Why is it in the News?

The Forest Department and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam (SLNSD) at Ahobilam have imposed certain restrictions on visitors arriving at the shrine, which is composed of nine different temples, situated within the Nallamala forest.

About Ahobilam Temple:

• The Ahobilam is a famous temple situated on the Nallamalai ranges in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• The Nallamalai ranges south of river Krishna, down to Tirupati, and are called `Sesha Parvatha`.
  • Sesha is the name of the king of serpents.
• The hood of the sesha is at Tirupati, the tail is at Srisailam, and the middle is situated at Ahobilam.
  • Nallamalais at the tail are called Sringiri
  • In the middle are called Vedagiri and
  • Garudagiri referred to as the hood
• The shrine of the Ahobilam temple is situated on the top of the first range and is referred to as Upper Ahobilam and down below is called Lower Ahobilam.
• A huge temple surrounded by several buildings can be seen at the Upper Ahobilam.
• The main shrine or the "sacro sanctum" at Upper Ahobilam was carved out of a big egg-like rock with mandapams.
• There is a tank here, which supplies water to the residents of the Upper Ahobliam temple.
• There is a Lower Ahobilam in the below with a big temple and enclosures, It was built according to the South Indian style (Dravidian architecture).

Significance:

• Ahobilam is traditionally regarded as the place where Vishnu in the form of Narasimha killed the Rakshasa Hiranyakashipu to save his devotee Prahlada.
• The legend says that Narasimha emerged from a rock pillar to slay the Rakshasa.
• The moment is represented in several murtis in the various temples.
• Also, Garuda prayed for a vision of Narasimha in the form of Avathara, to fulfill his wish, and settled in nine forms across the hills in Ahobilam.

About Nallamala Forest:

• Nallamala Forest is among South India's largest expanses of untouched woodland, besides the Western Ghats.

Location:

• Situated across five districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it sprawls across the Nallamala Hills, a segment of the Eastern Ghats, south of the Krishna River.
• Part of the forest falls within the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, the nation's largest tiger reserve, boasting a significant tiger population.

Climate:

• Experiencing warm to hot conditions year-round, with scorching summers and mostly cool, dry winters.
• The majority of rainfall occurs during the southwest monsoon.

Vegetation:

• Tropical dry deciduous.

Flora:

• Nallamala Forest is rich in endemic species like Andrographis nallamalayana, Eriolaena lushingtonii, Crotalaria madurensis var, Dicliptera beddomei, and premna hamitonii.

Fauna:

• Home to over 700 animal species, including tigers, leopards, black bucks, wild hogs, peacocks, pangolins, Indian Pythons, King Cobras, and numerous rare bird species.