Mantralayam Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Mantralayam

Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy Temple of Mantralayam is one of the chief tourist attractions of the region. The guru is believed to be an incarnation of Bhakta Prahlada, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu saved his devotee from the cruel intentions of his father by taking the form of Lord Narasimha and killing the monster father of Prahlada. Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy chose Mantralayam for forming his Vrindavana.

The temple is very popular amongst the thousands of devotees of the guru who make it a point to visit the temple every year during the time of Guru Jayanti. On the day of the Jayanti, the temple is bustling with activity since it is a day of celebration and thousands of devotees come to participate in the festivities that continue for two days. It is believed by many devotees that the guru still resides at Vrindavana and according to the guru himself, he will continue living at the place for the next 361 years.

Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple is located at a distance of about 5 km from the town of Mantralayam. The residing idol at the temple is that of Lord Anjaneya or Lord Hanuman. The idol here has five heads with each head representing a different god namely Lord Garuda, Lord Narasimha, Lord Hayagreeva, Lord Hanuman and Lord Varaha.

It is believed that Sri Guru Raghavendra was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman. He performed a severe penance for twelve years, and Lord Hanuman visited the guru pleased with his devotion. Hanuman visited the guru in the avatar of Panchmukhi Anjaneya.

The temple is a must visit for the tourists travelling through the region primarily because of its scenic location. The temple has been built amidst a rocky but beautiful and serene terrain. In fact, on the way to the temple, travellers will encounter natural formations of rocks that are in the shape of a bed, a pillow and a flying vehicle of the gods.

Bikshalaya is located about 20 km from Mantralayam and is also known as Bichali in the local language. It is famous as the place where Sri Appanacharya lived for the most part of his life. Sri Appanacharya was an ardent devotee as well as a student of Guru Raghavendra Swamy. It is also a known fact that Guru Raghavendra Swamy lived at Bikshalaya with Sri Appanacharya for 13 years.

Bikshalaya is located amidst scenic beauty right on the banks of river Tungabhadra and hence, the place enjoys lush greenery and a peaceful environment. Many people today come to the place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The place offers them a calm and peaceful ambiance to meditate and to get in touch with their inner selves.

Bikshalaya has also become a favourite spot with tourists and locals come here on picnics to spend precious moments with their families and loved ones.