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Mantralayam Temple Timings, History, Sevas and Poojas

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Mantralayam Temple is dedicated to Sri Raghavendra Swamy and treasures the memorial of the famous Vaishnava saint, Sri Raghavendra. It is located in Andhra Pradesh. In this guide you will find out about Mantralayam temple timings, history, poojas list, significance and how to travel to Mantralayam.

Mantralayam Temple – Facts

DeityShri Raghavendra
LocationMantralayam, Andhra Pradesh
Entry FeesGeneral Darshan – Free
Best Time to VisitAugust to March
PoojasAnnadanam, Vastra Samarpana
FestivalsMaharathostavam, Aradhanostavam

What are the timings of Mantralayam Temple?

Everyday at 6:00 am the cleansing of Raghavendra Brindavan takes place with holy water. During the Mangala Aarti anointment and adornment with precious jewels and clothes are done. The general timing of the temple is from 6 am to 8 pm. Here are the timings of Mantralayam Temple:

Ritual Timings
Morning Darshan 6:00 am to 2:00 pm
Evening Darshan 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Tirtha Prasada (Food) 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Swamiji Darshan 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Seva Sankalpa 8:00 am to 9:00 am
  • Mahapooja to Moola Rama, Mukhyaprana and Brindavana is performed at noon.
  • Mantrashakta is performed from 10 am to 11:30 am.

Mantralayam Temple Food Timings

Meals are served at a large dining space at the left of the sanctum. At night, devotees can purchase Prasad (puliogare and pongal) from the mutt counter, which is known as Annadaata.

Tirtha Prasad (Lunch)1 pm to 3 pm
Dinner (Sandhya Bhoga – Occasionally)After 8 pm

Mantralayam Temple History

Sri Raghavendra Swamy | Mantralayam Temple

Mantralayam Temple of Andhra Pradesh is dedicated to Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, who lived during the 16th century

Sri Raghavendra Swamy is considered as an incarnation of Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu.

Raghavendra Swamy was a devotee of Sri Moola Rama and Sri Panchamukhi Mukhya Prana Devaru. It is believed that the five faced Hanuman gave darshan to the saint while he was performing penance at a place called Panchamukhi.

The teachings of this great saint are based on the Vaishnava cult, Dvaita philosophy and preaching of Madhvacharya.

Before becoming a saint, Sri Raghavendra was a family man with a wife and a son. On the day of his transformation, his wife wished to see him for the last time and hence came running to the mutt. But in her hurry, she felt in an abandoned well and died.

As it was an untimely death of her with the desire unfulfilled, she became a ghost and came to visit the saint in the mutt. Sri Raghavendra Swamy sensed her presence and sprinkled holy water, relieving her from the cycles of birth and death.

Sri Raghavendra is believed to have done many miracles in his lifetime.

Significance of Mantralayam Temple

Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple is not only a memorial of the saint but also worships Lord Hari, Vayu and Rayaru.

Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple houses three spectacular chariots, made with sandalwood and adorned with fresh and bright flowers.

Every day the deities are placed on the chariots and a wonderful procession round the temple takes place.

Mantralayam Temple Dress Code

As per the Mantralayam temple dress code, men should wear dhoti and no shirt (only Angavastram). Women devotees should wear a sari or salwar kameez. Devotees will not be allowed to enter the Mantralayam temple wearing informal attire like jeans, shorts or T-shirts.

To maintain the tranquility, devotees are expected to speak in a low voice and walk in queues. Some other guidelines which are followed at this Mantralayam temple are:

  • Devotees are suggested not to wear headgears, cooling glasses.
  • Men are requested to remove their shirt and hold it in their hands while paying the visit to Rayaru, while women are expected to be in traditional wear, like the sari.
  • Outside eatables are not permitted within the temple complex.
  • Last but not the least; devotees are expected to bath in the holy waters of River Tungabhadra (wetting their hair) before offering puja at the temple.

Festivals celebrated at Temple

Mantralayam Temple celebrates various kinds of festivals throughout the year. Devotees can offer various kinds of seva to fulfil the good wishes and for the well-being of the family members.

