Mother Jogulamba of Alampur - the 5th Saktha Pita

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Dear Devotees,

 

This is a short article by me on Mother Jogulamba of Alampur, which is the 5th

Saktha Pita among 18 Shaktha Pitas.

 

Alampur is a town situated on the left bank of Tungbhadra river, in the state

of Andhra Pradesh. The place falls in the Mahabubnagar district which is about

200 kilometres from the famous city, Hyderabad. Kurnool town, which is also a

known place in Andhra Pradesh lies in the vicinity of around 30 kms. Alampur

town is about 15 kms away from NH-7. There is also a railway station which is

15 km away. Alampur can be reached by Hyderabad by rail on Hyderabad – Bangalore

route.

 

The holy place Srisailam lies at the western end of Alampur and hence, Alampur

considered to be the western gateway of Srisailam.

 

Siddhavattam, Tripurantakam and Umamaheswaram are called southern, eastern,

and northern gateways of Srisailam respectively.

 

Marvellous temples and remains of some ancient ones provide great specimens of

Badami Chalukyan architecture. The region, in the past, has been under the

influence of many South Indian dynasties.

 

The principal deities are Jogulamba and Balabrahmeshwara. Goddess Jogulamba

is the 5th Shakti Peeta among 18 shakta peetas in India. Goddess Jogulamba,

seated on the Corpse here sports with scorpion, frog, lizard on its head. She

is naked with her tongue stretched out. This is the fierce goddess that grants

the Siddhi in Yoga and hence she is called Jogulamba. This word is corrupted

form of “Yogula Amma” in telugu which implies Mother of Yogis. Her dhyana sloka

runs as:

 

“Lamba Sthaneem Vikrutaaksheem – Ghora rupaam Mahaabalaam

Prethasana Samaarudhaam – Jogulaambaam Namamyaham”

 

There is a popular legend which says that there was a great saint in 6th

century by name Rasa Siddha who used to convert base metal into gold. It was

this saint in association with chalukya king Pulakesi II who was instrumental in

construction of chain of temples called ‘Nava Brahmas’. It is said that there

is a secret tunnel from the garbhalaya of Bala Brahma leading to Srisailam.

According to the legend, these 9 names of Siva are the names of medicinal herbs

put forth by Rasa Siddhas.

 

 

Swarga Brahma Temple

Padma Brahma Temple

Arka Brahma Temple

Vishva Brahma Temple

Garuda Brahma Temple

Bala Brahma Temple

Taraka Brahma Temple

Kumara Brahma Temple

Vira Brahma Temple

 

The “Siddha Rasarnavam”, a tantric work on Alchemy prescribes certain methods

of Upasana in this place. If the upasana is done as per the prescribed Tantra,

the Mercury oozes from the Linga of Bala Brahma, Navel of Ganapati, Thighs of

Subramanya and Mouth of Mother Jogulamba. The Mercury thus got is used for

converting into Gold by using the medicinal herbs. Even now, we can see some

sadhus who know this science of converting base metal into gold. One such

person was Sri Siva Chidanada Saraswathi Swamigal of Courtallam Peetam near

Tirunelveli who lived till recently. A great Siddha Purusha in Rasa Yoga,

Khanda Yoga Sadhana, Mulika Vaidyam etc. He was the guru of Judge Swamigal of

Pudukottai.

 

Apart from Jogulamba, Bala Bramheswara temples, there are marvelous cluster of

temples at Papanasam, a beautiful temple of exquisite sculpture by name Kudala

Sangameswara temple, Yoga Narasimha Temple and Suryanarayana Temple. Kudala

Sangameswara temple is a wonderful temple with exquisite chalukyan temple

architecture.

 

A museum is also present in the premises of the temple which is maintained by

Archeological Department. There is a Mahishasura Mardini Idol in this museum

which is worth seeing. The exquisite sculpture, the gait and marvelous art is

simply superb which stands as the testimony to the Chalukya Art and Culture.

 

With regards,

Sriram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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