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| Me at the Sangameswara Temple |
What is the place ?
Alampur of Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana State is a famous town that houses the temples of Goddess Jogulamba Shakti Peetha, Nava Brahma Temple complex, Sangameswara Temple and Papanasa temple group. Part of the Raichur Doab and regarded as the Western Gateway of Srisailam, Alampur is in existence at-least from the times of Chalukyas of Badami, if not even before (c.6th/7th Centuries CE). Resembling the world heritage site of group of monuments at Pattadakal, the temples here, mostly dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shakti worship, are a classic example of Vesara Architecture.
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| Amorous Couple - Swarga Brahma Temple |
How I reached ?
Alampur is well connected by buses from Gadwal, Kurnool (27 Kms away, separated by River Tungabhadra). There is a railway station too. I visited Alampur from Kurnool.
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| Lingodbhavamurthi - Swarga Brahma Temple |
Where to stay and how to commute ?
There are few lodges available near the Bus-station. All major temples are at walk-able distance from the bus-station.
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| Swarga Brahama Temple |
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| Lord Valli sameta Devasena - Alampur Musem |
What's there to see ?
Most of the temples are under the aegis of the Archeological Survey of India. The famous temples and monuments include -
1. Shakti Peetha Jogulamba Temple - The most famous and important temple of the place, regarded as one of the Eighteen major Shakti peethas. The temple's glory was eclipsed during the Bahman rule of Raichur Doad in late 14th Century, it's current location was rebuilt in 2005.
2. Nava Brahma Temple complex - A cluster of nine Saiva temples located adjacent to the Shakti Peetha, this compex is a national protected monument. Some fine carvings / sculptures are present on the walls of these temples. With distinct amalak, striking elements of Vesara architecture, it was thrilling to explore these historical temples, once associated with the halcyon days of Pulakesin II, Vikramaditya I etc,. Among these, only the Bala Brahmeswara Swamy temple of Lord Shiva is a temple in religious sense - the others are monuments.
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| Cross section of Nava Brahma Temples |
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| A part of Navabrahma Temples |
3.Kudala Sangameswara Swamy Temple - This iconic and brilliant masterpiece attributed to late 7th Century CE was relocated from it's earlier place to the current site at Alampur owing to the construction of Srisailam Dam on River Krishna further south. The temple has some exquisite carvings like Padmapani Boddhisatva, Lord Shiva as Destroyer, River Godesses etc,
4. Papanasa Group of Temples - Located a bit far from the rest, these simple, monotonous temples hark back to an early era. The carving of Amitabha Buddha on a ceiling is striking, along with few examples of pillar works.
5. Archeological Museum, Alampur - This little museum houses some terrific artifacts in good shape, like statues, inscriptions etc,.
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| Pillar art depicting Ksheer Sagara Mathanam - Papanasa Temple |
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| River Goddess at Sangameswara Temple |
I felt really blessed and happy for having visited this historical temple town, a melting pot of cultures, a key geo-strategic place, the land of the Sri-Prithvi Vallabhas of Deccan viz, Chalukyas of Badami who left their artistic and militaristic footprints on the sands of time....
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| Me at the Jogulamba Temple Gopuram |
Visited on Sunday, 26th of June, 2022
Maheeth Veluvali.
