Ahobilam, one of the toughest divya desams among the 108 in this earth. As the name refers "What a great power...!", you need some, to visit that extreme power. Our beloved Lakshmi Narashima will grant you the required strength to see him once you request by your heart with complete belief in him. Myself and my brother-in-law were blessed to visit him during Bhramothsavam in first weekend of Mar-2009.
As travel blogs are becoming a prime source of first hand information for future travelers, here is my bit of experience to the whole of travel blogs world.
Reaching Ahobilam: It was a comfortable week-end trip from Chennai to Ahobilam and return. As everyone suggested to take train, we didn't find any tickets available. So we reserved APSRTC bus from Chennai to Allagadda (spelt Arlagadda). From Arlagadda to Ahobilam several modes of travel available like Auto, Jeep and town bus. we took town bus to reach Lower Ahobilam.
As travel blogs are becoming a prime source of first hand information for future travelers, here is my bit of experience to the whole of travel blogs world.
Reaching Ahobilam: It was a comfortable week-end trip from Chennai to Ahobilam and return. As everyone suggested to take train, we didn't find any tickets available. So we reserved APSRTC bus from Chennai to Allagadda (spelt Arlagadda). From Arlagadda to Ahobilam several modes of travel available like Auto, Jeep and town bus. we took town bus to reach Lower Ahobilam.
Accommodation: Stay at Ahobilam is very very limited. We didn't reserved any accomodation in advance, with the confidence that we will get some hotels or accomodations to stay. Because of Bhramotsavam, almost all hotels, guest houses, chatrams were full. After multiple requests, we just got a locker @ Vaishya's Annadhana Chatram in Lower Ahobilam to keep our bags and permission to use their common bathing facility. In the evening, at Lord Narashima's grace, we got a double bed room in the same chatram.
Plan: Based on the information available, we planned to do the trip in 2 days. It was convenient and managable for our physical stamina. Completing all 9 temples in single day is possible, but one must be a professional trekker. We hired a guide who showed the shortest path to cover all temples. In the first day, we covered 8 among 9 temples. In the second day, we saw the 9th temple (Pavana Narashima). Wherever possible, we used Autorickshaw. For Pavana Narashima, though there was an option to use Autorickshaw or Jeep, it is preferable to go by walk, and we went so. It was really an wonderful experience. As the summer has started, the forests were dry and hot. Experienced people suggested that Sep-Oct are the best time to visit Ahobilam.
Darshan: We had a fantastic darshan of all Narashima swamys. Since Bhramotsavam was going on, bhatter was available in all shrines to show aarthi and explain the details.
Return to Chennai: We started by 4.00pm on Sunday from lower Ahobilam. Reached Allagadda by town bus, and went to Kadapa by another bus. We reserved a APSRTC bus to Chennai from Kadapa at 8.30pm and reached Chennai by 4.00am in the morning.
Mission Accomplished
