Alampur
A sleepy town on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, in the state of Telangana, Alampur is reckoned as the western gateway to Srisailam. There, some spectacular temples and the ruins of ancient temples make it one of the must-visit places for those interested in Badami Chalukyan architecture, the style typical of the region during the period from 540 to 750 CE. Alampur and its temples are considered by many to be a definite detour away from the mainstream pilgrimage circuit. The principal deities at the Jogulamba Temple in Alampur are Jogulamba and Balabrahmeshwara. Of significance is that the shrines there and the sculpture of Jogulamba might be one of the few places where the appearance of the goddess in her fierce form can be seen.
A prevalent legend relates that there was a great saint named Rasa Siddha in the 6th century, who had the power to change base metals into gold. He was thought to be close to a king named Pulakesi II, who was part of the Chalukya dynasty and who was a big supporter of the construction of temples. Those temples, according to this legend, bear names that allude both to the nine forms of Siva and to the nine medicinal herbs that saint Rasa Siddha, who had special knowledge of alchemy, is said to have used. There is a temple in honor of all nine forms, and this is why some scholars pay attention to the Swarga Brahma, Padma Brahma, etc.
The well-known temple is a testimony to Chalukya Art and Culture. The Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers are in a confluence near Alampur, and hence it is also known as Dakshina Kailasam. Today’s Alampur is said to have been the site where Brahma performed a great penance for thousands of years to please Lord Siva, who rewarded him with the powers of creation. Hence, the deity is also called Brahmeswara, while the goddess is referred to as Yogini or Jogulamba, a synonym for mother Parvathi.
Gadwal
Gadwal is a city and the district Headquarter of Jogulamba Gadwal district in the Indian state of Telangana.It is located 188 km (117 mi) from the state capital of Hyderabad and is a state assembly constituency. Gadwal historically served as the capital of Gadwal Samsthanam, a vassal of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Gadwal was previously part of the Raichur region of Hyderabad-Karnataka.
