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Temples of Mantralayam (Part-2)
( This Thread is posted separately for maximum viewers)
The temple of Panchamukhi Aanjaneya Swamy (Lord Hanuman) is located on the banks of river Tungabhadra about 20km to the north of Mantralayam. It is on the Karnataka – Andhra border coming under Karnataka state about 2 km from Ganadhala village. Bus facilities are available on this route with buses from Mantralayam to Raichur and Manvi passing via Panchamukhi. Private transportation (Tempo/Auto) facilities are also available from Mantralayam to Panchamukhi. If it is on a sharing basis it works out cheaper, otherwise it may cost about Rs.200-300 two ways.
Significance of Panchamukhi Temple
It is a cave temple where Sri Raghavendra Swamy (Rayaru) had performed penance for 12 years meditating on Panchamukhi (five headed) Hanuman before entering into Brindavana at Mantralayam. One can find a script engraved to this effect on the walls of the temple. It is said that Rayaru had the darshan of Lord Hanuman in a unique way with five faces (Varaha, Garuda, Narasimha, Hayagreeva and Aanjaneya) at this spot along with Lord Venkateswara (Tirupathi), Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi (Kolhapura), and Kurma Avathara of Lord Maha Vishnu. One can find the idols of these deities inside the temple along with a small Brindavana (replica) indicating the spot where Sri Rayaru did penance.
Apart from this there is a temple of Goddess Erukalamba (Grama Devatha) located at a small distance from Panchamukhi temple. She is the presiding deity of this place who is worshipped by the pilgrims also coming from far off places.
As per the Kshetra Mahatya this location is said to be in existence since Treta Yuga. Lord Hanuman is believed and said to have visited this spot during the epic days of Ramayana in the course of getting Sri Rama and Lakshmana released from the clutches of Mahiravana. You will find rare rocky structures in the replica of a bed and a plane (elevated rock) said to have been used by Lord Hanuman. There is also an underground passage near Erukalamba temple through which Lord Hanuman is said to have reached Mahiravana and finally killed him.
Outside the main temple there is a spot where we find the foot wear (large size) said to be of Lord Hanuman is worshipped. It is said and believed that Lord Hanuman uses this foot wear which are replaced once in five years as per the local customs and beliefs when they get soiled due to wear and tear.
Since the days of Rayaru the temple has come into prominence. People visiting Mantralayam will make it a point to visit this temple to seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman in a rare form. During festival days especially on the new moon (Amavasya), full moon (Pournima), Tuesdays, and Saturdays there will be rush of pilgrims to this temple.
Lord Hanuman manifested here, is in a rare posture, sitting on his knees with folded hands facing east. It is believed and said that whoever worships him will be benefited with merits and fulfillment of their desires.
BICHHALI (BHIKSHALAYA)
Bichhali also called as Bhikshalaya is located in Raichur district of Karnataka state, about 20 km from Mantralayam on the banks of river Tungabhadra. This is said to be the place where, Sri Rayaru had spent 13 years of his life before moving over to Manchali (Mantralayam). Sanctified with the memories of Rayaru’s stay at this place and his association with Sri Appanacharya, the beloved disciple and an ardent devotee of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the place Bichhali is one of the places to be visited on a trip to Mantralayam. To visit this place one has to make own/hired vehicle arrangements.
Sri Appanacharya was a great Sanskrit scholar and a teacher who was running a Gurukula under whom number of students were getting taught. In those days the students irrespective of their economic status will have to procure rice and cook their own food. Accordingly the students in that place used to go for procurement of rice (Bhiksha) and henceforth the place came to be known as Bhikshalaya.
Notable locations at Bichhali
Japada Katti
It is an elevated platform under a Banyan tree (Aswattha Vruksha) where, Sri Appanacharya used to conduct lessons for his students. Later, after Sri Rayaru came to that place, both of them used to sit together at this spot and discuss on various subjects related to spirituality. We find number of Naga shilas (idols) installed around this spot. It is believed and said that people who perform the ritual of Naga Devatha Pratishta at this spot are blessed with progeny.
