The Temple of Vontimitta

 

Talambralu Scene of Sita Rama Kalyanam

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Place

Vontimitta/Ekasilanagaram is a small village located in Rajampeta Mandal of Kadapa district. The Sri Kodanda Ramaswamy temple of Vontimitta is a famous and historical temple dedicated to Lord Shri Ram. Mythologically, this place is associated with the Hindu Epic Ramayana. It was assumed that Lord Shri Ram visited this place during his Vanavas along with Goddess Sita and Lakshmana. The temple was allegedly built by Vontadu and Mittadu - two robbers who repented. However, historically the temple owes it's origin to the Rayas of Vijaynagar and probably their feudal vassals in 16th Century CE, even though some view it as belonging to a much earlier Chola period. There are some sources which identify this village with the legendary Ekasilanagaram - home town of perhaps one of the greatest Telugu poets of all time, Bammera Potana. Infact, this temple is associated with many poets and scholars - an impressive achievement in itself! Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu - one among the Ashtadiggajas of Sri Krishna DevaRaya's assembly Bhuvana Vijayam, the iconic composer Annamayya, French gem merchent and traveller Jean-Baptiste Tavernier - the list of admirers of this temple is impressive! Post bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh (2014), when Bhadrachalam became a part of Telangana, the state government of Andhra Pradesh started giving prominence to this temple. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) took over the management of the temple in 2015 and the state government of Andhra Pradesh started patronizing Vontimitta temple as the official venue of the annual festival of Sri Ramanavami festival.

Beautiful Sculptures at Ranga Mandapa

The temple has some interesting features that endear the devout and the tourist in equal measure. The spacious temple is well endowed with three Gopurams and two adjacent Ponds (Ramateertham and Lakshmanateertham). On the walls abutting the Main Gopuram (entrance), beautiful sculptures and reliefs are carved. These deal with various motives - tales from the Ramayana, Sita-Rama Kalyanam depicting the Telugu marriage rituals like Talambralu, and a not so grand Rishabha Kunjara that was obivously inspired from Darasuram. Once inside, the Garbha Griha and Antaralya protected by a Dravida style Vimana are located within a large rectangular Ranga Mandapa - symbolic of Vijayanagara temples. Within the Ranga Mandapa are exquiste pillars caved with the figures of the mythical Yali - another hallmark of Vijayanagara architecture. Carvings depicting tales from Bhagavatam, Ramayana are also found witin the Ranga Mandapa. The idols of Lord Shri Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana in the sanctum sanctorum are monolithic and beautiful. Outside the Ranga Mandapa, two separate Mandpas (Garuda) are located. A few inscriptions can be found too. Another interesting feature is the notable absense of temple/shrine for Lord Hanuman within the premises of the main temple. It was really a wonderful and spiritual experience visiting this histoical temple!

Yali

Tips 

1. The village of Vontimitta is located on Kadapa - Rajampet Road and is well connected by buses from Kadapa and Rajampet. It is 25 Kms away from Kadapa, and share autos/Taxis/Tata Aces regularly ply to and from Kadapa, Bhakarapeta and Rajampet. 

2.Photography is stricly prohibited in the Sanctum Sanctorum and in the central hall i.e, Ranga Mandapa. 

3. The temple attendant staff may be rude at times - If the government really wishes to sponsor tourism, it should take an urgent sensitization drive for it's employees. One can't just go on and enjoy world class sculptures when he/she cannot even find where the chappal stand is! 

 

Rishabha Kunjara - Bull or Elephant? - Fascinating optical illusion

The Temple

Maheeth Veluvali,

Sunday - 16th of August, 2020,

Vontimitta (Kadapa)