Kolanpaka is a
village in Aleru mandal of Nalgonda district in the Telangaana. It is the only ancient Swethambar
Jain Temple
in India. The temple is on the bank of Aleru tribute of
Musi river (kolan=lake,pak=adorned). It
was also known as kolipaka, kolsupaka.
This is famous for its Shwetambara Manikyadev-Rishabhdev Jain temple and
visited by Jains from all over India.
It is believed that the Idol is brought on to earth from
heaven lakhs of years ago.
As per mythology, Bharatha Chakravarthi had made an idol of
Rishabhdev Swamy from precious, pure stone - jade. This is worshipped by all the people as
Manikyadev. The Vidyadharas who had seen
this beautiful idol had taken it to their place and started worshipping
it. Once Narada Muni visited Vidyadharas
and came to know about the Rishabhdev Swamy idol, and the worship of deity
bringing happiness and prosperity to the people. He carried the news to Lord Indra, the king
of Gods. The all powerful Indra secured
the Idol and started worshipping it. As
eternal traveler Narada visited Lanka.
He told Mandodari about the precious deity of Manikyadev and resulting
happiness and prosperity by worshipping it.
Mandodari wanted to have it.
Ravana worshipped Indra, who presented him the idol. Mandodari worshipped it regularly. When the destruction
of Ravana became imminent Manikyadev appeared to Mandodari in dream and instructed
her to install his idol in the sea as Lanka and Ravana’s destruction is
certain. Mandodari followed the
instructions. For a long time the pure
jade Idol of Manikyadev-Rishabhdev was in the sea and worshipped by gods
there.
Shankargana Raja was the ruler of Kannada in 7th
century. An epidemic broke and people
were suffering and dying from it. Mata
Padmavathi Devi has appeared in the dream of Shankargana and told him to bring
Manikyadev-Rishabhdev Idol from the sea and worshipping it will end sufferings
of his people. Shankargana Raja worships
Samudra deva, who appears to grant him precious stones and wealth. Raja refuses
and requests for Manikyadev-Rishabhdev idol.
Samudra grants his wish and asks Raja to carry it on his back until he
reaches the place of its installation, and never to doubt and look back to see
the idol. Raja agrees. He carries it, when he reaches Kolanpaka; he
feels very light and doubts the presence of idol. So he looks back. Then the idol had to be installed in that
place only. The Raja even grants twelve
villages for the maintenance of the place of worship.
Leaving the story of Gods, the important point here is that
during the period 647 AD Shankargana was the ruler of Kannada and his son
Buddha ruled till 670AD. Later this
kingdom was occupied by other kings.
Because of the epidemic the King wanted to bring Manikyadev-Rishabhdev
idol from Manidveep. After reaching Kolanpaka
for some reason the idol was not moved and installed there and revenues from
twelve villages granted for the temple maintenance.
The presence of this
temple in the era of Kakatiya rulers – 1110 AD is an established fact. Jainism received patronage by early Kakatiya
rulers. Parshwanath and Dharmendra-Padmavathi
temple in Hanamkonda was built by Mailamma, wife of a Minister under Kakatiya
king. Eastern Chalukyas,
Rashtrakutas and early Kakatiya Kings welcomed Jains and supported their
teachings. In 1160, confederation of
feudal lords, defeated Chalukya king.
Bijjala Raja became the king. His
minister Basaveshwara was a Veerashaivite.
He would spend all the money from treasury to build Shiva Temples and
protect Shivaites. When the Raja
restrained him, he killed the king. The
king’s sons drove him out and Basaveshwara committed suicide and gained respect
as martyr by Shivaites. Then the Kakatiya king Mahadev was a weak ruler and
remained a spectator of all these atrocities.
He was killed by Yadava king and his son Ganapathi was taken
prisoner. During that period the Veera
Shivaites systematically destroyed Jain places and Temples
and built Shiva Temples. To protect
Manikyadev idol was presented as having Moon in the hair, Sun on the chin and
Shivalinga at the umbilicus, and his vehicle as Rishabh (bull). As all these features, particularly the
presence of Linga and Rishabh as vehicle, which is similar to that of Lord
Shiva, the Manikyadev-Rishabhdev idol was spared by the Shivaites at
Kolanpaka. Ganapathi got released and
took over his kingdom and also extended it.
Though a shivaite, being intelligent and able king he supported
Jainism. The scriptures indicate that
during the rule of Pratapa Rudra, the last Kakatiya king, few villages were
granted to take care of the maintenance of the Kolanpaka Jain temple.
Swethambar Manikyadev-Rishabhdev temple is on the Warangal - Hyderabad
high way. It is 70KM from Hyderabad
and Hanamkonda. A road adjacent to Aleru
railway station leads straight to Jain temple and Sri
Someshwara Temple. It is 6 KM from the main road.
The temple is under renovation now.
There are two gigantic neem trees in the
premises of temple and keep the surroundings cool even in hot summer.
The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is
divided into three. Manikyadev in the centre with Mahavir on the right and
Neminath on the left present in meditative posture inspires piety in the
visitors.
There is spacious mandap, with
high rising ceiling made of bricks of those times.
The ceiling is adorned with sculptures of
women playing different musical instruments.
There is also the sculpture depicting Shankargana worshipping
Samudra.
The floor has beautifully
designed marble floral designs.
Immediately adjoining the main temple, on the left side is
Rajarajeshwari Sri Padmavathi Mata and on the right is Seemandar swamy. There are two other temples in the premises,
the left is of four Gurudevas and right also has four Tirthankars. All the doors are of thick wood with etchings
depicting different characters from puranas. The premises is well maintained
with gardens.
Within the temple premises, there are rooms - few occupied
by offices and many rooms for the visitors who had come from far away
places.
Cell phones, cameras and leather
bags are not allowed in.
People
completely clothed in black are not allowed to enter the main temple.
Only
Jains worship in the temple.
They too
should wear the clothes given for pooja.
Right in front of the
temple is a garden which is left abandoned.
There is a Shiva temple here.
The architecture of the temple is magnificent and the visit
is feast to eyes and bliss to soul.
* The information given about the mythology and history is
obtained from a book on this place written by Mahopdhyay Vinaysagar in Hindi
language – ‘Kolanpak Teerth’.
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