Nava Narasimha

నవ నారసింహ

9 temples in the tradition. Listed in the order tradition follows. The note at the foot of the page says how much of that order a text actually fixes.

In the traditional order

1
Jwala Narasimha, Ahobilam
జ్వాలా నరసింహ స్వామి
Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh
Where the anger blazed. The Bhagavata tells how Narasimha burst from a pillar and tore Hiranyakashipu open at the threshold of his hall. Ahobilam's tradition gives the killing a site: a cave on Achalachaya Meru…
2
Ahobila Narasimha (Upper Ahobilam)
అహోబిల నరసింహ స్వామి
Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh
The pillar, the threshold and the boy. Hiranyakashipu, whose brother Hiranyaksha was killed by Vishnu as the boar, wins from Brahma a boon that seems to rule out any death. His son Prahlada still worships Vishnu. When the…
3
Malola Narasimha, Ahobilam
మాలోల నరసింహ స్వామి
Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh
The gentle form and the travelling image. In the Bhagavata, after Hiranyakashipu's death even Shri is afraid of Narasimha's fierce form and will not approach him. A short climb from the cave at Upper Ahobilam, the Malola shrine…
4
Kroda Narasimha, Ahobilam
క్రోడ నరసింహ స్వామి
Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh
The boar and the man-lion. Hiranyakashipu's war on Vishnu begins with a death: his brother Hiranyaksha, killed by Hari in the form of a boar. The Bhagavata's Narasimha episode opens with that grief and the vow of…
5
Karanja Narasimha, Ahobilam
కారంజ నరసింహ స్వామి
Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh
The bow under the karanja tree. Karanja Narasimha sits under a karanja tree beside the ghat road below Upper Ahobilam, beneath a cobra's hood, holding a discus and a bow. The bow gives the shrine its second name,…
6
Bhargava Narasimha, Ahobilam
భార్గవ నరసింహ స్వామి
Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh
Parashurama's request. Parashurama — Bhargava Rama, himself counted an incarnation of Vishnu — comes to a pond near Lower Ahobilam and does penance, asking to see Narasimha in the form in which he killed…
7
Yogananda Narasimha, Ahobilam
యోగానంద నరసింహ స్వామి
Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh
Lessons for Prahlada. When no god dares approach the enraged Narasimha, the boy Prahlada does, and Narasimha lays a hand on his head. The Bhagavata goes on to Prahlada's hymn and his enthronement. Ahobilam's…
8
Chatravata Narasimha, Ahobilam
ఛత్రవట నరసింహ స్వామి
Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh
Haha and Huhu. Two Gandharvas, the celestial musicians Haha and Huhu, come to Narasimha under a peepal tree near Lower Ahobilam and sing for him. He is pleased and blesses them. The image in the shrine…
9
Pavana Narasimha, Ahobilam
పావన నరసింహ స్వామి
Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh
The forest shrine of the Chenchus. Pavana Narasimha stands deep in the Nallamala forest, on the bank of the Pavana river some 6–7 km from Upper Ahobilam. Its image is Narasimha with Lakshmi, sheltered by the serpent…

Plan the circuit

Side by side, so you can see the season, the walking and the nearest station for each. Where we have not confirmed something, the cell says so. Always check dates and conditions before you travel — especially with elders.

Not yet confirmed for any of these temples: main months, altitude.

