Nava Narasimhar Temple (Dakshina Ahobilam) at Avaniyapuram (Avaniyapuram)

Highlights:

* Twin temples on a small hillock
* One at the middle tier for Lord Narasimhar with Goddess Lakshmi also with the lioness face (Avani meaning Lion).
* There are nine Narasimhars and so is called Dakshina Ahobilam
* The top tier temple is for Lord Venkateshwara
* Shrines for Sholingar Narasimhar, Sri Ranganathar and Varadhraja Perumal. Thus we see all the main pancha divya desa moorthies – Kanchi, Srirangam, Sholingur, Tirumala and Ahobilam.
* The Lord is said to have obliged Brigu Maharishi by appearing before him in the forms of five divya desa deities.
* The temple is believed to have been built during the Pallava regime.
* There is a natural rock formation in the form of a Lion with eyes, beard, nose etc., more importantly with the front left leg raised in a blessing posture. A swayambu Narasimhar?
* Beautiful temple not to be missed.

For a detailed travelogue to this temple, visit:
shanthiraju.wordpress.com/2009/04/28/avaniyapuram/