Ranganathaswamy Temple, Aluru – Legends

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Aluru – Legends

As per legend, Sage Vishwamitra was living in this place near the forest of Thadaka and was doing penance and yajna with his disciples. They were being tormented by Thadaka and her sons. Unable to tolerate the menace any longer, Vishvamitra approached Dasharatha, the King of Ayodhya for help. He requested Dasharatha to send his eldest son, Rama to protect his yajna. Though Dasharatha was initially reluctant to send his 16-year-old boy, he finally sent Rama and his younger brother Lakshmana with Vishvamitra on the advice of the royal guru Vashishta.

Vishvamitra trained them in warfare and taught them various mantras. When Vishvamitra and the princes were passing through the forest of Thadaka, Thadaka attacked them. Rama, aided by Lakshamana, slew her with his arrow. Vishvamitra blessed Rama, as the gods rejoiced in the end of Thadaka. The sage gave him divine weapons as a reward. Vishvamitra then began his six-day yajna, with the princes standing on guard. While the first five days passed without incident, on the sixth day the sacrificial fire suddenly faltered, indicating trouble.

Maricha and his brother Subahu, with a horde of rakshasas, appeared from the treetops like black clouds, roaring and making a thunderous noise. They tried to destroy the yajna fire by showering it with blood and flesh. Rama fired his Manavastra (astra which could hit a target miles away) from his bow. The arrow struck Maricha's chest and threw him a hundred leagues away, into the ocean. Subahu and the other demons were killed by Rama, using various other weapons. The sacrifice was completed successfully. To commemorate this event, Yerrama Timmaraju, a feudatory of Vijayanagara King Bukka Raya I built the current temple in 1334 CE.

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Aluru, Andhra Pradesh

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Aluru, Andhra Pradesh

Ranganathaswamy Temple  is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Aluru Village in Tadipatri Mandal in Ananthapuramu District in Andhra Pradesh, India. This temple is also known as Kona Ranganatha Swamy temple. This temple is situated close to Aluru Kona Waterfalls.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/11/ranganathaswamy-temple-aluru-legends.html

History

This temple was built in 1334 CE by Yerrama Timmaraju, a feudatory of Vijayanagara King Bukka Raya I. Yerrama Timmaraju donated vast amounts of lands to the temple to meet the temple expenses.

The Temple

This temple is situated on top of a hillock. There is an entrance arch on the road leading to this temple. The temple can be reached after climbing fifty steps. This temple is facing towards east with three tiered rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwaja Sthambam, Deepa Sthambam and Garuda shrine can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram.

The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and maha mandapa. The sanctum enshrines the reclining image of Ranganatha Swamy flanked by goddess Sridevi and Bhoodevi. There are guest houses for devotees available in the temple premises. There is a natural spring next to the temple, where water flows between the rocks for the whole year.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 06.00 AM to 12.30 PM and 04.00 PM to 08.00 PM.

Festivals

Annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated during the Chaitra month. The festival starts on Chaitra Suddha Pournami day.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 13 Kms from Tadipatri, 13 Kms from Tadipatri Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Tadipatri Railway Station, 60 Kms from Gooty, 68 Kms from Anantapur, 109 Kms from Kadapa and 244 Kms from Tirupati Airport. The temple is situated at about 13 Kms to the north east of Tadipatri on Gooty to Kadapa route.

Location

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – The Temple

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with five tiered rajagopuram. The temple measures 72 metres in length and 46.4 metres in breadth. The northern and southern entrances are provided with four tiered gopurams. A pillared cloister runs abutting the prakara outside the temple from the southern gopura to the northern gopura covering the western prakara. Dwaja Sthambam and Balipeedam can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram. The main shrine consists of sanctum, antrala, mukha mandapa and maha mandapa.

The maha mandapa is rectangular on plan. The mandapa has thirty two pillars, sixteen of them regularly spaced so as to form a kind of colonnade along its outer edge, while twelve of them form an oblong court in the centre and the remaining four pillars stand on the eastern projected part of the mandapa. The pillars of this mandapa are of two types. The pillars that form the central oblong court have yali brackets while the remaining pillars lying on its outer edge have pillaretts facing outside.

