Alampur Bala Brahma Temple, Telangana

Address

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

Diety

Bala Brahma

Introduction

The Bala Brahma Temple, also known as Bala Brahmeswara Temple, is situated in Alampur, near Kurnool, in the Jogulamba Gadwal District of Telangana, India. The Bala Brahma Temple is a prominent and striking temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is one of the nine temples in the Navabrahma Group of Temples. This temple holds great historical, architectural, and religious significance.

Puranic Significance

Historical Significance:

The Alampur temples date back to the 7th century A.D. and were built by the Badami Chalukyas, who were known for their patronage of art and architecture.
These temples reflect the architectural style introduced by the Chalukyas of Badami in the 7th Century A.D.
This temple is the largest and most striking among the temples in the Navabrahma group.

The temple is constructed in the Nagara architectural style and resembles the rock-cut chaitya caves of Western India in its plan.
The temple features large pillared verandahs on all sides to facilitate outer pradakshinas (circumambulation).
Its architectural layout includes a large mukha mandapa, a Mahamandapam (main hall), and a sanctum with a circumambulatory path for inner pradakshinas.
Inside the sanctum, the Shivalinga takes the shape of a bull’s footprint.
The temple is notable for having a majority of its sculptures well-preserved and in good condition.

Special Features

Sculptures and Artwork:

The doorway of the inner sanctum is adorned with Dwarapalakas (guardians), images of lions, Goddess Lakshmi, Ardhanareeswarar (a composite form of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati), Vinayaka (Lord Ganesha), Kalabhairava, and more.
The inner mandapa features engravings of Mahishasura Mardini, Sapta Matrikas (seven mother goddesses), Indra, Agni, and a large dancing Shiva on the ceiling.
A pillar inside the temple displays an image of Yogamurthi worshipping Lord Shiva.
The Maha Mandapam houses a large Nandi idol facing the sanctum.
The inner circumambulatory path features figures of Hanuman, Ganesha, and Umamaheswara, among others.
Shaktism themes are represented with sculptures of Saptamatrikas, which are portrayed as full-fledged images, bare-bodied up to the breast, following the Nolamba style.
Unique examples include the image of Umasahita Vrishabha Rudra (Lord Shiva seated on Nandi), Tandava-Siva in square frames on the ceiling, and a Chamunda figure with pretastana.
The temple’s outer verandah displays large sculptures of Yama with Chitragupta, Kubera, and Surya (the Sun God).

Additional Features:

The corners of the temple’s roof on the outside are adorned with large Nandi statues.
In the temple premises, there is a small shrine where the Goddess Jogulamba idol was placed for six centuries before the construction of the new temple in 2005.
Navagrahas (nine planetary deities) can be found on the southern side of the sanctum.
The temple complex includes shrines dedicated to various deities, such as Samiswara, Mukhalinga, Sahasra Lingeswarar, Jambukeswarar, Nataraja, Mahishasura Mardini, and Moksheswara.

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.