Mantralayam Part 2 - Panchamukhi Anjaneyar and Bhikshalaya

Panchamukhi Anjaneya swamy temple and Bikshalay are places of interest around Mantralayam.Jeeps,autos are available from the Mantralayam Raghavendra Mutt.

Panchamukhi Anjaneyaswamy temple (five headed Hanuman) can be reached after crossing the Tungabhadra River (there is a bridge). It`s around 45 minutes from Mantralayam on road. The shrine is located amidst beautiful surroundings.  The temple stands on a small hillock. A flight of 50 steps takes you there. The idol of lord Anjaneya aka Hanumana is unique here as it has five heads.

It is believed that this idol of Lord Anjaneya was hidden inside a cave. It was discovered by a Brahmin following a dream. Devotees can see this cave. The passage to the Mandir is narrow so pilgrims must go in a single line for the darshan and exit thereafter.

Sri Raghavendra Swamyyaru performed penance here for 12 long years..After 12 long years Lord Anjaneya gave him darshsan and instructed him to make Mantralaya his Brindavana.

Bikshalay is the place where you can find the brindavanam of Sri Appanacharya, one of the most important disciples of Guru Raghavendra. Click here for more details and interesting pictures on Appanacharya.

Another interesting story about Bhikshalaya can be found in http://vayusutha.in/vs4/temple59.html
.

I engaged an auto to cover both these places.

Stopped on the bridge for some snaps..!

While we were riding peacefully with green fields on one side of the road, a few students stopped our auto for a lift..their auto has had a flat tire..!

After we dropped these kids midway.. I stopped by on another interesting spot where a few other kids were enjoying themselves..swimming in the Tungabhadra .!

We are there..at the Anjaneyar temple..!

Can you see the dog sleeping peacefully under the shade..!

Bhikshalay is a place one can spend the day in serenity..you will hear none other than the soft sound of water flowing and swirling wind..the water does not flow here with any strong current..So soft that it will flow like a transparent film on the soil..!
I was at this place in the evening and owing to paucity of time, I could not stay there for more time. The peaceful place,the sound of serene water flow of Thungabhadra, the peaceful brindavanam ever will linger in my thoughts..!

Appanacharya's Brindavanam

<< Mantralayam Part 1

Mantralayam Part 1

Mantralayam is the abode of Sri Raghavendra Swamy aka Guru Raghavendra Swamy,a Hindu Saint of 16th century.

Mantralayam is in Andhra Pradesh. Abundant amount of information is present about this place.
Consult Wikipedia and the Raghavendra Mutt  website for interesting facts. This website also is very useful.

Click on this link for a detailed write-up of interesting information by the Raghavendra Mutt.


I visited it from Chennai by  Mumbai mail. The railway station is Mantralayam Road and the temple/Mutt is situated at about 17kms from it. Vans are available from railway station to the temple.
The temple is actually the Jeeva Samadhi of Sri Raghavendra Swami and the timings are 6am  to 2pm and 4pm to 9pm.

I stayed in an accommodation of Sri Raghavendra Mutt which is very cheap for the high quality room they provide. I remember paying Rs 150/per day for a spacious double room (Non A/C). The Mutt accommodation should be easily available during non festival days (Thu is very auspicious here). I also saw Andhra Pradesh Tourism Hotel - Punnami that looked decent as well. The below pictures will give you an idea of what to expect from this Mutt accommodation.

 The marble corridors surrounding the inner most sanctorum is very good. One can sit there for hours together and soak into the busy ambiance.

Every night there is a procession on the golden chariot. The elephant piloted procession is a sight to behold. I was fortunate to visit the temple at night without realizing it and could witness this great spectacle..!

I shot a few small video clips of this procession that you can view under Videos section below.

On the return path, Don't forget to look for this small enclosure where a few cute deers would bid you good bye....!

This deer does not want me to leave ...See its expression..!

I can never resist some shots of colorful shops..! All temples oblige us in this aspect..!

Any thing written about Mantralayam will be incomplete , if  it does not include reference to Thungabhadra..
Mahoots were giving elephants a bath .. It was a great sight .. But the Mahoots prevented me from taking any photographs..! God only knows why..!

The mutt provides free lunch and dinner here every day excepting on Ekadasi days. The food was excellent.

Temple of Panchamukhi Anjaneyar worshipped by Sri Raghavendra and Bikshalaya-the brindavanam of Sri Padmapadhar, famous desciple of Sri Raghavendra are places worth visiting and are nearby.One can reach these places in an auto.

VIDEO - Procession on Golden Chariot

Panchamuki anjaneyar,Bhikshalaya in the next post HERE....!

Mantralayam

Manttralayam 

Mantralayam from Sridharan S on Vimeo.