Ramatheertham is a village of low rocky hills in Nellimarla mandal, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, where a working Rama temple shares its ridgeline with ruined Buddhist and Jain remains. It is one of the few places in the northern Andhra coast where you can walk from a living Hindu shrine to a centuries-old Buddhist monastery and Jain caves in a single morning. This guide gathers what is verified about the site and how to plan a calm, respectful visit.
Ramatheertham is a heritage and pilgrimage hill site about 12–15 km from Vizianagaram city in Andhra Pradesh, where the Kodanda Rama (Ramachandra Swamy) temple sits among Buddhist monastery ruins and Jain caves spread across three hills. The temple opens 6 am–7 pm, with no entry fee listed by the district administration.
Key takeaways
- Ramatheertham lies in Nellimarla mandal, about 12–15 km from Vizianagaram city, Andhra Pradesh; the nearest major railhead is Vizianagaram Junction and the nearest airport is Visakhapatnam (about 60 km from Vizianagaram town, per the district administration).
- The Ramachandra Swamy (Kodanda Rama) temple opens 6 am–7 pm and the district tourism page lists no entry fee, as of November 2026.
- Three parallel hills carry the remains: Bodhikonda (Rama temple and Jain remains), Gurubhaktulakonda (a ruined Buddhist monastery) and Durgakonda, also called Ghanikonda (both Buddhist and Jain remains).
- Wikipedia, citing an archived ASI listing, places the Buddhist monasteries and caves in the early historic period; exact dates are not settled in the sources available.
- October to February is the comfortable window; the coastal plain is hot from March to June and wet during the June–September monsoon.
- The main Rama idol was vandalised in December 2020, drawing a CID investigation and national press coverage; the deity has since been the focus of restoration and heightened security.
About Ramatheertham
Ramatheertham (also spelled Ramateertham) is a village set against a chain of rocky hills in Nellimarla mandal, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh. The Vizianagaram district administration describes three parallel east–west hill ranges, each separated by a narrow valley, carrying a mix of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain sites. This is the Ramatheertham near Vizianagaram in coastal north Andhra, not to be confused with other places that share the “Rama tirtha” name elsewhere in India.
What makes the site unusual is the layering of faiths in one compact spot. The district page notes that Jains once lived here, leaving natural caves with slab sculptures and small ruined brick temples, and that excavations uncovered a large Buddhist monastery after the remains were first identified. Wikipedia, drawing on an archived Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) listing for the district, places the Buddhist monasteries, stupas and rock-cut caves in the early historic period and mentions Jain caves and relief sculptures; it gives no firm single date, and the sources that circulate online disagree on exact antiquity.
Today the living centre of the site is the Ramachandra Swamy temple on the southern hill, with its silver-cased idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. The ruins on the other hills are quiet and largely unvisited, which is part of their appeal for travellers who like to combine a short climb with some archaeology.
| Where | Nellimarla mandal, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh |
|---|---|
| What | Rama temple plus Buddhist monastery and Jain cave remains across three hills |
| Distance | About 12–15 km from Vizianagaram city/railway station |
| Temple timings | 6 am–7 pm (district tourism page) |
| Entry fee | None listed by the district administration |
| Best season | October to February |
| Time needed | Half a day (2–4 hours) |
Best time to visit Ramatheertham
October to February is the most comfortable time to visit Ramatheertham, when the coastal Vizianagaram plain is dry and mild and the hill paths are easy underfoot. This stretch also covers two of the temple’s busiest occasions, so you can either seek out or avoid the crowds depending on your plans.
North coastal Andhra Pradesh follows the usual pattern of the Bay of Bengal seaboard: a hot, humid pre-monsoon from March, rains from the southwest and later northeast monsoon between roughly June and November, and a pleasant cool season afterwards. Climb early in the day in any season, because the rock holds heat and there is little shade on the open hilltops.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool / peak | October–February | Dry, mild days; best for the hill climbs and temple visits |
| Hot | March–June | Hot and humid on the exposed rock; start at dawn and carry water |
| Monsoon | June–September | Rain and slippery steps; greener surroundings but check conditions |
If you want to see Ramatheertham at its most devotional, time your trip to Sri Ramanavami or to Vaikuntha Ekadasi, when the district administration notes that the Ramateertham Giripradakshana (circumambulation of the hill) is held. Expect larger crowds and limited parking on those days.
