Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple

Introduction to the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple

Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple, dedicated to Rama, is located in Vontimitta town, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. It is the largest temple in the region. Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple is the most famous temple in South India. It is said that Sri Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, stayed at this place during their Aranyavasam (forest exile).

Legend of the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple

As per legends, two devotees, Vontodu and Mittodu, built the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple in one day. After constructing 32 beautiful pillars, both sacrificed their lives and transformed into statues in the temple. It is said that Jambavantha placed the idols of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana on a single rock.

The village name Vontimitta is said to be derived from the names of Vontodu and Mittodu. A king called Kampana camped with his army at this place. They helped quench the king's and his army's thirst by showing Rama Theertham. The king was pleased with them and built a village named after them. Vontodu and Mittodu later became Vontimitta. Kampana also built a temple for Sri Raghu Rama.

Another legend says that Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana spent some time here during their exile. When Sita felt thirsty, Rama shot an arrow at the earth, and sweet drinking water gushed out. Later, the water spring became two sacred small tanks named Rama Theertham and Lakshmana Theertham.

The Architecture of the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple

According to temple history, Vijayanagara and Chola kings built the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple in the 16th century. It is the finest example of the Vijayanagara architectural style. The temple has three gopurams, two of which are three-tiered and one five-tiered. The structure and detailing of these gopurams are representative of the Chola style. The entrance of the main gopuram, 160 feet high, is in the East, and the other two monumental gopurams are in the north and south.

The east-facing gopuram is the central one; it is a five-tiered structure. There is a Dhwajasthambam before the entrance of the sanctum. A large mandap with 32 pillars is called the Madhya Ranga mandap, where the figures of Apsaras (celestial nymphs) are carved. The images of the mythical creatures called Yali adorn the piers of the central part of the mandap.

Visitors can reach the sanctum from the mandap through an inner chamber, which is adorned with sculptures. The sanctum has a Vimana with a round Shikhara.

Sri Kodandarama Swamy, a form of Sri Rama, is the main deity facing east in the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple. Sri Rama stands with a bow in his right hand and an arrow in his left. In the sanctum, Sri Rama graces along with his consort, Sita, and brother, Lakshmana, who are carved out of a monolithic stone. Kundalas, Haras, Valayas, and Yagnopavita (sacred thread) are meticulously depicted in the image of the deity.

Lakshmana stands in a Tribhanga posture with his right hand held down free while the left hand holds a bow. The ornaments, including Kirtimukuta (conical crown), graivevakas, channavira, udarbandha (waistband), yagnopavita, and purnaruka, are beautifully carved on his image. Sita stands on the right side of her consort, Sri Rama.

Vishnu, Krishna, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, and Ganesha have separate shrines in the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple. Visitors can see a shrine of Ganesha in a dancing posture in the main mandap of the temple.

This 450-year-old temple has ample space for parking. The famous French traveler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier praised the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple in 1652.

The uniqueness of the Vontimitta Kodandarama Swamy Temple is that it is one of the few temples in India where the idol of Sri Rama is seen without Anjaneya Swamy at his side.

Vontimitta was closely associated with famous Telugu poets. The great poet Bammera Pothana spent his whole life in Vontimitta praising Sri Rama. He finally dedicated his Maha Bhagavatam to the deity. The saint cum poet Annamacharya visited the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple and composed Keertanas in praise of Sri Rama. A prominent poet and saint of the modern age, Andhra Valmiki Sri Vavilikolanu Subba Rao (1863-1936), did great service to the temple.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has recently taken over the Vontimitta Kodandarama Swamy Temple.

Festivals in the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple

Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple grandly celebrates Rama Navami (birthday of Rama), Vaikunta Ekadashi, Maha Shivratri, Ugadi, Sri Sita Rama Kalyanotsavam and Navahnika Brahmotsavam every year.

Andhra Pradesh State Government officially conducts Sri Sita Rama Kalyanotsavam on the Sri Rama Navami festival.