Matha Jogulamba--5th Shaktipeeth

Dear Devotees,

This is a short article by me on Mother Jogulamba of Alampur, which is the 5th
Saktha Pita among 18 Shaktha Pitas.

Alampur is a town situated on the left bank of Tungbhadra river, in the state
of Andhra Pradesh. The place falls in the Mahabubnagar district which is about
200 kilometres from the famous city, Hyderabad. Kurnool town, which is also a
known place in Andhra Pradesh lies in the vicinity of around 30 kms. Alampur
town is about 15 kms away from NH-7. There is also a railway station which is
15 km away. Alampur can be reached by Hyderabad by rail on Hyderabad – Bangalore
route.

The holy place Srisailam lies at the western end of Alampur and hence, Alampur
considered to be the western gateway of Srisailam.

Siddhavattam, Tripurantakam and Umamaheswaram are called southern, eastern,
and northern gateways of Srisailam respectively.

Marvellous temples and remains of some ancient ones provide great specimens of
Badami Chalukyan architecture. The region, in the past, has been under the
influence of many South Indian dynasties.

The principal deities are Jogulamba and Balabrahmeshwara. Goddess Jogulamba
is the 5th Shakti Peeta among 18 shakta peetas in India. Goddess Jogulamba,
seated on the Corpse here sports with scorpion, frog, lizard on its head. She
is naked with her tongue stretched out. This is the fierce goddess that grants
the Siddhi in Yoga and hence she is called Jogulamba. This word is corrupted
form of “Yogula Amma” in telugu which implies Mother of Yogis. Her dhyana sloka
runs as:

“Lamba Sthaneem Vikrutaaksheem – Ghora rupaam Mahaabalaam
Prethasana Samaarudhaam – Jogulaambaam Namamyaham”

There is a popular legend which says that there was a great saint in 6th
century by name Rasa Siddha who used to convert base metal into gold. It was
this saint in association with chalukya king Pulakesi II who was instrumental in
construction of chain of temples called ‘Nava Brahmas’. It is said that there
is a secret tunnel from the garbhalaya of Bala Brahma leading to Srisailam.
According to the legend, these 9 names of Siva are the names of medicinal herbs
put forth by Rasa Siddhas.


Swarga Brahma Temple
Padma Brahma Temple
Arka Brahma Temple
Vishva Brahma Temple
Garuda Brahma Temple
Bala Brahma Temple
Taraka Brahma Temple
Kumara Brahma Temple
Vira Brahma Temple

The “Siddha Rasarnavam”, a tantric work on Alchemy prescribes certain methods
of Upasana in this place. If the upasana is done as per the prescribed Tantra,
the 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. Even now, we can see some
sadhus who know this science of converting base metal into gold. One such
person was Sri Siva Chidanada Saraswathi Swamigal of Courtallam Peetam near
Tirunelveli who lived till recently. A great Siddha Purusha in Rasa Yoga,
Khanda Yoga Sadhana, Mulika Vaidyam etc. He was the guru of Judge Swamigal of
Pudukottai.

Apart from Jogulamba, Bala Bramheswara temples, there are marvelous cluster of
temples at Papanasam, a beautiful temple of exquisite sculpture by name Kudala
Sangameswara temple, Yoga Narasimha Temple and Suryanarayana Temple. Kudala
Sangameswara temple is a wonderful temple with exquisite chalukyan temple
architecture.

A museum is also present in the premises of the temple which is maintained by
Archeological Department. There is a Mahishasura Mardini Idol in this museum
which is worth seeing. The exquisite sculpture, the gait and marvelous art is
simply superb which stands as the testimony to the Chalukya Art and Culture.