Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple at Vontimitta in Kadapa district is well known for its wonderful stone sculptures. The carvings in this temple reflect the rich artistic style of the Vijayanagara period. The Yali pillars in the Ranga Mandapam especially attract the devotees and visitors. The way huge stone blocks were shaped into Yali pillars shows the remarkable skill of the ancient sculptors.
Yali pillars are seen in many temples built during the Rayal dynasty. However, in Vontimitta temple each pillar has a hollow space in the middle where a person can sit, which is a unique feature. The pillars in the Ranga Mandapam are beautifully carved with scenes from Puranas and attract devotees. Two pillars in particular are designed in the traditional Petrus style and stand out for their artistic beauty.
History of Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Temple
According to legend, during the Treta Yuga, Lord Sri Rama travelled through the Dandakaranya forest along with Sita and Lakshmana. When Sita Devi felt thirsty, Lord Rama shot an arrow into the ground and a spring of water emerged. That sacred water source is believed to be the present-day Rama Theertham at Vontimitta.
It is believed that the same Lord Sri Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, who was worshipped by Jambavantha during the time of the Ramayana, is now worshipped in this temple. As the idols of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana are carved on a single stone, Vontimitta is also known as “Ekashila Nagaram” (City of a Single Stone).
Temple inscriptions reveal that the construction of the temple began in the 14th century and was completed by the 17th century. It was first started by Bukkaraya in 1356 and later developed by the Vijayanagara kings and Matli rulers. The sanctum, Ranga Mandapam, large courtyard and gopurams were built during this period.
A Sacred Place that Inspired Great Poets
Vontimitta has also inspired many great poets in Telugu literature. It is believed that the great poet Pothana translated the Bhagavatam into Telugu here. Ayyalaraju Tippayya dedicated Raghuveera Satakam to Lord Kodandarama of Ontimitta. Ramabhadra Kavi composed Ramabhyudayam.
Nallakalva Ayyappa became a blessed poet by the grace of Vontimitta Rama. Uppugunduru Venkata Kavi wrote Dasaratha Rama Satakam. Vavilakolanu Subba Rao, known as Andhra Valmiki, wrote the Telugu Ramayanam. Tallapaka Annamacharya also composed devotional songs praising Lord Rama.
Merged with TTD in 2015
Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple at Vontimitta, which was earlier under the Endowments Department of the State Government, was merged with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on September 9, 2015. After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam at Vontimitta is celebrated as a State festival.
This year, TTD is making elaborate arrangements to conduct the Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam on April 1 in a grand manner.
Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam Celebrations
Every year, as part of the Sri Rama Navami Brahmotsavams, Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam is performed at Ontimitta with great devotion under the guidance of TTD following the Pancharatra Agama traditions.
On this occasion, a grand procession of the Utsava deities of Sri Sita Rama is taken from the temple to the Kalyana venue. The rituals begin with Bhagavat prayer followed by Vishvaksena Aradhana, Punyahavachanam, Raksha Bandhanam and Yajnopaveetha Dharana.
Later, rituals such as Vastram Samarpana, Madhuparkam, Maha Sankalpam and Kanyadanam are performed. This is followed by Jeelakarra Bellam, Mangalya Puja, Akshataropanam and Mala Parivarthanam. The ceremony concludes with Vedic blessings. After the Kalyanam, TTD distributes pearl Talambralu to the devotees.