2017.10.29 Mantralaya Sree Raghavendra Matha - Panchamuki - Bichalle

Continuing the land voyage - from Tumkur to Mantralaya, after visiting Vanivilasa Sagara (Marikanive), Kanive Ranganatha Temple and Kallur Mahalakshmi Temple, we reached Mantralaya by around 9.30 in the night.

Mantralayam 

Mantralayam is a pilgrim village located in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh. It lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra river on the border with neighboring Karnataka. Even being in Andra Pradesh, common language is Kannada.
Mantralaya has brindavan of Raghavendra Swami, a saint who lived in 17th Century and who entered into a samadhi alive in front of his disciples. My papa, Nagendra Raj Urs, often visit the Matha, at least once a year.

on 29th October 2017, - Kartika masa Shukla Paksha Dashami, (Coincidentally my parents 3rd Engagement anniversary )

Happy Anniversary Pappa 

Happy Anniversary Amma

We wook up early in the morning, Papa and Tata, went to Tungabadra River for bathing and we laties, i.e me, amma, ajji, akka and atte got ready in the place of accommodation. At around 8.30, we all went to the matta, had darshana of Shree Guru Raya and had seva, as desired by aggi. 

We left Mantralaya at around  12.00 Noon towards Panchamuki.

 

Panchamuki.

Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy Temple is located about 23 km away from Mantralayam, atop rocky terrain on to the state of Karntaka. 

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman) who has five heads, representing Varaha, Garuda, Hanuman, Narasimha and Hayagreeva. 

It is believed that the swayambhu (self createdmanifested) inscription of Sri Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy was worshipped by Sri Raghavendra Swamygalu. 

As per legends, Sri Raghavendra Teertha was an ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara and Lord Hanuman. He performed penance for twelve years and Lord Hanuman appeared before him in the form of Panchamukhi Anjaneya.

When we visited the place, it was around 1.30 PM and the shrine was closed .. We were able to have a look at shrine from outside. We also had a glance of 

• Natural Aerial Vehicle - Pushaka Vimana - Different shape of Rocks
• Natural Bed and Pillow of Hanuman
• Footwear, said to be used by Lord Hunaman.
• Gadha, said to be of Lord Hunaman.
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2017.10.28 - Kallur Mahalakshmi.

Continuing land voyage - from Tumkur to Mantralaya, we also visited Kallur Mahalakshmi temple at Kallur Village of Manvi taluk, Raichur District.

it was around 6PM when we reached the place.

Kallur is a village, about 13 miles from Raichur. This place is referred as second kolhapur. The temple has statues of both Lord Venkateshwara and Mahalakshmi.

The temple has a great significance as both Srinivsa and Lakshmi ( husband and wife) are situated together in this place.

Story:

Srinivas acharya (Resident of Kallur), was a great devotee of Sri Kolhapur Mahalakshmi. Every year he visited Kolhapur during Navarathri time and offered Sandalwood (chandan) to Goddess Mahalaksmi.  But due to his Age, he was not able to travel a long. He was so saddened as he was not able to visit Goddess as before.

One day on his dreams, He got a strange dream. He heard the voice saying “I will come to see you in Navarathri”. Next day while Srinivas Acharya was performing his daily duties, He was recollecting the dream and was stunned on the words “I will come to see you in Navarathri”.

Days passed by. Navarathri came. Srinivas Acharya was grinding chandan. The smooth grinding stone was hard at places, he did not pay too much attention but continued the grinding process to collect more chandan. Further he noticed that the roughness was becoming more and more. He took the chandan in a bowl and cleaned the stone. To his surprise He saw smiling face of goddess mahalaxmi was looking at him. The carved form of Goddess has actually caused roughness.

Tears of joy filled his eyes. Kallur then attained the status of Karveerpura (Kolhapur). Goddess Mahalakshmi resides there. An year latter Venkateshwara swamy idol was found and installed along with Mahalakshmi The pure bhakthi and dedication of Sri Srinivasa acharya brought mahalakshmi to his place. Miracles were happened, is happening and will happen!!! Jai sri Lakshmi Mathe!!!.....

2017.10.28 - marikanive (VaniVilasa Sagara)

On 28th October, Saturday, We left Tumkur at around 9 AM towards Mantralaya, (coincidentally it was 3rd Engagement Anniversary of my papa - Nagendra Raj Urs and mummy - Ramya Nagrendra Raj Urs) and on the way visited Vani Vilasa Sagara, popularly known as Mari Kanive, a dam near Hiriyur Taluk, Chitradurga District

Team: 

1. Nagendra Raj Urs
2. Ramya Nagendra Raj Urs
3. Ramaraju Urs
4. Jayalakshmi
5. Sowmya
6. Moulya
7. other 5 Members of my grandpa's friend

The land voyage - from Tumkur to Mantralaya was planned my grandpa - Ramaraju and his friend and a Tempo traveler was booked. ( I called it as a voyage, because, so as to save AP- RTO- Permit, Grandpa and his friend had a different set of plan, which made this a long journey covering a extra of around 100 KM)

Vani Vilasa Sagara, popularly known as Mari Kanive is a dam near Hiriyur Taluk, Chitradurga District, It is the oldest dam in the state. The dam was built by the Mysore Maharajas pre-independence across the river Vedavathi. the construction of the dam started on August 1898 and was completed on August 1907. 

The dam is an exquisite piece of architecture, an engineering marvel for that time, and provides water to lots of surrounding cities, towns and villages, which are largely dry lands. This dam is the source of domestic water for Hiriyur and Chitradurga. 

This place is 160 KM from Bangalore, 115 KM from Tumkur and 40 KM from Chitradurga on the NH-4 highway, The place is around 20 km drive from Hiriyur on a deviation from NH4 - Bangalore Mumbai National Highway

The dam was initiated by the regent queen who was a widow of Maharaja Chamaraaja Wodeyar. She is known for her social works which were exemplary. 

For the construction of this dam royals of Mysore had to pledge royal jewellery due to shortage of money, that is why it was named as "Vani Vilasa Sagara". Vani Vilasa was the name of youngest daughter of the then Maharaja of Mysore. This dam is higher than KRS dam of Mysore.

The dam has been a tourist attraction for many years, but has been apparently neglected as a prime tourist destination. Recently, though, the development work undertaken by the forest department to restore the nearby forest cover, and the 'Panchavati' gardens - a garden of medicinal plants with the old Indian cultural theme has improved the tourist figures, making it a popular weekend picnic spot. 

The 'panchavati' garden has medicinal plants lined up representing cultural themes - the 'Rashis', 'Sapta swaras', 'Nava grahas' and many more.

On the way, we also visited the temple of Sree Ranganatha Nearby and continued our voyage towards Mantralaya. 

                                                                                                           Mahitha N Raj