2-Day Ahobilam Pilgrimage and Trek: Nava Narasimha Temples in the Nallamala Hills
Ahobilam is where myth steps into geography. In the folds of the Nallamala Hills, this temple complex honors nine manifestations of Narasimha—the fierce, protective avatar of Vishnu—set across jungle streams, cliffs, and age-softened stone shrines. The very name “Ahobilam” is derived from “Ahobalam,” the “great cave,” signaling a place where nature’s drama meets devotion.
Across two days, you’ll experience both Lower Ahobilam’s monumental Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple (often called Prahlada Varada) and Upper Ahobilam’s trail-linked shrines—Ahobila (Ugra), Malola, Kroda (Varaha), Jwala, and more. Expect stone-carved mandapas, temple music in the evenings, and a satisfying trek to the famed Ugra Stambham, the cleft rock associated with the Narasimha legend.
Practical notes: the best weather is October–March; summers are hot, and monsoon trails can be slippery with leeches. Dress modestly for temples, remove footwear at sanctums, and plan around mid-day temple closures. Simple vegetarian meals dominate; you’ll find hearty Andhra thalis, lemon rice to-go for treks, and sweet, strong filter coffee around the bazaar.
Ahobilam
Ahobilam lies about 24 km from Allagadda and roughly 70–75 km from Nandyal, in Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal district. The Nava Narasimha circuit mixes road-accessible shrines with forest paths; you can use local jeeps to reach Upper Ahobilam trailheads, then hike between temples on rock-and-root paths beside streams.
Top highlights include the towering gopuram of the Lower Ahobilam Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, the serene Malola Narasimha shrine by a stream, the cave-like Ahobila (Ugra) temple, and the satisfying climb to Ugra Stambham with views over the Nallamala canopy. Don’t miss Jwala Narasimha near Rakta Kundam, a red-tinged pool tied to the legend.
Getting there (choose what fits your route):- Fly into Hyderabad (HYD), Bengaluru (BLR), or Tirupati (TIR). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
- Train to Nandyal (NDL) or Allagadda Road (ALER), then taxi to Ahobilam (about 2–2.5 hours from Nandyal; ~45–60 minutes from Allagadda). Check Trip.com Trains for schedules and fares.
- Estimated times and costs (one-way, 2025): Hyderabad → Ahobilam by car: 6–7.5 hours (360 km, toll highway); Bengaluru → Ahobilam: 7–8 hours (340–380 km); Tirupati → Ahobilam: 6–7 hours (260–290 km). A taxi from Nandyal typically INR 1,800–2,800; shared jeeps in Ahobilam INR 150–300 per seat to Upper trailheads; private 4x4 jeeps INR 1,200–2,000 for custom drops.
- On-site basics: AP Tourism’s Haritha Hotel (clean rooms, in-house veg restaurant) and math/temple guest houses (simple, devotional stays). Book early for weekends, festivals (Brahmotsavam, Narasimha Jayanti), and long holidays.
- Broaden your search radius (if you prefer more amenities) using: Note: If inventory is limited directly in Ahobilam, search nearby hubs like Nandyal or Allagadda and commute in.
- Haritha Restaurant (inside the AP Tourism hotel): reliable South Indian vegetarian staples—soft idlis, ghee dosa, lemon rice, sambar vada, tomato pappu, and gongura pachadi; strong filter coffee from early morning.
- Temple Annadanam: on many days, the temple trust offers free mid-day meals to pilgrims; timings vary by festival and crowd—ask the counter in the morning.
- Street-side tiffin and tea stalls around the bazaar near the Lower temple for hot upma, mirchi bajji, and chai. For treks, pre-order a packed lunch from your hotel (lemon rice/curd rice + bananas is the standard pilgrim kit).
- Lower Ahobilam (Diguva): Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy (Prahlada Varada) main temple; nearby Nava Narasimha: Chatravata, Yogananda, Karanja, Bhargava, and Pavana (some via short drives).
- Upper Ahobilam (Eguva): Ahobila (Ugra), Malola (by a stream), Kroda/Varaha (cave-like), Jwala (toward Ugra Stambham); classic forest trek with moderate climbs.
- Temple hours often pause mid-day (roughly ~12:30/1:00–3:30 pm; vary by day). Plan darshan early morning or late afternoon.
