Jogulamba Devi Temple, Alampur – History

Jogulamba Devi Temple, Alampur – History

Alampur was under the rule of Shatavahana Ishvakus of Nagarjunakonda, Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara Empire and Qutb Shahis of Golconda. Alampur was previously known as Halampuram, Hamalapuram and Alampuram. It was mentioned as Hatampura in the inscription dated 1101 AD and belongs to Western Chalukya Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI. This temple was built by Chalukyas of Badami.  Most of the temples in and around Alampur were built in the 7^th and 8^th centuries mainly by the initiative of Pulakesin-II.

Chalukyas built nine temples devoted to Navabrahmeswara and Jogulamba in Alampur. Of them, eight magnificent temples of Navabrahmeswara survived but the temple of Tarakabrahma could not be traced. The original temple was completely knocked down by Muslim Bahamani Sultans in 1390 A.D. Vijayanagara king Harihara Raya sent his army to stop the plunder of Bahamani Sultan's army and fortified the temple complex to stop further attacks on the temple.

The idols of Jogulamba and her two Shaktis Chandi & Mundi were protected from the Muslim army and placed in Bala Brahmesvara Swamy Temple until 2005. The temple was rebuilt after 615 years. The temple was reconstructed in the year 2005. The idols of the goddess was shifted to the newly constructed temple. The temple was rebuilt in the same way it was described in the Rasaratnakaram of Nityanatha Siddha of 12^th century AD. Adi Sankaracharya was believed to have installed Sri Chakra at Jogulamba temple, which is not available now.