Each pillaret has a bracket figure of Hindu deities namely Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Panduranga, Vishnu, Sridevi, Bhudevi, Venugopala etc. All the pillars have the full blown Vijayanagara lotus corbels. The ceiling over the oblong court in the centre is raised up as a clerestory. This large central bay on the ceiling of the maha mandapa bears a lotus medallion while its vertical sides have sculptures of Hindu deities. Garuda shrine can be seen on the eastern projection of this mandapa.

This shrine is facing towards the sanctum. It houses an image of Garuda in human form. The maha mandapa has two flight of steps one from the south and the other in the north. Each flight of steps has two parapet walls lined by proboscis flowing out of the mouths of the vyalas at the top. The mukha mandapa is square on plan. There are four pillars in the centre of the mukha mandapa. Each pillar has a rectangular base, two square parts and two polygonal parts, crowned by capital with lotus corbels of the Vijayanagara order. These pillars have carvings of Hindu deities, animals, flowers etc.

The ceiling of this mandapa in between the four central pillars is arranged in an ashtakona design with padmasila in the centre. The entrance of the mukha mandapa in the east is guarded by two dvarapalakas of life size and carved in round with usual Vaishnavite features. The door way is of single jambed variety with lotus petal carvings, with dvarapalakas at the base of the jambs and the female figures standing under creepers. The wall that encloses this mandapa surrounds the antrala and the sanctum, thus providing a closed circumambulatory.

The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines the images of Kothanda Rama with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. All the images are carved as a composite image, out of a single rock. The Hanuman, who is generally shown with the trio is missing here. However, there is a separate temple for Hanuman here. The walls of the sanctum are decorated with the arrangement of two pilasters, kumbhapanjara, pilaster, salakoshta, a pilaster, kumbhapanjara and a pilaster on each face. The walls of the antarala are also adorned with pilasters and salakoshtas.

The interspaces of the walls are decorated with scenes from Ramayana. The upper register of the walls has lotus petal carvings, while the kapota is decorated with simhamukha gables. The vimana over the sanctum is of single tier. The Kalyana mandapa is situated in the south-west corner of the outer prakaram. This mandapa has sixteen pillars of which the central four pillars stand on a raised platform. All the pillars are of the Vijayanagara order. The cornice has a lower convex portion and upper concave portion.

There are two more mandapas situated in the north-east and north-west portions of the outer prakaram. Each mandapa has four pillars. There is a west facing shrine temple dedicated to Sanjeeviraya / Hanuman situated to the east of the rajagopuram of the Kothandarama shrine. The temple consists of sanctum and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa has eight pillars arranged in two rows. The front four pillars have each a pillaret facing outside with a bracket figure.

All the pillars have lotus corbels. The cornice of the mandapa is of double flexure with a lower convex portion and upper concave portion. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum houses an image of Anjaneya. The walls of the sanctum are plain. The kapota is decorated with simhamukha gables. The vimana is of ekatala variety crowned by a square griva and sikhara with a kalasa above. Theerthams associated with this temple are Rama theertham and Lakshmana theertham.

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – History

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – History

The temple is believed to be built by Kumara Kampana, son of Emperor Bukka Raya I (1356 – 1377 CE) of the Vijayanagara Kingdom from the Sangama Dynasty. The temple also received patronage from Matli dynasty. The Matli kings constructed the Sanjeeviraya temple in front of this temple. There are two inscriptions of King Sadasivaraya (1542 – 1570 CE) of Vijayanagara Kingdom on two slabs set up near the eastern gopura of the temple.

One inscription dated to 1554 CE records a gift of the lands and villages for daily worship, monthly festivals and offerings. Another inscription of King Sadasivaraya dated to 1558 CE records the gift of villages for daily worship and construction of prakara walls, gopuras and mandapas. Another inscription of King Sadasivaraya dated to 1559 CE records a gift of land registers a gift of land for the daily worship.

An inscription of Matla Anantaraju, son of Matli chief Yallamaraja dated to 1589 CE on the prakara wall records about the settlement of a dispute between Balija and Vadla Kammaras (carpenters) of Vontimitta. The Balijas did not allow the Vadla Kammaras to sit on the ratha of the god during the festival. Anantaraju ordered that the Vadla Kammaras should be allowed to sit on the ratha as the same custom was followed at Tirupati.

