Culture, History, Mythology, Places, Religions

Ahobilam | Andhra Pradesh

Narasimha, the fierce half-lion, half-human form of Vishnu, is usually remembered for his wrath. But did you know there’s also a legend of him falling in love? In Ahobilam, he is said to have married a local tribal goddess, Chenchu Lakshmi.

Image attributions

1.Yogini Vrishanana – National Museum, New Delhi

Amrit Sufi, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yogini_Vrishanana_-_National_Museum,_New_Delhi.jpg

2.Puthiya bagavathy

Lightframer007, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Puthiya_bagavathy_02.jpg

3.Aati Guliga Kola Sullia

Karavali Wikimedians, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aati_Guliga_Kola_Sullia.webm

4.Goddess Durga In a remote forest in Andhra Pradesh

రవిచంద్ర, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Goddess_Durga_In_a_remote_forest_in_Andhra_Pradesh.jpg

5.Sellur ayyanar

சித்திரவீதிக்காரன், CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sellur_ayyanar.jpg

6.Chenchu huts in Pullepalli

Chenchu huts in Pullepalli by photosinframes, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

https://www.flickr.com/photos/picspicesreya/6817464949

7.Chenchu Lakshmi

Kishore, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chenchu_Lakshmi.jpg

8.Goddess Lakshmi by Raja Ravi Varma

Raja Ravi Varma, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Goddess_Lakshmi_by_Raja_Ravi_Varma.jpg

9.Sheshashayi – Laxminarayan by DHURANDHAR MV

M. V. Dhurandhar, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sheshashayi_-_Laxminarayan_by_DHURANDHAR_MV.jpg

10.Narasimha painting

Vishnu’s half-man half-tiger avatar, Narasimha, in a bazaar art print by the Ravi Varma Press, 1910’s; *an earlier German print, 1880’s, that was its apparent source*

https://picryl.com/media/vishnus-half-man-half-tiger-avatar-narasimha-in-a-bazaar-art-print-by-the-ravi-c42363

11.Narasimha Oil Colour

Narasimha killing Hiranyakashipu on his lap, as Prahlada watches at the left.

https://picryl.com/media/narasimha-oil-colour-c3aa9b

12.Lakshmi Vishnu

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lakshmi_Vishnu.jpg

13.Ahobilam temple

P. Madhusudan, Public Domain Dedication (CC0)

https://picryl.com/media/14th-century-ahobila-narasimha-swamy-temple-upper-ahobilam-andhra-pradesh-india-c5d25a

15. 14th century Ahobila Narasimha Swamy temple, Upper Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh India

P. Madhusudan, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:14th_century_Ahobila_Narasimha_Swamy_temple,_Upper_Ahobilam,_Andhra_Pradesh_India_-_4.jpg

16.Chenchu Lakshmi

“ShilpamProject-0651” by Harsha Vardhan, CC BY-ND 2.0

https://www.flickr.com/photos/harshaz/7843436452/

17.Chenculakshmi1943 film poster

Tamilnadu Talkies, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chenculakshmi1943_film_poster.jpg

18.Nijamadu dana Needana song

Nijamadu dana Needana song from Telugu movie

Chenchu lakshmi (1943)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nijamadu_dana_Needana_-_%E0%B0%A8%E0%B0%BF%E0%B0%9C%E0%B0%AE%E0%B0%BE%E0%B0%A1%E0%B1%81_%E0%B0%A6%E0%B0%BE%E0%B0%A8_%E0%B0%A8%E0%B1%80%E0%B0%A6%E0%B0%BE%E0%B0%A8.ogg

Tags: Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh, Hindu Gods, narasimha

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