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Mantralaya Overview
Nestled on the serene banks of the Tungabhadra River, the pilgrim town of Mantralaya in Andhra Pradesh offers a sanctuary of spiritual solace and historical significance. It is located in the Kurnool district on the border of Karnataka. This town, also known as Manchale, is the abode of the famous saint Sri Raghavendra Tirtha. The main worship site, the Brindavana, is the Jeeva Samadhi of Sri Raghavendra Tirtha, affectionately called Rayaru by devotees. Mantralaya provides a peaceful retreat for both devotees and curious travelers alike.
Places to Visit in Mantralaya
Manchalamma Temple
Begin your journey at the Manchalamma Temple, located near the entrance of the shrine inside the Math complex. Dedicated to Goddess Manchalamma, this temple is believed to possess the power to heal diseases and fulfill the wishes of devotees. It is customary for visitors in Mantralaya to pay their respects at the Manchalamma sanctum before proceeding to the Samadhi Temple of Sri Raghavendra Tirtha.
Sri Raghavendra Swami Math
Sri Raghavendra Swami Math, also known as Rayara Math, is one of the prominent Dwaita Vedanta monasteries descending from the saint Madhwacharya. It is one of the three premier Maths in the lineage of Jayatirtha, the other two being Uttaradi and Vyasaraja. The Moola Rama is the main deity of the Math, while other prominent deities worshipped here include Digvijaya Rama, Jaya Rama, two Vyasa mushtis, Narasimha, Gopala Krishna, Vitthala, and Vaikunta Vasudeva.
Sri Raghavendra Swami is renowned for the Paramatma lineage named Hansa, significant in the Sri Madhwacharya tradition started by Madhwacharya. A 17th-century Madhwa saint, Sri Raghavendra Tirtha was a preacher of the Dwaita Philosophy. He is considered as the reincarnation of Prahlada. (Prahlada is the son of the demon Hiranyakashyap and an ardent devotee of Vishnu. He was saved by Vishnu in his Narasimha avatar.)
The temple and the Math complex, both dedicated to Guru Rayaru, are the main attractions of this place. Rayaru entered Brindavana samadhi alive in front of his disciples. Devotees believe that Guru Rayaru will stay in Brindavana for 700 years. This makes Mantralaya a holy town for devotees and a spiritual epicenter for those who come to honor Guru Rayaru.
Tunga Bhadra River
The Tunga Bhadra River, considered a holy river, flows through Mantralaya, with the Math situated on its bank. If you visit when the water is flowing, you can take a dip or sprinkle the water on your head before going for darshan. However, if the river is dry, avoid the area as it may not be clean.
Tungabhadra Dam is a major attraction near to Mantralaya, located about 180 km away in Karnataka. It takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes to reach by private vehicle. For a more economical option, take a train from Mantralayam Junction to Hospet Junction and then an auto-rickshaw to the dam.
Museum in Mantralaya
The present pontiff of Jagadguru Madhwacharya Swamy Math initiated the Sri Guru Sarvabhouma Dasa Sahitya Project to propagate Hindu Dharma and share its knowledge. As part of this project, he established the museum to display Hindu cosmology according to the teachings of the Madhwa Sampradaya. The museum, which spans two floors, is extremely informative, neat, and well-organized.
The museum offers a comprehensive overview of the gods, philosophy, beliefs, sacred texts, and rituals through posters, diagrams, sculptures, and photographs. It has pictorial displays to explain the formation of the universe and the hierarchy of gods and goddesses in Vaikunta as per Madhwa Sampradaya. One exhibit details the daily rituals individuals must perform, such as getting up, bathing, cooking, and eating, accompanied by the mantras to recite during these activities. Another exhibit showcases the various avatars of Vishnu, including Vishnu Paada and Vishnu Loka, providing detailed information about each.
The museum is open from 8 am to 12 pm and from 4 pm to 8 pm. Visitors must follow a designated path through the museum that involves climbing up and down the stairs without taking detours. To read and go through the displays, you will need 1.5 to 2 hours. During our visit, the museum was not crowded, and there was no queue. Photography is not allowed inside the museum. Additionally, we have to deposit our phones with security at the entrance.
