Navabrahma Temples, Alampur – History

Navabrahma Temples, Alampur – History

The Temples of Alampur date back to the 7^th century A.D and were built by the Badami Chalukyas rulers who were patrons of art and architecture. The nine temples at this site reflect some of the early Nagara style of Hindu temples that have partially survived for scholarly studies. The uniqueness of this group of temples lies in their plan and design in the northern architectural style introduced by the Chalukyas of Badami in the 7^th Century A.D. The earliest known inscription belonged to Vikramaditya-I (654-681 C.E.) which refers to the installation of a Linga in the Mahadevayatana of the Arka Brahma Temple.

Swarga Brahma Temple was built during the reign of Vinayaditya in 681 – 696 AD. An inscription found in the temple states that Lokaditya Ela Arasa built it in the honour of the queen. Bala Brahma Temple was built by Chalukya ruler Pulikesi II in 702 CE as per the inscription in the Temple. The temple had several additions during Vikramaditya in 755 AD. Taraka Brahma Temple contains 6^th – 7^th century CE Telugu and Kannada inscriptions.

The temple activity went right up to 16^th century C.E. at this place. The Alampur Navabrahma temples were badly damaged and some razed to the ground during the Islamic invasion of this region in 1390. An early 8^th Century inscriptions found at the site suggest that the site also had a Shaiva matha (Hindu monastery) which has not survived. Their ruins have been restored by the Archaeological Survey of India after 1980.

Some temples at the Alampur site came under submergence due to the building of Sri Sailam Hydro-electric Project, the threatened ancient and medieval era monuments along with the Sangameshwara temple were relocated to a higher place, west and southwest of the Navabrahma temples. The latter was transplanted near the Alampur Papanasi Temples. 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.