Sri Jogulamba Bala Brahmeswara Swamy Temple

Overview

Alampur is a temple-town situated in Mahbubnagar District, in the state of Telangana, India. It is located at about 90 km from Mahabubnagar, 27 km From Kurnool and 200 km from Hyderabad. Alampur is the meeting point of the sacred rivers Tungabhadra and Krishna and is referred to as Dakshina Kashi(also known as Navabrahmeshwara Theertha) and the Western Gateway of Srisailam, the famous Shaivite (Shaivism) pilgrim centre. The principal deities at Alampur are Brahmeshwara and Jogulamba. It is surrounded by the Nallamala hills. Alampur is situated on the left bank of the Tungabhadra River. Alampur is also the hometown of Lakshmi Kantamma, a former member of parliament.

About The Temple

Jogulamba temple is located in the South-East corner of the village beside Tungabhadra river. Old temple of Jogulamba was destroyed by Bahamani sultans in the 14th century. The idols of Jogulamba and her two shaktis Chandi, Mundi were protected from them and placed in Bala Brahmeswara Swamy temple until 2005. The new temple constructed in the same place and the goddess was relocated. As per the local people Jogulamba is an Ugra rupa (highly energetic and hard to worship) and the water pool nearby it makes the atmosphere cool. Idol of Jogulamba is in sitting position has huge amount of hair with lizard, scorpion, bat and a human skull in it. Idols of Saptamatrikas, Vighneswara and Veenapani veerabhadra are also present. Original Chandi Mundi idols were left in Bala brahmeswara swammy temple and new idols are made and placed in Jogulamba temple. Alampur is called as City of Temples and famous for their sculpture. The entire temple complex was built on the bank of Tungabhadra River. Temple of Nava brahmas and Kanchi Kamakshi are most important. The Yogamba (Jogulamba) temple is regarded as a Shakti Peetha where Sati Devi's upper teeth fell. The mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation is the story of origin of Shakti Peethas. Shakti Peethas are shrines which are the most divine seats of the Mother Goddess. The body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi has fallen in these places, when Lord Shiva carried it and wandered throughout Aryavartha in sorrow. There are 51 Shakti Peeth linking to the 51 alphabets in Sanskrit. Jogulamba (also called as Yogulamba / Yogamba) is one of the eighteen Shakti peethas. Oordhva danta pankti (Upper jaw with tooth) of devi fell here. She is the Shakti of Bala brahmeswara swamy.

Architecture:

Chalukya style of architecture predominates in the temple structures, in Alampur, Chariot shaped sanctum, sanctorum a frontal ‘ Antaralam’ leading to Ranga Mantapam with a ‘ Pradakshina ratha surrounding the whole images of Ganga and Yamuna together with Dwara Palakas carved on either side of the entrance, Vimana on the Garbhalaya, witla Amalaka, and Sikhara adorning the same are the chief characteristics of the Chalukyan Architecture. The temples were built on a rectangular bace, with the entrance facing east. The outer surface of the temple walls are decorated with elegant sculptural desingns. Figuras of Dikpalas are fitted in attractive Deva Koshtas ( niche) and Kosta Panjaras, Sculptural figures pertaining to Mythology are also gracefully carved there on. The walls Presort a picture of Triloka, the upper part adorned with Khechara Midhuna motifs, the middle part with human Midhuna & the lower to the third showing demonic forms carved with grace and elegance.

About The Deity

The main deities in the temple are Brahmeshwara and Jogulamba. It is surrounded by the Nallamala hills. Alampur is situated on the left bank of the Tungabhadra river. Alampur is also the hometown of Lakshmi Kantamma, a former member of parliament. Alampur was under the rule of Shatavahana Ishvakus of Nagarjunakonda, Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara Empire and Qutb Shahis of Golconda. Alampur was originally called Halampuram, Hamalapuram And Alampuram. Name of this place as Hatampura, mentioned in the inscription dated AD 1101 belongs to Western Chalukya Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI. The Alampur Navabhrama Temples are historically important and reflect remarkable architectural skills. Jogulamba (also known as Yogulamba/Yogamba) is one of the eighteen Shakti peethas. Oordhva danta pankti (Upper jaw with tooth) of devi fell here. She is the Shakti of Bala brahmeswara swamy. Jogulamba mahadevi, Roudra veekshana loochana, Alampuri sthita mata, Sarvartha phala siddhida.