  • The Maharathostavam, also known as the car festival is celebrated with great pomp and glamour at Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple.
  • Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy Aradhanostavam is another famous festival of the shrine.
  • The Dhanurmasa month is of great significance at the Raghavendra Swamy Temple. Besides regular worship and rituals, special events like Tulasi Archana and Hastodaka, Rathotsava and Maha Mangal aarti takes place during this month.
  • Devotees can request for special seva or endowments. There are lifetime seva or endowments which take place on holy days and again every year after the seva; the fund for the seva is raised from the fixed deposit of the seva that the devotee deposits the first time.
  • These special endowment worships are not performed on Ekadasi, Grahana or Eclipse days and on Sri Krishna Janmasthami.
  • Devotees can also offer seva without visiting Mantralayam Temple personally. They can send cheques and drafts for the seva and the same shall be performed on behalf of the devotees.

Mantralayam Sevas and Poojas

Besides the special endowments, there are regular worships done at Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple.

  • Regular worship of Sri Moola Ramadevara is done if HH Sri Swamiji is present at Mantralayam Temple.
  • Among the daily seva, the Dinaika Sampoorna Annadana Seva refers to the food endowment that a devotee can opt for. He or she can pay a fixed amount and the prasada for the day will be funded with that amount.
  • The Vastra Samarpana Seva refers to the gifting of clothes to the needy.
  • The Sankalpa Seva refers to taking an oath and spending the life as per the oath. Held every day between Sankalpa Seva requires utensils for performing Achamana, a small plate, a whole coconut, a coconut to be offered as a symbol and change as dakshina.
  • Bangaru Pallaki Seva, the Golden Chariot Seva, Kanaka Kavacha Seva, Rajata Rathotsava, Kanak Maha Pooja, Suprabhat Seva, Tulabhara Seva, Archana are some of the other seva that can be performed at the Raghavendra Swamy Temple.
Mantralayam Temple | Poojas & Rituals

How to reach

  • By Air: The air base at Hyderabad is the nearest airport to the temple. It is 236 kms from Mantralayam. After disembarking the flight, you can rent cabs or board buses to reach the temple.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station to the Raghavendra Swamy Temple is the Mantralayam Road. This railway station is about 12 kms from Mantralaya. Some of the local trains that can take you to the temple are the Dadar Madras Mail and the Bombay Mail. The Udayan Express from Bangalore also stops at Mantralaya. Mantralaya lies on the railway route of Mumbai-Chennai, Delhi-Bangalore, Hyderabad-Tirupathi. It is an hour journey from the station to Mantralayam Temple. There are private cabs, auto rickshaws, buses and vans available at the station which can take the pilgrims directly to the shrine.
  • By Road: There are regular bus service from the major South Indian cities, like Bangalore, Mangalore, Chennai, Mysore, Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bellary. Mantralaya is located at 595 kms from Chennai and 690 kms from Mumbai.

Mantralayam Temple Accommodation

The best place to stay at Mantralayam is at the guest houses of the Devasthanam (temple authorities). There are 100 guest rooms, some of which are also air-conditioned. Pilgrims who come for offering sevas can also get accommodations in separate cottages. The guest rooms can be booked at the central booking counter, located at the road junction.

Where to eat

There are several vegetarian food joints available near the Raghavendra Swamy Temple. While the Gulbarga Brothers, Brahmins Tiffin Center and Sri Udipi Krishna serves tasty lunch, the SR Tiffins attracts the fast food lovers. Hotel Pannaga is also well known for its cleanliness and food.

Nearby Temples

After a visit to the Raghavendra Swamy Temple, you may checkout the below-mentioned shrines to deep dive into the glorious past of India.

