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Hiranyakashipu was a demon king who had terrorised the world for long. His brother Hiranyaksha had been killed by Lord Vishnu in an earlier Avatar of Varaha.

Hiranyakashipu, because of a boon granted by Lord Brahma could not be killed by a man or beast, in the day or at night, not inside a house or outside, not in the sky or on earth and not by any weapon. Bhakta Prahlad was his son, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of repeated attempts by Hiranyakashipu, Bhakta Prahlad would not be deterred from his path of Bhakti. Hiranyakashipu even tried to kill him a number of times but did not succeed, as the Lord protects his devotees.

The area where Ahobilam is now situated was once the location of Demon King Hiranyakashipu’s Palace and Nagar. This was the palace where Shri Narasimha emerged from a pillar and killed Hiranyakashipu after a fierce battle. This was many ages ago. Nature took its course and several mountains and hills came to be formed, thus preserving the area where Lord Vishnu appeared. It is now known as Nava Narasimha Kshetra. Mention of Ahobilam can be found in numerous Puranas and other religious texts.

After Hiranyasamhara by the Lord, all the devas praised the strength and courage (Balam & Showyam) of the Lord, as “Ahoveeryam, Ahoshowryam Ahobahupa rakramam Narasimham, Paramdaivam Hiranyakashipu was a demon king who had terrorised the world for long. His brother Hiranyaksha had been killed by Lord Vishnu in an earlier Avatar of Varaha.

Hiranyakashipu, because of a boon granted by Lord Brahma could not be killed by a man or beast, in the day or at night, not inside a house or outside, not in the sky or on earth and not by any weapon. Bhakta Prahlad was his son, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of repeated attempts by Hiranyakashipu, Bhakta Prahlad would not be deterred from his path of Bhakti. Hiranyakashipu even tried to kill him a number of times but did not succeed, as the Lord protects his devotees.

The area where Ahobilam is now situated was once the location of Demon King Hiranyakashipu’s Palace and Nagar. This was the palace where Shri Narasimha emerged from a pillar and killed Hiranyakashipu after a fierce battle. This was many ages ago. Nature took its course and several mountains and hills came to be formed, thus preserving the area where Lord Vishnu appeared. It is now known as Nava Narasimha Kshetra. Mention of Ahobilam can be found in numerous Puranas and other religious texts.

After Hiranyasamhara by the Lord, all the devas praised the strength and courage (Balam & Showyam) of the Lord, as “Ahoveeryam, Ahoshowryam Ahobahupa rakramam Narasimham, Paramdaivam Ahobilam Ahobalam”

Lord Rama, while searching for Seetha, was stated to have worshipped Lord Narasimha here with His Panchamrita Stotram. Lord Balaji offered Nivedyam to Lord Narasimha, during His wedding to Padmavathi Thayar at Tirumala Hills. Lord Shiva praised Lord Narasimha as ‘Supreme God’ in His Mantrarajapada Stotram. Rudra has a small shrine adjacent to Sri Ahobila Narasimha sannidhi. Garuda did Tapas here and the Lord appeared before him. Navagrahas have worshipped the Nava Narasimha Moorthies at Ahobilam. They were relieved of their problems from Asuras, and from the curses they received from Maharishis. It is believed that Chandra (Moon) took to the worship of Sri Karanja Narasimha, Mars to Jwala Narasimha and so on. Adi Sankara was protected from danger to his life and he glorified the Lord Narasimha by his famous Karavalamba Stotram. Thirumangai Alwar had sung in praise of Lord Narasimha with ten Pasurams. Acharya Ramanuja and Swami Desika worshipped the Lord here.”

Lord Rama, while searching for Seetha, was stated to have worshipped Lord Narasimha here with His Panchamrita Stotram. Lord Balaji offered Nivedyam to Lord Narasimha, during His wedding to Padmavathi Thayar at Tirumala Hills. Lord Shiva praised Lord Narasimha as ‘Supreme God’ in His Mantrarajapada Stotram. Rudra has a small shrine adjacent to Sri Ahobila Narasimha sannidhi. Garuda did Tapas here and the Lord appeared before him. Navagrahas have worshipped the Nava Narasimha Moorthies at Ahobilam. They were relieved of their problems from Asuras, and from the curses they received from Maharishis. It is believed that Chandra (Moon) took to the worship of Sri Karanja Narasimha, Mars to Jwala Narasimha and so on. Adi Sankara was protected from danger to his life and he glorified the Lord Narasimha by his famous Karavalamba Stotram. Thirumangai Alwar had sung in praise of Lord Narasimha with ten Pasurams. Acharya Ramanuja and Swami Desika worshipped the Lord here.