Navabrahma Temples

Built in the Chalukyan period, the temple town of Alampur regarded as southern Kasi, is also called Halampuram, also Hemalapuram and Hatampura in early inscriptions. A large number of temples are within the township of Alampur itself along the west bank of the river, and hence the town is considered as the the western gateway of Srisailam.

There are four gate-ways to the temple complex – to the East is Tripurantakam, to the South is Siddhavatam, to the North is Umamahesvaram and west is Alampuram. Here the marvelous temple and remains of some ancient temple 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 Peeta among 18. Here Goddess Jogulamba is seen seated on a corpse with a scorpion, frog, and lizard on the head. She is seen in a naked avatar with her tongue stretched outside – a fierce goddess that grants Siddhi in Yoga and hence called Jogulamba. This word is a changed form of Yogula Amma in Telugu which means Mother of Yogis. It is also said that Brahma had performed a great penance at today’s Alampur for thousands of years, and he pleased Lord Siva who conferred the powers of creation for him. Hence, the deity is also called Brahmeswara and the goddess as Yogini or Jogulamba, a synonym for mother Parvathi.

According to a popular legend there was a great saint in 6th century called Rasa Siddha who had the power to convert base metal into gold and he was considered close to Chalukya king Pulakesin II, instrumental in constructing any temples called ‘Nava Brahmas’. According to the legend, the nine names of Siva are actually 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.