  • Nava Brindavan is another sanctum of Raghavendra Swamy. Located in the middle of River Tungabhadra, the place is sacred with 9 (Nava) Vrindavans at the same place. The 9 Vrindavans are, Sri Padmanabha Teertharu, Sri Kaveendra Teertharu, Sri Vageesha Teertharu, Sri Jaya Teertharu, Sri Vyasa Teertharu, Sri Srinivasa Teertharu, Sri Rama Teertharu, Sri Govinda Vodeyar and Sri Sudheendra Teertharu.
  • Panchamukhi Temple of Raichur is another famous temple located near Mantralaya. Located at 20 kms from the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Temple, it is believed that Sri Guru Raghavendra meditated here for 12 years and Lord Panchamukha (five-faced Lord Hanumana) appeared to him here.
  • There is also a unique rock formation found at Raichur. This rock formation is in the form of a helicopter.
  • Bichali, the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mritika Brindavana is located at 22 kms from the temple.
  • Kallaru is the pilgrimage of the sanctum of Sri Mahalakshmi. It is located at 62 kms from the temple.
  • Manvi, the Sri Jagannathadasara Sannidhi is located at 90 kms.
  • Chikalaparvi, the birth place of Sri Vijayadasara is located at 105 kms.
  • Mudumale, the temple of Sri Yadaveendra Teertharu is at 100 kms.
  • Dharoor, the pilgrimage of Sri Parthasarthi Sannidhi is located at 75 kms.
  • Chintraveli, the pilgrimage of Sri Pranadevaru Sannidhi is at 110 kms.
  • Gadwal, dedicated to Sri Chenna keshava Sannidhi is at 90 kms from the Raghavendra Swamy Temple.
  • Modalakallu, the Sri Swayabhu Venkateshawara Sannidhi is at 65 kms.
  • Sankapura, dedicated to Sri Gopala dasara Sannidhi is at 50 km distance.
  • Utthanuru, the birth place of Sri Gopala dasarais at 45 km.
  • Venisomapura, deciated to Sri Vyasatatvagna Teerthara Sannidhi is located at 75 km.
  • Alampur, the Nava Brahma temple is at 105 km.

Hence, a visit to the Raghavendra Swamy Temple is a journey to the holy land. If you want to participate in the major festivals, August to September is the best time; else August to March is good for praying in solitude. Besides visiting the temple, you can also enjoy a pleasant cruise over the River Tungabhadra in unique boats, known as coracles or putti.

Mantralayam Temple FAQs

Who is the Guru of Raghuvendra Swamy?

Sudhindra Tirtha is the Gurudeva of Raghuvendra Swamy.

What makes Mantralayam special?

Mantralayam  is a pilgrim village located in Kurnool district , Andhra Pradesh, India. Lying on banks of Tungabhadra River on the border of Karnataka state, it is considered to be a sacred place.

Why is Mantralaym so famous?

It is famous for the holy presence of Vrindavana (sacred burial) of Guru Raghavendra Swamy who was a Madhwa saint and follower of Sri Madhwacharya. The town got renamed as Mantralaya because of the beautiful mantras which poured from the holy mind of Raghavendra Swamy.

About Sasidhar Darla

Sasidhar Darla is Myoksha Travel's Founder. He is passionate about traveling to temples and preparing travel guides to help other pilgrims.

Reader Interactions

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  5. S Chandra Shekar says

    Sir, I have booked Kanakamahapooje on 23rd April. What are the Sankalpa and Pooje completion time . When can I collect the prasada.

    Reply

  14. Giridharan.R says

    Sir,
    We plan to visit matralayam temple
    on 16.11.2021 morning 6am.
    I need accommodation & Darshan the day please your reply.

    Reply

  15. Udaya shankar says

    Dear sir.

    I an planning to visit temple on 13 and 14 of this month, I am coming from mysore with my family. udayis the temple is open in those dates. Please reply and also share your contact number.

    Reply

  19. Mohan kumar says

    🙏🌼jai sri gurudev🌼🙏

    Is tonsuring allowed in mantralayam ?

    I want to tonsure my hair in mantralayam

    So, please give ur comments or mention your contact number sir.

