Karanja Narasimha Temple

The Karanja Narasimha Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple in Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh, that is for Lord Vishnu. There are nine Narasimha Temples in Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh. From Diguva Ahobilam (Lower Ahobilam), this Temple is on the way to Yeguva Ahobilam (Upper Ahobilam). It is also very close to Yeguva Ahobilam. One of the best places to visit in Ahobilam is Karanja Narasimha Swamy Temple.

The Karanja Narasimha Temple

It is a must visit temple during the Ahobilam tour package. There is a thick bush all around the Temple. Karanja Narasimha Swamy is the name of the god of the temple. The statue of the God here is with a chakra and bow. It has its hands folded and its back towards Karanja Narasimha. The world of the moon is under the ruling god. It faces the Bhavanasi River, and in the background is Garudadri Mountain.

Lord Narasimha's god is under the Karanja Tree, which is why he is famous as Karanja Narasimha. In the area, people also call the Karanja Tree Honge Mara. He is also called Saaranga Narasimha because the bow he is holding is called Saaranga. A 100-pillar mandapam that is 600 years old is thought to have been where the First Jeer of Ahobila Mutt gave lessons.

History of Lord Narasimha 

Lord Anjaneya did penance here under the Karanja tree in the hope of seeing Lord Rama. Lord Vishnu showed up in the form of Narasimha (Half Lion, Half Man) to see how sincere he was. Anjaneya was sad that Lord Rama did not send him a blessing. 

Narasimha tried to persuade Anjaneya that he was really Rama but just had a different body. Anjaneya laughed this off, saying that his Lord was handsome and had a bow in his hand. Also, he saw someone in front of him with very long nails and a fiery pose.

As a threat, Anjaneya said he would keep doing penance until he saw Rama. Because Anjaneya loved Rama so much, Narasimha gave him a special form to see. This form had a bow in its left hand, like Rama, with Adisesha on top, holding the chakra, like Vishnu, and the Narasimha Avatar, which was half lion and half man. It made Anjaneya believe that Narayana, Rama, and Narasimha were all the same.