Mantralayam
(IPLTOURS)
Mantralayam is a famous pilgrimage destination. Though it is called Mantralayam in usage it has unprecedented respect for many things. Moreover this temple is not especially dedicated to any deity. Idol of any deity is not established and worshipped here. The place is called as Vrundavan. There is the tomb of the famous saint Sri Raghavendra Swamy of 17th century. Un- like other tombs Sri Raghavendra Swami was optionally entered the tomb when he was alive. The place is not having significance until the entry of Raghavendra Swamy into the tomb. Since then became as a holy place, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over the country and abroad throughout the year. This pilgrimage place is located on the banks of River Tungabhadra in the district of Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh. This place Yogi is known as Raghavendra Swami Bridavan.
Thousands of people visit the Raghavendra Swamy Mutt (Monastery) and other temples on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Sri Raghavendra Swamy Math is famous for its Paramatma lineage named Hansa. Raghavendra Swamy Matt is important of Sri Madhvacharya tradition in the country and abroad. It is said that the original idol of Rama in the Raghavendra Swami Math was actually worshiped by Chaturmukha(four faces) Brahma, while the idol of Sri Digvijaya Rama is associated with Sri Madvacharya and the idol of Sri Jayarama with Sri Jayatirtha.
Raghavendra Swami the Yogi of Mantralaya and also known as Raghavendra Tirtha, a renowned scholar lived about 700 years ago. He was born in 1595 in Bhuvanagiri of Tamil Nadu in a Madhva Brahmin family and was named as Venkatanadha.
All are scholars and musicians in his family and Raghavendra was fascinated in music. He lost his father in childhood, educated in Madurai and later got married.
He has become a scholar and acquired the knowledge of intuition and eloquent discourse. The abbot of Madhva Matt, Sutindra Tirtha of Kumbakonam came to know about Venkatanadh, pleased with his intelligence and asked him to be the heir to the matt. This will happen only after giving up family life to become a monk.
Venkatanath faced very painful to make such an important decision in a life threaten situation leaving dependent wife and a child. The elders put pressure on him and gradually changed his mind and persuaded him to agree to fulfill the wishes of Sutindra Tirtha. Thus Venkatanadh agreed to become a monk in 1621 at the age of 26. After the death of Sudhindra Tirtha, he acquired the matt and was named as Raghavendra Tirtha.
As an Abbot, Raghavendra Tirtha established the Divine Order worldwide by conveying the doctrine of Dharmaas the proper way of life to the people. All his prophecies are based on Vaishnavism like the Madhvacharya. He has performed pilgrim tours to the holy places of Udupi, Kolhapur and Bijapur in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Since his name and fame spread, people flocked in droves to alleviate their illnesses and get rid of their troubles. He gave wise advice and showed them the way to salvation by guiding them in the path of righteousness.
People believed that their asylum seekers would solve people’s problems and uplift them in life due to their spiritual powers. Many peple became his disciples and devotees.
The Governor of Adhoni presented him the Mantralayam village. This place was found on the banks of the river Tungabhadra and was developed with the help of money received from the great Kempadevaraju. In 1671 himself decided that he would optionally end to his life. He traditionally multiplied the date and time of his burial and ordered his disciples to build a tomb around him. He has entered into the tomb at the appointed time and gone meditation in a sitting position. The disciples built a tomb around and above them. This is what is worshiped as Vrundavan.
It is believed that Raghavendra Swamy still resides in Vrindavan and presents his blessings on devotees and others. It is known that Raghavndra Swamy found by the Collector of Bellary District in the year 1801, and that there is written evidence for the matter. Raghavendra Swami is considered to be an incarnation of Prahlada, a devotee of Vishnu. He stands as devotee of Rama and Panchamukha Anjaneya.
He was a great scholar who wrote many philosophies, religions and ancient texts. They were skilled in playing the harp and composed many hymns glorifying various deities. Mantralayam is not only the tomb of a Hindu saint but also the place where deities like Hari and Vayu are measured. The Pallaki festival is important here.
The idols of the deities worshiped during the festival are paraded around the temple every day on palanquins made of sandalwood and adorned with flowers. Devotees believe that Raghavendra Swamy did many glories while he was alive and is still doing incredible things from Vrindavan in Mantralayam.
Raghavendra Vrindavan is cleansed every day from 6-00 pm with a holy water. Anointing will be performed before Mangala Horati and adorned with precious jewels and garments.
The Mantrakshata will be organised from 10-00 to 11-30 in the morning and Maha Pooja in the afternoon. Tirtha Prasad (free meal) will be arranged in the temple from 1 to 3 pm. Dinner will be arranged occasionally at 8pm. Devotees should visit the temple in traditional dress. Men should not wear any clothing on the chest.
Maha Radhotsav, Sri Raghavendra Swami Aradhanotsav and worship in Dhanur Masa are important fetivals. The temple is open from 6 am to 2 pm and again from 4 pm to 9 pm.
Mantralayam may be reached from the nearest Hyderabad Airport travelling one has to travel 236 km by road in bus or private vehicle. The Mantralayam Road Station can be reached through limited trains and may reach Mantralayam which is 12 km. The Andhra Pradesh State Transport Corporation ply buses daily from other cities viz., Mangalore, Mysore, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bellary.
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