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As per history of this place, Lord Brahma, after losing his powers due to a curse of a saint, performed penance for Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in nine different forms, thus nine different temples to celebrate each form. The shivalinga in the main temple of Bala Brahma temple is seen in the form of footprint of a bull.
Jogulamba Temple is very ancient and one of 18 Maha Shakti Peethas of Goddess Shakti. This temple is 5th Shakti Peetha representing Upper teeth part of Goddess Shakti. The current temple of Jogulamba was built in 2005 as the original temple was destroyed. The idols of Goddess were places in Bala Brahmeswara temple for 6 centuries.
Chalukyas, who ruled this area from Badami for over two centuries, constructed nine magnificent temples called Navabrahma temples along with Sangameswara Temple between 640 AD and 753 AD. The temple construction was initiated by Chalukya King Pulakesi II during his visit to Alampur while returning to Badami after his victory over Pallavas of Kanchi. Later, the rulers of Rashtrakuta and Kalyani Chalukya Empires have contributed to the enhancement of these temples. The Navabrahma temples, named as Bala Brahma, Taraka Brahma, Swarga Brahma, Padma Brahma, Garuda Brahma, Kumara Brahma, Arka Brahma, Vira Brahma and the Vishwa Brahma are built in close proximity on the banks of River Tungabhadra. Among these, Bala Brahma temple is the biggest and only active temple. The Jogulamba Temple is also located near these temples and all the places can be visited together. Sangameswara Temple is about 2 Kms from Navabrahma temples site.
The original Jogulamba Temple and Taraka Brahma Temple were completely demolished by Bahamani Sultan army towards the end of 14th century. Vijayanaraga king Harihara Raya sent his army to stop the plunder of Bahamani Sultan's army and fortified the temple complex to stop further attacks on the temple.
The temples at Alampur could not be preserved pretty well, primarily due to the encroachments, lack of space and religious activity of Jogulamba and Balabrahma temples.
It takes about 3-4 hours to visit all the places in Alampur.
Alampur is a temple-town situated in Jogulamba Gadwal district,[1] in the state of Telangana, India. 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 Sacredness of Alampur Temple is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. The principal deities at Alampur are Brahmeswara and Jogulamba. It is surrounded by the Nallamala hills. Alampur is situated on the left bank of the Tungabhadra river.
History
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 Chalukya Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI. The Alampur Navabhrama Temples are historically important and reflect remarkable architectural skills.
Temples
The Alampur temples are listed as an archaeological and architectural treasure on the official "List of Monuments" prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India under the The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.[2] Since the original area of the temples at Alampur came under submergence due to the building of Sri Sailam Hydro-electric Project, the temples were relocated to a higher place. The uniqueness of this group of temples lies in their plan and design in the northern architectural style introduced by the Chalukyas of Badami between AD 650 and 750.[3]
Walls of Temple complex
The shrine of Jogulamba devi
Main articles: Daksha Yaga and Shakti Peethas
Shiva carrying the corpse of Sati Devi
The Yogamba (Jogulamba) temple is regarded as a Shakti Peetha where Sati Devi's upper teeth fell.[4] The mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation is the story of origin of Shakti Peethas.[5] The original temple was grounded by Muslim invaders in 1390 A.D. Later the temple was rebuilt after 615 years.[6]
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.
Navabrahma Temples
Alampur Navabrahma Temples[7][8] are located at Alampur in Telangana. There are a total of nine temples, dedicated to Shiva.[9] These temples date back to the 7th century A.D and were built by the Badami Chalukyas rulers who were great patrons of art and architecture.[10] The Sacredness of Alampur Temple is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. It is mentioned that Brahma performed a strict penance here for Lord Siva. Lord Siva appeared before him and blessed him with the powers of creation. Therefore, the name Brahmeswara