How to reach Ramatheertham
You reach Ramatheertham from Vizianagaram, about 12–15 km away, which is the practical base for the site. The Vizianagaram district administration lists Vizianagaram as a railway junction, with Visakhapatnam Airport as the nearest airport, and frequent buses linking Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram.
By air: The nearest airport is Visakhapatnam, which the district page puts at about 60 km from Vizianagaram town. From Visakhapatnam (covered in our Visakhapatnam travel guide) you can hire a taxi or take a train or bus on to Vizianagaram, then a local taxi or auto to the hills.
By rail: Vizianagaram Junction is a busy stop on the Howrah–Chennai corridor; the district page notes that trains towards Howrah, Bhubaneswar and Raipur call here. The district tourism listing places Ramatheertham about 15 km from Vizianagaram Town railway station. Nellimarla, the mandal headquarters, has a smaller station closer to the village.
By road: The district page says non-stop buses run between Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram roughly every 20 minutes until 10 pm, and the Vizianagaram bus stand sits very close to the railway station. For the last leg to the hills, hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi in Vizianagaram, as local services to the village itself are limited.
| From | Approx. distance | How |
|---|---|---|
| Vizianagaram city / junction | 12–15 km | Taxi or auto-rickshaw |
| Visakhapatnam Airport | About 60 km (to Vizianagaram town) | Taxi, or train/bus to Vizianagaram then local transport |
| Visakhapatnam Railway Station | About 55 km (to Vizianagaram town) | Train or bus to Vizianagaram, then taxi |
The three hills: what to see and do
At Ramatheertham the sights are spread across three parallel hills, each with a different character: the living Rama temple and Jain traces on one, a ruined Buddhist monastery on another, and mixed Buddhist and Jain mounds on the third. Plan on a half-day and some easy climbing.
Bodhikonda (southern hill): This is where the Ramachandra Swamy, or Kodanda Rama, temple stands, with idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana in silver kavachas (armour-like covers). The district page records a nearby lake, tortoises in the temple grounds marked with Vishnu namams (sacred forehead markings), a Rama Stambham (pillar) installed by a Jeeyar, and a Shiva temple added in 2007 with a Kamakshi shrine. The same hill carries Jain remains, including natural caves, rock art, images and a ruined Jain brick temple on its southwest side.
Gurubhaktulakonda (central hill): High on its northern side are the remains of a Buddhist monastery, reached by steps. Accounts of the site describe a stupa, chaitya (prayer hall), smaller votive stupas and monastic cells, in line with other early Buddhist establishments of the Andhra coast. The climb is the main effort of the visit.
Durgakonda, also called Ghanikonda (northern hill): Named after a goddess image in a natural cave at its western base, this hill has mounds in front of the cave and on the rock above that, per the district administration, contain both Buddhist and Jain remains. It is the quietest of the three.
| Spot | Hill | What you see | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramachandra Swamy (Kodanda Rama) temple | Bodhikonda | Living Rama temple, silver-cased idols, lake, Shiva shrine | 45–60 min |
| Jain caves and ruined brick temple | Bodhikonda | Natural caves, rock art, Jain images | 20–30 min |
| Buddhist monastery ruins | Gurubhaktulakonda | Stupa, chaitya, votive stupas, monastic cells | 45–60 min |
| Durgakonda / Ghanikonda mounds | Durgakonda | Goddess cave, Buddhist and Jain mounds | 30 min |
A note on dates and claims: you will see Ramatheertham described online as “the oldest Rama temple in Andhra” and as “1,000” or “1,500 years old”, while one news report referred to a “400-year-old” idol. These figures conflict and are not settled in the sources available here, so treat the temple’s precise age as unverified. Stories linking the site to the Pandavas or to Rama’s own journey are local belief, not documented history.
Suggested itinerary
Ramatheertham works best as a half-day trip from Vizianagaram or as a stop on a wider north-Andhra loop. A single morning is enough to see all three hills at a relaxed pace.
