U.Sudhakarreddy@timesofindia.comHyderabad: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has initiated steps to explore restoration and water-tightening works at the ancient Nava Brahma temples in Alampur, Jogulamba Gadwal district, using traditional conservation methods and natural materials.The Union minister of coal and mines has written to Lord Venkateswara Charitable and Religious Trust, Pune, requesting it to assess and undertake development and renovation works at the historic temple complex by ASI team. The immediate proposal is to water-tighten the roofs of the Nava Brahma temples through traditional methods.The trust has earlier carried out conservation works at Srikalahasti, Simhachalam, Srisailam and the Alipiri padala mandapam in Tirupati. These works involved natural materials such as lime, jaggery, Arabic tree gum, lady’s finger extract, jute and kadakai.“After seeing the water-tightening works undertaken at Srikalahasti, Simhachalam, Srisailam and the Alipiri padala mandapam in Tirupati using traditional methods and natural materials, Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy requested our team to carry out similar work at the Alampur temple complex,” Archaeological Survey of India director (Epigraphy) K Muniratnam Reddy said.Conservation team to inspect complexAn expert team would visit Alampur on Monday along with former director (Conservation) RS Jamwal and a team from Pune to identify works required at the temple complex.In a letter on July 9, the Union minister’s office requested the trust to visit the site, assess the conservation requirements and take up the proposed works at the earliest.The letter said the trust’s participation would contribute to heritage conservation while improving pilgrim amenities and temple management. It referred to the trust’s earlier involvement in the restoration of ancient temples in Andhra Pradesh and sought its cooperation in executing similar work at Alampur.Temple town on banks of TungabhadraAlampur is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River near its confluence with the Krishna River.The Jogulamba temple, dedicated to Goddess Jogulamba, is regarded as one of the Maha Shakti Peethas. The Nava Brahma temples are situated within a fortress on the western bank of the Tungabhadra. The Bala Brahma temple, located at the centre of the enclosure, is the principal shrine of the group.
