108 - Divya
Desams -
Divya Desams refer to the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of
the Tamil Azhvars (saints). Divya in the Tamil language indicates
"premium" and Desam indicates
"place" (temple). Of the 108 temples, 105 are located in India,
one in Nepal and two outside of the Earthly
realms. Most of the Divya Desams follow the Thenkalai Sampradayam, the prominent
one's being Sri Rangam (Pancharatra Agama), and Thiruvallikeni(Vaikhanasa Agama). There are Divya Desams
which follow the Vadakalai Sampradayam
as well, which include Thiruvelliyangudi (Vaikhanasa Agama), and Thiruvanthipuram (Pancharatra Agama).
The
Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Azhvars in the Divya Prabandha,
a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. Lord
Shiva, the other major deity inHinduism, is similarly associated with
the Paadal Petra Sthalams,
275 Shiva temples which are praised in the Tevaram canon by the 63 Nayanars.
Ahobilam – Andra Pradesh
There are nine temples around the NallamPala
Forest range, and in terms of sculpture and architecture all these nine temples
stands to be an ultimate testament for the ancient sthapathis in planning and sculpting these temples. A few
temples can be reached through trekking. Some temples are inside the cave. Some
temples are very difficult to trek to. The nine planets that define the human
fates are believed to have worshipped these nine Lord Narasimhas to get relief
from Rakshashas (demons) and curses of sages for their actions. This is main
theme of the work of the great Telugu poet Errana, the “Nrisimha
Puranam”. The hereditary powers of the temple rest with the Pontiff HH
Azhagiyasingar ofAhobila Mutt. Currently the 45th Jeeyar of
this lineage is the reigning Pontiff. Occasionally when
HH Jeeyar performs Mangalasasanam (pays respects at the temple) at Ahobilam,
the Serthi Utsavam is performed (the Moolavar of Malola Nrusimhar and the
Utsavar) are united.
The
Nallamala hills are personified as Adisesha with his head at Tirumala, middle at
Ahobilam and the tail at Srisailam.
In the lower Ahobila Lakshmi Narasimha Swami is in a peaceful
form. The temple has exquisite stone art. The history of Ahobila temple is sculptured
in the stone form. Lord Srinivasa himself is said to installed the main deity
here. He is said to have sought the blessings of Narasimha before his wedding
but finding the Narasihma in fierce form in Upper Ahobila, he is said to have
installed the peaceful form in the lower Ahobila. The temple complex also had
temples for Adivan Sathagopulu. The sculptures of coronation of Lord Srirama
(Sreerama Pattabhishekha), the ten incarnation of Lord Vishnu (Dasavatharas),
statues of Poet Annamacharya are present on the walls of the temple.
Annamacharya is said to have spent some time here composing songs praising the
Lord Narasimha. The great sage Lord Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy is said to
have meditated here to write Kalagnana (the knowledge of the future) which set
forth a spiruitual movement. It is a common practice to worship the Prahlada
Varada Narasimha (the Narasimha who gave boons to Prahlada) in lower Ahobilam
before worshipping Eguva (Upper) Ahobila Narasimha, who is present eight
kilometers away on a hilltop inside a cave. After worshipping the Lord, it is
another practice to visit Navanarasimhas (nine Narasimhas). The legend says
Lord Narasimha, after slaying Hiranyakasipa was roaming around the forest hills
of Ahobilam making fearsome laughs and settling at nine places to bless the
devotees. Here are the Nava Narasimha temples. Another legend describes when
Lord Garuda did penance to see Lord Vishnu in Lord Narasimha form. Thereafter, Lord Narasimha took nine different forms in this hill.
Lord Narasimha in nine forms are
Bhargava Narasimha Swamy
This Lord is present on a
hillock at a distance of 2.5 km from Lower Ahobilam, with Akshaya
(inexhaustible) thertha (lake). Lord Parsurama is said to have performed
penance for Lord Narasimha. An worship of the Lord after a bath in the Akshaya
Theertha would make the Lord give Lakshmikara (hand possessing Goddess Lakshmi
or prosperity) thus blessing in all manners.
