Thursday, December 3, 2015

TEMPLES TO BE VISITED NEAR MANTRALAYAM

SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY MUTT

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.

Samadhi Temple is the prime attraction of Mantralayam. The celebrations like Maharathotsavam and Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy Aradhanotsavam draw huge crowds during which the deity’s idol is carried around the temple in chariots; and the elephants belonging to the temple give obeisance to the deity. There are three chariots at the Samadhi Temple, two of which are plated in gold and silver; and the third is made of sandalwood.
 
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.

Venkateshwara Temple

Inside the village, near the Archakas house, the temple of Venkateshwara Swamy can be found. The idol here was worshipped by Sri Raghavendra Swamy during his tenure. The garden here serves as the source of Thulasi after the original one behind the temple was moved out due to temple construction and expansion



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.  

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.


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.

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.

 

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.

 

 


 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.

Navabrindavan is a popular destination for the ardent followers and disciples of Sri Raghavendra Teertha. Navabrindavan is well known for the tombs, or ‘Jeeva Brindavanas’, of nine prominent Madhva saints, who were the successive chiefs of the Madhwa Peetha.

On one of the sides of Navabrindavan, there are shrines of Sri Ranganathar, Sri Anjaneyar and a cave in between them. On the other side, there is a shrine of Sri Avatharathraya Hanuman, in which the idol of Lord Hanuman represents Bheema and Sri Madhwar.

 Chinna Tumbalam



Chinna Tumbalam is famous for the Narasimha Swamy Temple, which is about 200 years old. Located at a distance of 25 km from Mantralayam, off the Adoni Road, Chinna Tumbalam is a popular pilgrim spot of Vaishnavites.  

No comments:

Post a Comment