Tirtha Atlas

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Late medieval · Hindu · India

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Penna Ahobilam

Penna Ahobilam, Uravakonda mandal, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh · 14.8603°, 77.3065°

Lakshmi NarasimhaVijayanagaraVijayanagara
Sacred since
1472 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
15th-16th c. (Vijayanagara)
Vijayanagara

History & significance

A hill temple of Lakshmi Narasimha at Penna Ahobilam in Anantapur district, built up under Vijayanagara patronage with gopurams, mandapas and subsidiary shrines around the main sanctum. The Vijayanagara king Sadashivaraya is credited with installing the large image and enlarging the complex.

Sthala katha — the traditional account

What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.

A cow is said to have emptied her milk each day into a well on the hill, and when Narasimha appeared and claimed her the cry of wonder, Aho Balam - what power! - gave the place its name.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-28 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Vijayanagara