Alampur Jogulamba Temple
Alampur is a sleepy town situated on the banks Tungabhadra River, in the state of Telangana. Alampur is considered the western gateway of Srisailam. Here the marvelous temple and remains of some ancient temples signify Badami Chalukyan architecture. The region was ruled by many South Indian dynasties. The principal deities at the Jogulamba temple are Jogulamba and Balabrahmeshwara. Goddess Jogulamba is considered the 5th Shakti Peetha among 18 Shakti peetams in the country. Here Goddess Jogulamba is seen seated on the Corpse with a scorpion, frog, and lizard on the head. She is seen in a naked avatar with her tongue stretched outside, an avatar of a fierce goddess that grants Siddhi in Yoga and hence is called Jogulamba. This word is a changed form of Yogula Amma in Telugu which means Mother of Yogis.
History of Alampur Jogulamba Temple
According to a popular legend, there was a great saint in the 6th century called Rasa Siddha who had the power to convert base metal into gold, and he was considered close to Chalukyas king Pulakesi II, instrumental in constructing any temples called ‘Nava Brahmas’. According to the legend, the nine names of Siva are the names of medicinal herbs put forth by Rasa Siddha and there are nine temples here.
They are the Swarga Brahma Temple Padma Brahma Temple, Vishva Brahma Temple Arka Brahma Temple, Bala Brahma Temple, Garuda Brahma Temple, and Taraka Brahma Temple. The Siddha Rasarnavam is a tantric work, which states that if Upasana is performed as per the prescribed Tantra, then Mercury oozes from the Linga of Bala Brahma, Thighs of Subramanya, Navel of Ganapati, and Mouth of Mother Jogulamba, which can be converted into Gold by using the medicinal herbs.
Architecture of Alampur Jogulamba Temple
Jogulamba Temple is located in the South-East corner of the village beside the Tungabhadra River. The old temple of Jogulamba was destroyed by Bahamani sultans in the 14th century. The idols of Jogulamba and her two Shaktis Chandi, Mundi were protected from them and placed in Bala Brahmeswara Swammy temple until 2005.
The new temple was constructed in the same place and the goddess was relocated. As per the local people, Jogulamba is an Ugra rupa (highly energetic and hard to worship) and the water pool nearby makes the atmosphere cool.
The Idol of Jogulamba is in a sitting position and has a huge amount of hair with a lizard, scorpion, bat, and a human skull in it. Idols of Saptamatrikas, Vighneswara, and Veenapani Veera Bhadra are also present. Original Chandi Mundi idols were left in Bala brahmeswara swammy temple and new idols are made and placed in the Jogulamba temple.
Alampur is called as City of Temples and is famous for its sculpture. The entire temple complex was built on the bank of the Tungabhadra River. The Temple of Nava Brahmas and Kanchi Kamakshi is the most important.
