Raghavendra Swamy Temple, Mantralayam, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

About the Temple

Raghavendra Swamy temple is nestled in a small town of Mantralayam in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The town lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Mantralayam is also referred as Manchale. The city is noted for the holy shrine of Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, a Madhwa saint, and follower of Sri Madhwacharya. It’s believed that Guru Raghavendra Swamy lived between 1595 to 1671. During his lifetime, he performed many miracles. Guru himself selected this place for his Samadhi which is known as Brindavan. The sanctum sanctorum has a Samadhi of Sri Raghavendra Swamy.

There is a small shrine of Manchalamma, a form of Goddess Parvati, near the entrance of the temple.

HistoryShri Guru Raghavendra conducted penance at Panchamukhi near Mantralayam, where He received darshan of Sri Panchamukha MukhyaPrana Hanuman. Sri Guru Raghavendra is considered to be a reincarnation of Prahlada by his devotees. It is believed that Guru Raghavendra Swami is living in Vrindavana for the last 339 years and he will be in the Vrindavana for another 361 years. While entering the Brindavana, Guru Raghavendra Swami had said that he would be there for 700 years. It is believed that Shri Guru Raghavendra was a fervent devotee of Lord Ram. He was an influential saint in Hinduism.

LegendOnce, Guru Raghavendra Swami reached a village in which a rich man resided. He was against spiritual rituals and practices which were depicted in the Vedas. Hence, Guru Raghavendra swami accepted this as an opportunity to once again glorify the importance of the Vedas. Angered by this, the man took a muller and asked Guruji to make the sprout just like any healthy plant. Sri Raghavendra swami accepted this challenge. For next few days, he meditated and offered the holy water to the muller. On the last day, the man was amazed as he witnessed the miracle. The muller had sprouted and was about to grow into a healthy tree. He surrendered to guruji and became a staunch follower of the Vedas.

Festivals and CelebrationsSri Raghavendra Jayanti is celebrated on Phalguna Sudha Saptami which is the birthday of Sri Raghavendra Swamy.

How to Reach

By Road: Mantralaya is about 53 km from Adoni, 24 km from Yemmiganur, 100 km from Kurnool and 35 km from Raichur.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Mantralaya Road which is 16 km away.

By Air: The nearest airport is Vishakapatnam.

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