Ahobila Kshetra and various Teerthas

• Ahobila Kshetra:

• Three Yojanas: Bhagavan Narasimha resides in Ahobilam. The kshetra upto three yojanas is considered to be very holy. If a person chants "Ahobilam Ahobilam" early in the morning, it removes the five papas of that person. This kshetra is also known as Veera Kshetra. Many Munis reside in Ahobilam who meditate on the Lotus Feet of Lord Narayana.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 1)

• Garudadri: In the Ahobila kshetra there is the famous mountain Garudadri. There are many mountain peaks in this kshetra. Long ago there was the powerful asura known as Hiranyakashipu. The pillars of his palace have become these mountains.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 1)

• Jwala Narasimha and Rakta Kunda: In the middle part of Ahobilam Lord Narasimha resides in the form of Jwala. Lord Narasimha had ripped open the heart of Hiranyakashipu with his powerful finger nails in this place. There is a kunda known as Rakta Kunda where Lord Narasimha washed the blood from his hands after slaying Hiranyakashipu.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 1)

• River Bhavanashini: The sages have brought down river Ganga in this place which is known as river Bhavanashini since it destroys the sorrows of Bhava (worldly existence). The river flows in the western direction.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 1)

• Garudadri: The Garudashaila (Garudadri) mountain is in this kshetra where the munis reside. The mountain range is hundred yojanas in length.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 1)

• Vedadri: Vedadri is part of Garudadri. In this place Lord Narasimha killed Somaka who stole the Vedas and due to which all the sacrifices stopped. After killing Somaka, Lord Narasimha returned the Vedas to Lord Brahma. The Vedas undertook penance in the form of Rishis so that nobody can have control on them. Lord Narasimha gave the boon that the Vedas will not be insulted anymore by the Asuras or Devas and the mountain where they performed pennace will be known as Vedadri.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 4)

• Nandi Ashrama: Around two yojanas north of Garudashaila is the Nandi Ashrama. Nandi performed penance here and worshipped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased by this penance and resided in this kshetra.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 1)

• Shrishaila: To the north of this abode of Lord Shiva is the famous mountain Shrishaila which is part of Garudashaila mountain range. Shrishaila is filled with devas and danavas. River Krishna flows through this region.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 1)

• Ahobila: Ahobila kshetra is around seven yojanas from the eastern sea. The Ahobila kshetra or Garudachala kshetra abounds in various trees, creepers, birds and animals. Some of the trees and creeper are: Ashoka, Tilaka, Naga, Narikela, Kadamba, Kharjura, Ketaki, Panasa, Patala etc.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 1)

• Venkatachala: Around ten yojanas south of the Ahobila kshetra is the Venkata mountain where Bhagavan Hari resides. The Lord is worshipped by Nitya Mukatas and great Rishis.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 1)

• Various Teerthas:

• River Bhavanashini: Among all the Teerthas, the foremost is river Bhavanashini.
- River Ganga which flows in the three worlds has visibly descended in this great Mountain as Bhavanashini.
- Lord Brahma once ordered Dharma to flow as a river in order to purify the world. Then Lord Dharma liquefied himself and flowed as river Bhavanashini.
- Many sacred Teerthas have formed along the banks of this river.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

1. Narasimha Teertha: On the top of Achalachaya Meru on the western side. Galava Muni performed penance here reciting the 32-lettered Narasimha Mantra and performing the Agnishtoma sacrifice. Bhagavan was pleased and appeared before Galava Muni and told him to ask for a boon. Galava Muni asked for the boon of Seva to the Lotus Feet of the Lord with unwavering Devotion. Lord Narasimha granted the boon and told the Muni to continue performing acts of Dharma. At the end of his life, the Lord will lead him to the Supreme Abode from where there is no return.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

2. Rama Teertha: When Sri Rama was wandering in the Dandakaranya forest during forest exile, he came to Ahobila kshetra on the bank of river Bhavanashini. He was gladdened by the natural beauty of this forested region and stayed here for sometime.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

3. Lakshmana Teertha: Same as the story of Rama Teertha.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

4. Bheema Teertha: Lord Shiva once showed the path to the river here by breaking the mountain region to create path. The river surged forward with great force, and hence Gods and Rishis called it Bheema.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

5. Shankha Teertha: In this place mahamuni Shankha and his brother Likhith performed supreme penance. Due to this, for the welfare of the world, they were able to retrieve some parts of Vedas (during the second Yuga) which were lost.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

6. Varaha Teertha: Lord Varaha after retrieving the Earth (Bhoomi) who was submerged in the Sea, shook his body due to which water droplets formed the Varaha Teertha.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

7. Sudarshana Teertha: Ambarisha, a great devotee of Bhagavan chanted the Sudarshana Mahamantra in this place. The Lord was pleased and manifested in the form of Sudarshana Chakra.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

8. Choota Teertha: Once there was famine for a continuous period of twelve years. The living beings were afflicted with hunger. Lord Vishnu manifested in the form of a Mango Tree and providing nectar-like fruits, saved the living beings. Eighty-eight thousand Rishis made their abode in this place.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

9. Dhara Teertha: The sacred Dhara Teertha is the bestower of Mukti from the world which is like a prison.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

10. Gaja Kundam: Mahashanta was born as an elephant due to his sins. He took bath in this Gaja Kundam and became pure. In the next birth, he attained an exalted state. The Gaja Kundam is located opposite to the Cave of Lord Nrisimha.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

11. Vinayaka Teertha: Lord Vinayaka meditates in this Teertha.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

12. Bhairava Teertha: In this Teertha, the headless Bhairava resides.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

13. Rakta Kundam: This is the thirteenth Teertha.
(Ahobila Mahatmya - 3)

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