Ekasila Brindavana
It is the Brindavana of Sri Rayaru at Bichhali that was installed by his beloved disciple and an ardent devotee Sri Appanacharya as per the directions of Sri Rayaru. It is said that Rayaru used to give daily darshan to Sri Appanacharya from this Brindavana in the form of a Jayanthi. It is called as Ekasila Brindavana since, it is incidental that it was built with the same stones used for Rayaru Moola Brindavana at Mantralayam. It was installed on the Japadakatti adjacent to river Tungabhadra where, Rayaru used to sit and discuss with Sri Appanacharya. The uniqueness of this Brindavana is that, it is not covered by any roof and is in the open air. It is the only Brindavana of Sri Raghavendra Swamy that was installed without a roof. Daily Pooja are rituals are held for this Brindavana by the descendants of Sri Appanacharya.
Snake Bill
As per the legend, in the backyard of Sri Appanacharya’s house there was a snake bill where a king Cobra used to reside in it. Sri Raghavendra Swamy during his stay in Bhikshalaya was regularly offering milk to the serpent (Aadi Sesha) after his daily pooja/rituals and the serpent used come and drink the milk. When Rayaru decided to move to Manchali and enter into Brindavana he had taken a decision to dismantle the snake bill. Accordingly when it was dismantled a statue of snake appeared in its place which is being worshipped.
House of Sri Appanacharya: It is a 400 years old house where Sri Rayaru lived during his stay at Bhikshalaya where memories of Sri Rayaru’s presence can be seen.
Idol of Lord Sri Ugra Narasimha: The idol of Lord Ugra Narasimha installed by Saint Sri SriPadarayaru (Mulabagalu), the Guru of Sri Vyasa Rayaru whose lineage was Sri Raghavendra Theertharu.
Idol of Lord Hanuman: Installed by Sri Vyasarayaru the great devotee of Lord Hanuman and immediate predecessor in the lineage of Sri Rayaru.
( This Thread is posted separately for maximum viewers)
Panchamukhi Aanjaneya Swamy
The temple of Panchamukhi Aanjaneya Swamy (Lord Hanuman) is located on the banks of river Tungabhadra about 20km to the north of Mantralayam. It is on the Karnataka – Andhra border coming under Karnataka state about 2 km from Ganadhala village. Bus facilities are available on this route with buses from Mantralayam to Raichur and Manvi passing via Panchamukhi. Private transportation (Tempo/Auto) facilities are also available from Mantralayam to Panchamukhi. If it is on a sharing basis it works out cheaper, otherwise it may cost about Rs.200-300 two ways.
It is a cave temple where Sri Raghavendra Swamy (Rayaru) had performed penance for 12 years meditating on Panchamukhi (five headed) Hanuman before entering into Brindavana at Mantralayam. One can find a script engraved to this effect on the walls of the temple. It is said that Rayaru had the darshan of Lord Hanuman in a unique way with five faces (Varaha, Garuda, Narasimha, Hayagreeva and Aanjaneya) at this spot along with Lord Venkateswara (Tirupathi), Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi (Kolhapura), and Kurma Avathara of Lord Maha Vishnu. One can find the idols of these deities inside the temple along with a small Brindavana (replica) indicating the spot where Sri Rayaru did penance.
As per the Kshetra Mahatya this location is said to be in existence since Treta Yuga. Lord Hanuman is believed and said to have visited this spot during the epic days of Ramayana in the course of getting Sri Rama and Lakshmana released from the clutches of Mahiravana. You will find rare rocky structures in the replica of a bed and a plane (elevated rock) said to have been used by Lord Hanuman. There is also an underground passage near Erukalamba temple through which Lord Hanuman is said to have reached Mahiravana and finally killed him.
