a very old painting of Lakshmi Narasimha!

ancient pictures of Ahobilam

As the installation of the new Sannyas Jeeyar of Ahobilam is approaching on the auspicious Day of Narasimha Jayanthi, let us look into the past of the history of Ahobilam Ksetra. The previous Jeeyars, especially the last ones had dedicated lot of funds and support to restore the ancient place of Ahobilam, by renovating the main temple in Lower Ahobilam and some of the 9 shrines in the forest and mountain area. I have found few interesting pictures from the year 1890, when one english officer visited Ahobilam, and did some pictures of Lower Ahobilam area. Everyone who has visited recently can just recall how easy the access of temples and caves are, and how difficult it may be in those days. What to speak of the days of Tirumangai Alwar or others. He speaks out that only Lions and other wild animals living in the area of the caves of Lord Narasimha, and no human can go there.
By the grace of those Acharyas of Ahobilam Matham it is now a easy visit with much less risk, to have darshan of all 9 Narasimhas in Ahobilam.

new Sannyasi of Ahobilam Matham

Agnihotram Ganapadi Sri Rangarajachariyar, will be the next Acharya of the Ahobilam Matham, or the 46th Jeer of Ahobila Math Line.
Sri Rangarajachariyar has been an Rg Veda Agnihotri — one who nurtures ‘fire’ continuously by performing yagna every day before sunrise and after sunset. “I have been doing agnihotram for the past ten years. This calls for a strict regimen and places a lot of restrictions on my wife, Kausalya, also. She has been a pillar of support, not only in my performing agnihotram, but generally in my spiritual journey all these years,” says Sri Rangarajachariyar.
“Agnihotram is done for world peace and welfare. I wholeheartedly helped him in this. Now I wholeheartedly accept his sannyas,” responds the spouse!
Ashrama SwIgaram (installation of Sri Rangarajachariyar as the new Jeeyar) will take place on May 8 at Dasavathara Sannidhi, in the 7th prakaram of Sri Ranganatha temple, Srirangam.
Please see the picture of the Agnihotra altar he has in his home...