“Travelogue on Ahobilam” written by Dr M S Vijayaraghavan, former Advisor, Prime Minister’s office
- The book released by the 46th Jeer of The Ahobila Math His Holiness Srivan Sathakopa Sri Ranganatha Yatheendhra Mahadesikan in the presence of H E Sri. ESL Narasimhan, The Governor of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh and other dignitaries
Hyderabad, June 27, 2017: Vaishnavite community believes that there are 108 divyadesam or holy places one has to visit during one’s lifetime. Barring two, which are Paramapadam and Thirupparkadal that are in the celestial world, all the rest of them are in India and one (Mookthinath) in Nepal. These holy places are called so due to divine saints Azhwars, said to be the amsams (incarnation) of Sriman Narayanan, have sung (through their hymns) in praise of the presiding deity in these shrines and did MangaJasasanam by praying that the holy shrines be happy all the time.
Dr.M.S.Vijayaraghavan, former Advisor in Prime Minister’s Office, has chronicled his recent visit to Ahobilam in his book “Travelogue on Ahobilam
This travelogue is unique in that it has brought out several authentic and researched information on Ahobilam and its deities comprehensively under one title never before attempted.
One such divyadesam is Ahobilam, a village in the Kumool district of Andhra Pradesh tucked in a dense forest of the Nallamalai range of mountain of the Eastern Ghat. The last of the 12 divine saints Thirumangai Azhwar had done Mangalasasanam in the eighth century at Ahobilam.
The Ahobila Math traces its origin to this place with the first pontiff of this muth Sri Adivan Sathakopa Yatindra Mahadesikan taking to Sanyasam and founding The Ahobila Math at this place more than 600 years ago. The Math headed by the monastic, who holds the title Srimad Azhagiyasingar or the Jeer, is the spiritual and titular head of this Math or monastry. Due to painstaking efforts taken by 45 & 46 Jeers of the Ahobila Muth, the place Ahobilam is much better today for pilgrims.
