Vontimitta:
Vontimitta is a village in Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh. Vontimitta is famous and unique for the Kodandarama Swamy Temple.
Kodandarama Temple :
Kodandarama temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Rama. The temple, an example of Vijayanagara architectural style, is dated to the 16th century. It is stated to be the largest temple in the region. It is located at a distance of 25km from Kadapa and is close to Rajampet.
According to the local legend, the temple was built by Vontudu and Mittudu, who have robbers turned devotees of Rama. After building the temple, they are said to have turned into stone.
History:
The temple was built during the reign of chola and Vijayanagar kings around the 16th century.
Bammera Potana who lived in vontimitta wrote his magnum opus Maha Bhagavatham in Telugu language and dedicated it to Rama. Vavilakolanu Subbarao, known as “Andhra Valmiki’ for translating Valmiki’s Ramayana into Telugu also spent his time here worshipping Rama.
Lord Rama is found with a bow in His right hand and arrow in His left hand in a standing posture along with Goddess Sita and Lakshmana. Goddess Sita and Lakshmana are found to be carved as a composing image, which is made out of a single rock.
The main uniqueness of this temple is here the kalayanam of the kodandarama and sita will be held in the presence of moonlight that is at night time…