Ramateertham
Ramateertham (also spelled Ramatheertham) is a village and panchayat in Nellimarla mandal of Vizianagaram district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located about 12 kilometres from Vizianagaram city. The village is known for the Kodanda Rama temple and for archaeological remains of Buddhist and Jain sites located on the surrounding hills. ruined Jain temple on Bodhikonda]]
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Ramateertham | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 1000-year-old Sri Rama temple on top of Bodhikonda | |
 Interactive map of Ramateertham | |
.svg)  Ramateertham Location in Andhra Pradesh, India  Ramateertham Ramateertham (India) | |
| Coordinates: 18°10′04″N 83°29′42″E / 18.167913°N 83.495057°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Region | Coastal Andhra |
| District | Vizianagaram |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Telugu |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 535218 |
| Vehicle registration | AP-35 |
| Nearest city | Visakhapatnam |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Nellimarla |
Ramateertham (also spelled Ramatheertham) is a village and panchayat in Nellimarla mandal of Vizianagaram district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located about 12 kilometres from Vizianagaram city. The village is known for the Kodanda Rama temple and for archaeological remains of Buddhist and Jain sites located on the surrounding hills.[1] ruined Jain temple on Bodhikonda]]
History and Archaeology
[edit]The hills surrounding Ramateertham namely Bodhikonda, Ghanikonda, and Gurubhaktulakonda contain remnants of ancient Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and rock-cut caves, indicating that the region was an important centre of Buddhist activity during the early historic period.[2] Jain caves and relief sculptures have also been identified in the area, reflecting the presence of Jain religious traditions alongside Buddhism and later Hindu worship practices.[3]
Rama Temple
[edit]Ramateertham is home to the Kodanda Rama temple, dedicated to Lord Rama, which serves as an important local pilgrimage site. In December 2020, the idol of Rama in the temple was vandalised, leading to protests and increased security arrangements at the site.[4][5]
Gallery
[edit]-
Holy relic sites map of Andhra Pradesh -
Gurubhaktalukonda Monastery ruins -
Jain reliefs on Bodhikonda -
Remnants on Bodhikonda -
Jain Tirthankara Image at Rockcut Caves of Ghanikonda -
Jain caves at BodhiKonda in Ramatheertham -
Ruined temple on Bodhikonda -
Deep Cistern on hilltop of Bodhikonda -
Jain Caves at Ghanikonda -
Circular stupa at Ghanikonda -
Remnants of a stupa on Ghanikonda -
Apsidal stupa walls at Gurubhaktulakonda monastery -
Ruined stone stupa at Gurubhaktulakonda monastery -
Steps leading to Gurubhaktulakonda Monastery
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Rama Theertham – Where religions meet". The Times of India. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Vizianagaram district – Archaeological sites". Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Rama Theertham – Where religions meet". The Times of India. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "400-year-old Lord Rama idol vandalised at Andhra's Ramateertham temple". India Today. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Lord Ram idol vandalised in Andhra Pradesh's Ramatheertham". Deccan Herald. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/vizianagaram.html Archived 28 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
