At a distance of 66 km from Nandyal, 137 km from Kurnool, 114 km from Kadapa, 348 km from Vijayawada, 350 km from

Hyderabad and 407 km from Bangalore, Ahobilam or Ahobalam is an important pilgrimage center located in the Kurnool
district of Andhra Pradesh. Ahobilam is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Andhra Pradesh.

Ahobilam is the holy abode of Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in man-lion form. According to legend, this
is the place where Lord Narasimha killed Hiranyakasipu and saved Prahalada. Though the initial temples were built by
Chalukyas in 8th century, most of the current structures were rebuilt by Vijayanagara kings around 15th century.

Situated amidst dense Nallamala Forest, Ahobilam is one of the 108 Divya Desams. This place is also called as Nava
Narasimha Kshetra since Lord Narasimha is worshipped in 9 different forms and separate temples exist for all the forms
within a radius of 5 km from the main temple. Jwala Narasimha, Ahobila Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Kroda
Narasimha, Kaaranja Narasimha, Bhargava Narasimha, Yaogananda Narasimha, Chathravata Narasimha and Paavana
Narasimha are the nine forms of Lord Narasimha in Ahobilam. Few of these temples have easy access, but most of them
have to be reached by difficult treks through thick forest and rocky paths.

The town is divided into two parts, Lower Ahobilam and Upper Ahobilam. Of these nine shrines, Yogananda, Chathravata
and Bhargava Narasimha swami shrines are situated in Lower Ahobilam and the remaining six are in upper Ahobilam.
There is also another temple of Lord Narasimha Swami in the lower Ahobilam where the idol of the Lord is believed to
be installed by Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati.

Ahobilam is a small town and food is available at small hotels and canteens. There is a Brahmana Nitya Annadana Satram
in the Upper Ahobilam where food is provided daily for nearly 400 people. In addition, Sri Ahobila Matham has
established a trust called Annamacharya Nitya Annadana Trust. Food is provided free of cost to the devotees of Sri
Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.

Brahmothsavam is celebrated in the month of February to mid-March. All the 9 shrines can be visited in 2 days with help
of guide.

Hyderabad Airport is the nearest airport, 333 km from Ahobilam. Nandyal Railway Station is the nearest railway station,
located 66 km away from Ahobilam. It is connected to major cities like Howrah, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Goa,
Machelipatnam, Vijayawada, Hubli, Puri, Vizag and Bhubaneswar. Ahobilam is very well connected by bus with nearest
town Allagadda (25 km). There are state buses available from Chittoor, Nandyal, Kadapa, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Nellore,
Chennai and Kurnool for Allagadda.

The best time to visit Ahobilam is from October to March while the peak season is from February to May. Usually it takes
1 day to visit Ahobilam.

Temple Timings:
Lower Ahobilam: 6 AM - 2:30 PM and 5 PM - 8 PM
Other Temples: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 5:30 PM

It was 3 PM by then, the main temple at Lower Ahobilam was closed and would open only after 5 PM, so we decided to
complete visits to the temples that were easier to trek. The difficult treks were put off to the next day because we had
to get back before darkness. We went to the Administrative office to find someone who would come along to guide us,
it is advisable to take someone to guide you to avoid getting lost in the forest !
Alampur near Kurnool is home to the very ancient Navabhramma temples dating back to the 7th century CE. Alampur
is located at a distance of 200 km from Hyderabad. Alampur is considered to be the western gateway of Sree Sailam,
the revered Jyotirlinga Shivastalam in Andhra Pradesh. The southern, eastern, and northern gateways are
Siddhavattam, Tripurantakam and Umamaheswaram respectively.

The Tungabhadra and Krishna are in confluence near Alampur, which is also known as Dakshina Kailasam (as is Sree
Kalahasti in Southern Andhra Pradesh). Nine temples here referred to as the Nava Bhramma temples are dedicated to
Shiva.

The Nava Bhramma temples were built by the Badami Chalukyas, who ruled for about 200 years from the middle of the
sixth century onwards. The Badami Chalukyas built several temples in Karnataka, and the Alampur temples in Andhra
Pradesh.The Alampur site preserves archeological remains in the form of temples exhibiting a hybrid style of
architecture - dating back to the 6th-7th centuries CE. Some of the images from this site are also housed in a museum
nearby.

The Nava Bhramma temples are Taraka Bhramma, Swarga Bhramma, Padma Bhramma, Bala Bhramma, Garuda
Bhramma, Kumara Bhramma, Arka Bhramma, Vira Bhramma and the Vishwa Bhramma. These temples are all
enclosed in a courtyard on the left bank of the river Tungabhadra.

