Alampur Padma Brahma Temple, Telangana

Address

Alampur Padma Brahma Temple, Navabrahma temples Road, Alampur (P), Jogulamba Gadwal District, Telangana 509152

Diety

Padma Brahma

Introduction

The Padma Brahma Temple in Alampur, Telangana, is another remarkable temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, part of the Navabrahma Group of Temples. It holds historical and architectural significance, and its unique features make it a point of interest for devotees and enthusiasts. It is one of the nine temples in the Navabrahma Group of Temples, which collectively showcase early Nagara architectural style and northern design influence.

Puranic Significance

The Padma Brahma Temple follows the architectural style of the northern Chalukyan influence introduced by the Chalukyas of Badami in the 7th century A.D.
The temple’s shikhara (tower) is partly ruined, but it displays distinct northern elevations, with a curvilinear form outwardly featuring three to four bhumis (storeys).
The sikhara’s design includes corner amalakas, and the lata (creeper) decor of the central offset closely recalls the architecture seen in Aihole.
The Sukanasi (ante-fix) over the antarala (vestibule) is integrally connected with the tower, which is a common feature in this architectural style.
The temple’s top members of the sikhara include a flat skandha (shoulder course) and pidhanaphalaka (plank closing the superstructure) with Nandis at the corners, a prominent griva (neck), and an amalaka topped by kalasa (ornamental finial) and stupi (spire).

Special Features

The Padma Brahma Temple is considered the largest among the group of temples in Alampur, though it is partly in ruins.
Unlike some of the other temples in the complex, it lacks an entrance porch but features complex pediment designs.
The temple has a polished stone sculpture of Shivalinga.
The temple layout includes a large hall, inner sanctum, and a circumambulatory path for pradakshinas (circumambulation) around the sanctum.
The doorway of the sanctum is adorned with carvings of Ganga and Yamuna, and images of Ganapati, Subrahmanya, and Kubera can be found in the circumambulatory path.
The main doorway of the temple features Dwarapalakas (guardians) and Garuda. The horned dvarapalas of Padma Brahma resemble those seen in the coastal Andhra region during the Vishnukundin dynasty.

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.