Alampur Jogulamba Bala Brahmeswara Swamy Temple is an ancient temple, located in Alampur Town near Kurnool in Jogulamba Gadwal District, Telangana. The main deities are Bala Brahmeswara Swamy (Lord Shiva) and Sri Jogulamba (Goddess Shakti). The temple, also known by the name Yogulamba (or) Yogamba was built around the 7th century and is one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas in the country. The temple is located on the banks of River Tungabhadra in Alampur. Alampur Jogulamba is one of the
Jogulamba temple is one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas, which are the most significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism. Alampur is considered the western gateway of Srisailam which is one of the 12 jyotirlingas. The town is also known as the Southern Kasi. Today there are disputes about this as there are other southern temples existing like the Srikalahasthi and the Rameswaram temple.
The Jogulamba Bala Brahmeswara Temple combines with the Nava Brahma temples, a so-called consortium of nine temples in its premises. Sati Devi’s upper teeth fell out here. The mythology of Daksha Yagna and the self-immolation of Sati is the origin story of Shakti Peethas. The original temple was grounded by Muslim invaders in 1390 CE. The temple was rebuilt after 615 years.
Alampur Jogulamba Bala Brahmeswara Temple Timings:
Morning: 6:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Evening: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Alampur Jogulamba Balabrahmeswara Swamy Sevas:
1) Abhishekam to Sri Bala Brahmeswara Swamy
2) Abhishekam to Sri Bala Brahmeswara Swamy
3) Antharalaya Darshanam (Ammavari Seva)
4) Astothara Archana to Sri Bala Brahmeswara Swamy
5) Astothara Archana to Sri Bala Brahmeswara Swamy
6) Trishati Archana to Ammavaru
7) Auto Vehicle/Vahan Puja
8) Bike Puja
9) Car Vehicle/Vahan Puja
10) Chandi Homam (Sri Jogulamba Temple) Only Gents are allowed
11) FRIDAY VISESHA POOJA (Ammavari Seva)
12) KHADGAMALA (Ammavari Seva)
13) Kumkumarchana Puja (Ammavari Seva)
14) Kumkumarchana (Ammavari Seva)
15) Maha Nivedana
16) Masa Kumkumarchana (30 Days) (Ammavari Seva)
17) Navagraha Pooja
18) Renuka Devi Pooja on Tuesday and Friday / Only Ladies are allowed
19) Rudra Homam / Every Month on “MAASA SHIVARATHRI” Thithi
20) Saswatha Abhishekam / Yearly Once to 10 Years only
21) Saswatha Annadanam / Yearly Ten Persons to 10 Years only
22) Saswatha Annadanam Donation / Yearly Once to 10 Years only
23) Saswatha Kumkumarchana / Yearly Once Per 10 Years only
24) Sparsha Darshanam to Sri Bala Brahmeswara Swamy
Nava Brahma Temples of Alampur:
Nava Brahma temples consist of Swarga Brahma, Taraka Brahma, Padma Brahma, Bala Brahma, Garuda Brahma, Kumara Brahma, Arka Brahma, Vira Brahma and Vishwa Brahma. The Brahma temples were built by Badami Chalukyas in the 6th century. However, most of these and the main Sri Jogulamba Bala Brahmeswara Swamy Temple were destroyed by the Muslim rulers. Now most of the remains are kept in the nearby museum.
Nava Brahma Temples:
a. Swarga Brahma Temple: Swarga Bharma is a hall temple and was built in the later part of the 7th century. The text at the main entrance above the dwarpalika image mentions that the temple was constructed by Lokaditya-Ela-Arasa, in honor of the queen of Vinayaditya, called Mahadevi.
The temple has an enclosed and covered entrance. The shrine of the temple is located at the end of the hall. The pillars connect the side wings of the rectangular hall. The temple has a six-pillar porch in the East. The purangatha pillars are the ones heavily decorated. Special importance has been given to the dwarpals by the doorways. Ganga, Jamuna and the Garuda Naga are also carved.
Figures of Krishna Lila, animals, Garuda-nose faces and many other beings are carved on the outer panels of the wall. The carvings here give a feeling that the human beings had passionate enthusiasm for elevating themselves to divine status. Among the other places for carvings are the Aihole and Pattadakal. There are, however, some broken figures that can also be considered dynamic sculptures. Shiva in Shiva, Shiva with Parvathi, Mithuna couples and many other forms of carvings release energy to the Universe.
b. Taraka Brahma Temple: The Southern style of architecture differentiates the Taraka Brahma temple from the others in the Nava Brahma group of temples. It has a garbhagriha, an antarala and a veranda. The three walls of the Garbhagriha feature the Devakoshtha in the center. The image of Paralambapadalakshmi on the antarala doorway is fascinating. The top of the temple consists of Sala, Kudu and Panjaran that replicate the gopuram style.
c. Padma Brahma: Sri Padma Brahma temple is also built in the hall style similar to Swarga Brahma temple. Now only the sculptures of two dwarpalikas (gatekeepers) near the square gateway remain. These figures have a flying figure on the top. The sculptures elsewhere in this temple were destroyed by Muslim Invaders belonging to Moghal rule.
d. Bala Brahma: The Bala Brahma temple has been repaired many times as the worship in the temple has been quite regular for centuries. The images of Jogulamba, Durga, Narasimha and the Rishis are to be seen here. The courtyard has images of Mukhalinga, Sahasralinga and Mahishasuramardini. The image of the mother goddess had been intact even during the destructions carried out by Moghul invaders in the small temple.
