Location of the Alampur Temple
Alampur is a temple town located in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana state in India at a distance of about 200 km away from Hyderabad and 30 km from Kurnool. Alampur is also known as Dakshina Kashi, as both Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers run into each other, making it a meeting point of two rivers, popularly known as Nadi Sangamam. Alampur was also known as Halampuram, Hamalapuram and Alampuram. Of the many temples located in Alampur, Jogulamba temple and Nava Brahma temples are very famous. Jogulamba is one of the 18 Shakti Peethams.
History behind the name Jogulamba
Jogulamba is originated from Joginula amma, which literally means mother of Joginis. Jogini is also known as Yogini. Thus, the Goddess Jogulamba is also known with names – Yogulamba and Yogamba.
Deities of Jogulamba Temple
The main deities of Jogulamba temple are Jogulamba and Brahmeswara. Apart from these deities, Veenapani Veerabadhra, Vigneswara idols are also there in Jogulamba temple. Jogulamba is known as 5th Shakti Peetham. It is said that Jogulamba in Alampur gives darshan in a sitting position with a stance of ugrarupam. Ugrarupam symbolizes highly energetic and hard to worship form of the goddess. The original Chandi and Mundi idols were placed in the Bala Brahmeswara temple, while the new idols were carved and placed in the new Jogulamba temple constructed within the old premises.
Nava Brahma Temple
There are nine temples of lord Shiva in Alampur. They are called as Nava Brahma temples. These are built by Badami Chalukyas in the 7th century A.D. By looking at these historical temples, we can know that the Badami Chalukyas had a great passion for art and architecture. Even after so many years, these temples reflect their rich architectural heritage of the country. According to one of the myths from the 7th century, there lived a saint named Rasa Sidha. He was capable of converting a base metal into gold. According to this legend, the nine names of Shiva were originated from nine medicinal herbs made known by Rasa Sidha, the saint. The nine names are – Taraka Brahma, Swarga Brahma, Padma Brahma, Bala Brahma, Garuda Brahma, Kumara Brahma, Arka Brahma, Vira Brahma, and Vishwa Brahma. The name before Brahma denotes the medicinal herbs.
Architecture of Jogulamba Temple
Both Jogulamba and Nava Brahma temples in Alampur are significant in terms of the great architecture. Nava Brahma temples were constructed in the 7th century. These Nava Brahma temples are built by Badami Chalukyas, who were the great patrons of architecture. They had not only built temples in Alampur, but also had built temples in many places in Karnataka. The temple’s architectural style is in accordance with the West and North Indian styles. These temples are not like traditional Dravidian style temples. They have historical importance associated with these temples, because of the architectural wonder. Temple Shikaras (tip) of these temples have a curvy shape; and these were enhanced with miniature architectural devices. By looking at the floor plans and ornamentations of the temples, the temple looks a similar look like that of the rock cut temples of Western India.
History of the temple
Alampur was under rule of many dynasties like Shatavahana Ishvakus of Nagarjunakonda, Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara Empires and Qutub Shahis of Golconda. This place was previously known as Hatampura, as it is mentioned in the inscription dated 1101 AD from the period of Western Chalukya Tribuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI. The fort wall of the township was built to protect the temples built in Sri Krishna Devaraya’s period. In 1390 AD, this temple was destroyed by Bahamani Sultans, as a result some idols were damaged and some were protected. Some idols of Jogulamba and other got repaired and kept in the new Bala Brahma temple. Later, in mid-1970’s Archeological Survey of India has taken over the temple and notified it as a protected monument. In 2002, ASI had given the clearance for the reconstruction of the old temple. The new temple was built at the same place of old temple. On 13th February, 2005 idols are positioned in the new temple.
Significance of Jogulamba Temple
There is a story associated with all the 18 Shakti Peethams. The story associated with Jogulamba is – the upper maxilla of Sathi Devi had fallen at this place. So, this temple possesses spiritual importance for people, those believing in Hindu religion. The mythological belief is that the goddess ensures people getting freed from all sorts of Vasthu Doshas, meaning faults in the constructions. Jogulamba is also known as Gruha Chandi, as the Jogulamba idol in Alampur has a lizard, a scorpion, an owl and a skull in her hair. These symbolize the destroyers of a home. So, people the goddess Jogulamba to remove the outcomes caused by these signs. Alampur is famous for the celebrations of Maha ShivaRatri and Dussehra.
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