Mantralayam Tourism and Travel Guide

On the border of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka lies the saintly city of Mantralayam. The city revolves around the much prestigious saint, Shri Guru Raghavendra Swamy. Being a relatively small place and unpopular among tourists, it makes sense that most of the visitors here are his disciples. The Samadhi Temple or Brundavan is the site where Swamy is believed to have entered his tomb, alive. Inside the complex of the temple is the main shrine of the saint. Devotees still believe that he dwells in his holy form. Being the site of utmost devotion, it is very restricted in its approaches. Men who want to perform aarti are supposed to wear only dhotis and women only sarees. This dress code is strictly followed when you want to go near the Brundavan. Food or bhog is served to all devotees and visitors during the afternoon. In a place named Raichur, 20 km from Mantralayam, the temple of Panchamukha commemorates the place where Shri Guru Raghavendra meditated for 12 years at a stretch. Overall this place holds the aura of an earthly experience rather than serving as a vacation.