Temples of AP: Jogulamba Temple, Alampur, AP

Alampur

Alampur is about 200 kms from Hyderabad on the banks of River Tungabadra in Mahaboob Nagar district of Andhra Pradesh. River Krishna and Tungabadra confluence here and the place Alampur is known as Sangama Kshetram and it is also referred to as Dakshina Kailsam.

View of temple towers of Nava Brahma,from River bund.

The temple dates back to 6th Century. We see 9 temples here in Alampur, known as Nava Brahma dedicated to Lord Siva, built by Badami Chalukyas. The Nava Brahma temples are Taraka Brahma, Swarga Brahma, Padma Brahma, Bala Brahma, Garuda Brahma, and Arka Brahma, kumara Brahma, Veera Brahma and Viswa Brahma.

We travel towards Karnool from Hyderabad to reach Alampur. We take a left turn when it is about 15 kms to reach Karnool. We have a sign board on the highway.

As we travel ahead we see an arch welcoming us to Jogulamba temple. From there we may have to travel about 12 kms to reach the temple in Alampur town.

Bala Brahma Temple is the place, where we enter first. As we enter inside we see a huge Nandi and two set of padams which is supposed to be of Lord Siva and Sakthi. Then we enter into a mandapam where we see idols of Narashimar, Lord Siva and others.

There is a sanctum for Ganesha and next to it there was a small sanctum with a light. They it was the place where Goddess was kept.

We see Navagraha’s which are different from the usual type of idols in other temples.

We enter into Artha mandapam, from where we can see Lord Siva in Linga form in the main Garbha graham. Here they say the water poured on Siva Lingam as Abishekam does not flow out anywhere. With special ticket of Rs300/ for Abishekam, devotees are permitted inside the main sanctum to perform abishekam.

We see two small idols in sitting posture outside the main Garbha graham which are called as Chandi and Mundi. These two idols were originally kept to either sides of Jogulamba. As we go around the temple sanctum we see many idols.

We see south Indian style of temple tower for Jogulamba Temple. The temple was reconstructed in the year 2005. As per Mythology this is one of the Sakthi peetam, where “Oordhava Danta Pankthi” (Upper jaw with tooth) of Sati Devi fell here in this place.

In the year 1930 the temple was demolished by Muslim invaders. The main idol and consorts were damaged by them. Disfigured idols of Jogulamba and other Deities were, protected and repaired by devotees who placed them in Bala Brahma temple.

Goddess Jogulamba is seen in sitting posture. She is also known as Gruha Chandi.When Aarthy is given one can see Bat, Lizard, Scorpion and skull adorned in her hair.

As per legand Maharishi Jamadagni lived with his wife Renuka Devi and his sons worshiping Bala Brahma Swamy. Renuka matha used to make a pot of mud daily and used to fetch water for pooja purpose. One day she saw a Gandravas bathing in River with their wives. She was disturbed by them and was not able to make a pot on that day, she returned home empty handed. When Jamadagni Muni came to know about what has happened, in his anger he asked his son to remove her head. His sons were not ready to do the act and he cursed them. Parasurama his youngest son agreed to do and he cut the head of his Mother. Muni was pleased with his son and offered him boon. He prayed his father to give life to his Brothers and Mother in return for the boon. Life was given to them.

Legend says that head of Renuka Matha became Ekaveera Devi symbol of Maya Roopa and the headless body became Boodevi Synmbol of Matru roopam.