Sri Kodandarama Swami Temple, Vontimitta
Subbs shan
Vontimitta or Ontimitta is a mandal head quarters in Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh. The village is famous for Sri Kodandarama Swami Temple, a shrine dedicated to Lord Rama, which is situated towards the south-west of the village. This is said to be the place where the Kishkinda kanda, one of the 18 parvas (chapters/sections/divisions) of Ramayana, has happened. The Vontimitta temple is famous for its architecture and for the idol of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, which is carved out of a single rock. The idol is said to have been installed by Jambavantha, a mighty warrior, who resembled the animal bear, and helped Rama find his wife Sita, in the epic Ramayana.
It is said that the great poet Bammera Pothana spent his life at Vontimitta and dedicated his Mahabhagavatham to the deity. Vavilakolanu Subba Rao, known as Andhra Valmiki for translating Valmiki's Ramayana into Telugu, also dedicated his work to the deity in Vontimitta.
Another poet named Ayyala Thipparaju, who was the court poet of Proudha Devaraya and who wrote 'Sree Raghuveera Satakam' was a native of Vontimitta. Ayyalaraju Ramabhadra (grandson of Thipparaju) and one of the Astadiggajas of Sri Krishnadevaraya, had close association with Vontimitta.
Past History
1.
The area in and around Vontimitta was famous for Rishis / Munis who
used to perform great penance and yogas during Thretha Yuga, when
Bhagwan Sree Ram was born. Demons used to create lot of hurdles when
these Rishis used to perform Yagnas. Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana
appeared with his archery (Ambulapodhi), Small sword (Pidibaku) and a
long bow (Kodandam) and killed demons and saved Rishis. As Rama held
Kodandam, he was called Kodandarama Swamy. It is also said that Rama, at
the request of Sitha has pierced an arrow in the earth to draw water
from the ground to create a pool, known as 'Ramathirtham'. Similarly,
Lakshmana also created a pool known as 'Lakshmana 
Teertham'.
After the penance, Rishis adored the murthies of Rama, Sita and
Lakshmana carved on a monolith. Since at that time Rama had not yet come
in contact with Hanuman, his idol does NOT exist in the sanctum
sanctorium. This is a unique feature of this temple, said to be one of
its kind in the world. It is said that the idols in the temple were installed by Jambavantha
Folklore Tales
2. The folklore tales tell us of a story in which two decoits, named 'Vontodu' and 'Mittodu' used to rob pilgrims in the area and hide these valuables in caves nearby. Lord Rama and Lakshmana appeared to them and preached them noble living. They changed their way of life and became worshippers of Lord Rama. They constructed this temple. Hence, it is called 'Vontimitta'.
3. The temple is said to be constructed in three phases, First the Sanctum Sanctorium, next the Mukhamandapam and lastly the Gopuram. There are Sila-sasanaas(stone inscriptions) in the temple and on the Northern Side. The first Sasanaa was laid in 1555 AD by the village officer Sri Kalluri Lingaiah. It tells us that a village by name 'Palaputhuru' was donated to the temple by the then Area Commander, Sri Yati Thirumalaiah Maharaj under the control of Sri Veera Sadasiva Devarayalu, the emperor of Vijayanagaram. Another sasanaa, laid in 1558 AD by an officer of Vontimitta says that some hamlets adjacent to Vontimitta alongwith agricultural lands were donated to the temple to meet the expenditure for constructing compound walls and conducting Car festivals and Brahmotsavam functions. This was made by Sri Nagarajaiah Devai Nagaraj s/o Guttiyera Thirumalaraju who was the Prime Minister of Vijayanagar Empirer, Sadasiva Devarayalu.
Importance of Sculptures
4. The Mukhamandapam contains 32 Pillors. It depicts pictures of stories in Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Dasavatarams, Kalinga Madanam, Lifting of Govardhanagiri by Lord Krishna, and Poothana Samharam and other sculpures. The Kalyana Mantapam also contains sculptures of excellent nature. The Gali Gopuram has a height of 165 ft. A French Traveller by name Tavarniyar visited the temple in 1652 AD and was full of appreciation of the sculptural splendour of the structures.
5. The temple is spread over a large area with a compound wall with a pleasant environment for the pilgrims. This temple is now maintained by the Endowments Department.
Personalities Connected With the Temple
6. Ayyalaraju Thipparaju. He was a native of Vontimitta village. He has written 'Raghu veera Sathakam'. He performed Kanakabhishekam to the great poet 'Sreenathudu'.
7. Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu. He was one of the eight Great Poets in the court of Vijayanagar Empire. He has written a kavyam by the name 'Ramaabhyudayam'. It is said that when he was a child, he was accidentally left behind in the temple by his parents. It ia believed that Devi Seetha herself looked after him. Even today, the people of Ayyalaraju Sect visit the temple regularly for all the auspicious occassions.
8. Bommera Pothana. It is said tat the famous poet (Sahaja Kavi) Pothana Amatya was a native of this village and a great devotee of the Lord. He is the author of Bhagavatham in Telugu, which is well known in the literature world.
9. Tallapaka Annamacharya. This famous Sankeerthanaacharya visited this temple and has written many invaluable keerthanas on Lord Rama, which are being enjoyed by millions of people even today.
10. Vavilikolanu Subba Rao. He was a poet and great devotee of Rama of 
Vontimitta.
He lived in Vontimitta and translated 'Ramayana' into Telugu. He also
wrote a commentary on Ramayanam, known by the neme of 'Mandaaram'. He
used to beg money from the villagers for meeting the expenses for the
development of the temple. He spent money for making a gold cover for
the main deity (Moola viraat). He also founded a magazine called
'Bhaktha Sanjeevani' which was released from the Devasthanam. It is now
being released from Sri Kodanda rama Swamy Sevaka samajam, of
Angalakuduru village near Tenali (Guntur District). He is also popularly
known as 'Andhra valmiki'
How to reach Vontimitta By Bus-Car-Taxi-Train
Vontimitta is at a distance of 25 kilometres from Kadapa town. The town is located on the Kadapa-Tirupati main road.
Vontimitta can be reached by train as it has a railway station between Kadapa and Rajampet on Chennai-Mumbai rail line.
Tirupati airport is the nearest airport from where you can reach Vontimitta either by bus or car.
Vontimitta is hardly thirty minutes drive from Kadapa town and hence you can take a taxi or drive in your car. There are regular buses available from Kadapa, which takes you to the temple.
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