There is a saying in kannada “If its god then it has to be Tirupati Timmappa and if it is guru then it has to be Manchale Ragappa “. Hardly people need any explanation about Mantralayam.
It is the divine place where Sri Raghavendra swami entered into the Brindavan, alive – Sajeeva Samadhi.It is believed that Shri Rayaru, as he is lovingly called by his devotees, still exist in the samadhi and is fulfilling the prayers of devotees.
Places to visit in Mantralayam are
Manchalamma Temple
Shri Raghavendra Swamy Temple
Padukas of Sri Raghavendra Swamy
Shri Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple
Manchalamma, the local deity of Manchale gave the land for Rayaru to contruct the Vrindavanam.Its a custom here that first we need to see Manchallamma and then Shri Rayara Vrindavanam.
Early morning hours is the best time to visit the temple. If you want to book any sevas,you need to do that booking in the previous day inside the temple.There is big hall where they will do the Sankalpa for the pooja and give prasadam also.
There are many ways to worship Rayaru here.You can see people doing Urulu Seva [rolling on the ground],Hejje Namaskara[Step by step walking] etc. All these sevas are considered to be very auspicious here.The sacred sand of the Moola Brindavana (Moola Mrithika) has very special significance, it will cure diseases and protect you from evils. We keep this at home and everyday take it as prasadam.
The temple also serves prasadam i.e afternoon meals for everybody.
Tunga bhadra river flows in the back side of the temple which would be floddy during rainy seasons.
Panchamukhi Veeranjaneya temple is around 30min from here.There are auto rickshaws available to go there. Sri Raghavendhra Swamy was an ardent devotee of Sri Moola Rama and Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya. He performed penance here for 12 years and got the dharshan of Hanuman in the form of Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya, an incarnation of Lord Hanuman. The anjaneya is a swayambu inscription on the rocky cave.
Many lodges are here for accommodation. But we always prefer to stay in the guest houses provided by the Mutt.These guest houses are maintained well and they are very cheap compared to hotel lodges.There is the mutt administration building near to temple where you can book the guest houses.
Some useful links :
Dear Ashwini,
I never heard about the Mantralayam. This is beauty of this site that every day it give you the chance to know about your country more. I am in sales , I am traveling all India for the last 18 years but still I feel I hardly know about my own country.
I love to read about the unexplored places of India. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you Mahesh for reading my first post here and comments.It is really encouraging..I appreciate it. Thank you.
Welcome aboard Ashwini and thanks for introducing us to Mantralaya.
For the benefit of persons like me who have heard about this holy place for the first time, kindly do provide the details of the location of this temple, the nearest Railway Station, etc.
Thank you Ram for welcoming me to Ghumaakar.com and reading my post.
As it is my first post I missed out the location,map details etc which I will take care in my next posts.Thank you.
Looking at the heading, I wondered which ministry in AP the post is about. It pleasantly turned out to be a religious place well-known at least in its immediate neighbourhood.
Authors devotion is remarkable. With such bhakts, the popularity of the place is bound to surpass even that of Tirupati.
@Patrick Jones, Thank you for you comments.
Thank you Ashwini for taking us to divine tour of Mantralaya. I was not aware and as Ram commented that having more details would help fellow visitors.
Look fwd to read more from you. Thanks again.
Hi All,
It is great to know that thier are many people who are knowing about Mantralaya. I am proud that i was brought up in Ragavendra Swamy Temple. My father still works in Raghvendra Swamy Temple. I can tell you “If you belive Rayaru he will save you”. Every day of my life starts with Rayaru and ends with Rayaru. Thanks Ashwini providing us the great article. If possible please make sure to include information about Elebichalle (Place of Appannacharaya, Rayara Shishyaru), Manvi (JaganathaDasru, Writter of Harikathamruthasara), Chikalaparvi (Vijayadasru), Kulooru (Lashmidevi), Jithmitrara Gade all this places are with in 100 KM from Manatralaya.
Thanks & Regards,
Praveen Joshi