| NAVABHRAMMA TEMPLES (ALAMPUR) |
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| The very ancient Navabhramma temples dating back to the 7th century CE is located in Alampur near Kurnool. The western gateway of Sree Sailam, Alampur is considered to be the revered Jyotirlinga Shivastalam in Andhra Pradesh. Alampur is also known as Dakshina Kailasam where the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers are in confluence. |
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| The Badami Chalukyas, who ruled for about 200 years from the middle of the sixth century onwards built the Nava Bhramma temples. Several temples in Karnataka and the Alampur temples in Andhra Pradesh were the Badami Chalukyas built ones. |
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| Dating back to the 6th-7th centuries CE, the Alampur site preserves archeological remains in the form of temples exhibiting a hybrid style of architecture. In a museum nearby some of the images from this site are also housed. |
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| Taraka Bhramma, Swarga Bhramma, Padma Bhramma, Bala Bhramma, Garuda Bhramma, Kumara Bhramma, Arka Bhramma, Vira Bhramma and the Vishwa Bhramma are the Nine temples here referred to as the Nava Bhramma temples are dedicated to Shiva. On the left bank of the river Tungabhadra these temples are all enclosed in a courtyard. |
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| The principal shrine of worship is the Bala Bhramma temple. As per the inscriptions seen here it dates back to the year 702 CE. In great splendour Shivaratri is celebrated here. |
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| Partly in ruins the Taraka Bhramma temple has no image in the sanctum. From the 6th-7th century CE it bears telugu inscriptions. Among the finest in Alampur the Swarga Bhramma temple with an imposing tower 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. |
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| The Padma Bhramma temple contains a Shivalingam of clear stone with mirror like finish but partly in ruins. Among the most artistic of the Nava Bhramma temples is the Viswa Bhramma temple. The sculptural work here depicts scenes from the epics. |
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| The Suryanarayana temple, dating back to the 9th century located in the enclosed courtyard. This temple has bas reliefs representing the incarnations of Vishnu. From the period of Krishna Deva Raya of the Vijayanagar Empire there is also a Narasimha temple with inscriptions. |
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| Papanasam with a cluster of over 20 temples of varying sizes and styles is near Alampur. The most important of these is the Papanaseswara temple. It enshrines the Navabrahmas in the nine Aalayas built in the North Indian style, like curvilinear towers. |
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| It also houses one of the Sakthipithas, and boasts of Sivaalayas and Vaishnavate temples built on the banks of Vedavathi and Nadavathi, the tributaries of Tungabhadra. Among the temples the Papanaseswara Swamy Aalayam lies in the middle. |
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| This temple architectural grandeur is very impressive, but it still has multi-pillared halls and huge mantapams that enshrine many deities. The sculptural pieces on the walls represent incidents in the lord`s life. The Navagrahas have been carved on the ceiling. The Saptamatrukas shrine and a niche enshrining the Mahishasura Mardini are worth the visit. The temple is dedicated to Chennakesava swamy, Suryanarayana swamy, Narasimha swamy are in the vicinity of Navabrahma Aalayas. |
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| Alampur is about 214 km from Hyderabad and 27 km from Kurnool.
Frequent buses (every 20 minutes) and taxis from Kurnool
To stay accommodation is available at Kurnool |
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