Tag: Travel Inspiration

Alampur: South India’s City of Moksh

The temple town of Alampur in the Mahbubnagar district of Telangana is renowned for its Ashtadasa Shakti Peetham, the Jogulamba Temple.

But there is more to this sleepy little town that is only a few hours from Hyderabad. It is believed to be the Western gateway to Srisailam, one of the important pilgrimage centres for Shaivites (Shiva believers) in the country.

Locals say that there are so many Shiva Lingams everywhere, in and around Alampur only waiting to be found that this little town is known as Dakshina Kasi, implying it is South India’s very own Benaras/Varanasi/Kasi, the abode of Lord Shiva and the Hindus’ City of Moksh (salvation).

Navabramha Temple Complex & Jogulamba

Nine for Navabramhas, nine forms of Lord Shiva.

Legend has it that a 6^th century saint, Rasa Siddha had created a tantric Siddha Rasarnavam here at the Navabramha temples, built by the then Chalukya king, Pulakesi II. Using which, he could create gold out of mercury just by adding a few herbs. It is after this tool of alchemy – religious mysticism, that the nine deities here are named.

It is in this Navabramha Temple Complex, that the Jogulamba Temple is situated. One of the eighteen major Shakti Peethams, as listed by Adi Shankaracharya.

Here the goddess takes her Roudra Roopam or the form of fury. Which is why there is a moat around the main shrine, to cool the atmosphere and make it easier for us mere mortals to pray to this ‘Mother of Yogis’, they say.

So, both the principal deities of this temple come power packed with legends and beliefs! It is little wonder then that Alampur is a popular destination for a lot of Hindu pilgrims in Telangana.

But what is different here is that, this temple complex stands a stoic witness to a lot of mankind’s history.

For within its original walls, amidst all the temples, sits a dargah (grave/shrine of a religious figure or saint).

Speaking volumes of a time when not just this temple was invaded by intolerant rulers. The Bahamani sultans of the 14^th century, in this case.

Sangameswara Temple

Every temple in this town seems to some how signify the importance of the holy confluence of the rivers Krishna and Tungabadhra. To begin with, Alampur itself gets the monicker ‘Navabramha Theertham’ from this. the most prominent one, the Navabramha Temple Complex built on the banks of Tungabadhra in the 7^th century, together with the word ‘theertham’ meaning holy water give this town the name . Yet another temple in Alampur hinting at the holy confluence or Sangam is the Sangameswara Temple.

Did you know?
The Sangameswara Temple was moved stone for stone from the banks of the river to where it is now, during the construction of the Srisailam Dam in the 1970s.

This temple comes next only in terms of popularity for it is just as beautiful as the first if not even more striking in its stoic solitude. This only leaves us to wonder just how important were these rivers once, spiritually!

Papanasi Group of Temples

Save the best for the last and use Google Maps to take you to the Papanasi Group of Temples next. Tucked away, just around the corner from the main town of Alampur, is this cluster of 24 temples, stunningly elegant in their simple design.

Majority of these shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva – yet again – housing Lingams in numerous forms.

Explorers Guide

Distance from Hyderabad: 215 kilometres
Trip Duration: Full Day
Route: Alampur is a three hour drive along the Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway. One can either go via the Outer Ring Road or the Airport. To save on time, plan your day trip so that you are not stuck in the city traffic during peak hours.
Tourist Info: The Jogulamba Temple in Alampur is open from 7 am to 5:30 pm, and is closed for an hour during the day between 1pm to 2pm. It is advisable, though not mandatory, for women to dress in traditional Indian clothes like a salwar kameez or a saree.
Remember: The Jogulamba temple closes early, so make sure to visit here first. It is also customary to take along a saree and bangles as an offering to the Mother Goddess.

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Read More on Temples in Telangana:

Of Rocks & Hidden Temples: Armoor
A Song of Stone: Dichpally Ramalayam
Town of Hymns: Manthani
Lost in Time: Nagunur Ruins

February 5, 2018
24 Hours in Jaipur

The country’s first planned city, Jaipur earned the moniker Pink City when Maharaja Ram Singh painted the entire city pink in honour of the Prince of Wales’s visit to India in 1876, for the colour pink symbolised hospitality.