- Half-day from Vizianagaram: Leave Vizianagaram by about 7 am, reach the site in 30–40 minutes, and start with the cooler climb up Gurubhaktulakonda to the Buddhist ruins. Come down for the Rama temple and Jain caves on Bodhikonda, then look at the Durgakonda mounds before the midday heat. Return to Vizianagaram for lunch.
- Add-on day trip from Visakhapatnam: Combine Ramatheertham with Vizianagaram’s fort and Pydithalli temple, arriving in the city the evening before to save the long early drive.
- Festival visit: On Sri Ramanavami or Vaikuntha Ekadasi, go early and expect crowds; the Giripradakshana around the hill is the focus on Vaikuntha Ekadasi.
Where to stay
There is no established tourist lodging at Ramatheertham itself, so stay in Vizianagaram city, 12–15 km away, which has the fullest choice of hotels; Visakhapatnam, about an hour on, offers the widest range if you want a larger base.
The figures below are indicative planning estimates for a standard double room and should be reconfirmed at the time of booking; they were not verified against live tariffs this session (indicative estimate, November 2026).
- Budget (indicative ₹800–₹1,500): Simple lodges near Vizianagaram bus stand and railway station.
- Mid-range (indicative ₹1,500–₹3,500): Business-style hotels in Vizianagaram city.
- Higher-end (indicative ₹3,500 and up): Larger hotels and resorts, best found in Visakhapatnam.
Book ahead around Sri Ramanavami, Vaikuntha Ekadasi and long weekends, when Vizianagaram rooms fill with pilgrims and visitors.
Food to try
Eating around Ramatheertham means eating in Vizianagaram, where coastal Andhra cooking is spicy, rice-based and good value; there are no dedicated restaurants at the hills, so carry water and snacks for the climb.
- Andhra meals (thali): Rice with a sequence of curries, pappu (lentils), rasam (a thin peppery soup) and curd, usually fiercely spiced.
- Pesarattu: A green-gram (moong) dosa, often served with ginger chutney, a Telugu breakfast staple.
- Seafood: Being close to the coast, Vizianagaram and nearby Visakhapatnam serve fresh fish and prawn preparations.
- Prasadam: Temple offerings are distributed on festival days at the Rama temple.
Budget breakdown
A visit to Ramatheertham is inexpensive, since the temple lists no entry fee and the main costs are transport, a room in Vizianagaram and food. The table below is a per-person planning estimate for a one-night trip based in Vizianagaram, assuming two people sharing a room and local auto or taxi hire; all figures are indicative and should be reconfirmed (indicative estimate, November 2026).
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (shared double) | 400–1,750 | Half of a ₹800–₹3,500 room |
| Local transport | 300–800 | Auto/taxi to the hills and back |
| Food | 300–600 | Two to three local meals |
| Temple entry | 0 | No fee listed by the district |
| Buffer | 200–400 | Water, snacks, small offerings |
| Total per person | ≈1,200–3,550 | Excludes long-distance travel to Vizianagaram |
Permits, photography and rules
No special permit is required to visit Ramatheertham: it is an open hill site with a working temple, and neither the district administration nor the sources checked mention an Inner Line Permit or protected-area pass. As a centrally significant archaeological site, however, treat the ruins as protected monuments and do not touch, climb on or remove anything from the stupas, caves or carvings.
- Dress modestly for the Rama temple; footwear is removed at the shrine as at any Hindu temple.
- Still photography is generally fine outdoors; always ask before photographing inside the sanctum, and respect any on-site notice, especially given the heightened security after the 2020 incident.
- If you plan to fly a drone, follow the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules and seek permission; archaeological and temple sites are sensitive, so do not assume it is allowed.
- Carry out your litter; single-use plastic is discouraged across Andhra Pradesh tourism sites.
Practical tips
Ramatheertham is an easy, low-cost outing if you come prepared for a hot, exposed climb and plan around the limited facilities at the village itself.
- Start early: The hilltops have little shade. Climb before mid-morning and carry at least a litre of water per person.
- Footwear and footing: Wear shoes with grip for the rock steps; paths can be slippery in and just after the monsoon.