Bammera Potana (1405 – 1470 CE), a resident of Vontimitta wrote his magnum opus Maha Bhagavatham in Telugu language and dedicated it to Rama. A stone image of Potana is placed in the maha mandapa. Another poet Ayyala Thipparaju, the court poet of Praudha Devaraya (1423 – 1446 CE) who wrote Sree Raghuvira Satakam was also native of Vontimitta.

Ayyalaraju Ramabhadra, the grandson of Thipparaju was one of the Ashtadiggajas of Emperor Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Kingdom. Vavilakolanu Subba Rao, known as Andhra Valmiki for translating Valmiki’s Ramayana into Telugu also spent his time here. The saint-poet Annamacharya is said to have visited the temple and composed and sang kirtans in praise of Rama. 

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French traveler who had visited this temple in 1652, appreciated the elegance of the temple's architecture. The administration of the temple is entrusted to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The TTD board had passed a resolution on 29 July 2015 to get the temple under its administrative control.

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – Legends

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – Legends

Vontimitta:

The name of the village Vontimitta is said to be derived from the names of two persons Vontodu and Mittodu. These two helped a king named Kampana who camped with his army at this place, by showing the water of Ramatirtham to quench the thirst of the king and his army. Pleased with their help, the king created this village and named after them.

Kothanda Rama:

As per legend, Sages Mrikandu and Shrungi were performing Yaga at this place. The Yaga was disturbed by some demons. Both the sages prayed to Lord Rama for his intervention. Lord Rama came here with bow and arrow to protect the Yaga. Hence, Rama is called as Kothanda Rama (Kothanda means bow).

Vontodu and Mittodu:

As per legend, the temple was built by the robbers Vontodu and Mittodu who turned into devotees of Lord Rama. It is said that they have turned into stone after building this temple.

Rama Thirtham and Lakshmana Thirtham:

As per legend, Sita asked Rama about the scarcity of water at this place during their stay in the forest. Lord Rama and Lakshmana shot their arrows into the ground and water started gushing out from the ground and formed the Rama Thirtham and Lakshmana Thirtham.

Jambavan installed the idols here:

As per legend, the idols in this temple were installed by Jambava, the king of bears, who assisted Lord Rama during his struggle against the rakshasa king of Lanka, Ravana. This is the only temple of Lord Rama with his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana but without Anjaneya idol. As Jambavan is older than Anjaneya, he did not included Anjaneya. Later, a shrine dedicated to Anjaneya was built in front of the temple.

Mala Obanna:

As per legend, Mala Obanna, an ardent devotee of Rama used to sing Sri Rama Bhajans by sitting in front of main door. Some of the temple authorities asked him to move to the back side of the temple (i.e., west side door) The next day morning, when the temple doors were opened main idols of the temple were turned to west side indicating their support to Obanna. Immediately the temple authorities realized their mistake and asked him to sit in front of the main door of the temple then the idols were back to the normal position.

Lord Rama revealed his divine presence to a Muslim:

Once, a Nawab was going towards his fort called Siddhu Vadam Kottai. He decided to take rest at Vontimitta. During his stay, he argued with the people about the existence of Lord Rama. People told him that Lord Rama answers their prayers. Nawab ordered the closure of the temple doors and called Rama from outside. To his surprise, he heard the voice of Rama from the temple. Realizing his divine presence, Nawab excavated a well for the abhishekam of Lord Rama. Even now Muslims in Vontimitta visit this temple every Saturday.

Ayyalaraju Ramabhadra fed by Mother Sita:

As per legend, when Ayyalaraju Ramabhadra, the grandson of Thipparaju and one of the Ashtadiggajas of Emperor Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Kingdom, was a kid, his parents forgot him in this temple. It is said that Mother Sita fed him with milk and protected him till the parents were back to the temple to get him back.

Lord Rama helped Bammera Potana in writing Bhagavatham:

Bammera Potana, the author of Bhagavatham in Telugu language was born in Vontimitta. When he had some difficulties in explaining certain events, Lord Rama directly helped him by clearing his doubts.

Srimadontimitta:

Vontimitta is situated in between two great Kshetras of the south India namely Srisailam and Tirupathi. Hence, Vontimitta came to be called as Srimadontimitta.

Ekasila Nagaram:

It is said that the idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are carved out of a single stone with a common pedestal. Hence, this place came to be called as Ekasila Nagaram (Ekasila means single stone and Nagaram means town).

