Kolanupaka Someswara Temple

Kolanupaka Someswara Temple or Chandikamba sahita Sri Someswara devasthanam also called Sri Renukacharya Someswara Devastanam is located in Kolanupaka near Alair, around 80 kms from Hyderabad and is dedicated to Lord Siva. It is an Ancient temple built in the Chalukya period and partly during the Kakatiya reign around 12th century CE and is declared a Protected Monument by the Department of Archeology and Museums, Govt of Telangana. It has multiple small temples within the compound and also an Archeological museum with lots of artefacts/idols from around 10th and 11th century CE. The main Garbhagriha has a ancient Siva linga and the idol of Renukacharya(built in 1984).

There are two small temples on either side of the main temple and one has the Sahasralinga which has 1000 small lingas carved on the Siva linga. The other is a Brahma Sutra Siva lingam. There are also temples of Mallikarjuna Swamy, Chandikamba Devi, Kalabhairava Sawmy and Hanuman within the main temple. Just after the main entrance which has an arch, there is an idol of Mahavir and the museum can be found on either side of the entrance in the temple compound and also a Dwajasthambam. It has a lot of idols, small pillars with inscriptions, siva lingas from the 10th and 11th century from around Kolanupaka.

This temple is said to be one of the five Pancha Peethas which are the five peethas of Veerashaiva tradition associated with the five Panchacharyas: Renukacharya, Marularadhya, Ekoramaradhya, Panditaradhya, and Vishvaradhya. Ujjain, Kedarnath, Srisailam and Varanasi being the other four.

It is located around 6 kms from the Hyderabad-Warangal Highway from Alair. The famous Kulpakji Jain temple is very close to this temple and attracts quite a few devotees throughout the year. There is ample parking space for 2 and 4 wheelers.

Temple timings : The temple is open from 6.30 am to 5.30 pm every day.

For information on other temples in Telangana, please click here