Abhayanjaneya temple
The Abhayanjaneya Temple is located at the entrance of Mantralaya town, approximately 3 km from the Brindavana Samadhi. It is a notable site worth visiting either while arriving or departing from Mantralaya. This small temple features a tall statue of Anjaneya, installed by Saint Subhudendra Tirtha of Mantralaya and Vishwesha Tirtha of Udupi Pejawar Math. Made of red stone, the statue stands 33 feet tall and weighs 90 tonnes, with a peetha (base) that is 15 feet high. The temple is called Abhayanjaneya because the idol depicts Abhaya hasta (a gesture of fearlessness) on its right hand and holds a mace (Gadha) in its left. You can ask your auto or van to stop for a few minutes on the way to visit this temple.
Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple
The Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple is a must-visit attraction during your trip to Mantralaya. Located 20 km across the Tungabhadra River, this renowned temple sits atop a hillock. The temple features a unique five-headed idol, including Anjaneya, Ugra Narasimha, Garuda, Lakshmi Varaha, and Hayagreeva, believed to have incarnated on a massive rock. Panchamukhi is significant as the place where Rayaru meditated for 12 years before settling in Mantralaya.
A round trip from Mantralaya to this sacred site typically takes around 2 to 2.5 hours on regular days, excluding weekends. Shared autos and vans are readily available to take you there. Although we were unable to visit due to time constraints, we highly recommend you make time for this spiritual experience.
How To Reach Mantralaya
From Bangalore
Mantralaya is approximately 380 km from Bangalore. You have several travel options to reach this pilgrim town.
Via Road
- Several day and overnight buses are available, with the journey taking approximately 9 hours.
- Alternatively, hiring a cab or driving your vehicle is the fastest way to reach Mantralaya, taking about 5 and a half hours.
By Rail
- The nearest railway station to Mantralaya is Mantralayam Junction. Many trains run from Bangalore to Mantralaya, typically taking around seven hours, making it the most cost-effective option. From the railway station, you can take either private or shared autos and cabs to Mantralaya, with shared rides costing only 50 rupees per person.
- However, when booking your train to Mantralaya, avoid the special train with number 06589 or 06590, as it does not adhere to a proper schedule. This train frequently stops at every station when there is a conflict with other trains, which always take priority. We encountered significant delays with this train. Our trip from Bangalore included a four-hour wait, and the return journey was delayed by nearly six hours. After inquiring with railway personnel, we got to know that this train frequently experiences such issues. Sometimes, it will be delayed by more than 12 hours or even an entire day.
By Air
- The nearest airport to Mantralaya is Vidyanagar, located approximately 180 km away.
- For international flights, the closest airports are Hyderabad (232 km), Bangalore (350 km), and Tirupati (420 km).
Travel Tips To Visit Mantralaya
- The ideal time to visit Mantralaya is during the winter months, from October to March, when the weather is pleasant. Early monsoon visits (June to early July) can also be enjoyable if there is minimal rainfall, but always check the weather forecast to avoid the risk of floods in late July and August. Summer can be extremely hot, making it less suitable for a visit.
- The temple is open from 6:00 am to 8:30 am, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm. The best time to visit is in the evening to witness the aarti, which usually takes place at 7:00 pm, followed by the procession of chariots carrying the deities, known as rathotsavam.
- On regular days, the wait time for darshan is around 30 to 45 minutes. However, on special occasions or Thursdays, the crowd is larger, and you might have to wait a bit longer. The wait is manageable as the crowd keeps moving, ensuring you won’t be standing still for too long.
- While visiting the temple, wear modest clothing. Also, we have to remove your footwear before entering the shrine. The temple offers free lunch and dinner prasada for devotees daily, and you can also find food at nearby hotels. To maintain the sanctity of the area, only vegetarian food is available near the temple.
- SRS Math provides comfortable accommodations, which you can book in advance through their official website. If these are fully booked, several nearby lodges offer alternative options.
- Shared autos and cabs are easily accessible near SRS Math, making transportation convenient.
Overall, Mantralaya offers a serene and spiritually enriching experience for all who visit. Whether you seek divine blessings or a peaceful retreat, this sacred town promises a memorable and fulfilling journey.
