Rajarajeswari Polali DT Nt pg 8 - Page 17

Sati's upper teeth fell on this place.

Adi Sankaracharya was believed to have installed "Sri Chakram at the temple, which is not available now. The temple is declared as a Heritage site and is under the control of ASI. The temple trust of Srisilam has adopted the Jogulamba temple to ensure regular conduct of rituals.

Alampur was ruled by Shatavahana Ishvakus of Nagarjunakonda, Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijaynagara Empire and Qutb Shahis of Golconda.

Alampur was earlier known as Halampuram, Hamalpuram and Amalapuram. As per the inscription dating back to 1101 AD belonging to Western Chalukya, Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI, Alampur is mentioned as Hatampuram.

Jogulamba Devi is considered as Gruha Chandi (Protector of homes). Jogulamba Devi is seated on a corpse. The idol has huge locks of hair with lizard, scorpion, bats and human skull adorning it. These are the indications of evil and signs of deterioration of a house. Lizard is the primary indication that a house has started deteriorating. When the lizards become uncontrollable, scorpions start entering the house, which is even worse. The next level would be the entry of bats which is an indication of loss of human life in the house. Jogulamba Devi is worshipped for warding off the evil effects of Vaastu Dosha. According to locals, Jogulamba Devi is in Ugra Roopa(highly energetic and hard to worship) and the water pool near the temple makes the atmosphere cool.

The other idols present at the temple are Saptamatrikas (Group of Seven mother- Goddesses, each of whom is a Shakthi or a female counterpart of a god. They are- Brahmani, Maheshvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani, and Chamunda, or Yami) Vigneshwara and Veenapani Veerabadra. New idols of Chandi Mundi are placed at the Jogulamba Temple, while the original idols are left behind at Bala Brahmeshwara Swamy temple. The temple also has a Yagnashala, a rest house and a pond. The temple attracts a large number of pilgrims from across the country during festivals like Shivratri and Navratri.

Alampur is also famous for Maharishi Jamadagni's ashram. Maharishi Jamadagni along with his wife, Renuka and four sons was staying in Alampur worshipping Bala Braheshwara Swamy and Jogulamba Devi. Renuka Mata, with her power would regularly make pot with sand and bring water from River Tungabhadra. One day, she saw the King of Gandharva enjoying himself while having a bath in the River with his wives. She immediately felt that pleasures or enjoyment comes from materialistic wealth and not from worshipping God. The very next moment, she lost her divine power of making pots from sand. On reaching home without water, Maharishi Jamadagni wanted to know the reason. Renuka Mata explained the incident and admitted her sinful thoughts. Maharishi Jamadagni got enraged, and asked his four sons to kill Renuka. While three sons refused to kill, the fourth son, Parushuram killed his mother by cutting off her head with his axe. Maharishi Jamadagni was extremely happy and bestowed a boon. Parushuram asked his father to restore life to his mother. Then Jamadagni revived Renuka to life.

The head of Renuka Mata became Ekaveera Devi and the headless portion of the body is worshipped as Bhudevi. Ekaveera Devi symbolises Maya Rupa (materialistic thoughts) and Bhudevi symbolises Matru Rupa(Mother). Many believe that Ekaveera Devi manifested herself as goddess Yellamama in Undavelli village near Alampur, while the temple of Bhudevi is present in the Bala Braheswara Swamy temple.

It is stated that Brahma performed a great penance at this place for propitiating Ishwar by installing and worshipping a Rasalinga. Hence the deity is called Brahmeswara.

Another legend states that the Pandava hero, Arjuna, had offered severe penance to Lord Shiva in Srisailam. Arjuna used to worship the Lord in His Swayambhu form (Self -manifest Linga) with jasmine (Mallika) flowers and henceforth, the Lord came to be called as Mallikarjuna'.

