Kodandarama Temple, Gollala Mamidada

The Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple at Gollala Mamidada is one of the most important Rama temples in Andhra Pradesh and is popularly known as Chinna Bhadrachalam - the Little Bhadrachalam. Located in Kakinada district on the banks of the Tulyabhaga river (a tributary of Godavari), the village itself is called Konaseema Ayodhya due to the temple's spiritual prominence. The temple is about 20 km from Kakinada and 58 km from Rajahmundry. Its two soaring gopurams make it visible from a great distance and rank it among the tallest temple towers in both Telugu states.

History 🔝

The temple's origins go back to 1889 when two brothers - Dwarampudi Subbi Reddy and Rami Reddy - donated five acres of land on the banks of the Tulyabhaga river and built a small shrine with wooden idols of Lord Rama and Sita. In 1920 the temple came under the patronage of Kovvuri Basivi Reddy, a local philanthropist, who donated 16 acres of land and oversaw its expansion. A much larger stone temple was constructed in 1939. The temple was managed by Kovvuri Basivi Reddy's family until 1991 when the Endowments Department of Andhra Pradesh took over administration.

The Towering Gopurams 🔝

The most striking feature of the temple is its two magnificent gopurams (gateway towers) which are among the tallest in India:

All four sides of both gopurams are adorned with intricately carved sculptures depicting key episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavatam. The shikhara (crown) of the temple features carvings depicting the Bala Ramayana - the childhood of Lord Rama. A unique feature is that visitors can climb all the way to the top storey of the gopuram via 300 steps, rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding Konaseema countryside and paddy fields.

Inside the Temple 🔝

The garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) houses the main deities - Lord Rama, Sita Devi and Lakshmana, with Lord Hanuman also present. A mirror hall (Addala Mandapam) was added in 1975 between the two mandapams just above the sanctum. This hall features a stucco relief of Sri Rama Pattabhishekam (the coronation of Lord Rama) on one side and Lord Rama blessing Hanuman on the other. About 200 metres from the main temple is a Pushkarini - a sacred pond fed by waters of the Tulyabhaga river - which is used for various religious ceremonies. Within the temple complex there is also a Suryanarayana Temple built in 1920 and a Siddhi Vinayaka shrine.

Festivals 🔝

The most important festival is Sri Rama Navami celebrated annually in March or April. The highlight is the Kalyanam - the celestial wedding ceremony of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita - performed at noon on the ninth day of the Chaitra month. The deities are carried in a grand chariot procession through the temple premises and surrounding streets. Thousands of devotees attend and free meals (Annadanam) are distributed on a large scale. Vaikunta Ekadasi and Vijayadasami (Dasara) are two other major festivals observed here with great devotion.

Visitor Information 🔝

How to Reach 🔝

Gollala Mamidada is well connected by road. Regular buses and shared autos run from Kakinada (20 km) and taxis are available from Rajahmundry (58 km). From Rajahmundry railway station or bus stand, hire a taxi or take a bus towards Kakinada and alight at Gollala Mamidada. The nearest railway station is at Kakinada. There is no accommodation within the village - the tradition is to offer prayers and return the same day, so plan to stay at Kakinada or Rajahmundry.

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