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Tirupathi
- Kodandarama Aalayam
The holy town Thirupathi abounds in a wide
variety of temples dedicated to almost all sects
of Hinduism, of course, Vaishnavate temples
rank higher not only in number, but in the
magnetic pull they are exercising over the
devotees. Temples built for Kaliamma,
Gangamma, Anjaneya. Eswara, Saibaba,
Raghavendraswamy, Sri Rama,
Govindarajaswamy are strewn across the whole
municipality bounds and are gratifying every
type of aspiration of the adorers. Everyday
many types of devotional activities are carried
on in one corner or the other, justifying the
attribute -Tirupathi is the cradle of culture and
centre of national integration. The visiting yatris
may not see the august archamurtis installed in
scores of very fatuous Lind popular, ancient
temples, but they feel the throbbing religious
activities as they pass through the streets. But
they invariably visit the sacred sannidhis of
Govindai-ajaswamy and Kodanda Ranlalayant
located in the heart of this spiritual haven. Even
the Alayadarsan bus run by the TTD for the
convenience of the yatris takes them to these
two shrines indispensably, because of their
antiquity and divinity.
Sri Kodanda Ramaswamy Aalayam lying within
a walk able distance from railway station or bus
stand is a miss-not hoary Vaishnava Mandir
noted for its sublimity due to the sequestered
location that breathes out divinity and breathes
in piety. It is a decently built and moderately
adorned mandir with two piakaras and a broad
Maliadwara surmounted by an elegantly
sculptured tower. It contains all the
indispensable parts. The archamurtis - Sri
Rama in standing posture flanked by Sita and
Lakshman are about 10 feet in height and the
artistry of the mater sculptor enthralls the
viewers at first sight itself. The floral decoration
is quite superb and transports the devotees to
blissful world. An unforgettable experience
which they lock up in their minds to bee
cherished for ever. There are mini-shrines for
Ramanuja, Vishvakasena, Garudalwar, in the
second prakara. The broad pillars of
Nlahanlandap adorned with sculptural marvels
draw reverent attention of the visitors. The
broad well-kept neat courtyards tempt the
devotees to sit and meditate for a while.
Incidentally this spiritual haven is preferred by
the locals more, for the chief reason that. it is
comparatively less crowded and so darsan
becomes easy. There lies Anjaneya mandir
across the road, but straight to the main
nlandur. Regular agamic worship is offered
along with periodical festivals like 13iallmotsav
and Sri Rama Nawami on a grand scale, when
the, whole town pulsates with Ramanama. It,
attraction is as great as greatness itself.
It lies in Tirupathi, accessible by walk from
railway station.
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