Kothanda Rama Swamy Temple,
Motupalli, Andhra Pradesh
Kothanda Rama Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord
Rama, an Avathara of Lord Vishnu, located at Motupalli village in Prakasam
District in Andhra Pradesh, India. The Temple is situated on the shores of
Bay of Bengal. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National
Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
History
Motupalli has been an important
port with flourishing trade with South Asian countries especially during the
medieval period. The village is also referred to as Mohanagiripuram. Motupalli
is also referred as Mutfili in the accounts of Italian merchant Marco Polo who
visited the Motupalli in the 13th century CE. The prominence of
Motupalli declined gradually with the advent of the Britishers on the East
coast who focused their trading activities mostly from Machilipatnam, located
in the present Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. Excavations taken up by the ASI
had led to unearthing of Chinese ware and copper coins of the Ming dynasty,
coins belonging to the Chola era, bronze articles and pottery in Motupalli. The
temple was built during the reign of Chola dynasty and extensively renovated
during Kakatiya rule.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards
east with a pillared entrance Mandapa. The Temple consists of Mukha Mandapa, Antrala
and Sanctum. Hanuman can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum houses Kothanda
Rama Swamy. The Vimana over the sanctum is of two tiers. There is a four
pillared Mandapa to the right side of entrance Mandapa. Few broken idols, architectural
fragments and inscriptional pillars can be seen in the temple premises.
Festivals
Rama Navami is celebrated here
with much fanfare. Villagers from nearby villages used to participate during
the celebrations.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 6
Kms from Kadavakuduru Railway Station, 16 Kms from Chirala, 18 Kms from Chirala
Railway Station, 18 Kms from Chirala Bus Stand, 32 Kms from Bapatla, 44 Kms
from Ongole, 115 Kms from Amaravati and 132 Kms from Vijayawada Airport. The Temple
is situated on Ongole to Bapatla route. The Temple is easily reachable from
Chirala and Bapatla, which are well connected by the road and railways. Direct
bus to Chirala is available from major cities of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
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