This Jain
Tirthankara Hill, also called Agilaiah Gutta, a part of Hanamkonda, is a
1000-year-old Jain heritage site, which was developed under the Kakatiya Urban
Development Authority (KUDA), for Rs 1.30 crore under the National Heritage
City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme. Now the site is being
maintained by the Shri 1008 Shanthinath Digamber Jain Atishay Kshetra
Charitable Trust. (Visitors Entrance Ticket: Rs 30).
The site is
well-maintained and has a beautiful landscape, steps, railing, resting benches,
and lighting. A stone torana with a Tirthankara image is at the entrance of the
site. On top of the hill, the boulder facing Hanmkonda City (North), has the 16th
Tirthankara Shri Shanthinatha and 23rd Tirthankara
Shri Parshvanatha beautifully chiselled in the form of bas-reliefs. These
Tirthankaras are about 25 feet tall. The unfinished Tirthankara was also
completed during the recent renovation. In addition to the Tirthankaras, there
are three unfinished small caves, excavated for shrines.
There are natural shelters formed by the boulders. These
natural shelters, or caves, contain an idol of Mahaveer Vardhaman and a Jinalaya
that served as a research centre for teaching doctrines of religion and medicine.
LEGEND CONNECTED TO THE NAME OF THE HILL
It is said that Agilaiah, who was an ayurvedic Dr and
researcher of the 11th century CE during the rule of the Kalyani Chalukyas,
worked extensively on teaching and propagation of doctrines of religion,
medicine, surgery, etc. The hillock was named after him. The Sirur inscription of the Medak district
mentions Aggalaiah as King Jagadeka’s physician during the Western
Chalukyas, also known as Kalyani Chalukyas.
It is sad to note that the shelters are being misused by lovers, which restrict to see inside by the heritage enthusiasts.
LOCATION OF THE JAIN TIRTHANKARA HILL: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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