History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Facilities of Raghavendra Swamy Temple, Mantralayam, Andhra Pradesh
Mantralayam is small town of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India but very popular pilgrimage center and also known as Manchale. It is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River - one of the main tributary of river Krishna, on the border of Karnataka state. Mantralayam is well known for brundavan of Raghavendra Swami, the famous sage lived during 17th Century and who took the Jivant – Live Samadhi here in presence of devotee and disciples. Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha established by Acharya’s devotees and the Vyasaraja Mutt and the original Mutt is known after the names of the founders and the head saints. Sri Raghavendra Swamy was a Hindu scholar, theologian and saint. He was also known as Sudha Parimalacharya. He was born in Venkatanatha in the town Bhuvanagiri, Tamil Nadu. He did his work on Madhva, Jayatirtha and Vyasatirtha. For nearly 50 years, he was the head of one of the great pithas. He excelled in many fields like logic, mimasa, music, yoga, dharma Shastra and all the 64 forms of art. The main shrine of Raghvendra Swamy temple is situated in center of huge temple complex. Another key attraction of temple is three chariots coated with silver, sandalwood and gold. The idol of the saint is carried on the chariot around the temple at 8 PM everyday.
It was believed that the meditation of the Swamy was so strong that once while doing sandyavandan, water fall on a dry seed, which got sprouted. He was also expert in playing Veena. He composed several songs under the name of Venu Gopala. He had wrote three chapters of the Rigveda and Bhagvad Gita. He had also done his commentaries on the Upanishads. As per the legend, the unfertile land around Mantralayam was handed over to the Mutt of Shri Raghavendra Swamy by Nawaab Siddi Masud Khan of Adoni. Shri Raghavendra Swamy was the disciple and the successor of great sage Sri Sudheendra Theertharu of Kumbakonam, who taught him Dwaita Vedanta, grammar and ancient literary works and Vedic texts.
He is a saint who worshipped Vishnu regardless of caste. He was serving humanity. He always put the humanity first rather than the religion which someone belong. He was represented the popular culture in Indian cinema. His shrine at Mantralayam attracts thousands of visitors every day. Various festivals are celebrated with immense joy like Maharathostavam, also known as the car festival, Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy Aradhanostavam, Janmashtami etc. Apart from this certain events like Tulasi Archana and Hastodaka, Rathotsava and Maha Mangal aarti are arranged during Dhanurmasa Month.
How to reach Raghvendra Swamy Temple – Mantralayam is very well connected with the major cities of India. Regular bus services are very easily available. The Railway Station is in Mantralayam itself very near to the temple. As it is very famous pilgrimage center of Andhra Pradesh and thousands of devotee visit here throughout the year thus it is easily accessible by Road, Railway and Airport. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh state transport buses are available at high frequency. The nearest railway station is Mantralayam Road Railway Station and Hyderabad Airport is the nearest airport at 236 km and Sathya Sai Puttaparthi at 229 kms. Mantralayam is 74 km from Kurnool, 49 km from Adoni, 43 km from Raichur, 148 km from Nandyal, 160 km from Hamnp, 253 km from Hyderabad, 301 km from Hubli, 402 km from Bangalore and 416 km from Vijayawada.
