Kudavalli Sangameswara temple Alampur : JOGULAMBA GADWAL district

                                 29^th, October 2017

KUDAVALLI SANGAMESWARA TEMPLE, ALAMPUR

           Less than a km from the Navabrahma Temples of Alampur lies an ASI protected monument of Chalukyan Architecture called Sangameswara Temple. Eventhough, we visited Alampur Jogulamba temple many times, we never knew about such rich heritage situated in its vicinity.

          The temple never got any recognition compared to the Shaktipeet of Alampur. The maintaince is utterly poor. The temple priest whose family performed rituals in this temple for generations narrated me the history and significance of its architecture.

          It was built by  Chalukya ruler Pulakesin II in 740 AD. {ASI board suggests that it belongs to the period of Vikramaditya I (655-81 AD) son of Pulakesin II}. It was orignally stood at the point of confluence (sangamam) of Krishna, Thunga and Badra rivers at Kudavalli 16km from Alampur, similar to the Kudali Sangamam  of Karnataka where Krishna and Malaprabha meet which is a famous shivate shrine. 

         The Srisailam Hydroelectric Project built in 1970’s had a risk of submerging the temple under its backwaters. Hence ASI relocated the entire temple exactly, block by block to current location, without disturbing its architecture in 1979.

        Sangameshwara temple is a fine example of Chalukyan grandeur, resembles Pattadakal in many ways. 

        It is built in Nagara style, on an elevated platform with fortified wall around the temple. 

       The temple has got large hall with 12 pillars followed by the sanctum, which has rudraksha malas on them. 

           There is a circumambulatory path around the sanctum for pradakshinas. The ceiling has a large relief of Nagaraja, as seen in other Chalukya temples. The pillars in the hall have nicely engraved images of Lord Vishnu, Brahma and Kumaraswarmy and celestial couple. 

          Right opposite the temple entrance is a Nandi Mantapa and a Stambha. The Mantapa is built on a 4' platform, has four square pillars and a simple flat roof.

The sikhara is of dvianga class has karna amalaka sila (resembles an Amla)

          There was a Marakata Linga found beneath the main shivalinga while moving the temple from the original site.Hence,all the four corners of the temple have crocodile carvings. You can see a human figure inside crocodile mouth in one of the corners. The human figure appears differently from each side, as child, youth carrying a baby in her arms and an elder person. The other 3 corners have crocodiles eating a man, a goat and a horse.

           The side walls are adorned with alternating niches and lattice designed windows which are unique and doesn’t repeat.

           

            This is the Matsya Yantra, a fish window, what looks like a flower is actually a convergence of eight similar fish. Similar Matsya Yantra can be seen at, Lad Khan Shiva Temple of Chalukyas at Aihole. 

              There is a small sanctum to the right of main entrance in the pradakshinapatha. It has image of Lord Narayana carved out of a black granite. Images of Dashavatara of Narayana are carved around the head in a climbers fashion. The lord is accompained by Sridevi Bhudevi to his right and left and the celestial bird Garuda below his feet.

Lord Narayana

            The fortified wall around the temple has many beautiful carvings of various statues. 

This is the entrance of the temple, having Sanghanidi and Padmanidi as dwarapalakas.

         Next to the Sanghanidi, lies goddess Yamnua standing on her vehicle Kamatha, a turtle. Observe her dress; the wet clothes are beautifully depicted. 

        Next is the idol of Harihara. The right half is Hara i.e. Lord Shiva with Trishul and Damaruk in his hand, a crescent moon and goddess Ganga on his head. The left half is Hari i.e. Lord Vishnu with Shanka- Chakra and a Gadha.

          Next, is the idol of Yamadarma Raja sitting on his vehicle, a he buffalo holding a danda in his right hand. To his left is the standing image of Chitragupta, who takes in to account all our good and bad thoughts and deeds.

          Lord Vishnu, with Adishesha above his head. Jain Architectural influence is clearly seen.

Lord Shiva killing demons.

            Lord Varuna. Again Jain architectural influence is clearly seen.

            Above Lord Varuna lies a small image of Rathi and Manmadha. It’s in the south west corner. According to Vastu Sastra, bedrooms are generally towards southwest or Nairuthi. It depicts that Chalukyans followed Vastu Sastra. 

         This is the image of ShodashaBhuja, the one who has 16 shoulders.

           The image of a Jain Monk.

            This is the statue of Ardhanaareshwara - physically and symmetrically half man-half woman.The statue's right half has male features while the left half has female features - right from feet to head. This idol is the main attraction of the temple. 

          This is the image of Lord Hanuman which is quite different than the ones seen usually. Its tail's end has a Trishula.

 This is the back view of the temple. 

            This is my small attempt to explain the glorious architecture of this magnificient ASI monument. Do visit this Kudavalli Sangameswara temple for sure next time when you go to Alampur.