Ahobilam Temple Darshan Timings, Pooja List & Nine Shrines

The Ahobilam temple darshan timings run from 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM and again from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Lower Ahobilam, while the hilltop shrine at Upper Ahobilam opens a little later. If you are planning to see Lord Narasimha in the Nallamala hills, the timings, the nine shrines, and the seva list are the three things to sort out before you set off.

This guide pulls all of it together in one place, so you never have to hunt across a dozen scattered pages. It also clears up two mistakes that other sites keep repeating: the temple’s district and its booking channels.

Sri Vyasa Pooja is an independent pilgrim guide. This page is not the official website of the Ahobilam temple, the Ahobila Mutt, or the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department. We do not accept bookings, sevas, donations, or payments. For tickets and confirmed timings, use only the official channels linked below.

Ahobilam Temple Darshan Timings at a Glance

Here is the quick version before we go deeper. Keep these handy while you build your travel plan.

• Lower Ahobilam (Diguva): 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM, then 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
• Upper Ahobilam (Eguva): 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, then 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
• Outlying Nava Narasimha shrines: roughly 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, because they sit deep in the forest.
• Location: Nallamala hills near Allagadda, Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh.
• Best months: October to March, since the summer heat and monsoon treks are hard going.

Ahobilam Temple Darshan Timings for Lower and Upper Ahobilam

The temple splits into two clusters, and each keeps its own schedule. Lower Ahobilam, or Diguva Ahobilam, holds the Prahlada Varada Narasimha temple in the main village. Upper Ahobilam, or Eguva Ahobilam, sits about 8 km uphill and houses the fierce Ugra Narasimha, the oldest and principal shrine. Because the two are apart, the Ahobilam temple darshan timings differ slightly between them.

Both clusters close for roughly an hour at midday. The main deity gives darshan first, so reach the sanctum early if your time is tight. These schedules hold on ordinary days, yet they can move during festivals, and the forest shrines shut before dusk for safety. Always confirm the current Ahobilam temple darshan timings at the counter on the day you arrive.

Do Ahobilam Temple Darshan Timings Include a Lunch Break?

Yes. Every temple in the complex pauses for about an hour around midday while the priests perform the noon rituals and prasadam preparation. Plan your morning darshan to finish by 1:00 PM, or wait for the afternoon reopening. Since Upper Ahobilam reopens at 2:00 PM and Lower Ahobilam at 3:00 PM, the gap is a good window for lunch and rest.

The Nine Nava Narasimha Shrines You Can Visit

Ahobilam is the only place where Lord Narasimha is worshipped in nine distinct forms, together called the Nava Narasimha. Devotees believe the nine planets themselves once worshipped these forms. Older guides often miss one shrine, so here is the complete, correct set of nine.

Four forms cluster around Upper Ahobilam, while the rest spread across the Lower area and the forest. Karanja Narasimha stands on the road between the two, so most pilgrims stop there on the climb. Completing all nine is a serious undertaking that many split across two days.

Sevas and Pooja List Within Ahobilam Temple Darshan Timings

Beyond simple darshan, the temple offers a full slate of sevas that devotees can sponsor. The pooja list below reflects commonly offered arjita sevas and their indicative amounts. Treat every figure as approximate, because temple fees change and vary by shrine. Always confirm the current amount at the seva counter before you pay.

Abhishekam is usually performed in the early morning, around 7:30 AM, so book it the previous day if you can. The temple also runs a Nitya Annadanam scheme, and devotees may donate toward it under tiers such as ₹1,516, ₹2,116, ₹5,116, or ₹10,116. These donation amounts are indicative too, so verify them on the official portal. Popular sevas like Kalyanotsavam and the Nava Narasimha Abhishekam fill quickly on festival days.

How Seva Booking Actually Works (and the Scam to Avoid)

This is where many pilgrims get misled online. Several websites present themselves as the “official” Ahobilam booking portal, take payments, or push an app, when they are actually third-party sites. Some charge inflated fees for tickets that cost little at the counter. Protect yourself with a few simple checks before you pay anyone.

• Most Ahobilam sevas are booked in person at the temple seva counter, not online.
• The temple falls under the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department as a Devasthanam, and religious oversight rests with the Ahobila Mutt.
• Confirm any online seva only through an official government or Mutt channel, since look-alike domains are common.
• A genuine portal will not demand a large “processing fee” to a private account.

You can check official information through the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department and the Sri Ahobila Mutt. When a site’s amount looks far higher than the counter rate, treat it as a warning sign and stop. For historical background on the shrine, our Ahobilam temple history guide adds useful context.

Best Time to Visit and Major Festivals

The most comfortable window runs from October to March, when the weather is cool and the forest trails are dry. Avoid July to September, because heavy monsoon rain makes the treks slippery and sometimes unsafe. Summer, from April to June, brings fierce heat that tires older pilgrims quickly.

Three occasions stand out on the calendar. Every month on Swathi Nakshatram, the Lord’s birth star, a special abhishekam draws large crowds. The annual Brahmotsavam falls in the Phalguna month, and in 2026 it runs roughly from 20 February to 4 March across both Upper and Lower Ahobilam.

