Navabhrama Temples

Alampur Navabhrama Temples are located at Alampur in Andhra Pradesh. There are a total of nine temples in Alampur. All of them are dedicated to Shiva. These temples date back to the 7th century A.D and were built by the Badami Chalukyas rulers who were great patrons of art and architecture. Even after a time span of several hundred years, these grand temples still stand firm reflecting the rich architectural heritage of the country.

The temples are emblematic of the Northern and Western Indian styles of architecture. They do not reflect the Dravidian style of architecture as is generally common with the temples in this region. The brilliance of the artists who carved the sculptures of these temples is indeed commendable.

The Navabhramma temples are present on the left bank of the Tungabhadra river, enclosed in a courtyard.

• Taraka Bhramma

At Taraka Bhramma temple, the 6th-7th century CE inscriptions present here.

• Swarga Bhramma

Swarga Bhramma temple 5 was built during 681-696 AD by Lokaditya Ela Arasa in honour of the queen of Vinayaditya, it is mentioned in an inscription found above the Dwarapalaka image. It is the finest example of Badami Chalukya Architecture and sculpture. This temple is the most elaborately ornamented temple. Temple with an imposing tower (Rekhanagara vimana) is finest compared to other temples at Alampur.

• Padma Bhramma

Padma Bhramma temple having polished stone sculpture of Shivalinga .

• Bala Bhramma

AS per the inscriptions, Bala Bhramma temple dates back to 702 CE. It is the main shrine of worship, Sivarathri is celebrated.

• Vishwa Bhramma

Vishwa Bhramma temple having sculptural scenes from the epics. It is one of the most artistic temple.

• Garuda Bhramma
• Kumara Bhramma
• Arka Bhramma
• Vira Bhramma

There are other temples like Suryanarayana temple dating back to 9th century. And Narasimha temple with inscriptions belongs to Sri Krishna Devaraya (Vijayanagar Empire). You are sure to be impressed by the Suryanarayana and the Narasimha temples that are also found in the same complex. The exquisite sculptures in the temple are very admirable.

[edit] Two Groups of Temples

Brahmesvara and Papanatha are the 2 groups of temples on either side of Alampur. In 7th century AD Badami Chalukyas built these temples. The temples are not exactly in the Dravidian style but in Nagara style of architecture. The shikharas of all these temples have a curvilinear form and are adorned with the miniature architectural devices. The plans and decoration similar to that of the rock cut temples (found in Karnataka and Maharastra).

Story of Renuka mata

Once upon a time Alampur was the ashram of Maharshi Jamadagni and his wife Renuka. They were spending their lives by worshiping Balabrahmeswara and Jogulamba. Renuka was great at Pathi bhakti and Daiva bhakti (devotion on Husband and God). Daily she used to bring water from Tungabhadra with a new pot freshly made up of sand. This was possible because of her devotion. One day she saw a king of Gandharvas taking bath in the river with his wives. She thought that they were living happily by the grace of God. She forget that the real happiness comes from the worship and not the materialistic wealth. Because of that sin she couldn't make the pot and went home with-out water. Jamadagni asked the reason. She told the truth. He became angry and ordered his first son to kíll Renuka. But, the son refused to kíll his mother. Jamadagni asked his second and third sons. They too refused. But, the fourth son Parasu Rama kílled his mother by cutting her head with his axe. Jamadagni was pleased and told that Parasu Rama can ask a boon. Parasu Rama requested to give life to his mother. Jamadagni rejuvinated her.

Jogulamba temple:

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 swamy temple untill 2005. Now, a new temple was constructed in the same place and the godess was shifted in to it. New temple of Jogulamba is very much beautiful to see with a nice granite flooring. It is surrounded by a water pool. Villagers of Alampur tell an interesting reason for it: "Jogulamba is an Ugra rupa (highly energetic and hard to worship) and this water pool makes the atmosphere cool so that we can easily worship her".

Idol of Jogulamba is typical. She is in sitting position. She has huge amount of hair with lizard, scorpion, bat and a human scull in it. Idols of Saptamatrikas, Vighneswara and Veenapani veerabhadra are also present in the temple. Original Chandi Mundi idols were left in Bala brahmeswara swamy temple and new idols are made and placed in Jogulamba temple.

Alampur is called as "City of Temples". All of them are very old and famous for their sculpture. They are under control of Indian Archeological department. The entire temple campus was built on the bank of river Tungabhadra. Out of them, temples of Nava brahmas and the temple of Kanchi kamakshi are most important.