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| Jogulamba temple entrance |
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| Goddess Jogulamba |
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| Vishwabrahma Temple |
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| Jpogulamba Temple |
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| Navabrahma Temples |
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| Confluence place of the Tungabhadra River with the Krishna River |
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| Outer corridor of Balabrahmeshwara temple |
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Mahishasuramardini in Balbrahmeshwara temple
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Latticed stone window in Garudabrahma temple
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| Sculpture of Indra in Svarga Brahma temple |
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| Svarga Brahma temple |
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| Saptamatrikas withn Ganesha in Kumarabrahma temple |
Alampur
(referred as “Hemalapuram” in Skandapurana) Jogulamba is the famous fifth
Mahashakti peetha on the western banks of the Tungabhadra River near its confluence with the Krishna River. Here the upper teeth of Sati Devi fell and
became a Shakti Peetha. So, this place is
called “Dakshina Kashi” or “Varanasi of the South”. The Tungabhadra River flows
here from south to north. It is nearly 28kms from Kurnool. From Hyderabad it is
220 kms.
In the same premises one can see the
Navabrahma temples built by Badami Chalukyas in the seventh and eight
centuries. The Jogulamba temple premises are very spacious. The Goddess is seen sitting
on a corpse with a scorpion, a frog and a lizard on her head. Her body is
emaciated and she looks ferocious. Sri Sankaracharya established Srichakram and
pacified her by performing poojas. The original temple built in 7th
century was destroyed by Bahamani Sultans in 1390. The Vijayanagara king, Hari
Hara Rayalu, stopped further attacks and fortified the temple. The idol and the
guardian deities were shifted to Balabrhameshwara temple. In 2005 Jogulamba
temple was re-built and the original idol was installed in the new temple. The
guardian deities are still seen in Balbrahmeshwara temple.
The
Navabrahma temples were shifted from their original place during construction
of Srisailam hydro-electric project as the whole place was submerged. The
temples were re-located to a higher ground. Chalukya kings constructed Nava
Brahma temples temples in Northern architectural style between 650 and 750
A.D. The Sangameshwara temple, the oldest of all Chalukyan temples (610-642)
built by Pulakesi was destroyed in 1390. It was re-built and shifted from
Kudaveli to Alampur in 1979. According to Skanda Purana Brahma did penance here
and regained his powers of creation from Lord Shiva. So, the idol of Shiva is
called Balabrahmeshwara. The other Shiva idols were also named as Brahma
temples. They are: Bala, Kaumara, Arka, Veera, Vishwa, Garuda, Swarga Padma and
Taraka Brahmeshwara.
These
temples resemble the rock-cut temples in western India with a simple tower, and a sanctum with a rectangular pillared hall in front. These temples have
carvings on pillars and friezes showing legends from Hindu scriptures. The
walls are decorated with sculptures of demi-gods like Gandharvas, figures of
swans and pea-cocks. The Islamic invasions after 14th century led to
the construction of an Islamic fort, a mosque and a graveyard called Sha Ali
Pedda Dargah amidst these temples between 15th and 17th
centuries, using the walls and ruined masonry from the temple walls. So,
worship by Hindus was stopped in these temples except in Bala Brahmeshwara
temple.
Inspired by the architecture of Nava Brahma
temples, in later times, Rashtrakuta kings and Western Chalukya kings built a
group of twenty-three temples called Papanasi temples between ninth and
eleventh centuries in Papanasi village just 2.5 kms from Alampur.
Worship is
done only to Balabrahmeshwara Linga which has many dents and an opening on the
top. Water flows form this opening. The shrines of Lord Narasimha,
Mahishasuramardini, and various rishis are seen. In Garuda Brahma and Kumara Brahma temples, there are elaborate carvings on the pillars. The Arka Brahma and Padma
Brahma temples are in a ruined state. The Taraka Brahma temple was built in
Southern style with an inner sanctum, Antarala and a porch. Sculptures and inscriptions recovered from
Navabrahma temples and surroundings are preserved in the museum seen at the entrance to Bala Brahmeshwara temple. Many Kannada
inscriptions of Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta and Kalyani
Chalukyas are seen here. In 2019 the Government of India included this temple
under the pilgrimage rejuvenation advancement drive scheme. The Navabrahma
Temples are listed as an archaeological and architectural treasure by the
Archaeological Survey of India. The temple timings are from 7.00 a.m. to 1.00
p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
The temple staff members are quite indifferent
and unresponsive. They are not maintaining temple timings. In Jogulamba temple
only one priest was appointed. He has to do all poojas without any
assistant. We have to wait for a long
time. The menace of monkeys is quite disturbing. They even enter the temple
hall and snatching fruits and bags from the devotees. The temple office is not
decent-looking Even for huge donations, a small slip is issued without any
prasadam or photo of the presiding deity. No boards are kept with clear
directions so that devotees can see all Navabrahma temples. Employing guides
will help devotees a lot in knowing about the historic importance of this
temple complex. The temple surroundings are not neatly maintained. The
Archaeological survey of India and the state government should collaborate in
beautifying the temple surroundings. Basic facilities like drinking water,
clean toilets and cafeteria should be provided. A book stall with gift items
and pamphlets will be an added attraction. As the temple is not far away, many
city people will prefer to visit this place if adequate amenities and transport
facilities are provided. The museum should be shifted to a better location and
the exhibits and sculptures should be showcased and labelled properly to give
relevant information.
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1st December, 2022 Somaseshu Gutala
Nicely articulated , thanks for sharing
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