    Reply

  20. Sunil patil says

    Sir
    Planning to visit temple on Saturday abs Sunday with family , Hope temple is open for darshan ? Please confirm since we are coming from bengaluru

    Reply

  21. Venkatesh Shanmugam says

    Hi,
    Hope let this world come out of bad situation!

    Is tonsuring allowed in mantralayam. Since I never heard about tonsuring, I am having a doubt.

    I want to tonsure my hair in mantralayam.
    Please give your comments.

    Thanks,
    Venkat

    Reply

  25. N V NARASIMHAN says

    Sir,

    Is the temple open for Darshan on 21.07.2021, kindly let me know, also contact number please.

    Reply

  29. Raghavendra says

    Dear Sir,
    We request you to allot a room at Shri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt for a family consisting of four members. We were trying to reach through phone but could not reach your office over phone call.

    We are grateful and thankful for your help.

    Kindly let us know the procedure if any.

    Reply

  30. Vijay r kulkarni says

    Kindly clarify following points

    1) Whether Temple is open in the month of Jan2021? If not, when? When will be the best time to visit temple??

    2) My mother wants to get the Ratha pulling as she had committed to do it long back!!

    Reply

  34. ನಾಗೇಂದ್ರ says

    10-12-2020
    ಸರ್ ದೇವಾಲಯ ದಿನಗಳಂದು ಓಪನ್ ಇರುತ್ತಾ ದರ್ಶನ ಮಾಡಬಹುದು

    Reply

  35. Anand says

    12th & 13th Nov – Temple Open?
    Is the Kinds are allowed for darshan.
    Is there any precautions we need to follow for darshan.

    Reply

  37. Chethan says

    25 26 27/10/20202 e october nalli devara darshana iruthadeye?is it open in this 25th 26th 27th of this month?because we plan to come to Mantralaya m on that date give the very fast reply for this..

    Reply

  38. ಹರೀಶ್ ಗೌಡ says

    ಗುರುಗಳ ದರ್ಶನಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರಿಗೆ ಅವಕಾಶ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆಯೇ?
    ಇಲ್ಲವಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವಾಗ ಅವಕಾಶ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಲಿದ್ದಾರೆಯೆಂದು ತಿಳಿಸುವಿರಾ?

    Reply

  55. AYYANATHAN says

    I like to know whether we can book rooms in advance for staying at TEMPLE Authority Guest House. What is the Procedure for Booking Rooms from Madurai. Tamil Nadu.

    Reply

  58. Niranjan Venkat B says

    For singles stay at railway retiring / dormitory Rs.500/Rs.100 per day per person.Spacious and clean.

    Reply

  59. Srinath says

    How to transfer money from our Andhra Bank account,
    For the donation to Raghavendra Swamy Temple, Manthralaya, AP.

    Reply

  66. Loki says

    Are we allowed to rest for a night at temple premises as it is very holistic to sleep inside temple compound. I know we have to follow dress code but is there any special day in a week to visit the temple?

    Reply

  73. Shalini Prasanna says

    Hi
    Is there any senior citizen dharsan available. My in laws are coming to mantralayam on Jan first week. They aged 82yrs and 74 yrs.
    We just want to know the Sr.citizen dharsan available with time and any one allowed to go with them.

    Reply

  76. S.V.K.Rama Krishnarao says

    Respected Sir.

    I alone wants to come to Mantralayam as I am individual having 70 years of age. I can produce documents like Photo I.D, Address Proof.

    Can I get a room provided by Temple. It is highly pleasure if allowed single person in temple accommodation by advance reservation.

    If required caution deposit can be paid by me. Please advise me.

    Reply

  80. Nagaraj says

    Thanks for the information. Very useful. Wanted know one thing regarding Kesh Mundan. Is there any ritual done near the Mutt for Kesh Mundan in Mantralayam? Thanks for the information.

    Reply

    • Prabha Rao says

      we want to visit in third week of November , will there be heavy rush at that time and it will be Saturday and Sunday. is it compulsory to stay three nights. and is it compulsory to taking bath in the river

      Reply

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