As per one more legend, centuries ago, there used to be a tribal population called Chenchus' in the forests near Srisailam. Once, Lord Shiva Himself, came to Srisailam on a hunting expedition. He was disguised as a hunter and used to go with the Chenchu tribes for hunting. Lord Shiva fell in love with one beautiful Chenchu woman (Goddess Parvathi in disguise), whom He married. Then, the divine couple would go for hunting in the surrounding forests of Srisailam.

Henceforth, Lord Mallikarjuna became famous as Chenchu Malliah', among the Chenchu tribes of the Srisailam forests. This tribal legend is beautifully depicted on a bas-relief on the Prakara of the temple. Lord Shiva is shown as killing a tiger, followed by Goddess Parvathi, dressed as a Chenchu woman. Even today, the descendents of the Chenchu tribes, have free permission to go to any part of the Srisailam temple, including the sanctum sanctorum, enshrining the divine Linga.

The main temple of Lord Mallikarjuna stands in the centre of an inner courtyard and is surrounded by many other smaller shrines. There is an exquisitely carved Mukha mantapa' (pillared hall) in front of the main temple. There is a Shiva temple towards the northern side of the Mukha mantapa, which has a carved stone Linga called Sahasra Linga' (A Linga having 1000 smaller Lingas). On the northern side of the main temple, under the shade of a Vata Vriksha' (Banyan Tree), there is another shrine dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna, which is believed to contain the original Linga, over which the black cow of Princess Chandavati gave milk. The temple of Goddess Bhramaramba lies in a separate enclosure, west of the inner courtyard.

This most beautiful scene spot in surroundings of Srisailam is located about 4 Km from the main temple. Tradition records that Bhagavan Adisankara performed penance at this place and composed the famous Sivanandalahari here. Marble statues of Sarada Devi and Sankaracharya are installed there and daily regular Poojas are offered.

This spot is located in a narrow valley approachable by a flight of steps where subterranean streams of pure water with musical sound reverberating the surroundings. According to local folk these streams are known as Phaladhara Panchadhara and these two signify their origin from the fore head of God Siva the Phaladhara.

Adi Sankara wrote Sivananda Lahari here. He sang the glory of Siva in this highly acclaimed work. The fact that he paid his respects only to Srisailam by mentioning Bhramaramba and Mallikharjuna in his 50 and 51 slokas proves the unparalleled splendour of this place .

Lord Vishnu likes the region more than Vaikuntha or the Kshirsagar since it is the home of his consort Lakshmi. The greatness of this region has therefore attracted many sages and devotees, the blessings and affections showered by this region on its devotees are immeasurable.

It is believed that Prabhu Shri Dattatreya still comes here every noon to seek alms

Kiranotsav: The small window on the western wall which is open. Once a year, the rays of the Sun during sunset falls on the face of the image through this window. This period lasts for three days, each time, the 21st, of the months of March and September. This period is considered extremely auspicious, the Devotees throng the temple on all the three evenings the temple for a glimpse of the beautiful image bathing in the golden rays of the setting sun.

It is not surprising that even the rays of a setting sun pay homage to Goddess Mahalakshmi as the life of human being revolves around illumination and prosperity. But it is the wonder of wise architects who built the temple of Mahalakshmi at kolhapur that the rays of the setting Sun, bow at the feet of the Goddess through a window, for a while before vanishing. This special event is celebrated by thousands of people as KiranUtsav'. Every year this festival is celebrated on the following days at evening: 31 January 1 February 2 February 9 November 10 November 11 November.

It is said that Sun god gives respect to Mahalaxmi for three days in a year. This will be on the occasion of RathaSaptami (which will be somewhere in January every year). This will be for 3 days. The first day, ray falls on the feet, on second day, on the middle portion of the deity and on the third day on the face. It's the architect's excellence, which is been done more than 1000 years ago, can still be observed. Later during the time of Peshwas, the temple was repaired. Though, many invasions over this part of India have caused some damages of the beautiful idols, which are all around the temple.