The Bala Bhramma temple is the principal shrine of worship. It dates back to the year 702 CE - per the inscriptions seen
here. Shivaratri is celebrated in great splendour here.

The Taraka Bhramma temple is partly in ruins, and it has no image in the sanctum. It bears telugu inscriptions from the
6th-7th century CE. The Swarga Bhramma temple with an imposing tower is considered to be among the finest in
Alampur, and is an excellent specimen of Chalukyan architecture and sculpture. It contains several sculptures in bas
relief, and it dates back to the end of the 8th century.

The Padma Bhramma temple partly in ruins, contains a Shivalingam of clear stone with mirror like finish. The Viswa
Bhramma temple is among the most artistic of the Nava Bhramma temples. The sculptural work here depicts scenes
from the epics.

Also in the enclosed courtyard is located the Suryanarayana temple, dating back to the 9th century. This temple has
bas reliefs representing the incarnations of Vishnu. There is also a Narasimha temple with inscriptions from the period
of Krishna Deva Raya of the Vijayanagar Empire.

Near Alampur, is Papanasam with a cluster of over 20 temples of varying sizes and styles. The most important of these
is the Papanaseswara temple.
Matha Jogulamba--5th Shaktipeeth

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.

Alampur near Kurnool is home to the very ancient Navabhramma temples dating back to the 7th century CE.
Alampur is located at a distance of 200 km from Hyderabad. Alampur is considered to be the western gateway
of Sree Sailam, the revered Jyotirlinga Shivastalam in Andhra Pradesh.

The Tungabhadra and Krishna are in confluence near Alampur, which is also known as Dakshina Kailasam (as
is Sree Kalahasti in Southern Andhra Pradesh). Nine temples here referred to as the Nava Bhramma temples are
dedicated to Shiva.

The Nava Bhramma temples were built by the Badami Chalukyas, who ruled for about 200 years from the
middle of the sixth century onwards. The Badami Chalukyas built several temples in Karnataka, and the
Alampur temples in Andhra Pradesh.The Alampur site preserves archeological remains in the form of temples
exhibiting a hybrid style of architecture - dating back to the 6th-7th centuries CE. Some of the images from this
site are also housed in a museum nearby.

Near Alampur, is Papanasam with a cluster of over 20 temples of varying sizes and styles. The most important
of these is the Papanaseswara temple.

It is stated that Brahma performed a great penance at this place for thousands of years, and pleased Lord Siva
who con- ferred the powers of creation on him. Hence the deity is called Brahmeswara. The goddess is called
Yogini or Jogul- amba, which is a synonym for Parvathi.

Padma Brahma Temple:This temple is in the Swarga Brahma style. Apart from the sculptures of two
dwarpalikas near the square gateway, with the flying figure on the top, the sculptures on the facade of this
temple have all been destroyed.

The Garuda Brahma temple: Modeled on the Padma Brahma, this temple is distinguished by elaborate carvings
on the pillars inside the hall, with the cool shadows secured for the extension of consciousness into the non-
sensuous realms of calm.
Bala Brahma Temple: This temple has remained in worship through the centuries. Therefore, it has often been
renovated. The images are a mixture of routine sculptures like Jogulamba, Durga, Narasimha and the Rishis. In
the courtyard are images of Mukhalinga, Sahasralinga and Mahishasuramardini. The most vital image is the
mother goddess in the small shrine.
Arka Brahma Temple: The roof of this temple has disappeared and it is a mere ruin.
Kumara Brahma Temple: The style of construction of this temple approximates to the other Nava Brahma
shrines. There is a row of seven heads, carved on the halldoor frame of this temple, of which the significance
seems to be lost to us. The pillars of the porch of this shrine have detailed intricate carvings.
Vira Brahma Temple: There is nothing to distinguish this temple from the others.
Vishva Brahma Temple: Except that it has no porch, the plan of the Vishva Brahma resembles the Swarga
Brahma. The sculptures on the facade are also similar, both in theme and execution, though the virtuosity has
disappeared because of the vandal's axe. Thus the figure of Trivikrama might have been a magnificent carving
when it was whole. Also, the Gangavatarana was once a highly energetic sculpture. The Mithunas are also
damaged. The floral relief of makaras and birds with flying figures indicate the lyricism of desire flowing
through them from the springtime of the Chalukyan sensibility.

Taraka Brahma Temple: The taraka Brahma temple differs from all the other Nava Brahma group of shrines,
because it is built in the mergent southern style. It has a garbhagriha, an antarala and a porch. Except for the
Devakoshtha in the center of each of the three walls of the garbhagriha, the large blocks of stone don't carry any
relief.