Alamprabhu Temple

Alte, Taluka Hatkanangale, District Kolhapur

The ancient sages and saints of India consistently advocated for social and religious reforms, criticizing the malpractices, rituals, and unrighteousness that had crept into Sanatana Dharma. In the thirteenth century, Saint Dnyaneshwar, by composing Dnyaneshwari, opened the doors of self-realization for all. Prior to this, in the twelfth century, a similar effort for religious reform was undertaken in the South by Alamprabhu. The Samadhi Temple of Alamprabhu, revered as a Lingayat saint and poet, is located near Alte village. The Samadhi site of Alamprabhu, who strived for every human being to live with dignity, is a revered place of pilgrimage for thousands of devotees.

According to the records in the ‘Kolhapur Gazetteer’, Alte village has a history of at least 800 years. In the turmoil at the beginning of the eighteenth century, Alte village in the Warna valley was twice burnt to ashes. But like the Phoenix, it rose again from the ashes. Due to Alamprabhu’s Sanjeevan Samadhi Temple, this village has become a sacred pilgrimage site for both Lingayat and Jain devotees. This temple dates back to the twelfth century. The flame that manifested from Alamprabhu’s Samadhi continues to burn incessantly here even today. It is said about this temple that when the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb descended into the South, he himself visited this temple during that period. At that time, he donated a Charanpeeth to the temple. The Gazetteer mentions that it was lost over time. 

Today, there is a lack of concrete information regarding the life history of the Lingayat saint Alamprabhu. Some information about Alamprabhu’s childhood is found in the texts written by Harihar, the court poet of Hoysala King Narasimha I. Accordingly, Alamprabhu, who was a contemporary of Mahatma Basaveshwara and the Lingayat saint Akka Mahadevi, was born in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. His father’s name was Neerashankar and his mother’s name was Sujanani. Alamprabhu was an excellent drummer and used to perform drumming service in the village temple. He was married soon after. Kamalathe was the name of his wife. After her untimely demise, Alamprabhu attained detachment (vairagya). While wandering, having left his home and family, he met Saint Animish in a cave temple. After receiving initiation from him, he began his penance. After self-realization, he started composing poetry and propagating Dharma. It is said that his poetry is filled with mystical meanings. He attained Nirvana in Kadalivan at Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh. 

Regarding his Samadhi Temple in Alte, the ‘Kolhapur Gazetteer’ narrates a legend that once Alamprabhu came here from Basavakalyan. After some time, his disciple named Adiling also came here. However, he could not find his Guru. After extensive searching, when he could not find him anywhere, Adiling believed that Alamprabhu had taken Jeevant Samadhi (living entombment) here. Out of his devotion to his Guru, he built a temple at that spot and lit a lamp. Even today, that lamp continues to burn, and it is worshipped. 

This Samadhi Temple is located on a hill, but as there is a paved road leading to the temple, it is possible to reach here by vehicle. A short distance from the parking lot is the temple’s two-storied entrance gate. On both sides in front of the entrance gate, there are shops selling various items and puja materials. The doorframes of the entrance gate feature vertical fluted carvings, and on the upper floor, there is a Nagarkhana (drum house). Inside the entrance gate, near the guard rooms on both sides, there is a staircase leading to the upper floor.

The spacious courtyard of the temple is covered with paver blocks. There are seating arrangements for devotees. Many trees in the courtyard have built platforms (pars) around them. In the courtyard, in front of the temple, there is a platform and on it, a three-tiered stone Deepmala (lamp tower). There is an inscription near the base of this Deepmala. According to it, it was built in 1920 CE. At the lower part of the Deepmala, there are Gajraj (elephant) sculptures on all four corners. On both sides of the entrance to the Sabhamandapa (assembly hall), there are square pillars with lamp niches. In the center of the Sabhamandapa floor, there is a brass Kurma (tortoise) sculpture. The enclosed Sabhamandapa has ventilators for air and sunlight. In the Sabhamandapa, there are two more entrance doors on the right and left sides. Further, at the entrance to the Antarala (vestibule), there are four square pillars. These pillars are connected to each other by semicircular arches. Further ahead is the entrance to the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The entrance has five doorframes and an idol of Ganesha on the Lalatabimba (lintel center). Inside the Garbhagriha, on a Vajrapeetha (diamond pedestal), there are brass Utsavamurtis (processional deities) of Alamprabhu, Basaveshwara Maharaj, and other great personalities. Behind the Vajrapeetha, there is an incessantly burning flame.

On the exterior of the temple, there are decorative projections (sajjas) above the ventilators and entrances. The roof of the Sabhamandapa has a railing on all sides, and the roof of the Garbhagriha has a Bashingi railing (a type of decorative railing) all around. On all four corners of the roof, there are Vamanastambhas (dwarf pillars) and Shikharas (spires) on the pillars. In the center of the roof, there is a dome-shaped Shikhara with a Kalasha (finial) on top. 

Adjacent to this temple is the Sidhoba Temple. Inside the temple, on a Vajrapeetha, there is a stone idol of Lord Sidhoba. On the roof of the temple, there are Vyaghrashilpas (tiger sculptures) on all four corners, and in the center, there is a pyramid-like shikhara with progressively smaller square tiers tapering upwards. It has an Amalaka (ribbed stone disc) and a Kalasha on top. Next to the Sidhoba Temple is a Mahadeva Temple. In the Sabhamandapa of the Mahadeva Temple, there are four rows, each with four square pillars. Here, on a Vajrapeetha, there is a black stone idol of Nandi. In the Garbhagriha in front, there is a Shivapindi on the ground. Adjacent to this temple, in the courtyard, there are small Saptarishi (Seven Sages) temples. All seven of these temples house Shivapindis. In the courtyard, there is a chamber with an underground passage known as Dhyan Gufa (Meditation Cave). The main annual festivals celebrated in the temples are Basaveshwara Maharaj Jayanti and Mahashivaratri. At that time, hundreds of devotees from the surrounding areas come to behold Lord Mahadeva and the formless flame of Alamprabhu. During that period, programs such as Bhajan, Kirtan, lectures, discourses, and music are organized in the temple. 

Useful Information

• 9 km from Hatkanangale, and 32 km from Sangli
• ST (State Transport) bus facility available from Hatkanangale 
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking lot
• No accommodation or breakfast facilities in the vicinity
• Contact: Ramchandra Wader, Priest, Mob. 9527990665, 9284213310