Mantralaya - Raghavendra Swami
After a long pending plan, we decided to make it to Mantralaya! Though we knew that it's going to be extremely hot in that area, we continued with our plan.
Mantralaya, is the place where Sri Raghavendra swami entered into the Brindavan, alive - Sajeeva Samadhi, after getting the instructions from the Lord.
Sri Raghavendra Swami, is one of the saints who spread the Dvaita philosophy to many. He did penance on the banks of Tunga Bhadra river in a temple called as Pancha mukhi Anjaneya (five headed Hanuman), which falls in Karnataka. Here, after 12 years of penance Lord appeared to him and instructed him to take Samadhi at Manchale, current Mantralaya(in AP). Following the instructions, Sri Rayaru, as he is lovingly called by his devotees, decided to take samadhi. When multitude of his followers begged him, he is believed to have said that he will be alive in this samadhi state for 700 years. Till then, he will continue to help his devotees.
Sri Rayaru, is known to be a very good player of Veena. He has composed many literary works which are revered today. His prime deity was Sri Rama.
How did we go
By Car
Route
Bangalore to Gutty -> NH 7. Gutti/Gooty -> Mantralaya state road. MSN Maps helped a lot. (maps.msn.com)
Distance
Roughly around 400km
Road condition
Good. The NH7 is a single road with demarcation. State roads were not all that bad.
Climate
Summers - extremely hot(above 42 degrees)
Places to visit
1. Panchamukhi Anjaneya(half an hour drive from Mantralaya)
2. Mantralaya (Sri Rayara Brundavana, Manchallamma (local diety))
Pooja timings
8.00am to 10.00am in the morning.
7.30pm to 9.00pm in the evening
Restrictions
For darshana, men are supposed not to wear shirts and for the pooja, they are supposed to be in dhoti instead of pants.
Tunga bhadra
This river will flow full during rainy season and will be dry during summer
Food
Not many good hotels are around. Lunch is served in the temple itself.
Accommodation
Many hotels are available matching different budgets. Even the Matha has a lot of rooms available.
Time required
1 day is sufficient to have darshana and complete pooja/offerings.
We started by 4.30am in the morning and reached Mantralaya by 12.30pm. We took rest for a while. We went to Panchamukhi Anjaneya temple which took around 1.30 to complete the visit. Came back to Mantralaya by 7.00pm and headed for darshana and went to bed. Next morning we had darshana and left to Bangalore by 12.30pm.
Happy visiting! :)
Labels: bangalore Weekend getaway, mantralaya, religious, spiritual
posted by Ashwini Bhat @ 8:37 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
a very good description, ms.bhat. forgive the salutation if your married. i plan to visit the holy place soon, n found your blog thru a google search on "distance to mantralaya". i'd like to kno the route by which you travelled. your blog leads me to assume you started from bangalore. though im a resident of mangalore, im expecting to start to mantralaya from bangalore in the second week of oct. the last time we went there, the roads were nothing less than pathetic, n i fear this monsoon may have done similar damage. im confused as to which the best route would be. currently i have chalked out driving via doddaballapur->gowribidanur or via kolar. could you pls suggest the best route? not necessarily within the afore mentioned couple of routes. id b much obliged if you mail me at abhikb2005@gmail.com. thank you.
Hello Abhilash,
Thanks for your comments.
We had travelled again to Mantralaya during August 1st week and the roads weren't that bad. The road till Gooty was good with bad patches here and there. After that, near Mantralaya, the 20km road stretch was bad. Overall, the roads were okay.
I have not travelled the route you have mentioned and cannot comment much. But if this route joins H'bad highway, somewhere then, you can easily try the route we have gone unless the route you have mentioned is short.
All the best for your journey.
Thanks,
Ashwini
Thanks for providing valuable information. Could you please tell whether any good eateries available on NH 7 (Bangalore to Gooty) in case we want to have breakfast or lunch on the way. I think only Anantapur is the major city on the way, but for that we have to travel to Anantapur city from the bypass road, which will consume additional time.
Hello Brahmanyan,
There are many eateries just 15-20kms before Anantpur. They are all Petrol Bunk owned Restuarants like A1 Plaza, BP owned, HP owned etc, hence, are pretty good. Before Anantpur, it's difficult. You can try some small time dhaba or better carry bread butter jam for breakfast.
Lunch you can definitely have at those restaurants on the highway.
I hope this will help you.
Thanks for the help. We had been to Mantralayam as scheduled and had the blessings of Guru Rays. While going we took packed breakfast, lunch and dinner. We stayed in A/c accommodation provided by the Mutt. While returning we had breakfast in Udupi Restaurant in Mantralayam and Lunch at A1 Plaza at reliance Petrol Bunk near Anantapur. Both were good.
Regards,
Brahmanyan.
very helpful blog.
Thanks Madam. Useful infn.
We are planning to visit Mantralaya by this month end. Pls tel me how to book accomodation. WE plan to go by KSRTC buses. I have heard about Panchamukhi temple. Are there any other places near by to visit. Pls guide us.
Thanks/veena
veenapeya@gmail.com
Hi Ashwini
Im from Malaysia . Im looking into a travel agent who can drive us back to Airport in Hyderabad..Do u have any Car Agent.
Pls advice.pls do send ur reply tp rtniey@yahoo.com
Thanks
Kalai
Hi Aishwini
Thanks for information
Naveen
Hi
Good Thanks for the Information
Naveen
Hi Ashwini,, thnks for ur blog.... helped me to travel in my car,,,, Earlier i ave travelled by Train to Mantralaya,,,,,, :-) I hope roads r fine ... already monsoon ave started
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