History records that Bhagawad Ramanuja had a temple built in Melkote (Karnataka) for Sampath Kumara the idol that gently walked, in response to the Acharya's earnest prayer and sat on his lap. Likewise Sri Vedanta Desika's prayer to Garuda enabled him to obtain the idol of Hayagreeva. So also the idol of Lakshmeenarasimha landed on the outstretched arms of Sri Adivan Satakopa Swami. But one discerning factor here is that the Lord Himself expressed His desire to visit people (on sanchaara) in the company of that noble soul-the first Jeeyar. One may ask why of all His incarnations, He chose this particular Man-lion form for His Yaatra? The candid answer is that this is the only Avathara, a singular one at that, in which His instantaneous manifestation as Narasimha, His spontaneous act of protection (to Prahlada) and total destruction of the wicked Hiranyakasipu, all took place at the same time, thereby proving that He is ever ready to go to the devotees' rescue and that His omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence can be felt by all who sincerely seek Him. One more wonderful factor is that this Lakshmeenarasimha idol has very significantly a sandal (Paduka) adorning the right foot indicating thereby that He is ready to step forward in the direction of His devotees. Please make it a point to visit this majestic form, if you have not already done so, the next time you visit the Jeeyar at his camp or if the Jeeyar visits your place. It will be quite a rewarding experience. You will get a feeling of your sins being washed away and you will physically feel too the exuding joy from that darsan.

Sri Malolan of Sri Ahobila Matham

The pooja is done three times a day, i.e., after Visvaroopa seva early in the morning, there will be Abhigamana aradhana, then Ijyai aradhana in the noon (around 11.30 a.m. or 12 noon) and the Panakaaradhana at dusk (the time of manifestation). This is a routine strictly followed. At the request of the devotees, special Thirumanjanam (abhishekam) is performed during Ijyai aradhana, to all the murthees. Now let us see what the silver Mandapam (donated by Gadwal Raja) contains that are worshiped daily.

The presiding deity is, of course, Sri Lakshmee Narasimha better known as Maalola-the Lord is always fond of His consort Lakshmee, as the meaning conveys. As if to prove this point, the Lord here is seen with His left hand wound around the Divine Mother's slender waist. He seems so happy in this state that one side- glance from Her, He is pleased to overlook our faults and will not hesitate to reserve a place for us in His Srivaikuntam. Mahalakshmee's characteristic trait of intercedence on our behalf is visibly demonstrated in this posture. Such is the glory of this ancient idol that has been again and again sanctified by touch and by daily aradhana three times a day performed right by the first Jeeyar Sri Adivan Satakopa Yateendra Mahadesikan upto the present two Holinesses Srirangam Satakopa Sri Vedantha Desika Yatheendra Mahadesikan (44th Jeeyar) and Srivan Satakopa Sri Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikan (45th Jeeyar).

This Maalola Narasimha is the central piece of attraction in the mobile silver Mandapam seated on the jewelled Dolai with His consort on His lap, holding Sankha and Chakra and with His right foot adorned with sandal (Paduka). The other equally famous idols that are enshrined therein are:

Swarna Nrisimha

1. Swarna Narasimha: Said to have been given to the first Jeeyar by King Pratapurudra. There is a legend behind it. It seems that the king's daily routine included moulding a Linga in gold and presenting it to a brahmin before he took food. One day when he ordered the smith to mould a Linga as usual, the goldsmith found to his surprise that the mould made out a golden Lakshmeenarasimha instead of the Linga. He melted the idol and cast again which also turned out to be that of Lakshmeenarasimha. This was brought to the attention of the king in whose presence it happened once more. It was then that some pious men brought to his notice that a great saint by name Sri Adivan SatakopaYateendra Mahadesikan was camping in the vicinity worshipping the Lakshmeenarasimha of Ahobilam. The king taking the idol went thither and fell at the feet of the Jeeyar and narrated the miracle and then and there became a convert to Sreevaishanavism on seeing the lustre of divinity in the Jeeyar's face. He duly presented the idol of Swarna Narasimha to the Jeeyar as also grants for daily worship;
2. Mangalagiri Panaka Narasimha. This was donated by a devotee to the 42nd Jeeyar;
3. Kannan (Krishna) to whom dolothsavam is usually done. Beejaksharams are found on this idol and as per tradition, Ramanuja was preforming pooja to this icon. It is believed that barren ones beget children on performing dolothsavam to this image;

   Dolai Krishna

4. Sri Ranganathan reclining on Adisesha with Lakshmee;
5. Atthigiri Varadan which was with the great scholar Nadathur Ammal and later given to Sri Adivan Satakopa Swamy by the former's grandson Gatikasatam Ammal;
6. Srinivasa with Alamelu Mangathayar seated in His chest;
7. Sampath Kumaran with Yadugiri Nachiyar;
8. Parimalarangan with Sreedevi and Bhoodevi;
9. Lakshmee Varahan;
10. Bhoovarahan;
11. Adikesava with His Consorts;
12. Sudarsana;
13. Sri Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana;
14. Aravamudhan;
15. Hayagreeva;
16. Sri Andal;
17. Rangamannar.

Number of Saalagraama Murtis and idols of Vishvaksena, Nammalwar, Kaliyan, Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika, Sri Adivan Satagopa Yateendra Mahadesika and the subsequent Jeeyars all together present a scene of utmost divine loka.

A visit and darsan will tell how exhilarating is the spiritual experience found in Sri Ahobila Mutt.

Source: Sri Nrusimha Priya, 66 Rangachari Road, Mylapore, Madras 600 018.