Jwala Narasimha, Ahobilam
Walking and access
A hard climb. The Ahobila Math describes the route from the Upper Ahobilam temple as a rocky riverbed and narrow path, about 4 km and roughly an hour up, and recommends a guide (about Rs 200 through the guest house). A round trip covering Jwala, Kroda and Malola takes about three hours. Outlook Traveller (2017) notes a narrow ledge and a waterfall on the way, and that trails are hard going in the monsoon. Deccan Chronicle (2018) reported a doli (carried chair) service for Kroda, Malola, Jwala and the Ugra Sthambam at roughly Rs 2,500–3,500, and advised trekking in a large group with an experienced guide. Not suitable for wheelchair users; elderly visitors should plan for a doli or a guide.
Nearest station / airport
Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Not yet confirmed: darshan hours.
Ahobila Narasimha (Upper Ahobilam)
Darshan hours
7:00 am – 1:00 pm
Walking and access
Reached by a narrow ghat road of about 5 km from Lower Ahobilam (Outlook Traveller 2017; the matha puts the road link at about 12.8 km), then about 50 steps from the road to the shrine (Ahobila Math). Buses run between Lower and Upper Ahobilam. The Jwala, Kroda, Malola and Pavana trails start from this temple. Deccan Chronicle (2018) reported a doli (carried chair) service for Kroda, Malola, Jwala and the Ugra Sthambam at roughly Rs 2,500–3,500, and advised trekking in a large group with an experienced guide.
Nearest station / airport
Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Malola Narasimha, Ahobilam
Walking and access
About 2 km from the Upper Ahobilam temple; the Ahobila Math puts the shrine about 100 steps up off the Kroda route, and a round trip covering Jwala, Kroda and Malola takes about three hours. Deccan Chronicle (2018) reported a doli (carried chair) service for Kroda, Malola, Jwala and the Ugra Sthambam at roughly Rs 2,500–3,500, and advised trekking in a large group with an experienced guide.
Nearest station / airport
Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Not yet confirmed: darshan hours.
Kroda Narasimha, Ahobilam
Walking and access
About 1 km from the Upper Ahobilam temple on the Jwala route (Ahobila Math, Outlook Traveller 2017; the Deccan Chronicle gives about 2 km). The walk crosses streams on wooden planks (Outlook Traveller 2017). Deccan Chronicle (2018) reported a doli (carried chair) service for Kroda, Malola, Jwala and the Ugra Sthambam at roughly Rs 2,500–3,500, and advised trekking in a large group with an experienced guide.
Nearest station / airport
Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Not yet confirmed: darshan hours.
Karanja Narasimha, Ahobilam
Walking and access
Roadside on the ghat road between Lower and Upper Ahobilam, about 1 km short of the Upper temple (Ahobila Math; Outlook Traveller 2017). The matha calls it easy. Reachable by bus, auto or jeep without a trek.
Nearest station / airport
Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Not yet confirmed: darshan hours.
Bhargava Narasimha, Ahobilam
Walking and access
About 2 km from Lower Ahobilam. The Ahobila Math says there is no paved road — plain ground that needs a jeep or auto-rickshaw. Outlook Traveller (2017) calls it normally easy but notes that part of the trail floods in the monsoon and that long steps lead up to the sanctum.
Nearest station / airport
Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Not yet confirmed: darshan hours.
Yogananda Narasimha, Ahobilam
Walking and access
About 2 km south-east of Lower Ahobilam on a paved road; the Ahobila Math calls the access easy. Reachable by auto or jeep without a trek.
Nearest station / airport
Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Not yet confirmed: darshan hours.
Chatravata Narasimha, Ahobilam
Walking and access
By road from Lower Ahobilam; the Ahobila Math calls it easy and Outlook Traveller (2017) notes a tar road to the site. Accounts differ on the distance — about 3 km (matha), 2 km south-east (Outlook Traveller 2017) or 4 km (Deccan Chronicle 2018).
Nearest station / airport
Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Not yet confirmed: darshan hours.
Pavana Narasimha, Ahobilam
Walking and access
The hardest of the nine to reach. The Ahobila Math describes about 250 steep steps followed by about 4 km of level walking from the Upper Ahobilam temple, roughly three hours for the round trip; a rough jeep track now exists, about two hours from Lower Ahobilam. Outlook Traveller (2017) describes dense forest and a four-wheel-drive alternative. On 20 August 2026 six pilgrims returning from the shrine at night took a wrong route and spent the night in the forest before police and forest officials found them; officials warned of wild animals and urged devotees not to take unfamiliar routes (Deccan Chronicle, 21 August 2026). Not suitable for wheelchair users; elderly visitors should go by jeep, in daylight and with a guide.
Nearest station / airport
Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Not yet confirmed: darshan hours.