Vonti Mitta:

The village is situated on the high level ground by the side of a small hill. The village derived its name Vontimitta from this single hill. Vonti means single and Mitta means hill.

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta, Andhra Pradesh

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta, Andhra Pradesh

Kodandarama Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Vontimitta Town in Vontimitta Mandal in Kadapa District in Andhra Pradesh, India. This temple is considered as the largest temple in the region built in Vijayanagara style of architecture, in the Sandhara order. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/11/kodandarama-temple-vontimitta-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/11/kodandarama-temple-vontimitta-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/11/kodandarama-temple-vontimitta-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 05.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and 04.30p.m. to 08.30 p.m.

Festivals

Rama Navami is the most famous festival celebrated here. Seeta Rama Kalyanam is performed during night time on 14^th day from Telugu New Year. This is the only temple where the Kalyanam (marriage) is done at night.

Prayers

Devotees perform poojas to salagrama idol of Santhana Gopala Krishna for child boon. Devotees also circumambulate the anthill 11 times in the northeast of the temple with its feet symbol of Rama Paduka for child boon, fame and wedding boon. It is the faith of the devotees that darshan of Lord Rama here will relieve them from threats of enemies.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 500 metres from Vontimitta Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Vontimitta Railway Station, 19 Kms from Nandalur, 25 Kms from Kadapa, 29 Kms from Rajampet, 111 Kms from Tirupati Airport and116 Kms from Tirupati. The temple is situated on Kadapa to Tirupati route.

Location

Kothandarama Temple, Buchireddipalem, Andhra Pradesh

Kothandarama Temple, Buchireddipalem, Andhra Pradesh

Kothandarama Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Rama located in Buchireddipalem Town in Buchireddipalem Mandal in Nellore District in Andhra Pradesh, India. This temple is situated on the northern bank of Penna River.

History

The construction of the temple was started in 1765 CE by Sri Dodla Rami Reddy, also known as Bangaru Rami Reddy, a member of the Dodla family which established Buchireddypalem in 1715 CE. The temple was completed in 1784 CE. Brahmotsavams have been held every year since, commencing on the Sri Rama Navami day, which falls in the Chaitra month (April–May) of the Hindu calendar. Annadhanam is held on every Pournami (Full moon) day in this temple by Sri Kodandarama Swamy Charitable Trust since early 2002. It is said that this temple was constructed according to Dakshinaadi Vasthu and also all the pujas are done according to Dakshina Sampradaya.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with seven tiered rajagopuram. The rajagopuram is about 100 feet tall. The temple covers an area of about 1.25 acres and completely enclosed within a compound wall. Balipeedam and Dwaja Sthambam can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram. The Dwaja Sthambam is about 50 feet tall. A four pillared mandapam can be seen in front of the rajagopuram.

The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The sanctum enshrines the images of the presiding deity Kothandarama Swamy along with his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana. Normally, goddess Sita is seen at the left side of the Lord Rama but in this temple, she is found on the right side of Lord Rama.

There are shrines for Chaturbhuja Lakshmi, Lakshmi Narasimha and Andal in the temple premises. Generally, the temple tank is situated in the northern side of the temple as per Vastu Sastra but in this temple, it is situated on the southern side. The temple has a grand chariot for carrying the deity during the Brahmotsavam festival around the village.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 05.00 AM to 11.45 AM and 04.00 PM to 09.00 PM.

Festivals

Chaitra Brahmotsavam (Apr-May) starting from Sri Rama Navami day is the major festival celebrated here. Dasara, Narasimha Jayanthi, Vaikunda Ekadasi and Hanuman Jayanthi are the other festivals celebrated here. The marriage ceremony of Sita and Rama on the Chaturdasi day is another major festival celebrated here. Rathotsava is held on the Pournami and the float festival (Theppotsavam) is held on the same day evening.

Prayers

Devotees worship goddess Sita here for wealth and salvation.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Buchireddipalem New Bus Stand, 2.5 Kms from Buchireddipalem Old Bus Stand, 17 Kms from Nellore Railway Station, 19 Kms from Sangam, 20 Kms from Nellore, 34 Kms from Atmakur, 123 Kms from Srikalahasti, 158 Kms from Tirupati, 199 Kms from Chennai and 213 Kms from Chennai Airport. The temple is situated on Nellore to Atmakur route.

Location