The Padmakshi temple is located on a hill in Meerpet, Hanamkonda district in Telangana State. It is a historical temple dedicated to Goddess Padmavathi. There is another name for Padmakshi known as Padmakshi Gutta by the nearby villagers. The Padmakshi temple is the ancient temple of Hanamkonda.
The Padmakshi temple had great importance and this place became a tourist spot for Warangal tourism. We can also see a trek up to the temple because the path was mainly rocky boulders. This path was characteristic of Jain ascetics chose this area to practice asperity and test their determination. The interesting point of the temple was the carven are formed naturally. There is an inner sanctum which faces north facing in the temple. There is a pond below the temple and the steps are cut into rocky walls to help the visitors to reach the pond.
Here the Bathukamma festival is celebrated grandly. Every year on these festival celebrations the Padmakshi temple in Hanamkonda gains a lot of focus. Bathukamma is a famous festival; this festival is specially celebrated by ladies. The women do pooja to the goddess Gauri.
This festival is known to be a colorful festival where women decorate the pots with colors and flowers. Mostly they used to decorate with red and yellow colors. They used to choose marigolds which looks like bright yellow or orange. All the females gather in one place and they place the pots in a center they sing the Bathukamma song and dance around the pots for the whole day. On that day their hearts fill with joy, gaiety, and music. On this day it looks colorful.
Finally, at the end of the day, all the women pray to the pots and immerse the pots in the water. The water is filled with all these decorated pots. The women come here to offer their prayers to the goddess Gauri. The whole place gives a grand look to our eyes and attracts us.
In recent days the route to reach this Padmakshi temple has become very difficult with the rocky and thorny terrain to reach the temple. No one is taking responsibility to protect the temple. The beautiful temple now came to assume a deserted look. In 2008 this place was made comfortable for tourism. In the evening time, the city below looks beautiful from the top of the hill. This place became a tourist’s delight and must visit by every tourist. In the evening time the whole area is lighted with lighting around the temple and at the bank of the pond strengthened with additional safety of devotees. Visiting the whole place of Padmakshi temple area provides a pleasant tourist experience.
Padmakshi Temple History:
This was built in the 12 century under the Kakatiya dynasty. Padmakshi goddesses’ temple is the primary temple house. The Betaraju –II was the king of kakatiyan dynasty. He converted to Veerasaivism. All the Kakatiya kings were the followers of Jainism. The Kakatiyans built a Jain temple which was ruled by Prolaraju-II. This was later converted to the Padmakshi temple when the rulers converted to Veerasaivism.
This temple has several sculptures and carvings scattered throughout its walls. This architecture displays Jain Tirthankaras which bears a strong stamp of the Jain culture. At the entrance of the temple, there is a pillar known as the Anaconda pillar is located. The pillar is made up of black granite and it is in a quadrangular structure. The four walls of this pillar show the Jain carvings that display the aesthetic value of the structure.
Padmakshi Temple Timings: Daily 6.00 AM to 6:00 PM
Special Attractions in Padmakshi Temple Hanamkonda:
Annakonda pillar
Fantastic view of Hanamkonda city from the top of the Hill
The most beautiful women’s festival Bathukamma Festival
How to reach Padmakshi Temple Hanamkonda:
There is a good train and bus facilities in Warangal city.
From Hyderabad to Hanamkonda there are many bus facilities
Hyderabad Airport is the nearest airport.
Kazipet Railway Station is a junction that connects with Hyderabad. It is 7 km from Hanamkonda.
Padmakshi Temple Distance:
150 km from MGBS Hyderabad
79 km from Karimnagar Bus Station
Accommodation near Padmakshi Temple:
There are plenty of good hotels in Warangal:
1) Ashoka Hotel – Phone: 0870-2577955, 2578491
2) City Grand – Phone: 0870-2454587
3) Landmark Hotel – Phone: 0870-254633
4) Suprabha Hotel – Phone: 0870-2573888, 2574888
5) Ratna Hotel – Phone: 0870-2500645
Hanamkonda Padmavathi Temple Address:
Padmakshi Temple Road,
Sri Ram Colony,
Meerpet,
Hanamkonda,
Telangana – 506001