Mantralayam or Manchale is a town located in the Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh, at a distance of 256 km from the capital city of Hyderabad. Mantralayam, the abode of the Samadhi of Vaishnava saint Shri Raghavendra Swamy, is a famous pilgrimage destination in South India.
Mantralayam is situated near the border of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh along the banks of River Tungabhadra, a chief tributary of River Cauvery. Mantralayam is considered as a holy place of ancient origin. According to legend, King Prahalada performed his yagnyas to Lord Rama in this region, during the Dwapara Yuga.
HOW TO REACH
By Air:-
Bellary Airport is nearest one, located 105 km from Mantralayam. Rajiv Gandhi International airport is at the distance of 182 km. Hubli and Bangalore airports are the other options.
By Train:-
Mantralayam railway station is 15 km from heart of the town located on the Chennai-Raichur line.
By Bus:-
Numerous State run service buses and private buses are connecting Mantralayam to major Indian cities.
WHAT TO SEE
Kowthalam:-
Kowthalam is a popular pilgrimage destination for the followers of the Vaishnavite saint, Sri Raghavendra Teertha. Kowthalam is located in the Kurnool District, at a distance of about 30 km from Mantralayam, off the Adoni Road.
Kowthalam is famous for the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Temple, which was constructed during the period of the famous Haridasa, Guru Jagannatha Dasaru. Ek Shila Brindhavana can found in this temple, which was constructed as per the wish of Sri Raghavendhra Teertha. Kowthalam is also the birth place of Guru Jagannatha Dasaru.
Alampur:-
Alampur is a popular temple town located in the Mahboob Nagar District of Andhra Pradesh. This town is situated on the river banks of the Tungabhandra. Alampur is at a distance of 95 km from Mantralayam and takes about 3 hours of travel to reach it by road.
Urukunda:-
Urukunda is famous for the Sri Lakshmi-Narasimha Erranna Temple. A unique feature of Urukunda Temple is that the swayambhu(self created/manifested) idol of Sri Lakshmi-Narasimha Erranna Swamy is found below an Aswatha Vruksha (Banyan Tree).
Located at a distance of 30 km from Mantralayam, off the Adoni Road, in the Kurnool District, Urukunda is a major pilgrim center visited by large crowds of devotees.
Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy Temple:-
Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy Temple is located about 23 km away from Mantralayam, atop rocky terrain near Bichchali. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman) who has five heads, representing Varaha, Garuda, Hanuman, Narasimha and Hayagreeva.
It is believed that the swayambhu(self createdmanifested) inscription of Sri Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy was worshipped by Sri Raghavendra Teertha. As per legends, Sri Raghavendra Teertha was an ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara and Lord Hanuman. He performed penance for twelve years and Lord Hanuman appeared before him in the form of Panchamukhi Anjaneya.
Navabrindavan:-
Navabrindavan, an island in between two branches of River Tungabhadra, between the districts of Koppal and Bellary, is at a distance of 175 km from Mantralayam.
Vedic Pathashala:-
The Vedic Pathashala is yet another attraction of the Mantralayam Mutt complex. The pathashala is a prominent center of religious and cultural learning, which imparts knowledge in the Vedas, Puranas, Dwaita philosophy and Indian traditions to Vedic scholars from India as well as abroad, who come here for advanced studies.
Manchalamma Temple:-
Manchalamma Temple of Mantralayam is located near the Samadhi Temple, inside the Mantralayam Mutt complex. Goddess Manchlamma is the presiding deity of Mantralayam Village. It is believed that Sri Raghavendra Teertha requested land for the ‘Bridavana’ from Manchalamma and she granted it to him. Hence, it is a custom at Mantralayam that the devotees offer prayers at the Manchalamma Temple before visiting the Samadhi Temple.
Bichchali:-
Bichchali, also known as Bikshalaya, is a pilgrim destination near Mantralayam. Situated on the banks of River Tungabhadra, it is about 20 km away from Mantralayam.This place is famous as the meditating site of Sri Appannachar, who was the prime disciple of Sri Raghavendra Teertha. The house of Sri Appannachar in Bichhali, in which Sri Raghavendra Teertha lived with him for 13 years, is a popular pilgrim spot for the devotees of Sri Raghavendra Swamy.
Samadhi Temple:-
Samadhi Temple, located inside the Mantralayam Mutt complex, is a popular destination of Vaishnavites as well as the devotees of Sri Raghavendra Teertha. Situated on the banks of River Tungabhadra, Samadhi Temple, also called as Moola Bridavanam or Raghvendra Swamy Brindavana, is the holy place where the renowned saint and Vaishnavite Sri Raghavendra Teertha attained Jeeva Samadhi in 1671. It is believed that Sri Raghavendra will dwell at Samadhi Temple till the completion of 700 years since he attained Jeeva Samathi.