This Jogulamba Alampur temple guide covers the temple town of Alampur, in Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana, where the Jogulamba shrine, one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, sits beside the 7th–8th century Navabrahma temples on the left bank of the Tungabhadra, close to its confluence with the Krishna. Locals call the town the Dakshina Kashi and the western gateway to Srisailam.
Alampur is a small temple town in Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana, about 27 km from Kurnool. It holds the Jogulamba Shakti Peetha and the Archaeological Survey of India-protected Navabrahma temples, and sits near the Tungabhadra–Krishna confluence. The temple is open daily; entry is free.
Key takeaways
- Jogulamba is the 5th of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas (Ashtadasa Shakti Peethas); by tradition the upper teeth of Sati fell here. The temple was reconsecrated in 2005.
- The Jogulamba temple is open daily 7 am–1 pm and 2 pm–8:30 pm; entry is free, per Telangana Tourism listings (as of October 2026).
- The nine Navabrahma temples were built by the Badami Chalukyas in the 7th–8th century CE; the Bala Brahma shrine carries an inscription datable to 702 CE and the group is ASI-protected.
- Alampur is about 27 km from Kurnool (roughly 40 minutes by road) and about 215–220 km from Hyderabad on the NH765 corridor; the nearest railhead is Alampur Road, about 9 km away.
- The ASI Alampur Site Museum keeps sculptures from the 6th–16th centuries; it opens 10:30 am–5 pm and is closed on Fridays (as of October 2026).
- Best season is October to March; Alampur gets very hot, with summer highs reported up to about 44°C.
About Alampur and this Jogulamba Alampur temple guide
Alampur is a compact heritage and pilgrimage town on the left bank of the Tungabhadra river, a short way upstream of where the Tungabhadra joins the Krishna. It sits in Jogulamba Gadwal district in southern Telangana, close to the Andhra Pradesh border and the city of Kurnool.
Two things bring people here. The first is the Jogulamba temple, counted among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. The second is a cluster of early medieval stone temples, the Navabrahma group, built by the Badami Chalukyas. Pilgrims and heritage travellers can see both in a single unhurried day.
The town has long been called the Dakshina Kashi (the Kashi, or Varanasi, of the south) and the western gateway to Srisailam, the hill shrine of Shiva deeper inside the Nallamala forest. Alampur earns the Kashi comparison for its river setting, its ghats and its dense group of old Shiva shrines.
If you are routing a wider trip through the state, pair this with our Telangana travel guide for context on seasons, transport and other heritage stops.
Best time to visit Alampur
The best time to visit Alampur is October to March, when days are dry and comfortable for walking the temple complex and the riverside. The region turns very hot from April to June, with summer highs reported up to about 44°C, so the cooler months are far kinder for darshan queues and open-air sculpture.
Festivals shape the busy weeks. Navaratri (around September–October) and Maha Shivaratri (February–March) draw the largest crowds to the Jogulamba temple; expect longer waits and fuller buses on those dates. For a calmer visit, pick a weekday outside festival windows.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool, dry (best) | Oct–Feb | Pleasant days, easy temple walking; peak around Navaratri and Shivaratri |
| Hot, dry | Mar–Jun | Very hot afternoons; start darshan early and carry water |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Humid with spells of rain; the river runs higher and greener |
How to reach Alampur by air, rail and road
The quickest approach is by road from Kurnool, about 27 km (roughly a 40-minute drive) away. Alampur lies on the NH765 Hyderabad–Srisailam corridor, so buses and taxis reach it easily from Kurnool, Gadwal and Hyderabad.
By rail, the nearest station is Alampur Road, about 9 km from the town on the Hyderabad–Guntakal line; auto-rickshaws cover the last stretch. Gadwal Junction, about 20 km away, is another option with wider connections. By air, the nearest airport is Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, roughly 200 km north, from where you drive or take a train onward.
Telangana’s TSRTC and Andhra Pradesh’s APSRTC both run buses on this corridor, so public transport to Kurnool or Gadwal and a short local hop is a realistic way in without a car.
| From | Distance | Typical time / mode |
|---|---|---|
| Kurnool | ~27 km | ~40 min by taxi or bus |
| Alampur Road railway station | ~9 km | ~20 min by auto |
| Gadwal (district HQ) | ~20 km | ~30–40 min by road |
| Hyderabad | ~215–220 km | ~4.5–5 hr by car on NH765 |
| Srisailam | ~200 km | ~4 hr by road via Kurnool/Nallamala |
The Jogulamba Shakti Peetha: darshan and timings
The Jogulamba temple honours the goddess Jogulamba and is counted as the 5th of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. According to tradition, the upper teeth of Sati fell at this spot when her body was divided; the temple presents this as sacred belief rather than recorded history.
