- Karaancha Narasimhar (on the way to upper Ahobilam from lower Ahobilam, accessible by road)
- Ahobila Narasimhar (in upper Ahobilam, 9 km from lower Ahobilam, accessible by road + 50 steps to climb)
- Varaha Narasimhar (15min trek over rocky terrain from Ahobila Narasimar)
- Malola Narasimhar (15min climb on steps from Varaha Narasimar)
- Jwala Narasimhar (75 min trek from Varaha over rocky terrain/ steps)
- Pavana Narasimhar (2 hour trek from Ahobila Narasimha or 2 hour jeep ride from lower Ahobila over rough terrain)
- 1 more Narasimhar Prahladavaradan (lower Ahobilam, by road)
- Bhavanasini (stream), behind Ahobila Narasimha
- Ugrasthambam, the pillar Narasimha emerged from (most difficult, 70 degree climb for 2km, 2 hours from Jwala(we avoided this)
- Prahlada cave (15 min trek from Malola).
Our Visit
Day 1
Reached Ahobilam on 28 Dec by 330pm.
Started from Malola Guest House: 4pm
Reach Bhargava: 415
Back to Malola: 430
Reach Yogananda: 435
Reach Chatravata: 445
Reach Prahlada Varadan: 5pm
Leave Prahlada Varadan: 530
Have dinner at Haritha: 730.
Close day.
Day 2
Get up on 29 Dec at 5am
Start for Uppper Ahobilam: 640am
Reach Ahobila: 7am
Leave Ahobila: 720
Cross Varaha: 735
Reach Jwala: 9am
Leave Jwala: 930
Reach Malola: 1015
Leave Malola: 1030
Reach Prahlada cave: 1045
Leave Prahlada Cave: 11am
Reach Malola: 1110
Reach Varaha: 1115
Leave Varaha: 1125
Reach Ahobila: 1140
Finish Lunch at Satram: 1220
Start from upper Ahobilam:1230
Reach Karancha: 1235
Leave Karancha: 1240
Start for Pavana from Lower Ahobilam: 1245pm
Reach Pavana: 215
Leave Pavana: 230
Reach lower Ahobilam: 4pm
Leave Ahobilam: 5pm
Sugggested Plan
You can start the day by 630am (not earlier) and close by 6pm (not later).
A: 1, 2, 3, 10 will take 90 min
B: 5, 11, 8, 7, 13, 6, 4 in this order will take 5 hours
C: 9 will take 4 hours
If you reach Ahobilam before 8am, do B, A, C. If you reach before 2pm, do A & C on day 1 and B the next day, If you reach before 4pm, do A on day 1 and B & C on day 2.
Travel Tips
- Accommodation may not be a problem even if you do not book, but booking recommended.
- Travel by bus may not be a problem even if you do not book, but booking recommended.
- Essential to hire a guide for the complete trip. Malola manager, Sri Badri will help.
- Must have breakfast at Haritha or pongal prasadam at Ahobila Narasimha before you start the trek.
- Wear shoes, caps.
- Must take water, eatables, fruits in your shoulder bag, will really keep you going.
Photos here
16 comments:
Thanks for the detailed info about Ahobilam, esp. with the links to apsrtc bus website etc. It truly helps.
Hare Krishna Prabhu,
I plan on visitng Ahobilam in June with my mother. I tried calling the numbers you listed in your blog for the Haritha guest house, nobody seems to answer the phone.
Do you have the number of the Malola Guest House?
-Divakar
Thanks. I plan to visit with my family by 1st week of July
Ahobilam Malola Guest House Phone Numbers: Badri Manager Mobile 94905 15284, Landline Phone 08519 252045
Great work! I am planning a trip to Ahobilam for the Lord's darsan in December 09. Your tips are going to be really helpful. -Chandrasekhar
Thanks for the detailed explanation about the Ahobilam Trip.
it's eye catching and breath taking experience. Thanks for the info. Certainly will plan at the earliest.
Rakesh Raghuveer
Thanks a lot for your write up. This will help lot of other pilgrims. However, appreciate if you can provide some more information on connecting buses from Allagada to Ahobilam and viceversa. This will help all those who can't afford to travel by cars/taxis
Best Regards
Gangadhar S
Thanks a lot for your write up. This will help lot of other pilgrims. However, appreciate if you can provide some more information on connecting buses from Allagada to Ahobilam and viceversa. This will help all those who can't afford to travel by cars/taxis
Best Regards
Gangadhar S
Dear Gangadhar, Thanks for your comments. PL check APSRTC website ot contact Ahobila Mutt manager for bus timing. http://www.ahobilamutt.org/us/information/visitingahobilam.asp
Thanks for the Travel Tips...you might interested to know about the history of Ahobilam.
I wish people who visit Ahobalam comment on how life goes on at lord's abode?
Thanks for your guidance about Ahobilam. It is very informative.regards
Suresh Kumar
How is Malola Guest House for accommodation ? Which is a good place to stay at Ahobilam ?
Lovely 😊 thanks 🙏🏻
thanks for your clear guide
your timing in upper ahobilam areas are by trekking or jeep
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