Lord Kodandarama Swamy temple, Vontimitta

Sometimes, we are really not sure what we would end up with when we were on the verge of doing something… Same thing happened to me indeed one day .i.e., when we were on a road trip to Tirupati, we have come across Lord Kodandarama swamy temple and the beauty of this temple at the time of dawn has mesmerized all of us. We felt that even the sun and moon would have felt jealous by seeing this edifice.  It has indeed helped in embarking my own belief of ‘Art and Architecture has no death’.

Vontimitta temple complex Car’fie’ 😉

Where is this?

Lord Kodanda Rama Swamy temple is located in Vontimitta  mandal which is about 25kms from the city of Kadapa and is close to Rajampet in Kadapa District, Andhra pradesh. This is a place of historical, spiritual  and cultural importance.

A Temple with Historical, spiritual and cultural importance..

Do we really have any unbelievable facts in the world?

Well…!! I have heard few in this place. According to the legend, the temple had been constructed by two devotees (once they where burglars and they are transformed in to devotees) of Lord Rama, named ‘Vontudu’ and ‘Mittudu’, in one single day.

The center of Hindu culture is India, and we never lost our ties with the architectural concepts of our ancient civilization.

Is it possible by any means??

Practically speaking ‘no’… Anyways lemme finish the story..After constructing the temple, they sacrificed their lives and turned into statues. I am really not sure how far it is true, but the reality what I have seen at this place is the beauty of the temple.. Which I undoubtedly felt with my eyes and senses…!!!

These fine and rich carvings on the gopura are one of the highlights of this temple, No human tongue is able to describe its grandeur..

Well!! Where are the statues?

Just like you all, even I have had the same question. Well you can find those statues, even now, at the entrance of the temple.

Statues of Vontudu & Mittudu

Idol Significance:

The composite image in the garbhagriha of the temple is that of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita is believed to be carved from a single rock. Lord Rama statue was established by Lord Jambavanta. And it is the only place in India, where the Sree Sita Rama kalyanam is held at night Sri Rama Navami.

One of the Gopura’s of this temple complex..

Historical Significance:

Kishkindakanda, one of the 7 kandas of the Ramayana, is believed to have occurred in this region. The Anjaneya Swamy Gandi may also be part of the Ramayana; it is believed that the Anjaneya Swamy Vigraham in Gandi is made by Sri Rama on a hill stone with his arrow’s point to acknowledge Anjaneya’s help him in finding  Sita Devi.

The main mandapam, built by the Vijayanagara kings, has a dancing Vigneswara. It is said that this is the only Rama temple in the country without Anjaneya beside the main deity.

closer view of a Pillar..

Main mandapa

Carvings

One of the pillar with a Yali(a (mythical creature) being rided by a warrior on the top of an elephant..

The walls and pillars of the temple are embellished with intricate carvings. Near the temple is a Rama theertham, a Lakshmana theertham and a meditation hall. It is said that Rama and Lakshmana struck the earth with arrows to bring out the Pathalaganga to quench the thirst of living creatures.

Look at those richly displayed intricate carvings..

A French traveler’s perspective:

A French traveler called Tavernier, had visited this town in 1652 and described the temple as one of the most beautiful temples in India. He was amazed by the devotion and dedication of the people here.

I felt my chest inflated after seeing this temple-
Arts(intricate carvings & sculpture), Architecture(Gopuras & Mandapas) & people.
I thought “this is what it makes me happy.”

Tallapaka, six kilometres from Rajampet town, is the birthplace of Annamacharya who wrote 32,000 keerthanas in praise of Venkateswara.

The temple is noted for its sculpture and is notified as an Ancient Monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. Putting aside accessing the facts this temple is really indeed a marvelous feast for the eyes if you visit this during the early hours of the day.