History of Bommalagutta

In early medieval history Jainism was patronized by various dynasties emperors. Chalukyas of Vemulvada also encouraged Jainism in modern Andhra Pradesh state. Adi kavi pampa, Pampa’s brother Jin Vallabha and Somadevsuri flourished in royal court of Vemulvada Chalukyas feudatories of Rashtrakutas.

Bommalagutta: - Bommalagutta is an ancient Jain pilgrimage flourished about mid 10th century AD. This place is situated near Kurikyal village in Karimnagar District of Modern Andhrapradesh state. This place is about 18 kms from Karimnagar District headquarter in North West direction. This place contains natural caverns with some bas relief sculptures of Nirgantha Jinas and its subordinate goddess Chakreshwari. There are about 8 Jina figures in Kayotsarga posture on either side of Yakshi Chakreshwari. Goddess Chakreshwari is depicted as subordinate deity of first Savior Rishabha. Goddess Chakreshwari is depicted with eight arms containing different objects. Identification of Yakshi at this place was very tedious work because Eight Arms Chakreshwari is generally not depicted with eight hands but inscription underneath the Yakshi Image reveal the truth. Goddess Chakreshwari is depicted here with her vehicle Garuda. Two Kayotsarga Jina sculptures were carved just above the Yakshi Chakreshwari.The Teerthankara duo is canopied by triple umbrellas over the head. Yakshi chakreshwari is flanked by two whisk bearers on either side.

This place is mentioned as Vrishabhadri hill in inscription found from this place. This inscription documented by Jin Vallabh younger brother of Adi kavi pampa in Kannada, Sanskrit and Telugu languages. The Inscription contains information about Adi kavi pampa’s ancestors belonged to Kamme Brahman caste and devout to Jainism. His father’s name was Bhimappayya according to this inscription. They were hailed from angiparru in Vengi Nadu. Pampa who also renowned as Adikavi composed Vikramarjuna Vijayam and Somdevasuri composed Yasatilaka champu. Once monarch Arikesari II asked pampa to immortalize him by writing an epic. Adi kavi pampa composed his master piece named as Vikramarjuna Vijay eulogizing Arikesari as Arjun of great epic Mahabharata. Arikesari II was very pleased with Adi Kavi Pamapa and tribute him as “kavithagunarnava”.

The chalukyas of Vemulvada patronized Sanskrit, Kannada and Telugu. Adi Kavi Pampa was court poet of Arikesari II. Jin vallabha Installed Bas reliefs of Jinas alongwith chakreshwari at Vrishbadri Hill. This place is also documented as Siddha Shila in the inscription. Jinvallabha built a Jain Basti named as Tribhuvan tilaka, a garden named Madanvilasa and a lake named as Kavithagunarnava tribute to his brother. In present Madanvilasa, Tribhuvan tilaka and Kavithagunarnava have been vanished or unrecognizable. The rock inscription underneath the Goddess Chakreshwari proclaiming the glory of Jainism and Adi kavi Pampa. @www.jainglory.com