Best time to trek to the Nine Shrines
The ideal time to begin the trek to all the nine Narasimha shrines would be at around 5 am in the morning from the Upper Ahobilam shrine as the base point.
The devotees can first visit the Varaha/Kroda Narasimha Shrine, then the Malola Narasimha and Prahlada Badi. Then the devotees can worship at Jwala Narasimha shrine and halt there for a while.
From Jwala Narasimha shrine, the devotees can begin their trek to the Ugra Sthambham-believed to be the place where Lord Narasimha had slain the demon King Hiranyakashipu. A trek to the Ugra Sthambham would be the most difficult one as the hillocks are very steep to climb.
From Ugra Sthambham, the devotees can return back to the Upper Ahobilam base and halt for a while. By then, half the day would be over.
A little after 1 pm, the devotees can get back to the Upper Ahobilam shrine after darshan at Kroda Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha shrines and the Ugra Sthambham peak.
After resting at the Upper Ahobilam shrine for a while, the devotees can begin their trek to the Pavana Narasimha shrine which again is considered a long trek, as the shrine is located about 7 kms away from the Upper Ahobilam shrine within the dense Nallamala forests.
On their return, the devotees can have darshan at Yogananda, Chatravata, Bhargava and Karanja Narasimha shrines which are situated close to the Lower Ahobilam temple and are accessible by road.
DOLI SERVICE
Doli services are available at Ahobilam which is good news for those devotees who are not in a position to undertake a trek owing to their physical condition or age and yet wish to visit the Nava Narasimha shrines. Doli carriers charge `2500-3500 INR for ferrying devotees to the shrines of Kroda Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha and the Ugra Sthambham peak.
The other shrines of Yogananda, Chatravata, Bhargava, Karanja Narasimha and Pavana Narasimha are accessible by road. For visiting these shrines, the devotees can engage local transportation (Mahindra Commander Jeeps/Tata Sumo).
The devotees are charged `3.000 for a group of 8 persons. There are about 400 such vehicles operational for the service at Ahobilam.
UGRA STHAMBHAM
Ugra Sthambham is believed to be the exact spot/pillar from which Lord Narasimha emerged to slay the demon king Hiranyakashipu. This place is about one km away from the Jwala Narasimha shrine and located amidst the dense Nallamala forests. One can see a symbolic iron pillar on top of the Achalachaaya hill. The footprints of the Lord are etched here.
LOWER AHOBILAM TEMPLE
The journey to the Nava Narasimha Kshetras ends with the worship at the Lower Ahobilam temple which is the abode of Lord Prahlada Varada Narasimha. According to legend, the idol of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha at Lower Ahobilam was installed and worshipped by Lord Venkateswara before his wedding with Goddess Padmavathi.
BEST TIME TO VISIT AHOBILAM
For devotees planning to offer worship at all the nine abodes of Lord Narasimha at Ahobilam, the rainy season around AugustNovember would be the best time to plan their pilgrimage. If lucky, you could also spot the Royal Bengal Tiger which roars across the jungles of the dense Nallamala forests.
But beware, it is always best to move in a big group and under the guidance of a well-acquainted guide in order to be safe and also not to get lost in these parts of the woods.