History, Significance, Timings, Festivals, Puja and Travel Guide of Penna Ahobilam Temple
The Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple also famous as Ahobilam Temple is situated in Penna Ahobilam around 12 kms from Uravakonda and 36 kms from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams and temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. The temple is built in the style of Vijayanagar king period. Every year lots of marriages are held in this temple. The sacred Ahobilam temple was on the footprints of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy measuring 5 feet and 3 inches. The temple complex houses shrine of the Adi Lakshmi Devi and Chenchu Lakshmi Devi. This temple is especially famous for marriages functions as this place helps in happy marriage life.
Lord Narasimha is half men and half lion form of Lord Vishnu. This form was taken by Lord for saving Prahlad from his father demon king Hiranya Kashyapa. There is also a pond called Rakthakundam in the downhill, which is at a distance of 2kms from the temple. It is said that Lord Narasimha had washed his hands after killing Prahlad’s father Hiranyakashipu.
In 1472 A.D, Vijanagara’s King Sadashivaraya has placed large idol of the Lord Narsimha and built a grand temple. Earlier temples were built by Chalukyas in 8th century. In the foot of idol, tunnel was built from where whole Theertha from Abhishekam goes in the Penna River.Narasimha bugga, where water comes from the roots of a tree is the place where Narasimha Swamy killed the demon Hiranya Kasyapa.
A very small temple of Lord Lakshmi is also built very near to the main temple called Udhbava Mahalakshmi Temple. It is said that Cobra regularly visits this temple. Ratham – Annual Car festival is very well celebrated during the month of April. Thousands of devotees comes during this month and participated in the car festival.
How to reach Penna Ahobilam Narasimha Swamy Temple, Anantpur – Penn Ahobilam is very well connected by road and many state buses are available from the major cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Tirupati, Machelipatnam, Vijayawada, Hubli, Puri, Vizag and Bhubaneswar, Nellore and Hyderabad. The nearest bus station is Anantapur Bus Station. You can find frequently buses coming here from all the major cities. The nearest Railway Station is Kondapur Railway Station at a distance of 14kms. The nearest Airport is in Bangalore at a distance of 172kms.