Narasimha Jayanti, in the Vaisakha month around May, is the other grand celebration. Festival dates shift each year, so confirm them before you travel. During Brahmotsavam the Ahobilam temple darshan timings often extend, while queues grow much longer.

How to Reach Ahobilam

Ahobilam sits in the Nallamala hills, about 20 km from Allagadda and roughly 65 km from Nandyal. The old belief that it lies in Kurnool district is now outdated, since Andhra Pradesh redrew its districts in 2022 and placed Allagadda within the new Nandyal district. Getting there is straightforward if you plan the last leg.

• By rail: Nandyal is the nearest major railhead; Cuddapah and Kurnool are the next options.
• By road: APSRTC buses run from Allagadda and Nandyal, and taxis are easy to arrange for family groups.
• By air: Tirupati and Hyderabad are the closest airports, both a long drive away.

From Lower to Upper Ahobilam is about 8 km, and shared jeeps ferry pilgrims up the ghat road. If you want to cover the forest shrines, hire a local guide at Upper Ahobilam, since the paths are not signposted.

Trekking the Shrines: A Health and Safety Note

Reaching all nine shrines is a physical challenge, not a casual stroll. The Jwala Narasimha climb alone involves around 900 rocky steps, while Pavana and Bhargava sit so deep in the forest that a jeep is usually needed. The Nallamala forest is home to wildlife, including snakes and, rarely, bears, so stay on marked paths and never trek alone.

Carry enough water, wear sturdy shoes, and start early so you finish before the light fades. Elderly pilgrims, pregnant women, and anyone with heart or mobility issues should limit themselves to the main temples at Lower and Upper Ahobilam. If you plan to fast, eat sensibly and consult a doctor first when the climb is strenuous or you have a medical condition. These are practical precautions, not religious rules, and they matter in remote terrain.

Dress Code and Practical Tips Most Guides Skip

Traditional attire is expected: dhoti or pyjama-kurta for men, and saree or salwar-kameez for women. Modest, comfortable clothing works best because you will walk a lot. A few field-tested tips make the trip smoother.

• Start the forest shrines by 8:00 AM, so you return well before the shrines close at 4:00 PM.
• Carry cash, since counters and shops rarely accept cards in the hills.
• Keep prasadam and offerings simple, because the climbs are long.
• Cross-check the day’s Ahobilam temple darshan timings locally during festivals, when schedules shift.

For a deeper look at the temple’s marriage ritual, our Ahobilam Kalyanotsavam guide explains what to expect. If you are timing your trip to a festival, the Narasimha Jayanti significance page is worth a read.

Planning Your Visit Around Ahobilam Temple Darshan Timings

To sum up, Lower Ahobilam opens at 6:30 AM and Upper Ahobilam at 7:00 AM, with an afternoon session at both after the midday break. Give yourself at least a full day, and two if you want all nine shrines. Book major sevas early, dress traditionally, and route every payment through official channels rather than look-alike booking sites. Get the Ahobilam temple darshan timings right, and the rest of this remarkable pilgrimage falls into place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the current Ahobilam temple darshan timings?

Lower Ahobilam is open 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Upper Ahobilam is open 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The forest Nava Narasimha shrines keep shorter daylight hours, roughly 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Confirm at the counter, because festival days can change the schedule.

Which district is Ahobilam in?

Ahobilam is in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh. It was earlier part of Kurnool district, but the state created Nandyal district in 2022 and Allagadda, the nearest town, now falls under it. The temple lies in the Nallamala hills near Allagadda.

How many temples are there in Ahobilam?

There are nine, together called the Nava Narasimha: Ahobila, Jwala, Malola, Kroda, Karanja, Bhargava, Yogananda, Chatravata, and Pavana. Four cluster around Upper Ahobilam, while the others sit near Lower Ahobilam or deeper in the forest.

Can I book Ahobilam sevas online?

Most sevas are booked in person at the temple counter. Some online options exist through official Devasthanam or Ahobila Mutt channels, but many “booking” websites are third-party sites. Verify any online payment through an official government channel and avoid sites charging inflated fees.

How much does darshan or seva cost at Ahobilam?

General darshan is free, and a special darshan or Vastra Seva is around ₹50. Abhishekam is roughly ₹200, while Kalyanotsavam runs about ₹3,000. All amounts are indicative and change over time, so confirm the current rate at the seva counter.

What is the best time to visit Ahobilam?

October to March is ideal, since the weather is cool and the treks are dry. Avoid the July–September monsoon, when forest paths turn slippery. Brahmotsavam in February–March and Narasimha Jayanti in May are the peak festival periods.

How difficult is the trek to all nine shrines?

It is moderately to very challenging. Jwala Narasimha has around 900 steps, and Pavana and Bhargava need a jeep through the forest. Hire a local guide, carry water, and wear proper shoes. Elderly or unwell pilgrims should stick to the main Lower and Upper temples.