e. Garuda Brahma: With architecture on similar lines as in Padma Brahma, Garuda Brahma temple is distinguished by elaborate carvings on the pillars inside the hall. It also features the calm shadows secured for the extension of consciousness into the non-sensuous realms of calm.
f. Kumara Brahma: The doorway exhibits a row of seven heads. The significance of these carvings is still unsolved. Even the carvings on the pillars of the veranda remain a mystery.
g. Arka Brahma: The temple is now in a very disgraced form with no roof.
h. Veera Brahma: The Chakkam carvings on the inner ceilings of the Artha mandapam are worth seeing.
i. Vishwa Brahma: This temple has been constructed in a very similar manner to that of the Swarga Brahma. However, there is no veranda in this temple. The sculptures when made had been similar to those of the swarga Bharhma. Unfortunately, the visibility of the sculpture has gone down with time and no maintenance and the invasions. The Trivikrama figure might have been a magnificent piece when carved. Another such magnificent sculpture would have been the Gangavatarana, the Mithunas, the floral relief of makaras and birds with flying figures.
Alampur Sri Jogulamba Bala Brahmeswara Swamy History:
Truly, Alampur is a storehouse of Historical sources, pertaining to the Western region of Telangana. Treasures of more than 70 inscriptions on copper sheets and stone relating to the several Dynasties that ruled over the South from the 7th to the 17th century are available here. It has been the land that has witnessed Vaidic Dharma, Buddhism and Jainism.
The Gupta dynasty however contributed to saving the Vedic Dharma and to regain its supremacy. ‘Dharma Raksha’, the program initiated by the Gupta rulers, was taken over and fully implemented in the south, by the Badami Chalukyas and Kanchi Pallavas.
This campaign led to the establishment of attractive places of worship giving healthy competition to the various rulers. With the Chalukya emperors coming into regime Alampur rose to importance as visible by the architectural styles and importance given to the temples. Idols of Veerabhadra were installed in the temple area. They also made Murari’s Sanskrit play, ‘Anargha Ragava’ into a high-class Telugu Prabandhas.
The seat later saw many rulers with different thinking, but every one of them contributed to the construction, finishing the unfinished and the protection of the temples. The acharyas also provoked the rulers into construction and donation of land for the construction of temples.
The army general of Dhara Varsha Dhruva Maharaja of the Rashtra Kutas later completed the temple work left unfinished but also built the Mahadwara of the temple. Later Alampur passed on to the hands of Kalayani Chalukyes Jagadekamalla Trllokyamalla, Bhuvanaikamalla and Tribhuvanamalla. These rulers donated lands for the purposes of construction of the temple and the Vidya Peetha.
Acharyas like Vyalasimha, Ekanta Desika, Isana Rasi, Bhuvana Sakti, Kukkuteswara, Dharanindra Rasi, and Brahma Rasi Bhattaraka. Vitaranendra Rasi, and Someswara Rasi, made their contributions to the enhancement of the Vidya peetha. Stone images of some of these Acharyas are found in the Main temple.
It is through the efforts of these acharyas that the importance of the Sankha darshan is given. The image of ‘Kapila Maharshi’ at the place, gives credence to the belief that Sankya Darsana was given an important place in the curriculum of studies of the Vidya Peetha.
The later rulers were the Kalachuryas and the Kakatiyas. Subsequently, even Vijayanagar emperors extended their their kingdom over the area. And Alampur came under the reigns of Kutubshahi and then the Asafjahi Dynasty.
Alampur Sri Jogulamba Bala Brahmeswara Swamy Architecture:
The Chalukya style of architecture prevails in the temple structure. Chariot-shaped sanctum is placed at the front as ‘ Antaralam’ leading to Ranga Mantapam. The ‘ Pradakshina ratha surrounding the whole image of Ganga and Yamuna together with Dwara Palakas carved on either side of the entrance is present in the temple. Other pieces of architecture are the Vimana on the Garbhalaya, with Amalaka, and Sikhara worshiping the same.
The common feature that the temples have is the rectangular base on which they are built. The temples also face east. Sculptural designs and carvings decorate the outer surface of the walls. Mythological structures of Deva Koshtas and Kosta Panjaras adore the walls. The Triloka sculpture looks graceful and elegant.
Special Days of Attraction and Visitors Flow:
Devotees mostly visit the temple on Fridays and Tuesdays. Moreover, there is much crowd on Sundays, public holidays, Ugadi and Brahmotsav. People also visit the temple with family to seek the blessing of the Lord and Goddess.
How to reach Alampur Jogulamba Bala Bramareshwara Swamy Temple:
By Air:
Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is the nearest airport which is 201 km away from Alampur Jogulamba Bala Brahmeswara Swamy Temple.
By Train:
The nearest Railway station is Alampur Railway station which is 10.4 km.
The next nearest Railway station is Kurnool Railway which is 26.8 km from Temple.
By Road:
Frequent government direct buses are available from Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Kurnool bus stations.
Festivals at Alampur Temples:
Dussehra, Shivaratri and Bramhotsavams are the festivals celebrated in a grand way here. These are the best time to visit the temple.
Jogulamba Bala Brahmeswara Temple Address:
Jogulamba Temple,
Alampur,
Gadwal District,
Telangana 509152.