The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Kolanpak temple to be re-opened

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Kolanpak temple to be re-opened

Staff Reporter

All decked up: The Jain Temple at Kolanpak in Nalgonda district.

HYDERABAD: After undergoing renovation works for 20 long years, doors of the 2,500 year-old Sri Shwethambar Jain Tirth temple at Kolanpak in Nalgonda district will be thrown open to pilgrims on December 7.

“The renovation works began on two parts wherein the main portion took 16 years to complete and the other temple in about four years.

The temple will be inaugurated by Acharya Rajyesh Suriswar,” said temple president, Surendra Lunia during a press conference on Sunday.

Four-faced idol

Over 10,000 people from the Jain community are expected to participate in celebrations from December 3 to 8. The temple will house a ‘Chow Mukha’- a four faced idol of Jain Gods for which a ceremony called ‘Pran Pratishta’ will be performed on December 7.

“About 1,000 craftsmen, including stone cutters worked on this ancient Jain pilgrimage site which sees a good number of Jain pilgrims visiting from all over the country every year.

A lot of Jain organisations helped in the renovation of the temple. The temple was last renovated 100 years ago when it was discovered,” informed Surendra Bhatia, temple Secretary.

Moreover, a water purification plant has been setup by the temple authorities, which will also be inaugurated during the celebrations.

“The plant will filter 3,000 litres of water per hour and will be useful for a number of fluoride affected villages,” said Mr. Lunia.

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