Kodanda
कोदंडKodanda is the name tradition gives to Rama's bow. Rama is often called Kodandarama, Rama who holds the Kodanda, and temples to him in that form are found across South India.
What is the Kodanda?
In the Valmiki Ramayana, Rama's great weapons come from the sage Agastya, who gives him a bow made by Vishwakarma for Vishnu, an inexhaustible quiver and a sword. With this bow Rama destroys the army of Khara, kills Vali and finally Ravana. The name Kodanda for Rama's bow is used widely in later devotion and temple tradition.
Rama is almost always shown holding his bow, with the quiver on his back. The Kodandarama temples at Hampi near Kishkindha, at Vontimitta in Andhra Pradesh and at Rameswaram's Dhanushkodi area are among the best known. The bow is distinct from Shiva's bow Pinaka, which Rama breaks in Mithila.
