Kodandarama Temple, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Kodandarama Temple, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Kodandarama Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, situated at the heart of the Tirupati city in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is one of the famous temples, after Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama an incarnation of Vishnu along with Sita and Lakshmana. The temple is being administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. This temple was built by a Chola king during the tenth century AD. This temple is situated very close to famous Tirupati Govindaraja Swamy Temple.

Legends

Lord Rama Stay here:

According to legends, after the war and 14 years of exile, when Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lord Lakshmana were returning to Ayodhya, they had stayed at this place for a night.

Origin of Kodandarama Swamy Idol:

There is one more legend which is associated with this temple. According to the belief, there was an ancient cave, radiating with incomparable glow. When asked about the source of light inside the cave, Lord Rama had replied that the brightness is due to the divine presence in the cave. Later, when Jambavan went inside, he saw an idol which was emanating the divine glow. This later became as Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple.

Lord Rama paid a visit to Sri Venkateswara Swamy:

Another legend states that this temple was built when Lord Rama paid a visit to Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy. It was constructed to celebrate the divine meeting.

History

It was built by a Cholas during the tenth century AD. This temple was well developed by various kings especially by Sri Krishna Deva Raya in 15^th Century AD. The symbols and raja mudrikas of Vijaya Nagara dynasty can be seen on the rock walls of the outer mandapas.

The Temple

The Temple is east facing with three tiered Rajagopuram. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama an incarnation of Vishnu along with Sita and Lakshmana. The temple of Anjaneya, which is directly opposite, is a sub shrine of this temple. This Shrine houses an 8 feet Idol of Lord Hanuman. Theertham associated with this Temple is Ramchandra Pushkarini.

Festivals

Rama Navami is celebrated with major grandeur at this temple which includes Hanumantha Vahana Seva in connection with Sri Rama Navami day, followed by Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam on Dasami and Sri Rama Pattabhishekam Mahotsavam on Ekadasi. The nine-day annual Brahmotsavam celebrated every year which falls between March and April is another biggest event in the temple. The Annual three-day Theppotsavam (Float festival) will be celebrated during April at the temple where the processional deity of Sri Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana will be taken over a float in Sri Ramachandra Pushkarini.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 600 meters from Ramachandra Pushkarini Bus Stop, 750 meters from Tirupati Govindaraja Temple, 1 Km from Tirupati Railway Station, 2 Kms from Tirupati Central Bus Station, 11 Kms from Renigunta Railway Junction, 17 Kms from Tirupati Airport, 70 Kms from Chittoor, 134 Kms from Chennai and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. The city is well connected to major cities through national and state highways. APSRTC is the state-owned service, which operates buses to various destinations from Tirupati bus station complex. Tirupati is in close proximity with the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Hence, buses from KSRTC, TNSTC and SETC also operates their services. There is also private transport which operate in the city.

Location