Famous Temples in India

Architecture

Lord Rama here is shown in a standing position with bow (Kodandam in Sanskrit ) in the right hand and arrow in the left hand, hence the temple name is Kodanda Rama Swamy temple. The Idol of Lord Sri Rama is believed to be installed by Lord Jambuvantha. This monument stands within a rectangle of walls, entered through three imposing gopuras. The central space within the mandapam is defined by yali piers, the animals being doubled at the corners, where they frame attendant figures.Temple faces East direction with marvelous Chola and Vijayanagara style of architecture. To the west of Kodandarama temple a temple is built for Lord Hanuma known as Sanjivaraya temple. It is also believed that the Idol of Lord Sri Rama was installed by Lord Jambuvantha. Lord Hanuma is an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. It is facing west of the Kodandarama temple also known as Sanjivaraya temple. This monument stands within a rectangle of walls, entered through three imposing gopuras. The central space within the mandapam is defined by yali piers, the animals being doubled at the corners, where they frame attendant figures. Vontimitta temple tank (Rama theertham, Laxman theertham) was constructed during the times of Vijayanagara dynasty.

Gopuram - This temple has a three gopuras, two of them are three tier and one five tier. These Gopurams construction represents the culture of Chola Kingdom, main entrance of gopuram in the east of this temple is 160 feet in height, and other two monumental towers are in north and south. The East facing tower is the central tower which is a five tiered structured building. This temple has a Dhwajastambham infront of the garbagudi entrance. The garbhagudi can be approached from the mandapa through an antaraalayam or inner chamber, which is adorned with sculptures. It is also inferred that the garbhagudi is itself carved out of a single block. The garbhagudi consists of a ektala vimana with a round sikhara.

Inscriptions - On the walls of the temple we can see all the idols of the Lord Vishnu incarnations, the main incidents and events of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The King Kumar Kampana, son of Bukkaraya-I (1344-77)76. Later, the King Sadasivaraya (1543-1570) granted the village people in Siddhavatamsima of Udayagirajaya for the daily worship of the god. These are evidenced by the four epigraphs found on the temple walls. The inscriptions on the walls of the temple show that this temple was constructed in three phases over three centuries from 14 Century A.D. to 17 Century A.D. There are Sila-sasanaas(stone inscriptions) in the temple and on the Northern side. The first Sasana was laid in 1555 A.D. by the village officer Sri Kalluri Lingaiah. It tells us that a village by name 'Palaputhuru' was donated to the temple by the Area Commander, Sri Yati Thirumalaiah Maharaj under the control of Sri Veera Sadasiva Devarayalu, the emperor of Vijayanagaram. Another sasana, laid in 1558 A.D. by an officer of Vontimitta says that some hamlets adjacent to Vontimitta along with agricultural lands were donated to the temple to meet the expenditure for constructing compound walls and conducting Car festivals and Brahmotsavam functions. This was made by Sri Nagarajaiah Devai nagaraj s/o Guttiyera Thirumalaraju who was the Prime Minister of Vijayanagar Empirer, Sadasiva Devarayalu. Rangamantapam, essentially an open air theatre sorts has over 32 pillars, and is known for it’s exquisite sculptures, also called the Madhya Ranga mandapam. It has wonderful carvings of Apsaras, Krishna, Vishnu, dancing ganesha. The corner columns have 3 layers carved with images of apsaras, and the roof of the mandapam, has many decorative brackets.