The ancient Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy temple at Vontimitta in Kadapa district is gearing up for the nine-day annual Brahmotsavams from March 25.
The festivities will begin with ‘ankurarpanam’ on March 24. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which has taken over the temple, has made elaborate arrangements as tens of thousands of devotees from surrounding districts also throng the temple.
Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu are expected to take part in Sri Seetharama kalyanotsavam on March 30. The deities of Sri Sita Lakshmana Sameta Sri Ramachandra Murthy in the temple were said to be consecrated by Sri Jambavantha in Tretayugam. During his exile, Lord Sri Rama visited this place along with Sita Devi and Lakshmana Swamy. To quench the thirst of Sita, Sri Rama threw an arrow into the earth and water pierced out. This water body is now popularly known as ‘Rama Theertham’ located adjacent to the temple.
Built in three phases
Built by the rulers of Vijayanagara dynasty, the inscriptions on the walls of the temple show that this temple was constructed in three phases over three centuries from 14 Century AD to 17 Century AD.
The place derived the name of Vontimitta after two local hunters Vontadu and Mittadu, who were said to have quenched the thirst of King Kamparayalu when his entourage visited the place. On their request, the king constructed this temple and named the place as ‘Vontimitta’, but king Bukkarayalu opened the temple in 1,356 AD.
Later, the Vijayanagara rulers constructed the Antaralayam, Rangamantapam, Mahapranganam, Gopuram and Ratham in a phased manner and developed the temple. The Kainkaryams were introduced with the voluntary contributions from villagers.
Abode of scholars
According to the available evidences, Vontimitta stood as an abode of versatile scholars and literary persons like Bammera Pothana who penned the Bhagavatam in Telugu, Sri Vavilikolanu Subba Rao, Sri Ayyalaraju Timmappa, Sri Ramabhadrudu, Sri Nallakalva Ayyappa and Sri Annamacharya who rendered many sankeetans on Lord Sri Rama and many more.
Following ‘ankurarpanam’ at 8 p.m. on March 24, the nine-day brahmotsavams begin with Dhwajarohanam at 9.03 a.m. in the auspicious Vrishabha Lagnam on March 25. The presiding deities bless devotees in various "Alankara" such as Venugana, Vatapatrasai, Navaneetha Krishna, Mohini, Sivadhanurbhana and Kaliyamardhana forms each day.
