Bhargava Narasimha Temple Ahobilam

Bhargava Narasimha Temple is one of the nine Narsimha temples in Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is located about 2 km from Lower Ahobilam, on a hill near the sacred pond Bhargava Theertham or Akshaya Thertha. This is the place where Bhargava Rama performed his penance and hence the Lord here is called as Bhargava Narasimha Swamy. Bhargava is another name of Lord Parasurama.

It is believed that worshiping Bhargava Narsimha at Ahobalam after taking a bath at Akshaya Theertha would make the Lord give Lakshmikara (hand possessing Goddess Lakshmi or prosperity) thus blessing in all manners. The temple is on plain ground approximately 2 km from Lower Ahobilam. Please note that there is no paved road and hiring a jeep or auto rickshaw is a good option.

Sri Nava Narasimha Swamy Temple at Ahobilam is located at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. Visiting all the nine temples in a single day is considered auspicious.

Ettumanoor Shiva Temple Kottayam

Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is an ancient Shiva temple located in Kottayam, Kerala. The temple is one of the 108 Shivalayas created by Lord Parasurama. It is believed that Sage Vyasa and Pandavas have worshiped in the shrine. The temple is famous for its murals, Ezharaponnana (the seven-and-a-half elephants finished in gold), and the Kedavilakku (the lamp which is lit always). The Nataraja mural painting on the western entrance to the temple is worth mentioning. The lighting of Kedavilakku lamp is said to have medicinal values and devotees pour oil on to this big lamp as offering. Devotess worship the deity as Ettumanoorappan.

Ettumanoor Temple along with Vaikom Mahadeva Temple and Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple is considered as powerful tri-some Shiva temples in Kerala. It is believed that an Asura Khara of Ramayana worshiped Shiva at Chidambaram and got 3 Shivalingas from Mahadeva. He brought them to Kerala holding one in his right hand, one in left hand and one by his teeth. The one in his right hand was consecrated in Vaikom, and the one held in his left hand was consecrated in Ettumanoor, and the linga held by his teeth was installed in Kaduthuruthi. Hence a popular belief is to visit these three shrines in a day.

Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple faces west and the mukhamandapam features two images of Nandi, one of stone and another of metal. There is no shrine for Parvati; however the rear of the sanctum is revered as Devi’s shrine. The temple has shrines for Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy and Sree Dharma Shasta.

Festivals 

The annual festival is celebrated on the Kumba masam in February – March. The festival concludes on the Thiruvathira nakshatra after the Ezhara Ponaana Ezhunallathu offered to the temple by the Maharaja of Travancore.

Shivarathri and Thiruvadira festival are also celebrated in this temple.

How to Reach

Ettumanoor Railway Station is the nearest access point about 2 km away. Kottayam Railway Station is the major railhead about 11 km from the temple.

Cochin International Airport is about 77 km from Ettumanoor.