Nava Brahma Temples - Alampur

NAVA BRAHMA TEMPLES

Brahmeshwara is the consort of Jogulamba. The Nava Brahma temples are nine temples of Lord Shiva spread around the Jogulamba Temple. These temples are constructed by the Badami Chalukyas starting from 7th century CE. The Badami Chalikyas were great patrons of art and these nine temples have lovely sculpture on it. Sadly many parts of the sculpture was destroyed by the Muslim invaders.

1. BALA BRAHMA TEMPLE

Pillared corridor

It is in this temple that the broken idol of Jogulamba was safeguarded from the invaders. This temple was built in 702 CE. Regular temple rituals are performed here and Shivaratri is celebrated every year.

 2. SWARGA BRAHMA TEMPLE

Built during 681-696 CE in the Vinayaditya era, it is the most elaborately sculpted temple. 

On the left is Bhikshatana murty, center is Indra with Iravat, right is Nataraj

Naga and floral design on the ceiling inside

Kirthimukha and kalash

Tripurantaka on left, Aditya in center and Lingodbhava murty on right

Ardanareeshwara, badly mutilated. The female part has been mutilated

affectionate couple

Lakulisa in center

Gandarvas floating above

Nataraja destroyed. Just notice the multi layered carving. Even through the destruction, we can see the glory of the carving.

Trivikrama

courtship

One side of the temple

3. PADMA BRAHMA TEMPLE

Probably the last to be built, it is unfinished in terms of work on the temple.

4. GARUDA BRAHMA TEMPLE

Built between 848-891 CE during the time of Vijayaditya. 

The niches are empty, murtis may have been destroyed here.

Garuda above the Garbagriha doorway

Dwarapalaka

5. KUMARA BRAHMA TEMPLE

This temple was probably built during the time of Vikramaditya, 655-681 CE. The outer walls dont have much carving but the pillars in front are carved.

Pillars with carving outside

Mayuras and floral designs on the inner pillars

6. ARKA BRAHMA TEMPLE

 This temple is completely ruined. All sculpture has been destroyed.

7. VEERA BRAHMA TEMPLE

On the vimana we can see a Nataraja sculpture. This temple also has been badly damaged.

 Dwarapalakas on either side of the door. One is so badly damaged.

A naga on the ceiling inside. These nagas were sculpted in a couple of temples along with the floral carving.

A beheaded Nandi.

8.VISHWA BRAHMA TEMPLE

 This temple, atleast parts of the sculpture were visible.
Through the destruction, you cannot fail to appreciate the sculpture.

Sculpture and destruction too

It makes me so sad seeing the destruction.

ASI Museum

The ASI museum is right beside these temples. Though it is small, it has some wonderful pieces salvaged from the ruins and displayed.

Ceiling panel, Nataraja with Astadikpalas

The first picture is of Lord Shiva as Pashupati, the Lord of animals.

The third picture is of Shiva, Parvati with Nandi being worshipped.

Fourth depicts the story where Mahadev comes as a tribal hunter killing the boar, that Arjuna was chasing, to teach humility to Arjuna.

Lower half is the story of Trivikrama

Upper half is Shiva slaying Gajasura, lower half is Narsimha Deva slaying Hiranyakashipu.

9. TARAKA BRAHMA TEMPLE

Badly ruined Taraka Brahma Temple.

Ancient inscription.

When you cannot make something, you have no right to destroy it. That is what i  believe strongly.

Thus ended my Nava Brahma temples visit. Beautiful but heart breaking too.

ALAMPUR JOGULAMBA

Alampur is a town in Telangana state of India which has historical and spiritual importance. Alampur which was previously in the Mahbubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh, became part of the Gadwal district of Telangana, post the Bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is on the bank of the River Tungabhadra. It is primarily a Shaivite piligrim centre with Shaktism also worshipped. Historically, Alampur was under the rule of Shatavahana Ishvakus of Nagarjunakonda, Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara Empire and Qutb Shahis of Golconda. The Chalukyas (a large part) and Rastrakutas left a wealth of architectural beauty in the temples.

JOGULAMBA TEMPLE

Jogulamba Temple is a Shakti Peeta of Sati Devi.

