MANTRALAYA TRIP (2)

 Sunday 6th August 2023

Other places visited around Mantralaya.

1. Eka Shila Anjaneya (ಏಕ ಶಿಲಾ ಅಂಜನೇಯ) - 

A short distance from Mantralaya, near the main road, a huge statue of Anjaneya is installed . Lot of people visit the same.

2. Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple: 

At a distance of 20 Kms from Mantralaya, Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple is situated at Panchamukhi in Karnataka, on the other side of River Tungabhadra. Panchamukhi is said to be the place where Raghavendra Swamy has performed meditation for 12 years before settling in Mantralaya. This is an important pilgrimage site for devotees visit.

It is said that Panchamukha Anjaneya, Kolhapur Mahalakshmi, Lord Venkateswara and Lord Vishnu as Varaha appeared to Raghavendra Swamy at this location after his meditation. This famous five headed Anjaneya Temple is situated on a hillock and is very ancient. The idol of the Hanuman is believed to be self incarnated on a huge rock.

This place attracts large crowd during special days and Hanuman Jayanthi. Several devotees who visit Mantralayam pay a visit to the Hanuman temple here. Few shops near the temple sell food & drinks. There is a huge rock formation on eastern side of the temple in the shape of a bed and pillow.

3. Sri Kshetra Bichali

Sri Kshetra Bichali  was founded by Appanacharya on the banks of the Tungabhadra River under an Ashwath Vruksha. Raghavendra Swamy, the mystic saint of Mantralaya, had developed a close relationship with his contemporaries and disciple Appanacharya, and he had stayed with Appanacharya for 13 years doing penance at Bichali Japada katte

4.  AppannaAcharya House:

Appanacharya was a direct disciple of Guru Raghavendra Swamigal. He was born in Bichali village in the Raichur district of Karnataka. Bichali is situated on the banks of Tungabhadra river. Bichali is also known as Bhikshalaya.

5. GoShala: (ಗೋಶಾಲೆ)

 It is animal protection organization,on a 13 acres of land,  where only 20% of 1200 cows are milkable, rest are old, sick.

The Goshala has a ready medical team on attendance and it provides the Raghavendra Swamy matha with the much needed milk.

Return to Raghavendra Swamy Temple, witnessed Evening Rathotsava, packed our bags from the hotel, had tiffin in a hotel, boarded Nagashree sleeper bus at 9.30pm and reached Esteem Mall at 4a.m. and reached home by auto.

It was a pleasant, memorable, divine trip with Mom, Ravi, Vidya and little Urvi.

Posted 9/8/2023