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Mantralaya CF

Mantralaya Temple is dedicated to Sri Raghavendra Swamy and treasures the memorial of the famous Vaishnava saint, Sri Raghavendra. It is located in Andhra Pradesh.

Temple History

Mantralaya Temple 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.

Story

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 fell 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 Mantralaya Temple

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

Festivals celebrated at Temple

Mantralaya Temple celebrates various kinds of festivals throughout the year.

The Maharathostava, also known as the car festival is celebrated with great pomp and glamour at the Temple. The Dhanurmasa month is of great significance at the Temple. Besides regular worship and rituals, special events like Tulasi Archana and Hastodaka, Rathotsava and Maha Mangalarati takes place during this month. Devotees can request for special seva, lifetime seva or endowments. The lifetime seva or endowments takes place on holy days.     These special endowment worships are not performed on Ekadasi or Eclipse days and on Sri Krishna Janmasthami. Among the daily seva, the Dinaika Sampoorna Annadana Seva refers to the food endowment that a devotee can opt for. 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.