Department of Heritage Telangana

ALAMPUR SITE MUSEUM

The Alampur Site Museum, established in 1952, is a premier archaeological destination located in the Jogulamba-Gadwal district of Telangana. Situated within a miniature fortress on the west bank of the Tungabhadra River, the museum is surrounded by the world-renowned Nava Brahma Temples, often referred to as the "Banaras of the South."

Historical Significance & Evolution

• Ancient Roots: Archaeological evidence, including Satavahana coins and Ikshvaku-era inscriptions, confirms that Alampur has been a major religious center since the 3rd century AD.
• Western Gateway to Srisailam: According to the Skanda Purana, Alampur is revered as the western gateway to Srisailam, one of India's most sacred Saivite sites.
• Dynastic Legacy: The site flourished under the Badami Chalukyas (7th–8th Century AD), who were responsible for the primary temple construction. It later saw significant contributions from the Rashtrakutas, Western Chalukyas of Kalyani, Kakatiyas, and the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Royal Visits: Notably, the Vijayanagara Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya visited Alampur in 1521 AD following his conquest of Raichur.

The Nava Brahma Temples

The museum serves as the interpretive center for the nine historic temples built from the 6th century onwards:

1.    Swarga Brahma | 2. Padma Brahma | 3. Garuda Brahma | 4. Bala Brahma (Main Shrine) | 5. Arka Brahma | 6. Kumara Brahma | 7. Vira Brahma | 8. Vishva Brahma | 9. Taraka Brahma.

Museum Exhibits and Collections

The museum houses 124 stone sculptures and 26 inscriptional slabs, representing a chronological range from the 6th to the 16th Century AD.

Iconic Sculptures:

• Mahishasuramardini (7th–8th Century AD): A masterpiece in red sandstone, this eight-armed (Asthabhuja) Devi is depicted with perfect iconographical detail, piercing the buffalo demon with a trident.
• Ashtadikpalas Ceiling Panel: A massive Chalukyan panel featuring Nataraja at the center, surrounded by the guardians of the eight directions.
• Sapthamatrikas: A 7th-century rectangular panel depicting the seven mother goddesses seated in Lalitasana, flanked by Lord Siva and Ganesa.
• Naga Sculpture (8th–9th Century AD): A unique representation of a Naga with a human torso and a coiled serpentine body, crowned by a seven-hooded canopy.
• Vishnu Gallery: Includes a 14th-century Black Basalt Vishnu and an earlier 7th-century Red Sandstone Gadadhara Murthi.

Research and Epigraphy

With 26 inscriptional slabs on display, the museum is a vital resource for epigraphical research. These records document land grants and temple constructions by kings such as Vijayaditya (Badami Chalukya) and Prataparudra (Kakatiya), offering a continuous historical narrative of the Deccan.

Plan Your Visit: Discover the architectural transition from the early Chalukyan style to the Vijayanagara era in one of India’s most sacred and archaeologically rich temple towns.