Temples in Ahovalam
Ahovalam Temples
The elaborately decorated temple that contains the fierce form of Ugra Narasimha is located near the bus stand in Upper Ahovalam. This temple is dedicated to the form of Sri Narahari, who emerged from the pillar to kill Hiranyakasipu. This temple has a mandapa (hall) and gopuram. Several feet from the Ugra Narasimha Deity is Guha Narasimha, who is in a little cave. Guha means cave. There is also a Sudarsana Yantra to the right of the Deity in another room. There is a small darsana fee charged at this temple.
If you leave from the back entrance of this temple and walk ten minutes, you come to the Krodha Narasimha Temple, where the Lord is worshiped in His boar form. There is a temple cave of Varaha Narasimha here. The main temple room is completely carved into the stone wall of the mountain side. The Deity of Varaha Narasimha is standing majestically on a raised stone platform. Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Krishna, killed Hiranyakasipu's younger brother, Hiranyaksa, thus incurring the wrath and hatred of Hiranyakasipu. Thus the two incarnations, Narasimha and Varaha, responsible for destroying the two demon brothers, have been installed together in this temple and worshiped for thousands of years.
The Malola Narasimha Temple is about 2 km from here. The Deity here is said to be in santa-rupa, always in sport with Laksmidevi. Both this temple and the Varaha Narasimha Temple are small and not very well kept. More than likely no one will be there to assist you. They are, however, well worth the visit, and you can get to both of these temples without the assistance of a guide.
About a half hour walk up the till the way to the pillar, is the Jwala Narasimha Temple, where the Ugrakala form of the Lord is found. This is said to be the actual spot where Lord Narasimha tore apart Hiranyakasipu. This Deity is located in a cave overlooking a steep cliff. You need a guide to reach this place, which is at the end of a hard, cxciting climb.
Looming fifteen stories into the sky over Ahovalam is the ugra-stsmbha, the pillar from which Lord Narasimhadeva appeared. You get your first sight of the pillar after walking about a half hour from where the bus lets you off in Upper Ahovalam. You will need the help of a guide to reach the pillar, as the trek takes about two hours. It is a hard climb directly the mountain's side. Even if you have to stop every five or ten minutes to rest, the feeling of exhilaration upon arrival at this very sacred spot is adequate and rewarding compensation for the effort.
To see the Pavana Narasimha temple, where the Shakta form of worship of the Lord is done, also requires the services of a guide. It is a couple hours walk (8 km) from the main Ugra Narasimha Temple, in a different direction from the other temples.
Nandyal
The Mahandi Temple is 16 km from Nandyal and about 280 km south of Hyderabad. It is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Siva. The linga is unique because it is like a rough uncut rock, with two cavities. The priests here allow you to touch the Lord. There is a huge Nandi in front of the main shrine. Many people include this temple in a visit to Srisailam.
This temple is unique for South India because the vimana (tower) over the linga is built in the North Indian style. The main gate of the temple faces west. There is a tank here, 60 foot square, which is always 5 ft deep. The mystery is that no one knows how the water enters the tank only that it is always the same level and completely crystal clear.
There is a railway station in Nandyal. To get to Ahovalam you can get a train to here, then get a bus to Allagudda, and from there get another bus to Ahovalam.
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