Telangana BJP MLA Raja Singh has written a letter to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) seeking the removal of a Dargah constructed within the Jogulamba temple premises.

The Jogulamba Temple is a Shaktipeeth where Maa Sati’s upper teeth fell.

Raja Singh highlighted the significance of the temple to Hindus in general and Shaktas (worshippers of Shakti) in particular, the temple was one of the Maha Shakti Peethas, a group of eighteen (Ashtadasa) temples considered the most significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations. He also brought to light the fact that the temple is housed in the Navabrahma temple complex which is a group of nine Shiva temples constructed in the seventh-eighth centuries.

Alampur is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river near its confluence with the Krishna river. Jogulamba Temple is located in the same complex as that of the Navabrahma Temples, a group of nine Shiva temples built in the seventh-eighth century CE.

The principal deities at the Jogulamba temple are Jogulamba and Balabrahmeswara, a form of Shiva. In this temple, Goddess Jogulamba is seen seated on a corpse with a scorpion, frog, and lizard on the head. The word Jogulamba is said to be derived from the Telugu word Yogula Amma which means Mother of Yogis.

“The temple was included under the PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation Advancement Drive) scheme of the Government of India in 2019 and was being maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Hyderabad Circle”, Raja Singh mentioned in his letter.

Furthermore, he noted that government authorities failed to act on the illegal structure within the temple premises. He stated that the Dargah suddenly appeared within the temple complex and a Kaman was constructed overnight. He has requested the ASI authorities to act at the earliest and remove the illegal encroachment as a mark of respect for Hindu sentiments.

Location

Alampur is located approximately 220 km south of Hyderabad and is accessible through the Hyderabad-Bangalore highway.

Jogulamba Temple is located in the same complex as that of the Navabrahma Temples, a group of nine temples dedicated to Shiva built in the seventh and eighth century CE by the Badami Chalukyas.

History

Jogulamba temple is regarded as a Shakti Peetha where Sati Devi's upper teeth fell. The mythology of Daksha yagna and Sati's self-immolation is the origin story of Shakti Peethas.

The original temple was reportedly built in the seventh century CE. It was grounded by Bahmani Sultans in 1390 CE. Vijayanagara Emperor Harihara Raya II was said to have sent his army to fight the Bahamani Sultan's army and fortified the temple complex to stop further attacks. It was said that the main idol was shifted to the nearby Bala Brahma temple in the Navabrahma temple complex.

Since then, the idol had been worshipped in a secluded place in the Bala Brahma temple. Jogulamba temple was rebuilt at its former location in 2005 and the original idol was installed in the new temple.

Netizens Reaction