Outside the main temple there is a spot where we find the foot wear (large size) said to be of Lord Hanuman is worshipped. It is said and believed that Lord Hanuman uses this foot wear which are replaced once in five years as per the local customs and beliefs when they get soiled due to wear and tear.
Since the days of Rayaru the temple has come into prominence. People visiting Mantralayam will make it a point to visit this temple to seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman in a rare form. During festival days especially on the new moon (Amavasya), full moon (Pournima), Tuesdays, and Saturdays there will be rush of pilgrims to this temple.
Lord Hanuman manifested here, is in a rare posture, sitting on his knees with folded hands facing east. It is believed and said that whoever worships him will be benefited with merits and fulfillment of their desires.
BICHHALI (BHIKSHALAYA)
Bichhali also called as Bhikshalaya is located in Raichur district of Karnataka state, about 20 km from Mantralayam on the banks of river Tungabhadra. This is said to be the place where, Sri Rayaru had spent 13 years of his life before moving over to Manchali (Mantralayam). Sanctified with the memories of Rayaru’s stay at this place and his association with Sri Appanacharya, the beloved disciple and an ardent devotee of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the place Bichhali is one of the places to be visited on a trip to Mantralayam. To visit this place one has to make own/hired vehicle arrangements.
Notable locations at Bichhali
Japada Katti
It is an elevated platform under a Banyan tree (Aswattha Vruksha) where, Sri Appanacharya used to conduct lessons for his students. Later, after Sri Rayaru came to that place, both of them used to sit together at this spot and discuss on various subjects related to spirituality. We find number of Naga shilas (idols) installed around this spot. It is believed and said that people who perform the ritual of Naga Devatha Pratishta at this spot are blessed with progeny.
Ekasila Brindavana
It is the Brindavana of Sri Rayaru at Bichhali that was installed by his beloved disciple and an ardent devotee Sri Appanacharya as per the directions of Sri Rayaru. It is said that Rayaru used to give daily darshan to Sri Appanacharya from this Brindavana in the form of a Jayanthi. It is called as Ekasila Brindavana since, it is incidental that it was built with the same stones used for Rayaru Moola Brindavana at Mantralayam. It was installed on the Japadakatti adjacent to river Tungabhadra where, Rayaru used to sit and discuss with Sri Appanacharya. The uniqueness of this Brindavana is that, it is not covered by any roof and is in the open air. It is the only Brindavana of Sri Raghavendra Swamy that was installed without a roof. Daily Pooja are rituals are held for this Brindavana by the descendants of Sri Appanacharya.
Snake Bill
As per the legend, in the backyard of Sri Appanacharya’s house there was a snake bill where a king Cobra used to reside in it. Sri Raghavendra Swamy during his stay in Bhikshalaya was regularly offering milk to the serpent (Aadi Sesha) after his daily pooja/rituals and the serpent used come and drink the milk. When Rayaru decided to move to Manchali and enter into Brindavana he had taken a decision to dismantle the snake bill. Accordingly when it was dismantled a statue of snake appeared in its place which is being worshipped.
House of Sri Appanacharya: It is a 400 years old house where Sri Rayaru lived during his stay at Bhikshalaya where memories of Sri Rayaru’s presence can be seen.
Idol of Lord Sri Ugra Narasimha: The idol of Lord Ugra Narasimha installed by Saint Sri SriPadarayaru (Mulabagalu), the Guru of Sri Vyasa Rayaru whose lineage was Sri Raghavendra Theertharu.
Idol of Lord Hanuman: Installed by Sri Vyasarayaru the great devotee of Lord Hanuman and immediate predecessor in the lineage of Sri Rayaru.
Om! Sri Raghavendraya! Namah!
bhargavasarma {nirikhi krishna bhagavan}: Temples of Mantralayam (Part-2)
bhargavasarma {nirikhi krishna bhagavan}: Temples of Mantralayam (Part-2)
