The annual Sri Rama Navami Brahmotsavams of the ancient temple of Lord Pattabhirama Swamy temple at Valmikipuram in Chittoor district are in full swing. Thousands of devotees including from Karnataka and several influential families of the western mandals settled abroad would throng Valmikipuram to celebrate the festival.
Located at the mandal headquarters, the temple is flanked by two hillocks, known as Rushyamuka Parvatham and Vanara Gutta. The visitor could see the hillocks in the shapes of a sage in meditation and a troop of monkeys. Though there is exactly no evidence to establish its historicity, there is a proof that it underwent “jeernoddharana” ritual in the 13th century. Legend has it that Lord Rama on the way to Lanka had stayed at the hillocks along with the army of monkeys. The presiding deity here is also worshipped as Lord Veera Prathapa Rama.
The edicts mention that the temple was renovated in 1633 AD. Famous British officers CP Brown and Sir Thomas Monroe and other European powers of the Dutch and French had visited the temple. Saint poet Tallapaka Annamacharya had penned 27 sankeerthanas in praise of Lord Rama here. “Bussi Dora” had also visited it and offered pearls and silver ornaments to the Lord, according to the edicts. From the 15th century onward, the temple saw the patronage of the Vijayanagara kings. Maratha warrior Shivaji and saint poet Samartha Ramadasu had also worshipped here. In 1997, the temple came under the jurisdiction of the TTD.
During the bifurcation, this temple was in the race to bag the slot of state Rama temple for Sri Rama Navami. Interestingly, all people of Valmikipuram irrespective of religious affiliations sought the status on a par with Badrachalam. However, the option favoured the Vontimitta temple in Kadapa district.
The annual Brahmotsavams commenced on April 8 and will conclude on Tuesday. The important festivals are Sri Rama Navami and Seeetharama Kalyanam. Unlike other Sri Rama temples, here the celestial marriage would be celebrated to coincide with the birth star of Goddess Sita.