The idol of deity Jogulamba is seen sitting with many scorpions, lizards, human skulls and bats. The idols of Veerabhadra, Vighneshwara and Saptmatrikas are also present besides the idol of Jogulamba. On the other hand, the original idols of Chandi and Mundi have been left by the army of Bala Brahmeshwara Swamy Temple. The Jogulamba Temple is considered the primary Shaktipeeth, where the upper teeth of Sati fell. The Alampur Navabrahma Temple is also located at Alampur district in Andhra Pradesh. There are nine Brahma temples in Alampur. All these temples have been dedicated to Shiva. These temples were constructed during the 7th century and were built by Badami Chalukya rulers, who were great patrons of architecture and art. They successfully depict the architectural heritage of the country. The Nav Brahma temples represent the Western and Northern styles of architecture rather than the Dravidian architectural style.

Legends and Stories

The olden day temple of Jogulamba was destroyed by Bahamani sultans in the 14th century. The idols of Jogulamba and her two shaktis Chandi, Mundi were protected from them and placed in Bala brahmeswara swamy temple untill 2005. Now, a new temple was constructed in the same place and the godess was shifted in to it. New temple of Jogulamba is very much beautiful to see with nice granite flooring. It is surrounded by a water pool. They are under control of Indian Archeological department. The entire temple campus was built on the bank of river Tungabhadra. Out of them, temples of Nava brahmas and the temple of Kanchi kamakshi are most important. The temple of Jogulamba is situated in the town of Alampur in the Mahbubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the Ashtadasa Sakthi Peethams (18 holy abodes of Mother Goddess) which is one of the famous spiritual places in the state.

The word "Jogulamba" is derived from "Joginula Amma" (Mother of Joginis). Jogini (also called as Yogini) means a female person, who has given up all the earthly attachments. Jogini also has another meaning which implies a dancer (female) whose life is dedicated to God. Hence, the goddess is also known as Yogulamba or Yogamba.Jogulamba is one of the eighteen Shakti peethas. Oordhva danta pankti (Upper jaw with tooth) of devi fell here. Jogulamba temple is located in the South-East corner of the village beside Tungabhadra River. Idol of Jogulamba is in sitting position has huge amount of hair with lizard, scorpion, bat and a human skull in it. Alampur is called as City of Temples and famous for their sculpture. Alampur is the meeting point of the sacred rivers Tungabhadra and Krishna and is referred to as Dakshina Kashi(also known as Navabrahmeshwara Theertha) and the Western Gateway of Srisailam, the famous Shaivite (Shaivism) pilgrim centre. The principal deities at Alampur are Brahmeshwara and Jogulamba. It is surrounded by the Nallamalai hills.

Alampur is situated on the left bank of the Tungabhadra River. The Jogulamba temple was reconstructed at the same place where it stood. The temple was rebuilt in the same way it was described in the `Rasaratnakaram' of Nityanatha Sidha of 12th century AD. Sankaracharya was believed to have installed `Sri Chakra' at Jogulamba temple, which is not available now. Since the Alampur temple complex was declared a heritage site, the supporters of Jogulamba temple had a difficult time to convince the Archaeological Survey of India and the State Government to revive the temple. Fund mobilisation The temple was designed to match the Chalukyan architecture so that the new temple would fit into the group of temples. The Endowments Department, led by the former Commissioner, Ajay Kallam, took initiative to raise funds for reconstruction of the temple.

