20/03/2024
The Navabrahma temples in Alampur, TS, are a mystery that hasn't been fully explained yet. These temples are Bala Brahma, Kumara Brahma, Arka Brahma, Vira Brahma, Visva Brahma, Taraka Brahma, Garuda Brahma, Swarga Brahma, and Padma Brahma.
You won't find the names of the Navabrahmas of Alampur mentioned in any of the Puranas, which are truly unique and without holding any relation to Navabrahmas, including Marichi, Bharadwaja, Angirasa, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Daksha, Vasistha, and Varnadeva.
The Sthalapurana reveals the story of a Rasasiddha who came from Banaras with the blessings of Jogulamba and dedicated these temples to Brahmesvara. According to tradition, the names are explained with reference to medical herbs used by Rasasiddhas.
There are many unsolved riddles surrounding the names and history of these temples. Below is about each temple and their names.
1. Kumara Brahma Temple, possibly the first constructed in the group, has pillars and ceiling beams with carvings of Kumara, Ganesh, and Mayura (the peacock).
2. Arka Brahma Temple is one of the most damaged of the temples. It's disheartening to see chisel marks on the walls that indicate a deliberate removal of the carvings and reliefs.
3. Vira Brahma Temple hasn't survived. Although the temple still stands as a simpler square-plan structure, it's unfortunate that its cultural and artistic heritage has been lost.
4. Visva Brahma Temple, located in the northernmost part of Navabrahma temples, is truly a masterpiece. Its unique sculptural work depicts scenes from famous epics such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Mithuna.
5. Taraka Brahma temple is the smallest shrine among the nine temples. The temple’s vimana has been mostly destroyed, but a small portion remains has 6th-7th century CE Telugu and Kannada inscriptions.
6. Garuda Brahma Temple has the same plan as the Viswa Brahma temple but in a simpler style. Garuda carrying Vishnu reflects Vaishnavism. The Chaitya arch projects a Nataraja, symbolising the convergence of both Shaivism and Vaishnavism.
7. Svarga Brahma Temple in Alampur features Chalukyan architecture and sculpture. It dates back to the late 8th century and features many bas-relief sculptures of Vedic and Puranic gods, including Shiva, Vishnu, and Devi.
8. Padma Brahma temple, though partly in ruins, has a Shivalingam made of clear stone with a mirror-like finish. Some of its broken artwork and pieces have been preserved in the Alampur Museum, which is located nearby.
9. Bala Brahma Temple is active, and regular pujas are performed. Saptamatris(seven mothers) are full-fledged images in the Nolamba style, Tandava Siva and Chamunda figures with pretastana are unique among the finest sculptures.
Attached are the sculptures of each temple.
Watch the video here - https://youtube.com/shorts/t2-vx4kAN7Q
