Vontimitta
It is famous for the Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple, which was built by the Chola and Vijayanagara kings. The images of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are carved on a single piece of rock.
Splendid architecturally, it boasts of a towering gateway, a large beautiful sculptured Mandapam with exquisitely carved pillars, an inner chamber and the sanctum. Apart from architecturally gate-way, the large and beautifully sculpted mandapam with 32 pillars called the Madhya Ranga Mandapam leading to inner chamber and sanctum is of a great architectural interest.
It is also said that Bommera Pothana author of Sree Madandra Bhagavatam hails from this place.
Few temples in the country can rival it for the sheer magnificence and beauty of its intricate carvings and fineness of finishing. In fact, the well-known French-traveler, Tavernier, described the Temple as one of the grandest pagodas in the whole of India.
According to the legend, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita spent some time here in the forest during the period of their exile. Once to quench the thirst of Sita, Rama shot an arrow deep into the earth, upon which sweet water gushed out. Later, with this perennial water spring, two small tanks named Ramathirtham and Lakshmanathirtham were formed.
How to reach: Located 25 Kms from Cuddapah city on the state highway leading to Tirupathi.
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