Located in Vontimitta town, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh, Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Rama. The temple dates back to the 16th century. The temple was built during the reign of Chola and Vijayanagara kings. The temple is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance.

location Andhra Pradesh, Kadapa, Amaravathi

Legend

According to the legends, the temple was built by two robbers named Vontudu and Mittudu, who later turned to be the devotees of Lord Rama. It is believed that after building the temple they turned into stone.  According to the legends, Lord Rama, Goddess Sati and Lord Lakshmana spent some time here during their exile. It is believed that Lord Jambavatha has placed the Lord Rama Idol along with Goddess Sita and Lakshmana Idol engraved on a single rock in this temple.

Architecture

Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple is one of the largest temple in this region. Built in Vijayanagara style of architecture, a French traveler, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who had visited this temple in 1652, appreciated the elegance of the temple's architecture. The temple was built in the Sandhara order within a rectangular yard enclosed by walls. The temple has three ornate Gopurams of which the central tower, which faces east, is the entrance gateway to the temple; the other two towers face north and south. The central tower of the temple is built in five tiers, and a number of steps are provided to access the approach gate of the tower. The mandapa or the Rangamantapam, the open-air theatre, in this temple has exquisite sculptures and the colonnades in the mandapa have carved figurines of attendant apsaras (nymphs). The mandapa is known as Madhyarangaradapam as it is supported over 32 pillars. The columns of the central support system on the southern side display carvings of the gods Krishna and Vishnu. Each of the corner columns have three layers carved with images of apsaras and deities. The roof of the central part is built up with many decorative brackets or corbels. The sanctum sanctorum or garbha griha is approached from the mandapa through an antaraalayam or inner chamber, which is adorned with sculptures. The garbhagriha is itself carved out of a single block. In the garbhagriha, the central icon of Rama along with his consort Sita and Lakshmana are carved as a composite image, out of a single rock.

Culture

The rich cultural heritage of the city is on a populous display in Kadapa during its festival season. Sankranthi, the celebration of the first harvest in the state of Andhra finds a special place in the heart of the entire population of the city. In addition, Diwali, Eid, and Christmas are also celebrated on an appreciable scale. Kite flying is an important activity during Sankranthi. The locals love their spicy South Indian cuisine and a myriad of hotels serves multi cuisine dishes.

Darsan Info

Suprabhatham – 05.00 AM to 05.30 AM

Abishekam – 05.30 AM to 06.30 AM and 04.00 PM to 04.30 PM

Alankaram, Archana – 06.30 AM to 07.00 AM

Sarvadarshanam – 07.00 AM to 04.00 PM and 05.30 PM to 08.00 PM

Sahasranama Archana – 04.30 AM to 05.00 PM

Lalitha Sahasranama Archana – 05.00 AM to 05.30 PM

Ekantha Seva – 08.00 AM to 08.15 PM

Darsan Dresscode

Wear traditional attire and modest clothes. Avoid shorts for men

Famous Festival

Ugadi, Sri Rama Navami – March/April

Temple Rituals

Morning suprabhatham is performed at 05:00 AM.

Additional Info

 

Andhra Spice Family Restaurant, Meenakshi bhavan located in Kadapa (There is no restaurants available within 5kms radius. Only small tiffin centers are available on the way to temple.)