ANANTAPUR: The delay in the completion of pushkarini is set tio have an impact on the offering of Teppotsavam this year too at Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple in Vontimitta in Kadapa district. TTD sanctioned about Rs 1 crore funds towards the new Pushkaraini within temple premises towards Chakrasnanam and Teppotsavam during Sri Rama Navami and other auspicious occasions.
Though the temple authorities had hoped to complete work on the new puskharini for the upcoming Sri Rama Navami festival, engineering section officials from TTD briefed that only around 50 per cent of the work has been completed so far and there was no way possibilities to use the new pushkarini for the present year celebrations. Chakrasnanam will be offered at the Ramatheertham, old pushkarini while teppotsavam is planned to be held in a grand manner from next year.
After the Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanams took over the historic Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy temple at Vontimitta in Kadapa three years ago, the centuries old temple gets facelift in many ways. At least Rs 15 crore of funds are going to br spent towards the developmental activities in and surrounding temples which was chosen as state symbol for 'Sri Rama Navani'. The Vontimitta was selected three years ago following state reorganisation while the historic Bhadrachalam Lord Srirama temple was merged in Telangana state.
The Bhadrachalam temple was official venue for the unique state to celebrate annual Sri Rama Navami festival for many centuries. However, Vontimitta temple had been assigned as alternative for AP to celebrate the festival. Kodanda Rama Swamy temple has been listed to be one of the largest temples of state which depicts artistic skill of the Vijayanagara architectural style, of 16th century. The temple is believed to be built by Vontudu and Mittudu said to be robbers and was later became the great devotees of Lord Rama.
Bammera Potana, an Indian Telugu poet who lived in Vontimitta, wrote a great canon Maha Bhagavatham in Telugu language and dedicated it to Lord Rama. Vavilakolanu Subba Rao also called as Andhra Valmiki as he translated one of the greatest epics of Indian literature Ramayana into Telugu language was also said to have worshiped Lord Rama at this temple. Bammera Pothana birth anniversary will be celebrated on March 25 along with Srirama navami.
The presiding deity is worshiped by the name Lord Kodanda Rama Swamy because with a bow in his right hand and arrow in his left hand in a standing posture along with Goddess Sita and Lakshmana. Sita and Lakshmana are found to be carved as a composing images, which is made out of a single rock. The five centuries old Raja Gopuram is being treated with chemicals as part of protecting the monuments and sculptures. A park, mada street roads are being developed as part of ongoing works. With the Vontimitta temple was notified as an Ancient Monument by Archaeological Survey of India, the collector Baburao Naidu initiated to speed up works.
