According to legend, the Devas saw the manifestation of Lord Vishnu as half lion - half man. They shouted "Ahobala" (great strength) and "Ahobila" (great cave). It is believed that Narasimha manifested Himself in a natural rock cave and hence this place came to be known as "Ahobilam".
It is believed that Ahobilam is the place where the Lord killed Hiranyakasipu and saved Prahlada (a great devotee of Lord Vishnu). Also, Goddess Mahalakshmi took incarnation as Senjulakshmi among the Senju, tribal hunters of the hills, and married the Lord.
Another legend states that Lord Garuda did penance to see Lord Vishnu in Sri Narasimha form and hence the Lord took nine different forms in this hill. Hence, this hill was also known as Garudadri, Garudachalam and Garudasailam.
The Nallamala hills are personified as Adisesha with his head at Tirumala, middle at Ahobilam and the tail at Srisailam.
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