Kolanupaka Tourism
Places and Temples to Visit
Jain Temple
PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :
Sri Adhishvar Bhagwan in black color and in a semi lotus posture, of height 105cms, in a shrine outside Kulpak village in a large compound, almost 6 Kms away from Aler (Shve).ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :
The idol of Sri Adhishvar Bhagwan here is famous by the name of Sri Manikyaswami and is very ancient. There is a popular legend that Sri Bharat Chakravarti, son of Sri Adhinath Prabhu had got ceremonially installed idols of all 24 Tirthankaras on Mount Ashtapad and one of the idols was made of a blue precious stone which was set in his own ring and that is the same idol. It is said that King Ravana had obtained this idol from divine sources as a result of his practicing penance to please them and had gifted the idol to his queen Mandodari. For several years the idol remained in Sri Lanka and when the latter was destroyed, the Guardian Deity of the Jain order kept it safe under the sea.While practicing austerities to please the Guardian Deity, the local king name Shankar received this idol in Vikram year 680 which was installed here with proper consecration ceremonies after building the temple.
In an inscription dated Vikram year 1333 found here, there is a reference to this shrine as well as to this idol of Sri Manikyaswami. There is a further reference in the inscription dated Vikram Year 1481 about renovations carried out on this temple by Sri Jain Swetamber Sangh in the presence of the head of Tapa Gachchha Bhattarak Sri Ratnasinhsuriji. In the inscription dated Vikram year 1665 the name of Acharya Sri Vijaysensurishvarji has been referred to. A reference is available about the consecration after renovations were carried out by the Jain householder families of Hyderabad in the presence of Pandit Sri Kesarkushalgani, on Chaitra Sukla 10 in Vikram year 1767. At this time all was successfully completed because of the cooperation received from Subedar Mohamad Yusuf Khan of king Bahadur Shah, son of Badshah Aurangzeb the then ruler of Delhi. The large compound of land was also then adequately walled.
The significance of the shrine is because of its association as stated earlier, with Bharat Chakravarty, Mount Ashtapad, king Ravana and the receipt of the idol finally by king Shankar of south India in Vikram year 680. The sight of such an idol worshipped on Mount Ashtapad and having surfaced after thousands of years is impossible anywhere else. Besides this, one can also have a sight here of another incomparable and ancient idol, that is of Sri Bhagwan Mahavir in a mood of benign smile made out of precious Phiroji Stone in green color.
Every year a festival is held here betweet Chaitra Sukla 13 and Poornima when thousands of devotees gather to offer their prayers. The Guardian Deity here appears to be working miracles and very often sweet and enchanting sound of ringing bells and anklets is heard in the temple.
The art displayed in idols here is unique. There is a total of 15 ancient idols and each of them has something special to convey. The idols of Sri Manikyaswami of blue stone and of Sri Bhagwan Mahavir of green Phiroji stone are beyond description as no adequate words can convey their beauty and grandeur. It is no exaggeration to assert that such an idol in Phiroji stone in such a shape and color is the only one of its king in all images and idols of the entire world.
There is no other temple nearby in the area. The Sikhar of this temple is also of a special style. Even in ancient relics here, some creations of exceptional arts are available.
SRI SOMESWARA TEMPLE - KOLANUPAKA
This temple is also called as Veyi Lingala Gudi (Thousand Lingas Temple).The temple was built around 12th century by Kakatiya Kings. Here Lord Shiva is found in human form unlike the common Linga form. Poojas are still being performed in this temple.
The temple complex also houses the Archeological Museum with sereral hundreds of wonderful sculptures dating back to 10th century to 14th century found in this region.
The temple is situated at a distance of 1.5 Km from Kolanupaka Bus Station (past Veeranarayana Temple) and 2 Kms from Jain Temple.
Site Museum, Kolanupaka.
The Site Museum, Kolanupaka is situated in the temple complex of Someswara Swamy temple, Kolanupaka, close to the great Jain temple. Some of the important sculptures here are that of Mahavira, Matsyavallabha, Chamundi, Nandi, ranging from 6th to 16th Century AD. The Department of Archaeology and Museums has established a sculptural gallery here which exhibits artefacts gathered from the various historical monuments in Kolanupaka. Artefacts from both the Chalukya and Kakatiya styles are displayed here in the museum.Highlights of Kolanupaka Site Museum
• Manasthambha (Victory Pillar) of Tribhuvanamalla with an inscription, 1076-1127 A.D.• Ganapathi Statue of Chalukya Period,12th Century A.D.
• Nataraja Statue of Chalukya period,12th Century A.D.
• Virangal Statue (Couple) (Elopment) of Kalyani Chalukya period, 12th Century A.D.
• Mahishasuramardani of Kalyani Chalukya period,12th Century A.D.
• Kosthapanjara with Uma Maheswara of Kalyani Chalukya Period,12th Century A.D.
• Chamundi of Kakatiya period, 13th Century A.D.
• Govinda Statue of Kakatiya Period, 13th Century A.D.
• Kodanda Rama Statue of Vijayanagar period, 12th Century A.D.
• Nandi Statue of Kakatiya Period 13th Century A.D.
• Mahavir in Yoga posture statue of Chalukya Period, 13th Century A.D.
• Vajrapani statue of Kakatiya period, 13th Century A.D.
Kolanupaka is located approximately 79 km from Hyderabad and 71 km from Warangal city. Tourists can access this place by bus or train from either Warangal or Hyderabad until Aler, from where they can hire private transport. The Museum is open from 10.30 AM to 5.00 PM and closed on Fridays and Public Holidays.
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