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Ahobilam → Mahanandeeshwaram → Srisailam

Not easy, but honestly… worth it

Getting There

We reached Ahobilam around 4 AM and went straight to the ISKCON temple where we were staying. It’s pretty new (about a year old), very clean, and actually a really good place to freshen up after a long drive.

We didn’t rest much. By 6:30 AM, we were ready to go.

That’s when our guide Charan met us. He’s just 17, but honestly one of the best parts of the trip. Super responsible, spoke good English, and made sure we stayed on track the entire time. He was with us both days and kept everything running smoothly.

Before starting, we stopped at a small mom-and-pop place for breakfast and coffee. Nothing fancy—but exactly what you need before a long trek.

And then… we started.

Why Ahobilam Feels Different

Ahobilam isn’t just one temple—it’s a journey through nine forms of Lord Narasimha.

Each temple feels different. People also say they connect to the nine planets, but honestly, what you feel more is how the energy shifts as you go:

  • intense
  • powerful
  • calm
  • grounding
  • peaceful

And the journey kind of follows that.

Morning: Jwala → Ahobila → Malola → Varaha → Karanja

We started with the hardest part.

Jwala Narasimha

We went straight to Jwala Narasimha, and this was no joke.

The climb is steep and tiring. By the time I got there, I knew that was my limit. My friends continued further up to the paduka, but I stayed back.

And that pause… was actually one of the best parts.

They give free panagam, and I just sat there watching people come in—tired, emotional, praying. The place has this intense energy, but also a kind of stillness.

This is believed to be where Narasimha appeared in his fiercest form to kill Hiranyakashipu—and you can feel that power.

Ahobila Narasimha

Next was Ahobila Narasimha, the main temple.

The name itself comes from “Aho Balam”—meaning what strength. And that’s exactly how it feels. Strong, powerful, but more grounded than Jwala.

Malola Narasimha

This one felt completely different.

Malola Narasimha has Lakshmi with him, and after everything before this, it just felt calm.

Softer. Peaceful. Almost like a reset.

Varaha Narasimha

Then came Varaha Narasimha, combining Varaha (boar form) with Narasimha.

This one felt more grounding—less intensity, more stability. By now, we were tired, but also settling into the rhythm of the place.

Karanja Narasimha

After coming down, we did Karanja Narasimha.

This one is unique—Narasimha is shown holding a bow, almost like Lord Rama. It’s said he appeared this way for a devotee who worshipped Rama.

That idea stayed with me—you see what you connect to.

That wrapped up five temples for the morning, and honestly, it already felt like a full day.

Evening: Yogananda → Chatravata

We took a break (much needed), then went back out in the evening.

Yogananda Narasimha

This one is calm.

It’s believed Narasimha taught Prahlada yoga here, and you can feel that quiet, inward energy. Less crowded, more peaceful.

Chatravata Narasimha

Set under trees, this one felt open and light.

It’s said celestial beings worshipped here through music. Whether or not you think about that, the place just feels serene.

Next Morning: Bhargava → Pavana

Bhargava Narasimha

Next morning, we did Bhargava Narasimha, linked to Parashurama.

This one felt simple—more about effort, discipline, just showing up.

Pavana Narasimha

Last was Pavana Narasimha.

“Pavana” means purifier—and it really felt like the right place to end.

Quiet, slightly away, and just… peaceful.

Finishing All Nine

We split it like this:

  • Morning: 5 temples
  • Evening: 2
  • Next day: 2

And that made all the difference.

It didn’t feel rushed. It felt complete.

Mahanandeeshwaram – A Different Kind of Calm

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From there, we drove about 1.5 hours to Mahanandiswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

This place felt completely different.

Known for its clear water tank, everything here felt calmer, slower. After Ahobilam, it was a nice shift.

The drive itself was beautiful too.

Through the Ghats to Srisailam & Shivasailam

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We then drove through the ghats toward Srisailam and Shivasailam Temple.

The drive was honestly one of the best parts—winding roads, greenery, just one of those stretches you remember.

And somehow, at both temples, we were able to do pooja inside the garbhagriha.

Not planned. Not expected.

But it happened—and it felt really peaceful.

The People Who Made This Trip

Our guide Charan made a huge difference.

At 17, he handled everything so well—timing, directions, making sure we didn’t miss anything. Calm, polite, and just genuinely helpful.

And then my friend—more like a brother—who drove us through all of this.

The roads weren’t easy. The timing was tight. But because of him, we were able to cover everything without stress.

That kind of support is what makes a trip like this actually work.

Ending It

By the end, we were exhausted.

But also… full.

Ahobilam pushes you.
Mahanandeeshwaram grounds you.
Srisailam slows you down.

And somewhere in all of that, you get moments you don’t plan for.

My legs sure hurt after all this—but I think it was worth it.

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