Sati Devi was Lord Shiva's wife. She once goes to a yagna conducted by her father Daksha Prajapati, uninvited, and against the wishes of Shiva. Shiva unwillingly sends her, at her insistence. At the Yagna, Daksha insults Sati and hurls abuses against Shiva in front of all the other Gods. Unable to bear the insults towards her beloved husband, Sati jumps into the ceremonial fire and commits suicide. An enraged Shiva sends Veerabhadra, who emerges from his fury, to go and destroy Daksha. Veerabhadra destroys the yagna and decapitates Daksha. As nature would suffer if a yagna was halted midway, Lord Vishnu and Brahma come to pacify Shiva and to request him to come to the Yagna sthal. Shiva goes there and gives permission for the Yagna to continue. A Ram's head is fixed in place of Daksha's head and life is given back to him. The grief stricken Shiva carries the half burnt body of Sati and wanders around. To make Shiva come out of his grief and since he was not willing to let go of Sati Devi's corpse, Lord Vishnu cuts the body with his Chakra. These body parts, which fell at different parts of the Earth are worshipped as Shakti Peeta's, or sacred abodes of Mother Goddess. The 51 parts are scattered mostly over India, a few on places of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal. 

Of these 18 are known as Maha Shakti Peetas, of which Jogulamba is the 5th Peeta. It is said that her upper jaw with a tooth fell at Alampur Shakti Peeta. She is in an Ugra Roopa (fearsome appearance) here. Her hair is piled high and a lizard, owl, scorpian and human skull are in her hair. It is said that worshipping Jogulamba removes ill effects.

The temple of Jogulamba was destroyed by the Bahamani Sultans in 1390 CE. Broken idol was safeguarded in the Bala Brahmeshwara Temple. The temple of Jogulamba was rebuilt after 615 years in 2005. The temple is surrounded by water so as to keep the temple cool, as the wrath of Mother Goddess heats up the place.

Yaganti

Yaganti is the abode of Umamaheshwara Swamy situated in the Erramala hills of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Yaganti, is a well known temple of Andhra Pradesh, which has a lot of historical and religious significance.

As the legend goes, Agastya Maharishi wanted to install the deity of Lord Venkateshwara at Yaganti. But when the idol was made, he found that a toe nail had been damaged, thereby making it unworthy for regular pooja. Lord Shiva is said to have appeared in his dream and told Agastya that Shiva and Vishnu do not have two identities and were equal. So Agastya Maharshi requested Shiva that he would like to worship Parvati Ma along with Shiva and not separately. So Lord Shiva took the form of Ardhanareeshwara (half Shiva and half Parvati) and the idol was thus made. Thus the Lord is worshipped as Umamaheshwara Swamy, meaning Parvati and Shiva.

This shrine has been worshipped for thousands of years. In 6th, 7th century CE, the Cholas and Pallavas started to the build the temple. Later this temple got its present glory during the time of the Vijayanagara rulers, Harihara and Bukka Rayalu, who are credited with having finished the construction of several prominent structures in and around the temple.

Pushkarini

As we enter, we come across the Pushkarini first. This Pushkarini has water throughout the year and people do not know the source of this water. It is said that these waters contain healing properties, and many devotees take a dip in this holy water. The beauty of this Pushkarini is that it has carved panels all around, just above the water level. The Pushkarini is surrounded by a pillared mandapa. From there, if we climb a few steps, we come to the temple. 

Carved panels around the Pushkarini

Pillared mandapa

To the right we can see the way to go to the cave where the idol of Lord Venkateshwara has been kept. The steps are steep and we didn't climb up. It was evening time, the light was fading, and we wanted to visit the temple with atleast some light for us to admire it's beauty.

Way to cave of Lord Venkateshwara idol

After admiring the 5 tiered Gopuram, we entered the temple compound. To the right again there was a pillared mandapa. Then went for the darshan of Umamaheshwara swamy. 

Carved pillars telling us of incidents of the Ramayana

There are four pillars in the temple which are carved on all sides with episodes from Ramayana. This temple has been built in the Vaishnavite tradition, thus though the main idol is of Shiva, the carvings on the pillars are of Vaishnava stories. Had the divine darshan and managed to take some pictures of the carvings on the pillars, then we came to the Stone Nandi which is not opposite the lord in this temple but in the mandapam to the right side. Had heard many stories about this Nandi, because it has been growing. The ASI has confirmed that the Nandi has been growing an inch every 20 years. Admired it and took pictures. According to Potuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy (a seer whose prophesies are famous), the Yaganti Nandi will get up and bellow at the end of Kaliyuga.

Growing Nandi

Agastya Pushkarini

From the temple compound to the right, we can see the Agastya pushkarini, where Agastya Maharshi is said to have bathed before his worship. The whole atmosphere is so serene, peace enveloped me when I was there.

There is another cave in these hills which is of Veerabrahmendra Swamy where he had written his famous prophesies.

It was a blissful visit and we started back to Nandyal from the temple.