The shrine you see today is modern. Historical accounts record that the original temple was destroyed in 1390 CE during Bahmani invasions, and the deity was sheltered within the nearby Bala Brahmeswara temple for centuries. The present Jogulamba temple was built and reconsecrated in 2005, and the site has since received central funding under the Ministry of Tourism’s PRASHAD/PRASAD pilgrimage scheme.
The temple is open daily, with darshan from 7 am to 1 pm and again from 2 pm to 8:30 pm (as of October 2026); entry is free. Within the same walled complex stands the Bala Brahmeswara temple, so a Shakti and a Shiva shrine sit side by side. Arrive early on festival days to beat the queues.
The Navabrahma temples and Alampur’s heritage
The Navabrahma temples are a group of nine stone Shiva temples built by the Badami Chalukyas in the 7th–8th century CE, and they are the architectural heart of Alampur. They are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.
Despite the name, these are Shiva shrines, not Brahma temples. The nine are the Taraka, Svarga, Padma, Bala, Garuda, Kumara, Arka, Veera and Vishva Brahma temples. They are built in the northern Nagara idiom, with curvilinear Rekha-nagara towers and finely carved doorframes, pillars and ceiling panels. The Bala Brahma temple carries an inscription datable to 702 CE, giving the group an unusually firm early date.
A few steps away are two more layers of history. The Papanasi temples, a group traditionally numbered at around twenty-three and dated to roughly the 9th–11th centuries, were relocated to higher ground. The Sangameswara temple, considered the oldest Chalukyan shrine at the site, was transplanted in 1979 when the Srisailam dam reservoir threatened to submerge its original location. The ASI’s Alampur Site Museum, established in 1952, displays sculptures and inscriptions from the 6th to 16th centuries recovered from the area.
| Site | Why go | Timings / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jogulamba temple | The Shakti Peetha; Jogulamba and Bala Brahmeswara shrines | 7 am–1 pm, 2 pm–8:30 pm daily; entry free |
| Navabrahma temples | Nine 7th–8th c. Chalukyan Shiva temples, ASI-protected | Open through the day; allow 60–90 min |
| Sangameswara temple | Oldest Chalukyan shrine, relocated in 1979 | Near the Papanasi group; combine with Navabrahma |
| Alampur Site Museum (ASI) | Sculptures and inscriptions, 6th–16th c. | 10:30 am–5 pm; closed Fridays (fee indicative — reconfirm) |
| Tungabhadra ghats | Riverfront and ritual bathing spot | Best in the cool morning light |
Suggested itinerary
Alampur works best as a focused day trip from Kurnool, or as an overnight stop if you want an unhurried morning by the river. Here is a simple plan.
- One full day: Reach Alampur by mid-morning. Start with Jogulamba darshan and the Bala Brahmeswara shrine, then spend an hour at the Navabrahma temples and the Sangameswara temple. Visit the ASI Site Museum (remember it is shut on Fridays), break for lunch, and end at the Tungabhadra ghats in the late afternoon.
- Overnight: Arrive the previous evening, stay near the temple, and do the darshan at the 7 am opening before crowds build. Keep the second morning for the Navabrahma group and museum at a slow pace, then drive on to Kurnool or back towards Hyderabad.
- Add-on loop: Pair Alampur with Kurnool’s fort and, if you have a second day and a car, the Shiva temple at Mahanandi near Nandyal, or the long onward drive to Srisailam.
Where to stay
Alampur itself has limited accommodation, so most travellers either stay in Kurnool, about 27 km away, or use the modest lodges in and around the town. For a day trip, Kurnool gives the widest choice of hotels across budgets.
In Alampur, the Telangana tourism corporation’s Haritha hotel sits close to the Tungabhadra and is a practical, no-frills base near the temple. Simple pilgrim lodges and guesthouses also operate around the complex. Book ahead for Navaratri and Shivaratri, when rooms fill quickly.
| Type | Where | Indicative tariff / night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget lodge / pilgrim rooms | Alampur town | ₹800–₹1,500 |
| Government hotel (Haritha, TSTDC) | Alampur, near the river | ₹1,500–₹3,000 |
| Mid-range / better hotels | Kurnool | ₹2,000–₹4,500 |
Food to try
Food around Alampur is simple South Indian and Telugu fare, with temple-town vegetarian meals the mainstay. Expect tiffin in the morning and a rice plate at lunch rather than a dining scene.
Look for the Andhra-Telangana thali (a full meal of rice, sambar, rasam, a vegetable curry and curd), served on a plantain leaf at busier eateries. Breakfast staples include idli (steamed rice cakes), dosa (a crisp rice-and-lentil crepe) and vada (a savoury fried lentil doughnut). Pesarattu (a green-gram dosa) is a regional favourite worth trying when available. Carry snacks and water if you are visiting on a quiet weekday, as options can be thin outside meal hours.
