Gollala Mamidada Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple –(Sri Surya Narayana Temple),Andhra Pradesh

Address

Gollala Mamidada Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple –(Sri Surya Narayana Temple), Gollala Mamidada, Peddapudi Mandal, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh- 533344.

Deity

Kodanda Rama Swamy Amman: Sita

Introduction

Location: Gollala Mamidada, East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India; approximately 25 km from Kakinada, 45 km from Rajahmundry, and 180 km from Visakhapatnam.
Deity: Dedicated to Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu.
Architectural Features: The temple is renowned for its unique architecture, featuring two towering gopurams (gateway towers) with heights of 160–170 feet (49–52 m) and 200–210 feet (61–64 m). These gopurams are richly adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavatam.

Puranic Significance:

History:
- Early Construction: Initiated in 1889 by brothers Dwarampudi Subbi Reddy and Rami Reddy, who originally built a small temple with wooden idols of Rama and Sita.
- Expansion: A larger temple structure was completed in 1939, with the east and west gopurams constructed between 1948–50 and 1956–58, respectively.
- Mirror Hall: Added in 1975, this hall features stucco reliefs of Sri Rama Pattabhishekam (the coronation of Rama) and Rama blessing Hanuman.
Architectural Details:
- Gopurams:
  - East-Facing: 160–170 feet high, with nine storeys and five kalasams (decorative finials).
  - West-Facing: 200–210 feet high, with eleven storeys and five kalasams.
- Inner Temple: The garbhalayam (sanctum sanctorum) houses idols of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, and Hanuman.
- Sikhara: Features carvings depicting the Bala Ramayana (childhood of Rama).
- Pushkarini: A sacred pond located 200 meters from the temple, with water sourced from the Tulyabhaga river, used in various ceremonies.
Surroundings: The temple is set amidst coconut gardens and green fields along the banks of the Tulyabhaga (Antharvahini) river. It is also known as Gopurala Mamidada and is considered the second most prominent temple after Arasavilli in Srikakulam.

Special Features:

Gopurams: Notable for their height and detailed carvings, depicting scenes from major Hindu epics.
Mirror Hall: Allows devotees to view a small idol of Lord Krishna.
Artistic Details: The temple’s exterior walls are intricately sculpted with various depictions of gods.
Alternate Name: Known as ‘Chinna Bhadradi’ or the ‘Little Bhadrachalam’ due to its resemblance to the famous Bhadrachalam temple.

Festivals:

Sri Rama Navami: The most significant festival, featuring an annual wedding ceremony of Rama and Sita.
Vaikunta Ekadasi: Another important festival celebrated with devotion.
Vijayadasami: Celebrated with various rituals and festivities.