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.