Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple is a famous and ancient temple dedicated to the Sri Ramachandra, located in Vontimitta, Korajampet taluk, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is an example of Vijayanagara’s architectural style, dated to the 16th century.
Temple is 28 km from Kadapa Town, 16 km from Siddout fort via Bhakarapeta. This place is associated with great scholars and bhaktas like bommari pothana who wrote Bhagavatham and dedicated to Lord here, Tallapaka Annamacharya, Ayyalaraju Tripurantaka and Ayyalaraju Ramabhadra.
Another famous poet, Valivikolanu Subba Rao, Andhra Valmiki, had translated Ramayanam into Telugu and was dedicated to Sri Rama here.
Vontimitta Sri Rama Temple Daily Schedule:
5:15 AM – Temple Opening Hours
5:30 AM to 6:00 AM – Suprabhatha Seva
6:00 AM to 7:00 AM – Sarva Darshan
7:00 AM to 7:30 AM – Modati Aradhana (Modati Ganta).
7:30 AM to 11:00 AM – Sarva Darshan
11:00 AM to 11:30 AM – Second Aradhana. Break
11:30 AM to 6:00 PM – Sarva Darshan
6:00 PM to 6:30 PM – Nivedana, Third break
6:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Temple Closing Time
Vontimitta Kodandarama Temple Sevas and Timings:
Suprabhatham – 5.00 AM to 5.30 AM
Sahasranama Archana: 4.30 AM to 5.00 PM
Abishekam: 5.30 AM to 6.30 AM and 4.00 PM to 4.30 PM
Alankaram, Archana: 6.30 AM to 7.00 AM
Sarvadarshanam: 7.00 AM to 4.00 PM and 5.30 PM to 8.00 PM
Ekantha Seva: 8.00 AM to 8.15 PM
Lalitha Sahasranama Archana: 5.00 AM to 5.30 PM
Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Temple Timings:
Morning: 6.00 AM to 1.00 PM
Evening: 2.00 PM to 8.00 PM
Vontimitta Kodandarama Temple History:
The temple was built during the reign of Chola and Vijayanagara kings around the 16th century.
Bammera Potana who lived in Vontimitta wrote his magnum opus Maha Bhagavatham in Telugu language and dedicated it to Sri Rama. Vavilakolanu Subba Rao, known as ‘Andhra Valmiki’ for translating Valmiki’s Ramayana (the Hindu epic that narrates Rama’s tale) into Telugu also spent his time here worshipping Rama. The saint-poet Annamacharya is said to have visited the temple and composed and sang songs or kirtans in praise of Rama. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French traveler who had visited this temple in 1652, appreciated the elegance of the temple’s architecture. There is Rama Baktha named Bhavanasi Mala Obanna who sang songs or kirtans in praise of Rama in front of the temple and there is a symbol of Mandapam (Utla Stambam) Bhavanasi Mala Obanna in front of east Gopuram.
The temple, the largest in the region is built in Vijayanagara style of architecture, in the “Sandhara” order within a rectangular yard enclosed by walls. The temple, located 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) from Siddhout via Bakarapeta, is architecturally elegant and impressive. It has three ornate Gopurams (towers) of which the central tower, which faces east, is the entrance gateway to the temple; the other two towers face north and south. This central tower 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, has exquisite sculptures. As the mandapa is supported over 32 pillars it is known as Madhyarangaradapam. The colonnades in the mandapa have carved figurines of attendant apsaras (nymphs). The columns of the central support system on the southern side display carvings of the gods Krishna and Vishnu. Each of the corner columns has three layers carved with images of apsaras and deities. In the central part of the mandapa, there are piers that are adorned with images of the mythical creatures yali. The roof of the central part is built up with many decorative brackets or corbels. In one of the columns of the mandapa, images of Rama and his brother Lakshmana are sculpted. Rama is shown here in a standing position with a bow in the right hand and an arrow in the left hand. Other decorative art depiction in Rama’s image consists of Kundalas (ear-rings), haras (garlands), valayas, yagnopavita (sacred thread) and so forth. Lakshmana’s figure is sculpted in tribhanga posture with his right hand held down free while the left hand holds a bow. Adornments carved on this image are kirtimukuta (conical crown), graivevakas, channavira, udarbandha (waist band), yagnopavita and purnaruka. Krishna is in dvibhanga posture with the left leg firmly on the ground and the right leg bent at the knee and crossed over the left leg, a style termed as Vyatyastapada. Of his two arms, the right hand is shown holding the Govardhana hill while the other is rested on kati. The image is ornamented with kirtimukuta and many other ornaments. Two cows are also depicted by his side.
The sanctum sanctorium or garbhagriha is approached from the mandapa through an antaraalayam or inner chamber, which is adorned with sculptures. 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. It is also inferred that the garbhagriha is itself carved out of a single block. The monkey-god Hanuman, Sri Rama’s ardent devotee, who is generally shown with the trio is missing here. However, there is a separate temple for Hanuman here. There is also an image of Ganesha in a dancing posture in the mandapam.
How to Reach Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Temple
By Air: The nearest major commercial airport from the temple is located in Tirupati at a distance of about 110 km. You can either hire a taxi or catch a direct bus to Kodandarama Temple.
By Rail:
Near Railway station, 1.4 Km from Vontimitta Railway station, which takes 4 mins from this station.
Bhakarapet Railway station is 8.2 km, it takes 20 mins by Road from this station.
Kadapa Railway station, which is 25.9 Km, which takes 35 mins from this station
Tirupati Railway station, 117 km which takes 2 hours by road.
By Road: This temple is well connected by Kadapa. The temple is on the Hyderabad Tirupati highway.
Rajampeta is 28.6 km which takes 30 mins from this town
26.2 Km from Kadapa Town, which takes 25 mins
116 Km from Tirupati, which takes 1 hour 55 mins
133 km from Sri Kalahasthi, which takes 2 hours 15 mins
28.1 Km from Tallapaka Village, which takes 35 mins from this place.
Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Temple
Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple,
Vontimitta or Ekashilanagaram,
Kadapa – 516213,
Andhrapradesh.
Phone: +91-8589-274042