Telangana is a region where many religions have flourished since centuries, and one of them is Jainism. For those eager to explore the splendor of Jain heritage, the Mahavira Temple in Kolanupaka is a must-see destination. Kolanupaka was known by different names in the past like Bimbavatipuram, Kottiyapaka, Kollihaka, Kollipaka and Kolanpak.

Located close to Aler town, the two-thousand-year-old temple houses three idols of gods, namely Lord Rishabhanatha, Lord Neminatha, and Lord Mahavira. Jainism spread in Telugu states even before 4th century, while Kolanupaka was a prominent center of Jainism from the early times. The Kolanupaka Temple is believed to be more than 2,000 years old and many Jain antiquities have been discovered here. There is a grant mentioning a gift which was made to a basadi during the rule of Sankaragana in 9th century.

• Located close to Aler town, the two-thousand-year-old temple houses three idols of gods, namely Lord Rishabhanatha, Lord Neminatha, and Lord Mahavira. Jainism spread in Telugu states even before 4th century, while Kolanupaka was a prominent center of Jainism from the early times. The Kolanupaka Temple is believed to be more than 2,000 years old and many Jain antiquities have been discovered here. There is a grant mentioning a gift which was made to a basadi during the rule of Sankaragana in 9th century.

• Located close to Aler town, the two-thousand-year-old temple houses three idols of gods, namely Lord Rishabhanatha, Lord Neminatha, and Lord Mahavira. Jainism spread in Telugu states even before 4th century, while Kolanupaka was a prominent center of Jainism from the early times. The Kolanupaka Temple is believed to be more than 2,000 years old and many Jain antiquities have been discovered here. There is a grant mentioning a gift which was made to a basadi during the rule of Sankaragana in 9th century.

• Located close to Aler town, the two-thousand-year-old temple houses three idols of gods, namely Lord Rishabhanatha, Lord Neminatha, and Lord Mahavira. Jainism spread in Telugu states even before 4th century, while Kolanupaka was a prominent center of Jainism from the early times. The Kolanupaka Temple is believed to be more than 2,000 years old and many Jain antiquities have been discovered here. There is a grant mentioning a gift which was made to a basadi during the rule of Sankaragana in 9th century.

• According to legend, Manikyaswami idol was worshipped originally by Mandodari, the wife of Ravana. It is believed to have brought here by the rulers of Kalyani dynasty.

Lord Rishabha, also popularly called as AdinathBhagvan, is the first Tirthankar in the Jain religion whose original idol, locally known as Manikya Deva, made Kolanupaka as its abode.

The interiors of the temple were built using red sand stone and white marble. There are eight historic idols of the other Tirthankars which are located on both the sides of this main temple. The statue of Lord Mahavira is about 130 centimetres tall and it is believed to have been created from a single piece of jade.

There are idols of Lord Simandar Swami and Padmavati Ammavaru which have been installed close to the main temple.The image of Lord Rishabhanatha, carved of a rare jade (green stone) has been historically famous as "Manikyaswami”. Kolanupaka is considered an important place of worship for Jains in the country.

How to Reach

Kolanupaka is located about 80 km from Hyderabad on the Hyderabad-Warangal Highway NH 163. Tourists need to take a small deviation from Aler on Hyderabad-Warangal highway. Aler is the nearest railway station, to reach Kolanupaka.