Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple, Tirupati

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Sri Kodandarama swami temple entrance (source from Internet)

Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple (or) Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple is one of the popular and the ancient temples in Tirupati. Sri Kodandarama Swami temple, of tenth century AD stands as a marvellous piece of work by the Chola kings. According to the Varaha Purana, Sri Rama, Laksman and Sita camped here at Tirupati while returning from Lanka.

The temple is so beautiful in architecture. Lord Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana are present in a beautiful form in the temple. Lord Anjaneya Swamy is seen near the foot of Lord Rama.

Inside the temple

HISTORY:


There are nearly twenty inscriptions relating to Kodhanda Rama Swami Temple found inscribed on the walls of the Govindaraja in Tirupati and Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala. The earliest inscription is dated in 1402 A.D., the reign of the Vijayanagara King Saluva Narasimha. Inscriptions record the construction of the temple and installation of the deity of Raghunatha (Sri Rama or Kodandarama) by Sathakopadasar Narasimharaya Mudaliar, for the merit of the King.
Temple sculptures

Kodhandarama Swamy Temple itself contains only one epigraph, dated 1530 A.D., not long after Lord Caitanya's visit there. This period was during the reign of the Vijayanagara King Achyutaraya, and mentions construction of a wooden chariot for Lord Raghunatha by Kumara Ramanujayyangar, on behalf of the King.

TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE:


Kodhandarama Swamy Temple rises from the center of a rectangular courtyard, and the compound is surrounded by a wall. The temple faces west, with only one gopuram entrance in the west, passing through which you can find Balipita and Dhvajasthamba in the east.

There is a large pillared mahamandapa, the pillars being finely carved with images of Vishnu, Krishna, Venugopala, Narsimha, Lakshmi, and Parasu Rama. A mukhamandapa with four pillars is nearby, and these pillars are also carved with images of Laksmi-narayana, Vishnu, Yoga-nrsimha and Govardhana-giridhari, all reflecting the Vijayanagara style of architecture. On the western side of the mahamandapa is a Garuda shrine which houses a two-armed standing Garuda, his hands in anjali pose.On the wall, on either side of entrance, leading into the interior of the Maha Mandapam, there is an emblem of the Vijayanagara.


The Vimana above the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) is of dvitala type, and the deities installed there are stone images of Sri Rama with Sita to his right and Lakshman to his left side. There is also a set of utsava (processional) deities of Sita-Rama-Laksmana and Sri Krishna housed in the sanctum.

The presiding deities are guarded by two dvarapalakas, who stand at the outer sanctum entrance. Lord Sri Rama stands in dvibhanga pose, holding an arrow in his right hand and a bow in his left hand. He wears karanda-makuta, yajnopavita, keyuras, graiveyakas, girdle with simhamukha buckle, purnoruka and manjiras.

Temple view

Standing in dvibhanga pose to the right of Rama, Sita Devi is holding a nilotpala flower in her left hand. She wears karandamakuta and various ornaments. The image of Lakshman is similar in every respect to that of Sri Rama, and all iconography is according to the agamas.

There is a Pradakshina path around the sanctum sanctorum with the emblem of Vijayanagara carved on the south wall of this path. There is a Potu (temple kitchen) situated in the south west corner of the courtyard where Prasadam is made. There are some beautiful sculptures of the Gods and Goddesses found in the temple premises. An insight into this temple enlightens one's spirit.

Lord Hanuman temple opposite the main temple

There is another temple dedicated to Anjaneya opposite the Kodandaramaswami Temple.

FESTIVALS:


  • The festivals of Ugadi (Telugu new year) and Sri Rama navami are celebrated in this temple on a grandscale.
  • Pavitrotsavam is a major temple festival celebrated in this temple during Ashada Masam for three-day.
  • Brahmotsavam is celebrated at this temple every year.

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Deepa stambham opposite to the temple

HOW TO REACH KODANDARAMA SWAMY TEMPLE?

  • This spacious temple is about 1 km from Tirupati railway station and about 1.5 km from Bus stand.
  • The Kodandarama Swamy Temple is 20 minute walk from the railway station.
  • Auto-rickshaws are available to reach the temple.
Location: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

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