Yogananda Narasimha Swamy
This place is suitable for
meditation. Prahlada is said to have obtained all the prosperity after
meditating upon the Lord here. The compassionate Lord here rescues the people
who seek help out of difficulties.
Chatravata Narasimha Swamy
One of the astrological
planets, Ketu is said to have worshipped the Lord here and gained all comforts.
People willing to study fine arts seek blessings from this Lord.
Ahobila (Ugra) Narasimha
Swamy
This is the main Lord of
all Nava Narasimha's and is also referred as the main temple in Upper Ahobilam.
Goddess Chenchu (local forest tribe who have been ardent worshippers of the
Lord for ages) Lakshmi is with the Lord. Heart-felt prayer to the lord destroys
all fear and timidness.
Varaha Narasimha Swamy
Located at a distance of
1 km from Upper Ahobilam,Present with the divine consort Lakshmi, Lord
removes the obstacles and ensures success to the worshippers.This temple is
also referred as Kroda Narasimha swamy. The statue is in side a small rock cut
formation facing the perennial stream of water.
Malola Narasimha Swamy
This temple is present in
Lakshmi Parvata (Hill). Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi along with the Lord, bestows
blessing on the devotees. Worshipping this Lord brings Brahmananda (unlimited
joy) to this world and the higher world.
Jwala Narasimha Swamy
Lord Narsimha appears
fierce slaying Hiranyakasipa with his nails. Serving the Lord ensures success
in all efforts, marriages are made. Lighting a ghee lamp in the month of the
Karthika and meditating on Lord dispels all sins and brings fame and name. This
temple is the toughest to reach compared to other Narasimha temples. A small
red water pond named "Raktha Gunda Theertham" can be seen on the way
to the temple which is said to be the place where Narasimha swamy washed his
hands after slaying the Demon.
Paavana Narasimha Swamy
This is said to be the most
peaceful form among the Nava Narasimha Kshetras. This is said to Kshetra Ratna
(jewel among the Kshetras)and is also referred as Pamuleti Narasimha swamy.
Sages have said that the Lord here liberates the devotees from all the sins in
the past lives and sins in the current life (knowingly or unknowingly).
Karanja Narasimha Swamy
Serving the Karanja Swamy
with three austerities (thought, word and action) brings enlightenment and the
Lord bestows all desires.
Every year, in the month of
Phalguna Brahmotsavas (ceremonies performed by the Lord Brahma) are held. Apart
from this, every month, on the star day of the Lord, which is Swathi,
Gramotsavas (village ceremonies) are celebrated. On that day, Thirumanjan Seva
(service) is performed with 108 Kalasas(holy vessels) grandly, A lot of
pilgrims visit the temple on the auspicious Swati nakshatra day.
Each of these nine forms
have a beautiful story woven with strands of myth, fancy legends and epic
tales. According to popular belief, one form of the Lord, the Pavana
Narasimhaswamy, when offered the prasad returns half of the offering back to
the devotee. On these lines, the Jwala Narasimhaswamy is supposed to be the
ferocious form. This form personifies the cumulative and intense anger of the
God. It is believed that the original site of shrine of Jwala Narasimhaswamy
was the mouth of a volcano and it is only the proxy shrine which is accessible
to the devotees.
Belief is that the
navagrah's attained their power of being the planet by worshiping these deities
of Narashimha. It is believed that the people having malefic effect of any
planet could get some reprieve by worshiping Narasimha.
Legend also states that
Goddess Mahalakshmi took
birth as a human in a tribe, named Chenchu Lakshmi and married Lord Narasimha after the death of
Hiranyakashpu. Narasimha Jayanthi
will be celebrated with pomp and glory. The local tribals celebrate the
marriage of Goddess Mahalakshmi as
ChenchuLakshmi and Lord Narasimha.
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