Ahobilam Sri Nava Narasimha darshan

With the wishes of Almighty we had the blessings to visit Ahobilam in Feb 2017. Sharing a few points for the benefit of readers: 

The route map as displayed in Ahobilam temples is reproduced here to be a reference point throughout the blog.

   

Ahobilam temples route map

Though strenuous, one may need 1 and a half days to visit all 9 temples. Or more precisely two early morning sessions for long treks, one for Jwala(1) and another for Pavana(9) (if one chooses to trek).

All the temples can be visited on our own, as there are many sign boards or fellow pilgrims to follow. Local guides may be helpful in Upper Ahobilam, if one is in a hurry, as they may take you through some short cuts. 

Beware of Jai Bajrangbali (monkeys) every where. Be mindful when you drive around.

The temple visits can be organized in four parts:

1. Lower Ahobilam
2. Upper Ahobilam 
3. Upper Ahobilam treks and 
4. Pavana

1. Lower Ahobilam

Temples: Yogananda(7) , Chatravata (8), Bhargava (6) and Prahallada Varada (D) .

We reached Lower Ahobilam on Day 1 mid-day and firstly visited Yogananda (7) and Chatravata (8).

Both these temples are just 3 kms from Lower Ahobila entry point and are reachable by good motorable roads. We can use our own vehicles.

Then we went to Bhargava (6). This can only be reached by local Auto/Jeep and is a very rough drive of 20 min from Lower Ahobilam. They charge approx Rs.300 for a 4 seater vehicle for the to and fro trip. Aged persons and people with back aches need to be very careful of this ride. Instead, one may trek the same path of approximately 3 km. From the Auto/Jeep drop point, it is a climb of about 100 steps.

The above darshans(6, 7, 8) would take 2 to 3 hours. Visit to Bhargava (6) is normally combined with the jeep trip of Pavana (9).

Prahallada Varda (D) is a huge temple complex and one may need an hour inside. 

2. Upper Ahobilam

Temples: Karanja (5) and Ahobilam (2).

We started early at 6:30 am on Day 2. Objective is to complete the trek in the early morning half.

You may get Coffee/Tea at Lower Ahobilam temple shopping complex. May be a good idea to have some dry snacks as part of your tour kit.

The 8 km road from Lower Ahobilam to Upper Ahobilam is a well laid motorable road which one can reach in their own car. On the way is temple Karanja (5) which may be visited on the way back.

We need to park our car in Upper Ahobilam.

The temple Ahobilam(2) may be visited after completing the treks.

Local guides are available here. Also dolis can be organized for elders. One may also rent sticks to aid their trek, though it may not be needed for all.

Some snacks are available here. Temples annadana place is also here.

3. Upper Ahobilam treks

Temples: Kroda(4),  Malola (3) (+Prahallada cave (C)) and Jwala (1) (+Ugra Stambham(A))

This is on a mixed rocky terrain and may be difficult to do on bare feet. Most of the pilgrims wear slippers or shoes.

It would be a good idea to start early in the morning as one may need 3 hours for the trek (a trek to Ugra Sthambam(A) – would take additional 2 to 3 hours).

Trek path starts just by the side of Ahobilam(2) and leads to Kroda/BuVaraha (4). (there is a route, marked in paint to Pavana(9) just behind the Ahobilam(2) and this is covered in Section 4).

One may choose any of these paths. It is better to have first dharshan at Jwala(1) before it gets too hot.

• Path 1: Kroda(4) --15min--> Malola(3) --60min--> Jwala(1). There are well laid stairs that lead to Malola(3). This is a climb for 15 to 20 min. There is a partly rocky (and slightly treacherous) path (which might also not be clearly marked) from Malola(3) to Jwala(1) via bridge explained in path 2. This path requires climbing both up and down and takes nearly 1 hour. 

• Path 2: Kroda(4) --15min--> Bridge --45min--> Jwala(1) --45min--> Return to bridge --30min--> Malola(3). From Kroda(4) one may also take a path through the river bed, mostly just rocks (this path has markings on the rocks to guide, or one can follow others). We took this path and is slightly on a rough terrain till we reach the bridge in around 15 minutes. This leads to a wooden bridge which forks into two well laid paths : one to Jwala(1) and the other to Malola(3). From there we need to climb around 350 or so well laid but treacherous steps to reach Jwala(1).

• Path 3: Kroda(4) -15min> Bridge > Jwala(1) -> Return to Kroda (4) > Malola(3)

Just before Jwala(1), there is a steep climb to Ugra Stambham (A). One may need sticks for support. Sticks are also available on rent at Jwala(1). This trek may need additional two hours for to and fro and we opted not to do this (only the really abled persons may manage this trek). May have to be done bare foot or in sports shoes.

From Malola(3), a path leads to Prahallada badi (C). It may take 1 hour to complete this round trip which we chose not to take.

On the way back we had darshan at Kroda(4) and Ahobilam(2) and then Karanja(5).

This concluded the morning session of Day 2.

Tip: It may be a good idea to have lunch in Upper Ahobilam(2) trust as lunch may be available in Lower Ahobilam only after 1:30 pm.

4. Pavana temple (9)

• Path1: By trek from Upper Ahobilam and 
• Path2: By jeep from Lower Ahobilam 

Path1: My understanding from other blogs is that one has to climb 500 steps (path starts just behind Ahobilam temple(2)) and then trek 5 km. This may need 3 to 4 hours and a fresh start the next morning.

Path2: Jeep rides are available from Lower Ahobilam (for a round trip fee of approx. Rs2400 for 8 seater which can be shared with other pilgrims). This path is through forest and the ride is very very bumpy and very strenuous. Elders and pilgrims with back ache may have to avoid this travel. One way trip is nearly 1 hour. The rides may be available till 3 pm at Lower Ahobilam. as entry into forest area may not be allowed after that.

Chennai-Ahobilam Roads

Roads are very good for entire stretch from Chennai  to Ahobilam. Again one may take two paths:

• Path 1 : Chennai > Renigunta > Koduru > Vontimitta > Kadapa
• Path 2 : Chennai > Tirupati > Pileru > Royachoty > Kadapa

Path 1 is a State Highway from Renigunta to Kadapa and has numerous speed breakers. It also has high truck traffic and the general ride has to be slow and cautious. Vontimitta has an old Kodanda Rama temple on the main road and they have preserved the heritage here. 

Path 2 is a National Highway and the road from Tirupati to Kadapa via Royachoty was excellent. No speed breakers and not much of traffic either. 

The road from Kadapa > Mydukur > Allagadda is a super 6 lane high way with grid separator and the ride is very very smooth. After Allagadda one has to branch to the right for Ahobilam and there are sign boards. Good roads, though narrow.

AP Tourism has Haritam restaurants in Ahobilam and Kadapa (inside the city as well as in the Bye Pass road just before branching towards Mydukur). These may be safer bets for Vegetarian food on the way.  

With the blessings of almighty we had dharshan of all nine temples and a very safe trip.