The temples across the country donated money for the temple while Srisailam Devastanam adopted it to ensure uninterrupted rituals. Giving the reasons for failure to revive the temple in the last 600 years, Sanskrit scholar, historian and epigraphist, Gadiyaram Ramakrishna Sarma, has analysed that political uncertainty prevailed during the medieval age delayed the reconstruction of the temple. Jogulamba can be understood as "Gruha Chandi" (protector of our homes). As we noticed, the idol shows that the goddess has a lizard, scorpion, bat and human skull in her hair.

These are the indications of evil and signs of deterioration of a house. Lizard is the primary indication that a house starting to lose its life. Gradually, the number of lizards shall increase which result in the welcoming of scorpions which is even worse. The next level would be the entrance of bats which may result in death of humans living in that house. People believe that Jogulamba protects them and their shelters from all kinds of evils. She is also worshipped to be freed from Vastu Doshas (faults in constructions). The temple attracts a large number of pilgrims from various parts for the country and major festivals like Dussera, Maha Shivaratri are celebrated with pomp.

Alampur is the meeting point of the sacred rivers Tungabhadra and Krishna and is referred to as Dakshina Kashi (also known as Navabrahmeshwara Theertha) and the Western Gateway of Srisailam, the famous Shaivite (Shaivism) pilgrim centre. The principal deities at Alampur are Brahmeshwara and Jogulamba. It is surrounded by the Nallamalai hills. Alampur is situated on the left bank of the Tungabhadra river. Alampur was under the rule of Shatavahana Ishvakus of Nagarjunakonda, Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas,Vijayanagara Empire and Qutb Shahis of Golconda. Alampur was previously known as Halampuram, Hamalapuram And Alampuram. Name of this place as Hatampura, mentioned in the inscription dated AD 1101 belongs to Western ChalukyaTribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI. The AlampurNavabhrama Temples are historically important and reflect remarkable architectural skills.

The temple of Jogulamba is situated in the town of Alampur in the Mahbubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the Ashtadasa Sakthi Peethams (18 holy abodes of Mother Goddess) which is one of the famous spiritual places in the state. The word "Jogulamba" is derived from "Joginula Amma" (Mother of Joginis). Jogini (also called as Yogini) means a female person, who has given up all the earthly attachments. Jogini also has another meaning which implies a dancer (female) whose life is dedicated to God. Hence, the goddess is also known as Yogulamba or Yogamba. The temple of Jogulamba Devi is built magnificently near the banks of Tungabhadra River. The idol of the goddess is in a sitting posture with abundant hair which has a lizard, scorpion, bat and human skull adorned in it. Also, idols of Saptamatrikas (group of Hindu goddesses), Ganapathi and Veerabhadra are installed in conjunction of the main idol. The temple has a Yagnasala (where Yagnas are performed), a rest house and a pond. The temple covers a large portion of land, built magnificently with several carvings on the black stone and flooring is made of marble stone. The temple is closely situated to the Nava Brahma Temples.

Best Time to Visit:

September to March

Significance

People approach this temple with prayers for protection and shelter for a house from all kinds of evils, free from Vastu Doshas (Faults from Constructions)

Accessibility

Air

The nearest airport is Hyderabad.

Rail

Buses and train are available from Hyderabad. Alumpur has a railway station which is nearly 8 km far from the town and is situated on the main line of Hyderabed-Kurnool. Also a small halt station called ''BBS Jogulamba Halt' 'is situated near Alampur Station, and only a few trains Connecting Hyderabed and kurnool halt at these Station. The nearest major railway Station is at Kurnoor which is at just 27 km from Alampur and all major trains halt here.

Road

Alternatively, driving down or hiring a taxi would be an ideal option to reach the place easily. Buses are available from Hyderabad, Kurnool and Mahbubnagar.

Contact Information

Sri Jogulamba Bala Brahmeswara Swamy Temple,
Alampur,
Alampur,
Mahabubnagar,
Andhra Pradesh,
India