Penance of Garuda (Garudadri)

• Sage Kashyapa guiding Garuda to perform penance in Ahobila kshetra: Once the son of Vinata (i.e. Garuda) went to his father sage Kashyapa and asked him the way to achieve every wish. Sage Kashyapa told him to worship Lord Vishnu to get over the bondages of the world. Sage Kashyapa suggested Garuda to perform penance in the Ahobila kshetra which destroys all sins. Due to his penance, the place will become famous as Garudachala in future.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 2)

• Garuda performing penance in Ahobila kshetra: Garuda went to Ahobila kshetra and a divine voice directed him to perform penance giving up food. Garuda started his penance on the bank of river Bhavanashini beside the Gaja Kunda. Garuda chanted the Dwadashakshara Mantra (Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya) and subsisted only on air and with sense under complete control. Garuda continued his penance with single-minded devotion. All his accumulated sins from previous births and present birth got eradicated. By the intensity of the penance of Garuda, the Earth began to tremble. Indra sent apsara Urvashi to break the penance of Garuda but she was unsuccessful.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 2)

• Lord appearing and giving boons to Garuda: Then Bhagavan appeared before Garuda in a form with four arms holding Shankha, Chakra, Gada etc. The chest of the Lord was decorated with Kaustubha jewel and was having the Srivatsa mark. Seeing the Lord before him, Garuda prostrated again and again and then eulogized the Lord with a Stotra. The Lord was pleased and told him to ask for a boon. Garuda asked the boon that the Lord make him His vehicle and that the mountain be named after him. The Lord granted the boons. Thus the mountain became known as Garudachala.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 2)

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