Jogulamba Devi temple of Alampur is
one of the Maha Ashtadasa Shaktipeethas. It is Located in Mahabubnagar District
of Telangana State, It is covered with Nallamalai Hills all around. It is
believed that the Upper teeth of Sati devi has fallen here. Alampur is the sangama
Kshetra of the rivers Thungabhadra and Krishna. Here Sati is worshipped as Jogulamba
Devi or Yogamba Devi and Lord Shiva as Bala Brahmeswara Swamy. Jogulamba is
derived from the word “Joginula Amma” meaning – Mother of Joginis/Yoginis. Here
Jogini/Yogini refers to a lady, who has given up all material pleasures. Yogini
also means a dancer, whose life is dedicated to God.
This temple is considered as the
western gate way to Shrisailam and also known as Dakshina Kashi as there are
nine temples in dedication to Lord Shiva. The temple was completely destroyed
by Bahamani rulers in 1390 AD. The invaders were killed after a fierce battle
with the localities. Jogulamba Devi along with her two Shakthis – Chandi and
Mundi was then moved to nearby Bala Brahmeswar temple until 2005. The temple is
a mine of historical sources. It has about 70 Copper plates and stone
inscriptions relating to several dynasties that ruled South India from 7th to
17th century. Jogulamba temple has been reconstructed after 615 years.
Jogulamba Devi is considered as
Gruha Chandi (Protector of homes). Jogulamba Devi is seated on a corpse. The
idol has huge locks of hair with lizard, scorpion, bats and human skull
adorning it. These are the indications of evil and signs of deterioration of a
house. Lizard is the primary indication that a house has started deteriorating.
When the lizards become uncontrollable, scorpions start entering the house,
which is even worse. The next level would be the entry of bats which is an
indication of loss of human life in the house. Jogulamba Devi is worshipped for
warding off the evil effects of Vaastu Dosha. According to locals, Jogulamba
Devi is in Ugra Roopa(highly energetic and hard to worship) and the water pool
near the temple makes the atmosphere cool. Idols of Saptamatrikas, Vighneswara
and Veenapani veerabhadra idols are in Alampur temple. Original Chandi
Mundi idols were left in Alampur Bala brahmeswara swammy temple and new idols
are created and placed in Alampur Jogulamba temple.
There are Navabrahma Temples* known for their architecture
marvel built by Badami Chalukya rulers.
* Chalukya King Pulakesi II, in association with a great
saint, Rasa Siddha(he would convert base metal into gold) built a chain of
temples called ‘NavaBrahmas’ in 6th- 7th century. It is said that there is a secret tunnel from the garbhalaya of BalaBrahma temple leading to Shrisailam.
According to the legend, the 9 names of Siva given to the NavaBhrama temples
are the names of medicinal herbs put forth by Rasa Siddha.
The Navabrahma temples are: Taraka
Brahma, Swarga Brahma, Padma Brahma, Bala Brahma, Garuda Brahma, Kumara Brahma,
Arka Brahma, Veera Brahma and Vishwa Brahma. All the temples are located
on the banks of River Tungabhadra enclosed in a courtyard.
“Siddha Rasarnavam”, a tantric work
on Alchemy prescribes certain methods of Upasana in Jogulamba Temple. It is
said that if the upasana is done as per the prescribed Tantra, Mercury oozes
from the Linga of Bala Brahma, Navel of Ganapati, Thighs of Subramanya and
Mouth of Mother Jogulamba. The Mercury thus got is used for converting into
Gold by using the medicinal herbs. The principal temple of worship is Bala
Brahmeswar. The temple dates back to 702 CE, as per the inscriptions available.
Inside the temple is a huge Nandi and two set of Padmas believed to be of Lord
Shiva and Sati. There are other images of Jogulamba, Durga, Narasimha and the
Rishis. In the courtyard are images of Mukhalinga, Sahasralinga and
Mahishasuramardini. The most important image is the mother goddess in the small
temple.
The Taraka Brahma temple has no
idol/ image in the sanctum and is partly in ruins. It has inscriptions in
Telugu dating back to 6th- 7th Century CE.
The Swarga Brahma temple was built
during 681- 696 AD by Lokaditya Ela Arasa in honour of queen of Vinayaditya.
This temple is considered as an example of fine Chalukyan architecture and
sculpture. It has an imposing tower (Rekhanagar Vimana) considered to be the
finest in Alampur.
Padma Brahma contains a Shiv linga
with a fine mirror like finish. The temple is partly in ruins.
Vishwa Brahma is the most artistic
temple of Navabrahma Temples. The temple depicts scenes from epics.
Arka Brahma: The temple is in ruins.
The other temples in the courtyard
are the Suryanarayana temple dating back to 9th Century and Narashimha temple
with inscriptions from the period of Krishna devaraya of Vijayanagar Empire.
There is also a museum managed and maintained by the
Archaeological department in the temple premises.
The nine temples built by King
Pulakeshi II were dedicated to Navabrahmeshwara and Jogulamba. Only eight
magnificent temples of Navabrahmeshwara could be traced, the ninth temple
dedicated to Tarakabrahma could not be traced. The Badami Chalukya rulers ruled
for nearly 200 years from the middle of 6th Century onwards. Jogulamba Devi
temple was reconstructed where it was originally built.
Story of Renuka Devi:
Alampur is also famous for
Maharishi Jamadagni’s ashram. Maharishi Jamadagni along with his wife, Renuka
and four sons was staying in Alampur worshipping Bala Braheshwara Swamy and
Jogulamba Devi. Renuka Mata, with her power would regularly make pot with sand
and bring water from River Tungabhadra. One day, she saw the King of Gandharva
enjoying himself while having a bath in the River with his wives. She
immediately felt that pleasures or enjoyment comes from materialistic wealth
and not from worshipping God. The very next moment, she lost her divine power
of making pots from sand. On reaching home without water, Maharishi Jamadagni
wanted to know the reason. Renuka Mata explained the incident and admitted her
sinful thoughts. Maharishi Jamadagni got enraged, and asked his four sons
to kill Renuka. While three sons refused to kill, the fourth son, Parushuram killed
his mother by cutting off her head with his axe. Maharishi Jamadagni was
extremely happy and bestowed a boon. Parushuram asked his father to restore
life to his mother. Then Jamadagni revived Renuka to life.
The head of Renuka Mata became
Ekaveera Devi and the headless portion of the body is worshipped as Bhudevi.
Ekaveera Devi symbolises Maya Rupa (materialistic thoughts) and Bhudevi
symbolises Matru Rupa(Mother). Many believe that Ekaveera Devi manifested
herself as goddess Yellamama in Undavelli village near Alampur, while the
temple of Bhudevi is present in the Bala Bramheswara Swamy temple.
It is stated that Brahma performed
a great penance at this place for propitiating Ishwar by installing and worshipping
a Rasalinga. Hence the deity is called Brahmeswara.
Jogulamba mahadevi
raudravikshanalochana /
Alampuristhita mata sarvarthaphalasiddhida //
Alampuristhita mata sarvarthaphalasiddhida //
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