- Cash and connectivity: Carry cash for autos and small purchases; mobile coverage and UPI work in Vizianagaram, but do not rely on either at the hills. Draw cash and fuel up in Vizianagaram city.
- Medical help: The nearest hospitals are in Vizianagaram city; Visakhapatnam has larger facilities about an hour away.
- Solo and women travellers: The temple sees regular visitors and the climb is straightforward, but the ruins can be lonely; go in daylight, ideally with company, and tell someone your plan.
- Packing by season: Light cottons and a hat for the heat; a light rain layer and extra grip for the monsoon; a thin layer for cool early mornings in winter.
Nearby places
Ramatheertham pairs naturally with Vizianagaram’s own monuments and with the coast around Visakhapatnam, so it is easy to build a longer itinerary.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Vizianagaram city (fort, Pydithalli temple) | 12–15 km | Historic fort town and the district’s main temple fair |
| Nellimarla | Short drive | Mandal headquarters; nearest small railway station |
| Visakhapatnam | About 60–70 km | Beaches, the port city and the gateway airport; see our Visakhapatnam travel guide |
For a longer state trip, Andhra Pradesh’s riverine hub of Vijayawada is a common onward stop; our Vijayawada travel guide covers the Krishna-side temples and transport if you are continuing south.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ramatheertham and how do I reach it?
Ramatheertham is in Nellimarla mandal, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, about 12–15 km from Vizianagaram city. Reach Vizianagaram by train on the Howrah–Chennai line or by bus from Visakhapatnam (the nearest airport, about 60 km from Vizianagaram town), then take a local taxi or auto-rickshaw to the hills.
What are the Ramatheertham temple timings and entry fee?
The Ramachandra Swamy temple at Ramatheertham is open from 6 am to 7 pm, according to the Vizianagaram district administration, which lists no entry fee as of November 2026. Fees and timings can change around festivals, so reconfirm locally before you travel, especially for Sri Ramanavami and Vaikuntha Ekadasi.
What is special about Ramatheertham?
Ramatheertham is unusual because a living Rama temple shares its three hills with ruined Buddhist monasteries, stupas and Jain caves. Wikipedia, citing an archived ASI listing, dates the Buddhist and Jain remains to the early historic period. You can see Hindu, Buddhist and Jain sites within one compact hill group.
How much time do I need at Ramatheertham?
Allow a half day, about two to four hours, to see Ramatheertham properly. That covers the Rama temple and Jain caves on Bodhikonda, the Buddhist monastery ruins on Gurubhaktulakonda and the mounds on Durgakonda. Start early, since the hilltops are exposed and climbing them in the midday heat is tiring.
Is Ramatheertham the oldest Rama temple in Andhra Pradesh?
That claim circulates widely but is not settled. Online accounts call Ramatheertham’s temple the oldest Rama temple in Andhra and variously “1,000” or “1,500” years old, while one news report mentioned a “400-year-old” idol. The figures conflict and lack a firm archaeological citation, so treat the temple’s exact age as unverified.
Was the Ramatheertham idol really vandalised?
Yes. In late December 2020 the main Rama idol at the Kodanda Rama temple on Bodhikonda was found damaged, with national press reporting the head severed and recovered nearby. The Andhra Pradesh government ordered a CID investigation, and security at the site was increased afterwards.
Last updated and sources
Ramatheertham suits travellers who like quiet archaeology alongside a working temple, and anyone touring Vizianagaram or Visakhapatnam. Go between October and February, climb early, and keep a half day free.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Vizianagaram District Administration, “Sri Rama Temple, Ramatheertham, Nellimarla Mandal” tourist-place page (vizianagaram.ap.gov.in); Vizianagaram District Administration, Ramatheertham page (vizianagaram.ap.gov.in); Vizianagaram District Administration, “How to Reach” (vizianagaram.ap.gov.in); Wikipedia, “Ramateertham” (coordinates and early-historic dating, citing an archived ASI district listing) (en.wikipedia.org); Deccan Herald and allied press coverage of the December 2020 idol vandalism and CID probe (deccanherald.com). Accessed November 2026.
