Bala Brahma Temple, Alampur, Telangana

Bala Brahma Temple, Alampur, Telangana

Bala Brahma Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Alampur Town near Kurnool in Jogulamba Gadwal District in Telangana, India. It is one of the nine temples in Navabrahma Group of Temples. The Temple is also called as Bala Brahmeswara Temple. Bala Brahma Temple is the largest and most striking temple of the Navabrahma group of temples. This is active temple with regular pujas. The Temple is situated very close to Jogulamba Temple.

This temple is situated on the left bank of the Tungabhadra River near the meeting point of Tungabhadra River and Krishna River at the border of Andhra Pradesh. The Alampur temples are listed as an archaeological and architectural treasure on the official List of Monuments prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India under The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. 

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/05/navabrahma-temples-alampur-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/05/navabrahma-temples-alampur-history.html

The Temple

The Temple was built in Nagara style. The temples on plan are closer to the rock-cut chaitya caves of Western India. The temple has large pillared Varandah on all sides for outer pradakshinas. The temple has large mukha mandapa, Mahamandapam and sanctum with circumambulatory path for inner pradakshinas. The Shivalinga in this shrine is seen in the shape of a bull's footprint. This is the only temple where majority of the sculptures are found in good shape.

The doorway of inner sanctum has Dwarapalakas, Lion images along with Goddess Lakshmi, Ardhanareeswarar, Vinayaka, Kalabhairava, etc. The inner mandapa has engraved figures of Mahishasura Marthini, Sapta Matrikas, Indra and Agni along with a large dancing Shiva on the ceiling. The pillar has Yogamurthi image worshipping Lord Shiva. A large Nandi can be found in the Maha Mandapam.

The inner circumambulatory path has figures of Kanyakumari, Hanuman, Ganesha, Umamaheswara, etc. The temple has Shaktism themes represented with the sculptures of Saptamatrikas (seven mothers).  The Saptamatrikas are full-fledged images, bare-bodied up to the breast similar to Nolamba style. Umasahita Vrishabha Rudhamurti, Tandava-Siva in square frames over the ceiling, Chamunda figure with pretastana is among the unique examples.

The outer Varandah has large figures of Yama with Chitragupta, Kubera and Surya. Several sculptures from this temple are placed in the museum. The corners of the roof on outside have large Nandi statues. There is a small shrine where Goddess Jogulamba idol was placed for six centuries before the new temple was built in 2005.

Navagrahas can be found on the southern side of the sanctum. There are shrines for Samiswara, Mukhalinga, Sahasra Lingeswarar, Jambukeswarar, Nataraja, Mahishasura Mardini and Moksheswara in the Temple premises. There is a pillar with inscriptions on the northern side of the temple. Also, there is a large stone slab with inscriptions in the Temple premises.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 07.00 am – 07.00 pm during normal days and 06.00 am – 08.00 pm during festivals.

Festivals

Sharan Navaratri is the biggest festival at Alampur Temples. The concluding event, Theppotsavam (boat festival) is an eye-catching event held on Vijaya Dasami at Krishna – Tungabhadra Sangamam (confluence of River Krishna and Tungabhadra). Shivaratri is also celebrated here.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Alampur Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Alampur Road Railway Station, 27 Kms from Kurnool Bus Stand, 28 Kms from Kurnool, 28 Kms from Kurnool Railway Station, 58 Kms from Kurnool Airport, 126 Kms from Mahbubnagar, 200 Kms from Hyderabad Airport and 215 Kms from Hyderabad. NH7 is the nearest highway passing close to this village and you can easily get down at Alampur Cross Roads and hire a taxi/auto or bus to reach the temple, which is located roughly at a distance of around 15 Kms. APSRTC run frequent buses from Kurnool to Alampur Temple village. The nearest railway station is Alampur Road Railway Station, but not many trains halt here. Major Railway Station is Kurnool Railway Station.

Location