One corner of India’s golden triangle, Delhi – Agra – Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital is an enchanting city, bustling with modernity and yet steeped in tradition and history, that you feel it in the very air you breathe.

Here is a lowdown on how to spend 24 hours in Pink City, the old city of Jaipur.

Breakfast @ LMB

Start your day like a local! Dig into the hot, savoury Pyaaz Kachoris and Jalebi at the iconic Lakshmi Mishthan Bhandar, lovingly called LMB, while you wait for the “World Famous Paneer Ghevar” to be packed for you to take back home.

This vegetarian restaurant in the old part of Jaipur, the Pink City as it is known, has been going strong since 1954.

& If you are not up to breakfast then the Rajasthani Thali is surely a must try. For when you are in Jaipur, you cannot not have the ghee laden Daal Baati Churma atleast once.

Hawa Mahal + Johari Bazaar

Hawa Mahal is a paradox. It is at once Jaipur’s – or even Rajasthan’s – most iconic monument and it is also probably its most underrated. For everyone’s visit to this beauty in pink begins and ends with a picture outside it. But you really enjoy it and begin to appreciate its name, Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds only once you are on the inside.

Johari Bazaar, or jewellers bazaar is Jaipur’s most popular shopping street. From silver trinkets to exquisite jewellery set in kundans, precious gems and diamonds, it truly is an experience, even if it is just to take a look at designs that hark back to a regal era.

Lunch @ Rajput Room

Lunch like a royal at Rajput Room, an all day fine dining restaurant in the Taj Rambagh Palace.

The erstwhile palace of the celebrated beauty, Maharani Gayatri Devi, queen of Jaipur, the Rambagh Palace is everything that India is associated with. A palace of marble elephants, Mughal gardens, hand-carved marble jalis (latticework), sandstone balustrades and chattris.

City Palace + Jantar Mantar

The City Palace and the Jantar Mantar, both in the old walled city (Pink City) of Jaipur, located one opposite the other were built by the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.

The city palace is a striking complex of colours, doors and paintings on the wall. Within the palace are the Mubarak Mahal or the erstwhile palace of reception which is now the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum showcasing unique royal costumes with the traditional Sanganeri prints and folk embroidery. A section of the palace is still home to the last ruling royal family, while another section houses a restaurant, only lately opened.

Jantar Mantar a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest of the five astronomical observatories built by the Maharaja. A beautiful garden that houses sixteen intricate and extensive geometric devices built in brick and mortar were designed to measure time, track celestial bodies, observe the orbits of the planets.

& Even one dedicated to the twelve zodiac signs.

Dinner & Stay @ Royal Heritage Haveli

The Royal Heritage Haveli has to be my favourite-st hotel ever and I will probably go back to Jaipur just to stay here again. Still owned by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur, this 18th century hunting lodge is today a quiet boutique hotel that sure is a ‘tranquil haven of space and luxury to the discerning few’ as they like to call it themselves.

& a candle light dinner under the sprawling tree in the courtyard is just the right bit of romantic.

Explorers Guide

Nearby Places of Interest

Amer Fort + Panna Meena ka Kund + Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing
The stunning Amer Fort, sitting atop a hillock and reached by a road traversed not just by your everyday vehicles but also by hundreds of elephants (if that’s your style) is Jaipur’s star attraction.
Along the road up to Amer Fort, stop by at the Panna Meena ka Kund, a small but beautiful eight storeyed step well, complete with the quintessential Rajasthani chhatris at its four corners.
Set up to showcase and sensitise visitors to art of traditional hand block printing on fabrics, the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing housed in a restored haveli under the shadow of the Amer Fort has been making it to the must-visit list of the discerning traveller interested in understanding the artisanal heritage of a place.

I had shot this years ago on a small Sony Cybershot, while on a holiday there with my parents.

Nahargarh Fort
The Nahargarh Fort is famous for its sunset views of the city and the two kilometre trek to the top along with the restaurants here are quite the favourite with locals, come an evening.

Getting Around

Uber is the most convenient way of getting around the city. Book it on Uber Hire and you can get around in comfort and still not burn a hole in your pocket.

Save on the ride, splurge on the stay!

Read Next: 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2017

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January 28, 2018