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.