City-information for Ahovalam

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Ahovalam is said to be the place where Lord Vishnu took the half-man, half-lion form of Lord Narasimha in order to defeat the great demon Hiranyakasipu. Ahovalam, 49 km south of Nandyal Railway Station and about 300 km south of Hyderabad, is 2,800 feet above sea level. It is also known as Singavel Kundram.

Ahovalam is the only place in India where all nine forms of Lord Narasimha, Nava Narasimha, are worshiped. The nine (nava) forms of Narasimha are: 1) Prahlada-varada Narasimha or Laksmi Narasimha, 2) Chatravata Narasimha, 3) Yogananda Narasimha, 4) Karanda Narasimha, 5) Krodha Narasimha, 6) Guha Narasimha, 7) Jwala Narasimha, 8) Malola Narasimha, and 9) Pavana Narasimha. The Narasimhadeva Deity in the Ugra Narasimha Temple in Upper Ahovalam is said to be self-manifested (swayambhu). This place of pilgrimage was visited by Lord Caitanya.

Ahovalam is a very small town and not many foreigners come here, because it is really out of the way. If you are not an Indian you can expect to be stared at a lot.