Kodandarama Temple, Gollala Mamidada, Andhra Pradesh, India

Gollala Mamidada is renowned for two historic and popular temples in East Godavari district of the state of Andhra Pradesh.

1. Kodandarama Temple

2. Suryanarayana Temple ( https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2022/01/suryanarayana-temple-gollala-mamidada.html )

More than 100 yrs old Kodandarama Temple @ Gollala Mamidada is dedicated to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. 

There is a monumental entrance temple tower i.e.., "gopuram or gopura" which stands out compared to the other temple's towers which I have seen so far . The "gopuram" entrance tower is around 200 ft. in height and has eleven(11) stories with five (5) kalasams on top of the tower.

"Kalasams or Kalash" on the  top of the "gopuram or gopura" are inverted pot made of metal or stone with a pointed head facing towards the sky which is a symbol of Hindu temples.

There are statues intricately carved on the walls of the "gopuram" towers depicting scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Shrimad Bhagavatam on all sides in each floor with excellent workmanship captivating the tourist and devotees. Every minute details were carved in an excellent way.

The idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmana and Lord Hanuman resides in the temple. 

Inside the temple sanctum is  a mirror hall constructed with decorative sculptures of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmana and Lord Hanuman on walls with one side is the coronation of Shri Rama and other side Shri Rama blessing Lord Hanuman.

Sri Rama Navami will be celebrated annually in a grand scale. Srirama Navami is an important festival celebrated by Hindus as a birth of Lord Shri Rama (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) to King Dasharatha and his first wife Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya.

As told by the staff, Every year in April Lord Rama and Goddess Sita's celestial wedding "Kalyanam" is performed with all rituals followed by chariot procession attracting lots of devotees who would come from far places to witness the wedding /"Kalyanam" at this temple.

There are stairs (around 300 steps) inside to reach the top of the gopurams and each level of the tower has a small opening (a small patio) to see the outside architecture of the temple and view of the village. 

There is also a small pond "Pushkarini" near the temple and I was told by one of the staff at the temple that the water is sourced from the Tulyabhaga river. Water from the pond is used for the deities at the temple for various ceremonies conducted.

I remember it was calm and pleasant afternoon when we visited this temple. I was mesmerized with the gopuram design and temple architecture. It was a wonderful experience watching a village (since I've never been to a village) from the top of the tower.

The temple is located at a distance around 20- 25 km from Kakinada, 45-55 km from Rajahmundry, and around 180 km from Visakhapatnam.

Address: Gollala Mamidada, Peddapudi Mandal, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh

Stay Safe 😷 and Have fun exploring the Blog, Until my next article ….👋👋

Jai Shri Ram !!!🙏🙏

Here is the link of the List of other temples I visited along with this temple . 

Check it out https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2022/01/east-godavari-andhra-pradesh-india.html

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