Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Jogulamba Temple at Alampur, in Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana, is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas (Ashtadasha Shakti Peethas) – the most sacred shrines of the Divine Mother – and the only one in Telangana. Alampur lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra, close to where it joins the Krishna, and is honoured as the western gateway of Srisailam. Alongside the Goddess's shrine stands the ancient Navabrahma group of Shiva temples, making Alampur one of the most important centres of both worship and temple architecture in South India.
The Goddess – Sri Jogulamba
The presiding deity is Sri Jogulamba Ammavaru, a fierce and powerful form of the Divine Mother. According to the tradition of the Shakti Peethas, when the body of Goddess Sati was carried across the world by Lord Shiva, her upper teeth fell at this place, which became a seat of the Goddess's power. Jogulamba is worshipped as the Mother who protects her devotees from fear and illness and grants them strength. Devotees offer special prayers here for health, family welfare and relief from troubles.
Sri Bala Brahmeswara Swamy
Lord Shiva is worshipped at Alampur as Sri Bala Brahmeswara Swamy, in the main temple of the Navabrahma group. For several centuries, after the original Jogulamba temple was damaged during the medieval invasions, the image of the Goddess was kept and worshipped safely within the Bala Brahmeswara temple. A new temple for Jogulamba Ammavaru was later built close to her original site, where she is worshipped today.
The Navabrahma Temples
The Navabrahma temples are a group of nine Shiva temples built around the 7th and 8th centuries CE by the Badami Chalukyas. Their names are Bala Brahma, Kumara Brahma, Arka Brahma, Vira Brahma, Vishva Brahma, Taraka Brahma, Garuda Brahma, Svarga Brahma and Padma Brahma. Built in the Badami Chalukya style, they are among the finest early examples of the northern (Nagara) temple form in the Deccan, with curved towers, finely carved doorways, and sculptures of deities, celestial beings and scenes from the epics. An archaeological museum at Alampur displays sculptures and inscriptions from the region.
Festivals
- Dasara / Devi Navaratrulu (September–October): the grandest festival at the temple, with special alankarams of the Goddess on each of the nine days and very large crowds.
- Vasantha Panchami (January–February): a major festival dedicated to Jogulamba Ammavaru.
- Maha Shivaratri (February–March): celebrated at the Bala Brahmeswara temple with worship through the night.
Temple Timings
- The temples are generally open from early morning until evening, with a break in the afternoon.
- Timings change during Navaratri and on festival days. Please check locally before your visit.
How to Reach
By Road: Alampur is about 25 km from Kurnool and about 210 km from Hyderabad, close to the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway (NH-44). TGSRTC and APSRTC buses connect Alampur with Kurnool, Gadwal and Hyderabad.
By Train: the nearest railway stations are Alampur Road, a short distance away, and Kurnool City, which has more trains.
By Air: the nearest major airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), Hyderabad, about 210 km away. Kurnool Airport at Orvakal is closer, with limited flights.
Visitor Information
- Dress code: traditional attire is recommended.
- Plan time for the Navabrahma temples: allow a few hours to see the nine temples and the archaeological museum.
- Best time to visit: October to February, when the weather is pleasant; Navaratri for the full festival experience.
- Nearby places: the Sangameswara temple (relocated near Alampur), Kurnool's Konda Reddy Fort, and – as Alampur is its western gateway – Srisailam Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple.