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.