The Vemulawada Chalukyas ruled parts of present‑day Telangana from their capital at Vemulawada (near Karimnagar). Arikesari‑II (reigned c. 930–960 CE) was a great patron of Jainism and literature. His court poet was Adikavi Pampa (902–975 CE), who composed the Kannada epic Vikramarjuna Vijaya (also known as Pampa Bharata), which remains one of the greatest works of Kannada literature. Pampa’s ancestors were devout Jains from the “Kamme Brahman” community, originally from Angiparru in Vengi Nadu.

Pampa’s younger brother, Jinavallabha, was a wealthy and pious Jain. On the hill called Vrishabhadri (present‑day Bommalagutta), Jinavallabha:

• Installed the idols of Chakreshwari and eight Jinas.
• Built a Jain basadi (temple) named Tribhuvana Tilaka.
• Created a garden called Madanavilasa.
• Constructed a large lake at the foot of the hill and named it Kavithagunarnava (after Pampa’s honorific title).
• Engraved a trilingual inscription (Kannada, Telugu, Sanskrit) on the rock below Chakreshwari, recording all his deeds and the glory of Pampa.

Over time, the basadi, garden, and lake have vanished. The lake, now unrecognisable, is called “Kavithagunarnava” only in inscriptions. The hill is now known as Bommalagutta (Hill of Statues) or Bommalamma Talli gutta. The idols are locally worshipped as “Seethamma” (a folk deity), but their Jain origin is unmistakable.

The inscription at Bommalagutta is of national importance. It is written in three scripts and languages:

• Kannada portion: Contains invaluable biographical information about Adikavi Pampa, his ancestry, and his works. This is one of the earliest Kannada inscriptions outside Karnataka.
• Telugu portion: Contains the oldest known Telugu Kanda Padya (verse) discovered to date. This was one of the key pieces of evidence submitted to the Central Government for granting Classical Language status to Telugu.
• Sanskrit portion: Provides the religious and genealogical context.

The inscription mentions Pampa’s father Bhimappayya and the family’s origins. It records that King Arikesari‑II was so pleased with Pampa’s epic that he bestowed upon him the title “Kavithagunarnava” (Ocean of Poetic Virtues) and granted him an agrahara named Dharmapura. The inscription also states that Jinavallabha constructed the lake “Kavithagunarnava” as a tribute to his brother. This inscription is the primary source for much of what we know about Pampa’s life.

The main rock face contains a remarkable ensemble of Jain figures, carved with great skill:

• Goddess Chakreshwari (Yakshi of Rishabha): Depicted with eight arms holding various attributes (discus, conch, bow, arrow, etc.). She is seated on her vehicle Garuda (eagle). Below the image is the trilingual inscription. Eight‑armed Chakreshwari is unusual – most depictions show two or four arms – making this a rare iconographic example.
• Two Jina figures (possibly Rishabha and another Tirthankara): Carved just above Chakreshwari, in Kayotsarga (standing meditation) posture, with triple umbrellas (chatris) over their heads, signifying their exalted status.
• Whisk‑bearers (Chamara dharis): Flanking Chakreshwari on either side, holding fly‑whisks – attendants who served the deity.
• Six additional Jina figures: Carved on either side of the central panel, all in Kayotsarga posture, making a total of eight Jina figures on the hill. These likely represent the first eight Tirthankaras.
• Natural caverns: The hill contains several natural caves and crevices, some of which may have been used by Jain monks for meditation.

The sculptures are hewn directly into the granite rock. Despite a thousand years of exposure, they are remarkably well preserved, though some weathering is visible.

Reaching Bommalagutta is an adventure in itself. There is no approach road to the hill. From Kurikyal village, you walk across fields and then begin scrambling up the steep rocky slope. There are no steps – you must creep through gaps between gigantic boulders, climb over rocks, and sometimes crawl. The 200‑metre ascent can take 30–45 minutes depending on your fitness. The climb is not suitable for:

• Elderly people with mobility issues
• Young children (unless very experienced with rock scrambling)
• People with claustrophobia (tight rock passages)
• Anyone with heart or joint problems

Locals describe the experience as “nightmarish” but also exhilarating. The effort is rewarded with the ancient sculptures and a panoramic view of the Karimnagar plains. Always go with a local guide who knows the safest route. The climb should only be attempted in dry weather (October–February). Avoid monsoon and summer.

By Road (to Kurikyal village): The hill is about 18 km north‑west of Karimnagar city. Take the Karimnagar – Gangadhara – Kurikyal road. Roads are paved up to Kurikyal. From Kurikyal, you will need to walk/trek to the hill (about 1 km across fields and then the rock climb).

• From Hyderabad: 170 km via NH563 to Karimnagar, then to Kurikyal (approx 4 hours).
• From Karimnagar town: 18 km – take an auto or taxi to Kurikyal village.

There is no public transport to the hill – hire a taxi from Karimnagar. Four‑wheelers are not needed; the last part is on foot.

By Rail: Nearest station – Karimnagar Railway Station (≈18 km). From there, taxi to Kurikyal.

By Air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (≈170 km).

Local guide: It is highly recommended to hire a guide from Kurikyal village. They know the safest route and can explain the history. Fee: ₹300–500.

October – February (Peak): Cool and dry – the only safe window for the climb. Daytime temperatures range from 15°C to 28°C. The rocks are not slippery. This is the best time for photography and exploration.
March – May (Summer): Extremely hot (38°C–45°C). The rocks become scorching – climb is dangerous and exhausting. Not recommended.
June – September (Monsoon): The hill receives moderate rainfall. The rocks become extremely slippery, and the crevices may have water – risk of falls. Not recommended.
Tip: Start the climb at sunrise (6–7 AM) to avoid heat. Complete all exploration by 11 AM.