We went to one of the Devotional places of lord Rama's KODANDARAMA TEMPLE in Vontimitta. The temple was built in the 16th century by the Chola and Vijayanagara Kings. It is located in the town of Vontimitta in the Kadapa district, about 25 kilometers from Kadapa and close to Rajampet. The temple has intricate carvings on its walls and pillars, a large sculptured Mandapam, and an inner chamber and sanctum. It's the largest temple in the region and is a centrally protected monument of national importance.
IMPORTACE OF THE TEMPLE History:
It is known that when Rama was a child, Vishwamitra took him for his yagna. But even after Sitarama Kalyanam, one such occasion arose. Then Sage Mrikandu and Sringi Sage prayed to Rama for the punishment of evil, the legend says that Swami along with Sita and Lakshmana came to this place holding Ambula podi, Pidaba, Kodandam and performed the sacrifice. It is the belief of the people here that those sages carved the idols of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana on a single stone, and later Jambavanta consecrated these idols. In this temple there is a shrine of Sri Rama. It is said that on Sita's wish, Lord Rama raised the Patala Ganga with Rama's arrow.
The idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are carved into the same stone of the main idol in this temple. This is the only Ram temple in India that does not have a Hanuman idol next to the idol of Rama among the main idols in the temples. It is said that an idol of Sitaramalakshman was established in Ontimitta before the union of Sri Ram with Swami Hanuma.
ATTRACTIONS:
Imambeg Well is one of the attractions of Ontimitta Ram Temple. The gopuram construction is outstanding in the Chola sculptural tradition. The French traveler Travernier visited this temple in the 16th century and praised it as "one of the largest domes in India". Potana, the author of the Andhra Mahabhagavatam, claimed to be a resident of Ekasilapuri.
Tale about the ImamBeg Well:
Once ImamBeg questioned the priests If a devotee calls the God, will he speak? When they replied that he would surely speak if called with sincerity, then he called Rama three times. In return, the answer was "O" three times. He was very surprised. He became a devotee of Swami Rama. In 17th Century when devotees are facing water crisis, he constructed a well and since then it is named after him.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
From Sunday to Saturday morning:5am to 9pm.
Presently the management of this temple has been handed over to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
It is one of the attractive and aesthetical place. Feel the presence of Sri Rama, have his blessings along with the nature and wonderful architecture of the temple which is a feast to your eyes.
