HISTORY SIGNIFICANCE OF VONTIMITTA TEMPLE
Kodandarama Swamy temple in Vontimitta is a temple dedicated to Lord Rama. It is located in Vontimitta town in Rajempet mandalam of YSR Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. This place is of historical, cultural, and spiritual importance. It is built by the Chola and the Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century. idols Lord Rama, Lord Lakshmana, and Goddess Sita are carved on a single piece of rock, called ekasilavigraham. There is no Lord Anjaneya Swamy idol at the ekasilavigraham. As per sthala puranam, the ekasilavigraham is carved even before Lord Anjaneya met Lord Sri Rama. But there is a separate temple for Lord Anjaneya Swamy in Vontimitta. Pothana wrote Andhra Mahabhagavatham here and dedicated it to Lord Rama. The history significance of vontimitta temple is explained below.
Before the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Srirama Navami utsavalu are held in Bhadrachalam Ramalayam. As Bhadrachalam is in Telangana, Vontimitta was chosen as an alternative venue for Srirama Navami utsavalu for Andhra Pradesh. Now Kodandarama temple, Vontimitta is under the administration of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Vontimitta Kodndarama Swamy temple is the only place in India, where Sri Sita Rama Kalyana Mahotsavam is held at Srirama Navami night.
Sri Rama Navami Vontimitta brahmotsavam dates
The mandapam in Kodandarama Swamy temple is called Rangamantapam is an open-air theater. The mandapam is supported over 32 pillars and is called as Madhyarangaradapam. Temple has 3 rajagopurams. Lord Rama was sculpted in a standing position with a bow in the right hand and an arrow in the left hand. Lord Lakshmana was sculpted in tribhanga posture with his right hand held down and the left hand holds a bow.