Swethambara Jain Teerth - Kolanpaka

 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 7^th 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. 

Swethambara Jain Teerth Slideshow: Shivarani’s trip to Warangal was created with TripAdvisor TripWow!

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’.