- Trekking: closed shoes with good grip; in monsoon bring a poncho and salt (leeches). Carry 2–3 liters of water per person; no plastic littering.
Day 1: Arrival, Lower Ahobilam Temples, and Evening Arati
Morning: Travel toward Ahobilam. If you’re driving in, highway breakfast options on NH44 are plentiful; grab a South Indian tiffin (idli-dosa, filter coffee) en route and aim to reach by early afternoon. If you’re coming by train, Nandyal arrivals between morning and midday work well; arrange a taxi to Ahobilam so you’re at the temple complex after lunch.
Afternoon: Check into your stay and have a simple Andhra lunch at Haritha Restaurant (try the vegetarian thali: rice, sambar, tomato pappu, a seasonal curry, curd, and pickle). Start with the grand Lower Ahobilam Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple—pillared halls, ornate carvings, and a powerful sanctum set the tone for the pilgrimage.
Continue to two nearby Nava Narasimha shrines: Chatravata Narasimha (set amid trees; serene chants in the courtyard) and Yogananda Narasimha (linked to the lore of Prahlada’s education). If time permits, add Karanja Narasimha, where a sacred Karanja tree stands at the entrance—an unusual and photogenic stop.
Evening: Return to the main temple for the evening arati (deepa aradhana). The atmosphere—drums, conch, flickering lamps—feels particularly intimate after dusk. Dinner at Haritha: order ghee roast dosa with coconut chutney and sambar, or a comforting bowl of curd rice with lemon pickle. For a sweet bite, look for fresh laddu or boondi from the bazaar stalls. Early lights-out; tomorrow’s a trek day.
Day 2: Upper Ahobilam Trek—Malola, Ahobila (Ugra), Jwala, and Ugra Stambham
Morning: Start at first light with tea/coffee near the bus stand or a quick breakfast at Haritha (idli-sambar + filter coffee). Hire a shared jeep or taxi to the Upper Ahobilam trailhead. The classic sequence is Ahobila (Ugra) → Kroda/Varaha → Malola → Jwala; fit hikers add the 45–75 minute climb to Ugra Stambham for sweeping views. The forest path follows streams and stone steps; expect 6–10 km of walking, 3.5–5 hours excluding temple queues.
At Malola Narasimha, the setting by the stream is exquisitely peaceful; watch for monkeys and keep prasad secure. Jwala Narasimha sits near the reddish pool called Rakta Kundam; from here, the Ugra Stambham spur ascends to a cleft rock—legend marks the point where Narasimha split the pillar. It’s a satisfying, steeper push with rewarding ridge-line vistas.
Afternoon: Descend to the trailhead by early afternoon. Freshen up, then have a late lunch: if you pre-ordered a packed lemon/curd rice parcel, eat by the streamside rest area; otherwise return to Haritha for a hot meal (try vankaya/brinjal curry and sambar rice). If you still have time before departure, include Bhargava Narasimha (linked to Parashurama’s penance) or Pavana Narasimha (usually quieter), both typically accessed by short drives from the Lower area.
Evening: Most travelers depart Ahobilam by mid/late afternoon to reach Nandyal/Hyderabad/Bengaluru by night. If you’re staying an extra evening, consider a second temple darshan or a slow walk through the bazaar for chai and mirchi bajji before dinner at Haritha. Turn in early.
Practical add-ons and local gems:- Prahlada Mettu: a small cave-temple associated with Prahlada’s education; a short, steep climb from the Lower area—best done early morning if you have spare time.
- Guides: Local guides near the Upper trailhead can help optimize the order of shrines and share legends; agree on a price beforehand.
- Sevas & crowd days: Festival periods can be very crowded; arrive at temples at opening time, and keep ID plus small denominations for offerings. Midday closures are common—check with the counter each morning.
- Connectivity: Mobile data can be patchy in the Upper forests. Download offline maps and carry cash; ATMs are limited.
In just two days, Ahobilam gives you a full arc: a grand temple, quiet roadside shrines, a forest trek, and the legend-swept heights of Ugra Stambham. Come ready for simple food, long walks, and stories carried in stone and song—you’ll leave with tired legs and a very full heart.