Budget breakdown
Alampur is inexpensive to visit because the temple is free and the sights are close together. A day trip from Kurnool costs little beyond transport and meals; an overnight stay adds a room.
| Item | Budget | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (1 night) | ₹900 | ₹2,500 |
| Local transport / taxi share | ₹400 | ₹1,200 |
| Meals (2–3) | ₹300 | ₹700 |
| Museum / small entries | ₹50 | ₹100 |
| Per-person total | ~₹1,650 | ~₹4,500 |
Assumptions: two people sharing a room and a taxi, temple entry free, no major shopping. Figures are planning estimates and will vary with season and group size.
Permits, photography and rules
No special permit is needed to visit Alampur; it is open to all travellers and no ILP or protected-area pass applies here. The Jogulamba temple is an active place of worship, so dress modestly and follow the usual temple etiquette of removing footwear at the entrance.
Photography rules differ by site. Photography is generally not allowed inside the Jogulamba sanctum; at the ASI-protected Navabrahma temples, exterior photography is typically fine while tripods, video or drones usually need written ASI permission. Confirm current rules with staff on site, as they change.
Practical tips
Alampur is straightforward to visit, but a little planning makes the day smoother. The practical essentials are below.
- Cash and UPI: Carry some cash for autos, small eateries and offerings. UPI works at many shops, but a village-town visit should not rely on it entirely; the nearest full range of ATMs is in Kurnool and Gadwal.
- Timing: Start early, especially April–June. Note the ASI museum is closed on Fridays, so avoid Friday if the museum matters to you.
- Health: The nearest large hospitals are in Kurnool. Carry sun protection and water; summer heat here is serious.
- Connectivity: Mobile coverage is generally reliable in the town.
- Solo women travellers: Alampur is a small, busy pilgrim town and generally comfortable by day; as elsewhere, finish sightseeing before dark and prefer registered taxis or buses for the Kurnool leg.
- Packing: Light cottons and a hat for the warm months; a light layer for cool-season mornings; modest clothing for the temple and easy-to-remove footwear.
Nearby places
Alampur pairs well with the temple and fort circuit around Kurnool and the Nallamala shrines. The closest and easiest add-ons are below.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Kurnool | ~27 km | Kurnool Fort, Konda Reddy Buruju and the Handri–Tungabhadra riverfront |
| Gadwal | ~20 km | District town with the Gadwal fort and handloom saris |
| Mahanandi (near Nandyal) | ~100 km (indicative, reconfirm) | Ancient Mahanandiswara Shiva temple with spring-fed tanks |
| Srisailam | ~200 km | Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga and the Nallamala hills |
Frequently asked questions
Which Shakti Peetha is Jogulamba at Alampur?
Jogulamba is the 5th of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas (Ashtadasa Shakti Peethas). By tradition, the upper teeth of Sati are believed to have fallen here. The shrine sits in Alampur, Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana, alongside the Bala Brahmeswara temple within one walled complex.
What are the Jogulamba temple timings?
The Jogulamba temple is open daily from 7 am to 1 pm and again from 2 pm to 8:30 pm, per Telangana Tourism listings (as of October 2026). Entry is free. Arrive early on Navaratri and Maha Shivaratri, when crowds and waiting times are much heavier than usual.
How do I reach Alampur from Kurnool or Hyderabad?
From Kurnool, Alampur is about 27 km, roughly a 40-minute drive by taxi or bus. From Hyderabad it is about 215–220 km on the NH765 corridor, around 4.5–5 hours by car. The nearest railhead is Alampur Road, about 9 km away, on the Hyderabad–Guntakal line.
Are the Navabrahma temples worth visiting?
Yes. The Navabrahma temples are nine 7th–8th century Chalukyan Shiva temples protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, with the Bala Brahma shrine datable to 702 CE. They show early Nagara architecture and fine stone carving, and sit minutes from the Jogulamba temple, so both fit in one day.
Is there an entry fee or permit for Alampur?
No permit is required to visit Alampur, and entry to the Jogulamba temple is free. The ASI Alampur Site Museum charges a small ticket (amount indicative, reconfirm on site) and is closed on Fridays. No ILP or protected-area pass applies to the town.
What is the best time to visit Alampur?
October to March is the best time to visit Alampur, when days are dry and comfortable. Summers are very hot, with highs reported up to about 44°C, so morning darshan is wise if you travel then. Navaratri and Maha Shivaratri are the busiest and most atmospheric festival periods.
Last updated and sources
Alampur suits pilgrims visiting the Jogulamba Shakti Peetha and anyone drawn to early Chalukyan temple art, and it is most comfortable from October to March. Give it a full day, ideally an unhurried morning by the Tungabhadra.
Last updated: 7 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Telangana Tourism, Alampur Jogulamba Temple (Divine Destinations) and Jogulamba Gadwal district; Wikipedia, Alampur Navabrahma Temples and Alampuram (Hemalapuram) (used to locate ASI/dynastic facts); Alampur Museum; Alampur Archaeology Museum timings and Jogulamba Temple; Incredible India, By the Tungabhadra. Accessed October 2026.
