Almost 80 kms from Hyderabad lies the village of Kolanupaka in Aler mandal of Nalgonda district. The village is a must visit for heritage enthusiasts because we can visit an ancient Shiva and Jain temple.
Sri Someshwara temple
Before we enter the temple complex, we can see a small shrine of Shiva with Nandi below the ground level. Few pieces from temples have been kept in such a way so that it doesn’t get filled with sand and mud. Sri Someshwara temple is under ASI.
Shivalay below the ground level.
Entering the prakaram, we see a statue of a life sized Mahavira in a Padmasana. Behind is a stone Dwajastambam from ancient times. The present temple is 800-900 years old and built during the time of the Kalyani Chalukyas. It was also patronaged by the Kakatiyas.
In front of Dwajastambam is the standing statue of Hanumanji with Murti’s of Ganesha and Kartikeya on two sides. A little ahead is a small Mandapam with Nandi in it. This Nandi is well carved with ornaments.
Around this area is a prakara Mandapam which is used like a museum by ASI.
Some sculptures of various times are placed here. Some were found during a construction of a school and library in Kolanupaka. Sculptures from the 10th, 11th, 12th and 16th century can be found here. Some inscriptions of the Kalyani Chalukyas are also displayed.
Parsvanatha Naga
At the entrance Mandapam some artifact’s are kept in a haphazard way. To the left there is an temple for Veerabhadra Swamy.
Opposite to it is a temple of Shiva with Nandi in front.
Doorway to the inner prakaram has carvings on three sides.
This Nandi and Shivalinga are in the Mandapam inside the temple. There is another lingam and paadams on another side. The garbagriha has a Swayambhu shivalingam and a Murti of Renukacharya behind it. It is said that Renukacharya was born from this shivalinga. He appeared on this earth to spread Veera Shaivism and after fulfilling his duty he is said to have joined with the lingam again. The Swayambhu lingam is said to be from Satyuga though the temple is 900 yrs old. Teachings of Renukacharya to Agastya rishi are recorded in ‘Sri Siddanta Shikamani’.
Beside the garbagriha is a temple for Sri Chandeeswari maata. Amma is said to be powerful and many people tie mudupulu to the top of the mandapam in front of her temple to ask for fulfillment of wishes.
Coming out, we come to the temple of Kotilingeshwara swamy. The shivalinga is carved with miniature Lingas on it. There is a big Nandi in front of the garbagriha.
In this temple too I was happy seeing musicians entralling Deva with their music. A small tank is there beside the main temple.
At first I thought this structure was a Mandapam, but it is another Shivalay with Shivalinga and Nandi, but in bad shape.
This structure is a ruined mandapam
It is easy to imagine how it must have been when it was built and many years later. The peaceful aura is not to be missed. Nor are the pieces of history kept all around.
Kulpakji Jain Mandir
Kulpakji Jain Mandir is about 2000 yrs old. The present structure is a couple of decades old. It has murtis of Lord Rishabhanatha (carved in green stone), Lord Neminatha and Lord Mahavira.
Kolanupaka was a famous Jain center during Rashtrakuta times.
Photography is not allowed inside.
Kolanupaka was a place where Jainism thrived, before Veera Shaivism took over. Yet Jainism still flourishes over here.
Travel & Beautiful Carvings 
You’re on a roll, Sudha! So glad that you continue to visit all these incredible places and share them with us.
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Thank you so much for visiting my blog and encouraging me Hema 😊
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