Tungabhadra River Backwaters
Peaceful Backwaters | Boating | Sunsets | Nallamala Hills | Near Alampur & Jogulamba Temple
📍 Tungabhadra River Backwaters are a scenic stretch of the Tungabhadra River as it meanders through the Nallamala hills near Alampur, Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana . Formed by the backwaters of the Srisailam reservoir (Srisailam Project) on the Krishna River system, the Tungabhadra merges into the Krishna creating a wide, tranquil waterbody surrounded by rocky hills and dense forest. The backwaters are accessible from Alampur (about 2 km from the temple town) and offer a perfect blend of nature, spirituality, and relaxation. Visitors can enjoy boating, birdwatching, stunning su…
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Alampur Jogulamba Temple
Alampur is a historic temple town located on the left bank of the Tungabhadra River in Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana . Known as Dakshina Kashi (Southern Kashi) and the Western Gateway of Srisailam , it is surrounded by the lush Nallamala hills. Alampur is revered for its spiritual and architectural significance, housing the Jogulamba Temple , one of the 18 Shakti Peethas, and the ancient Navabhrama Temples (9 temples) dating back to the 7th–8th centuries CE . The temples reflect a rich Badami Chalukyan architectural style , with inscriptions from the 7th century CE. The town was ruled by the Shatavahanas, Ishvakus, Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara…
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Mummuridanda : Medieval Merchant Guild in Telangana
The “36 Beedu of Mummari” — a medieval merchant guild in Telangana (12th c.) Based on the inscriptions, the Mummuridanda (also referred to as the 36 Beedu of Mummari or Mummuri-dandas of the 36 Bidus ) was a prominent medieval merchant guild active in the Telangana region during the 12th century [709, 711, Vol-I]. They typically operated as part of a collective mercantile hierarchy alongside other powerful corporations like the Aiyyavolu 500 and the Ubhaya-Nanadesi [709, 295, Vol-I]. 📜 Inscriptions documenting the Mummuridanda 📍 Kadamburu Gateway Inscription (A.D. 1181) Location: Appanapalli (Kadumuru), Nagarkurnool Taluk (formerly Mahabubnagar District) [709, Vol-I] Reign of: Kalachuri king Ah…
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Kallakelagu-500 (Kelagu-500)
Administrative and Religious Profile of Medieval Telangana Territorial Framework Division: A "500" administrative unit under the Western Chalukyas of Kalyana . Capital: Ujjivolal (Modern Ujjili, Mahabubnagar District ). Primary Overlap (Core Area) Mahabubnagar District: This is the heart of the division. The capital, Ujjivolal (modern Ujjili ), is located here in the Tharoor Mandal . Jogulamba Gadwal District: Many inscriptions associated with this division, including those at Appanapalli , are located in areas that were part of the original Mahabubnagar district but now fall within the boundaries of Jogulamba Gadwal. Secondary Overlap (Extended Territory) Given that medieval divisions were ba…
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From Bhagavata to Maheshvara: Badami Chalukya Vikramaditya I
From Bhagavata to Maheshvara The Epigraphic Shift of Vikramaditya I (655–713 CE)
The reign of Anivarita Vikramaditya I transformed Telangana into the ritual heart of the Deccan. By integrating the Western Ganga bloodline with esoteric Shaivite orders, the Badami Chalukyas established a "Source of Truth" for regional restoration. This era marks the strategic transition from Vishnu worship to Shaivism , establishing the Arka Brahmeshvara as a primary site for royal patronage.
The Legal Transformation: Vishnu to Shiva Parama-Bhagavata (Vishnu) → Parama-Maheshvara (Shiva) Ashvamedha Sacrifice → Sivamandaladiksha Varaha (Boar) Seal → Shivalinga (Mahadeva) The Ganga-Chalukya Blo…
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CHITRAKANTHA "The Spotted-Necked Savior of the Chalukya Empire"
"Ekaveni-Chitrakantha-sahaya-matrasya..."
— (Assisted by none but his noble steed, Chitrakantha, he recovered the royalty of his father).
In the copper-plate inscriptions of Vikramaditya I , a unique honor is given to his royal charger, Chitrakantha . While most monarchs credit vast legions, the Gadwal and Amudalapadu records credit this horse for the 32 year resurrection of the Badami Chalukya throne. Etymology Chitra-Kantha ("Spotted Neck"). Likely a high-breed stallion of Persian/Arabian descent, prized for the Heavy Cavalry strikes that bypassed traditional elephant-…
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Alampur Inscriptions of Badami Chalukyas
Alampur Inscription - Arka Brahma Temple Dynasty: Western Chalukyas of Badami King: Vikramaditya I Date: 7th Century A.D. Language: Sanskrit
Engraved on a pillar in the Arka Brahma temple. It records the installation of a Linga in the temple of Mahadeva by the queen Mahadevi. Registers a gift of land (50 nivartanas) in the village of Vaddamanu to the Brahmana Pishti Sarma of Bharadvaja gotra.
Alampur Inscription - Svarga Brahma Temple Dynasty: Western Chalukyas of Badami King: Vinayaditya Official: Lokaditya Ela-Arasa
Found above the Dwarapalaka image. It brings to light Lokaditya, a son of Vinayaditya and brother of Vijayaditya, styled as 'Yuvaraja'. It records the constru…
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Amudalapadu Inscription of Badami Chalukya Vikramaditya I
Vikramaditya I: Amudalapadu Grant Date: 30th April A.D. 660 (Vaisakha Purnima) Dynasty: Western Chalukya Language: Sanskrit Script: Old Telugu-Kannada Vanguruvati vishaya
Historical Profile: Amudalapadu
4 Copper Plates Varaha (Boar) Seal Weight: 91.5 Tolas
Find-spot near Alampur; Year 5 of Vikramaditya I.
Primary Significance:
Records the Sivamandaladiksha (Saivite initiation) of the King, performed by Sudarsanacharya . This marks the formal royal patronage of Saivism in the Badami line.
The Preceptor's Gift:
The village Iparumkal was given as guru-dakshina . The grant was distributed among 27 Brahmanas, including Rudrasivacharya .
The Royal Camp & Con…
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Indupur Ghatika
The Indupur Ghatika Institutional Record of the Badami Chalukya Era SOURCE: Tummeyanuru (Jogulamba Gadwal District) Inscriptions of AP, Mahabubnagar District, Vol-I (2003), pp. 1-2. EPIGRAPHIC DATE: Kartika Purnima (Lunar Eclipse), c. 612-642 CE. PURPOSE: Re-establishment of Vedic learning after the Vishnukundin-Chalukya transition.
The Emperor Pulakesin II Referred to as the son of Kirti Verma . He performed the ritual during a sacred eclipse at the confluence of the rivers. The Scholar Mabuganasvami Of the Atreya Gotra and Apasthambasutra . Son of Malarevasvami; a high-ranking member of the Indupur elite assembly. Land Measure 25 Navaratnas The grant specifies land measured by the Rajamana (…
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