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.