Sri Vontimitta Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple

Introduction:

The Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple, located near Tirupati, is a very old and peaceful temple dedicated to Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. According to a local story, two brothers named Vontudu and Mittudu were great devotees of Lord Rama. They decided to build a temple for him and, with full faith and hard work, they completed it in just one day! After finishing the temple, they wanted to dedicate themselves completely to God — so they turned into stone statues as a final act of devotion.

Inside the temple, the idols of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are carved from a single rock, which makes them very special. It is believed that Lord Jambavantha (a character from Ramayana) brought and placed these idols in the temple.

This temple is more than 1,000 years old. It was first built during the Chola dynasty in the 10th century and later improved and expanded by the Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century. The temple’s design and carvings clearly show the beautiful Vijayanagara-style architecture, and many ancient writings and royal symbols are still visible on the walls. Even a French traveler named Tavernier visited this temple in 1652 and wrote about its beauty.

Many famous poets and saints have also visited this temple. Bammera Potana, who wrote the Maha Bhagavatham in Telugu, dedicated his work to Lord Rama here. Another scholar, Vavilakolanu Subba Rao, who is also known as ‘Andhra Valmiki’, translated the full Ramayana into Telugu in this temple. Even Annamacharya, the famous saint-poet, came here and sang songs to praise Lord Rama.

In the 18th century, the temple got even more beautiful and grand, thanks to the efforts of a nobleman named Sri Dodla Rami Reddy. He took great interest in the temple’s construction and made many improvements. The final work was completed in the year 1784, and since then, the temple has become even more important and loved by devotees.

From that time onwards, the temple has been celebrating the annual Brahmotsavams, a special festival that starts on the holy day of Sri Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama. These celebrations bring in thousands of devotees and fill the temple with music, prayers, and joy.

Today, the Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple is a must-visit for anyone travelling to Tirupati. It is more than 1,000 years old and carries a deep sense of devotion, rich history, and beautiful architecture. It stands as a proud symbol of spiritual heritage in Andhra Pradesh, where faith, culture, and tradition come together in one sacred place.