Padmakshi Temple is one of the oldest temples in the Hanamakonda region of Telangana, India. This sacred site is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Padmakshi, also associated with Lakshmi, and is notable for its incorporation of Jain imagery alongside its primary worship.
The site originally featured a Shaivite cave temple, and a Jain shrine was established in 1117 CE during the reign of Kakatiya chief Prola II, who was himself a follower of Shaivism. Eventually, the Jain shrine was replaced by a Hindu temple, reflecting the evolving religious landscape of the area.
In the 19th century, the Jains made efforts to reclaim control of the site. However, a commission established by the Nizam of Hyderabad determined that the site originally hosted a Hindu shrine, affirming its historical significance in the context of Hindu worship.
Originally, the site featured a Shaivite cave temple. The artificial caves, situated to the west of the current temple, are believed to have been carved before the 5th century CE, as they closely resemble early Brahmanical cave architecture.