Padmakshi Temple
Padmakshi Temple is one of the oldest temples in Telangana as the deity was built back in the 12th century. Also known as Kadalalaya Basadi, the temple consists of a Jain temple dedicated to Goddess Padmavati. This holy site is placed beautifully on a hilltop in the heart of Hanamakonda, a town near Warangal. Lakhs of women here celebrate the Bathukamma festival once every year, by immersing flowers in a pond situated at the foot of Padmakshi.
Batukamma festival is the main festival of Padmakshi Temple. The festival is celebrated every year in the months of September and October and is also known as the Festival of Flowers. All the Hindu women of the Telangana region celebrate this festival. During this festival, women offer prayer to the goddess Gauri by coloring little pots with auspicious yellow and red colors and decorating them with flowers including Marigolds due to their bright orange and yellow shade. After decorating the pot, they sing and dance around it the entire day and finally immerse the pot into the water (in the pond) at the end of the day.
History of Padmakshi Temple
The history of this temple dates back to the 12th century when it was constructed during the first quarter of the century. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Padmakshi who is fondly referred to as "Amma" by locals. The word Amma means mother in Telugu. And the Goddess Padmakshi is considered the mother of Mothers. The Padmakshiamma resides on the top of a Gutta (hill).
Architecture of Padmakshi Temple
The temple is built from a natural cave on a hill. Not only the temple, but the inner sanctum of the temple as well are north facing. As the temple was initially built as a Jain temple, a lot of Jain carvings can be found here. At the entrance of the temple, the Annakonda pillar is located, which is a quadrangular structure made of black granite showcasing a liberal display of Jain carvings and enhancing its ancient beauty on all four walls of it.
Vyasapitha carving is another significant feature of this temple. There is a pond situated near the temple and steps are cut into the rocky walls to reach ate pond from the temple.