Temple	Darshan hours	Walking and access	Nearest station / airport
Jwala Narasimha, Ahobilam	Not yet confirmed	A hard climb. The Ahobila Math describes the route from the Upper Ahobilam temple as a rocky riverbed and narrow path, about 4 km and roughly an hour up, and recommends a guide (about Rs 200 through the guest house). A round trip covering Jwala, Kroda and Malola takes about three hours. Outlook Traveller (2017) notes a narrow ledge and a waterfall on the way, and that trails are hard going in the monsoon. Deccan Chronicle (2018) reported a doli (carried chair) service for Kroda, Malola, Jwala and the Ugra Sthambam at roughly Rs 2,500–3,500, and advised trekking in a large group with an experienced guide. Not suitable for wheelchair users; elderly visitors should plan for a doli or a guide.	Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Ahobila Narasimha (Upper Ahobilam)	7:00 am – 1:00 pm	Reached by a narrow ghat road of about 5 km from Lower Ahobilam (Outlook Traveller 2017; the matha puts the road link at about 12.8 km), then about 50 steps from the road to the shrine (Ahobila Math). Buses run between Lower and Upper Ahobilam. The Jwala, Kroda, Malola and Pavana trails start from this temple. Deccan Chronicle (2018) reported a doli (carried chair) service for Kroda, Malola, Jwala and the Ugra Sthambam at roughly Rs 2,500–3,500, and advised trekking in a large group with an experienced guide.	Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Malola Narasimha, Ahobilam	Not yet confirmed	About 2 km from the Upper Ahobilam temple; the Ahobila Math puts the shrine about 100 steps up off the Kroda route, and a round trip covering Jwala, Kroda and Malola takes about three hours. Deccan Chronicle (2018) reported a doli (carried chair) service for Kroda, Malola, Jwala and the Ugra Sthambam at roughly Rs 2,500–3,500, and advised trekking in a large group with an experienced guide.	Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Kroda Narasimha, Ahobilam	Not yet confirmed	About 1 km from the Upper Ahobilam temple on the Jwala route (Ahobila Math, Outlook Traveller 2017; the Deccan Chronicle gives about 2 km). The walk crosses streams on wooden planks (Outlook Traveller 2017). Deccan Chronicle (2018) reported a doli (carried chair) service for Kroda, Malola, Jwala and the Ugra Sthambam at roughly Rs 2,500–3,500, and advised trekking in a large group with an experienced guide.	Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Karanja Narasimha, Ahobilam	Not yet confirmed	Roadside on the ghat road between Lower and Upper Ahobilam, about 1 km short of the Upper temple (Ahobila Math; Outlook Traveller 2017). The matha calls it easy. Reachable by bus, auto or jeep without a trek.	Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Bhargava Narasimha, Ahobilam	Not yet confirmed	About 2 km from Lower Ahobilam. The Ahobila Math says there is no paved road — plain ground that needs a jeep or auto-rickshaw. Outlook Traveller (2017) calls it normally easy but notes that part of the trail floods in the monsoon and that long steps lead up to the sanctum.	Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Yogananda Narasimha, Ahobilam	Not yet confirmed	About 2 km south-east of Lower Ahobilam on a paved road; the Ahobila Math calls the access easy. Reachable by auto or jeep without a trek.	Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Chatravata Narasimha, Ahobilam	Not yet confirmed	By road from Lower Ahobilam; the Ahobila Math calls it easy and Outlook Traveller (2017) notes a tar road to the site. Accounts differ on the distance — about 3 km (matha), 2 km south-east (Outlook Traveller 2017) or 4 km (Deccan Chronicle 2018).	Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport
Pavana Narasimha, Ahobilam	Not yet confirmed	The hardest of the nine to reach. The Ahobila Math describes about 250 steep steps followed by about 4 km of level walking from the Upper Ahobilam temple, roughly three hours for the round trip; a rough jeep track now exists, about two hours from Lower Ahobilam. Outlook Traveller (2017) describes dense forest and a four-wheel-drive alternative. On 20 August 2026 six pilgrims returning from the shrine at night took a wrong route and spent the night in the forest before police and forest officials found them; officials warned of wild animals and urged devotees not to take unfamiliar routes (Deccan Chronicle, 21 August 2026). Not suitable for wheelchair users; elderly visitors should go by jeep, in daylight and with a guide.	Nandyal railway station · Kadapa Airport

Where this list and its order comes from

Temple administration: Ahobila Matha, mnemonic verse as published by the matha: 'Jwala Ahobila Malola Kroda Karanja Bhargava Yogananda Kshatravata Pavana Nava Moorthayaha.' No text, chapter or verse is named for it by the matha or by any source reached; the Sri Ahobila Mahatmyam (Brahmanda Puranam) is an unverified candidate source. ahobilamutt.org · seen 2026-09-18

A note for the curious

The order follows a mnemonic verse published by the Ahobila Matha, which holds authority over these shrines. The verse's own textual source could not be established, and a secondary site citing the Ahobila Mahatmya gives a conflicting list that includes Prahlada and Kanaka Narasimha and omits Ahobila and Malola. The shloka order is not a walking order — pilgrim routes start at the Lower Ahobilam shrines.

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