The Padmakshi hillock, named after the presiding deity, would be converted into a spiritual hub as the district administration plans to set up a Jaina Vanam, similar on the lines of Budhavanam.
This was included in the Heritage City project funded by the union government. A total of ₹ 50 lakh was earmarked for the purpose and the KUDA too would contribute ₹ 30 lakh for the project.
Warangal West MLA D. Vinay Bhaskar said though Warangal is synonymous with Kakatiya rulers, the place was once a thriving spiritual centre for the Jains much before the Rashtrakuta time, about 2000 years ago. The evidences of Jainism can still be found here at the Padmakshi hillock in Hanamkonda and the Aggalaiah hillock right opposite it.
On the Aggalaiah hillock, a 35-foot tall rock carving of the third Tirthankar of Jainism, ‘Sambhavanatha’ in Kayotsarga posture can be seen on a huge boulder. Just a few steps away, a 13-foot-tall carving of 23rd Tirthankar Parshvanatha can be seen along with a semi-finished carving right beside it. A carving of seven Tirthankars can be found on another boulder below this one. With the rock carving of Sambhavanatha at its core, the State government is taking steps towards creating a ‘Jaina Vanam’ here on the lines of ‘Buddhavanam’ located in Nagarjunasagar.
In the first phase, steps will be built for tourists and devotees to climb the hillock, he said.
