the journey continues…

There is a saying in kannada “If its god then it has to be Tirupati Timmappa and if it is guru then it has to be Manchale Ragappa “. Hardly people need any explanation about Mantralayam.
It is the divine place where Sri Raghavendra swami entered into the Brindavan, alive – Sajeeva Vrindavana.It is believed that Shri Rayaru, as he is lovingly called by his devotees, still exist in the vrindavana and is fulfilling the prayers of devotees.

Places to visit in Mantralayam are
Manchalamma Temple
Shri Raghavendra Swamy Temple
Shri Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple

Manchalamma, the local deity of Manchale gave the land for Rayaru to construct the Vrindavanam.Its a custom here that first we need to see Manchallamma and then Shri Rayara Vrindavanam.

Mantralaya Temple

Early morning hours is the best time to visit the temple. If you want to book any sevas,you need to do that booking in the previous day inside the temple.There is big hall where they will do the Sankalpa for the pooja and give prasadam also.
There are many ways to worship Rayaru here.You can see people doing Urulu Seva [rolling on the ground],Hejje Namaskara[Step by step walking] etc. All these sevas are considered to be very auspicious here.The sacred sand of the Moola Brindavana (Moola Mrithika) has very special significance, it will cure diseases and protect you from evils. We keep this at home and everyday take it as prasadam.

The temple also serves prasadam i.e afternoon meals for everybody.
Tunga bhadra river flows in the back side of the temple which would be floddy during rainy seasons.

Tunga River

This is time we also got the opportunity to visit the house where Rayara Padukas are there.

Rayara Padukegalu

Panchamukhi Veeranjaneya temple is around 30min from here.There are auto rickshaws available to go there. Sri Raghavendhra Swamy was an ardent devotee of Sri Moola Rama and Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya. He performed penance here for 12 years and got the dharshan of Hanuman in the form of Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya, an incarnation of Lord Hanuman. The anjaneya is a swayambu inscription on the rocky cave.

Pachamuki Anjaneya

Bed and Pillow

Pushapaka Vimana/Aerial Vehicle

Many lodges are here for accommodation. But we always prefer to stay in the guest houses provided by the Mutt.These guest houses are maintained well and they are very cheap compared to hotel lodges.There is the mutt administration building near to temple where you can book the guest houses.

The famous mantra you should chant here goes like this…
“Poojyaya Raghavendhraya Sathya Dharma Ratayacha
Bhajatam Kulpavrukshaya Namatham Kamadhenuve”

Some useful links :
http://www.srsmutt.org/
http://www.mantralayam.com/
http://www.gururaghavendra.org/

Kallur Mahalakshmi Temple which is in Manvi Taluk is around 20 kms from Raichur.Kallur is also called as second Kollaphur where Goddess Mahalakshmi dwells.The temple has statues of both Lord Venkateshwara and Mahalakshmi.The temple has a great prominence as both Srinivsa and Lakshmi ( husband and wife) are situated together in this place.We know that Lord Srinivasa is located in Tirupati and Mahalkshmi in Kollaphur.This is the only place where you can see both of them together.

The temple is very auspisious for marriage.They have a procedure here to pray for that.You need to tie a coconut in the temple praying for marriage and after the marriage you should visit the temple. Priest also said that if you call/mail him if will pray and tie the coconut on behalf of you.After your wish is fulfilled you can visit the temple.

Gopuram

anjaneya

There is a link for the temple in the wikimapia : http://wikimapia.org/12207668/Kallur-Stop
Address and contact number of the temple:
ಅರ್ಚಕರು
ಶ್ರೀ ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ದೇವಸ್ತಾನ
ಕಲ್ಲೂರು
ಮಾನ್ವಿ ತಾಲೂಕು 584118
ರಾಯಚೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ
(Sri Mahalakshmi Temple,Kalluru,Manvi Taluk,Raichur District,Karnataka PIN-584118)
Ph:08538-262001,09480218833
You can also contact the archakas of the temple …
Devarajachar Archak on 9481546901

Priest also gave me a piece of paper containing the shlokas/mantras which are helpful for marriage and getting child.I am sharing it below.The procedure is everyday after taking bath you should chant them with belief and faith in goddess Mahalakshmi.

(For marriage)
Kathyayini mahamaye maha yoginyadhishwari |
Nanda gopa sutam devi pathim may kurute namaha||

ಕಾಥ್ಯಾಯಿನಿ ಮಹಾಮಾಯೆ ಮಹಾ ಯೋಗಿನ್ಯಧೀಶ್ವರಿ |
ನಂದಗೋಪ ಸುತಮ್ ದೇವಿ ಪತಿಮ್ ಮೆ ಕುರುತೆ ನಮಹ: ||

(For child)
Devaki Suta Govindam Deva Deva Jagatpate |
Dehime tanayam krishna Twamaham Sharanam Gata ||

ದೇವಕಿ ಸುತ ಗೋವಿಂದಂ ದೇವ ದೇವ ಜಗತ್ಪತೆ |
ದೇಹಿಮೆ ತನಯಂ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ತ್ವಮಹಂ ಶರಣಂ ಗತ ||

Thanks to Mr.Ashok (contact_ashok@hotmail.com) who has recently visited the temple and gave me updated phone numbers and other details of the temple.

1. The Archakas’ post is rotated on annual basis amongst their families and this is called ‘Paryaya’.
2. Devotees can offer Naivedyam pooja or just have ‘Darshana’. Those (males) who offer Naivedyam pooja will have to wear ‘veshti’ (traditional white cloth similar to ‘lungi’ but not ‘lungi’) during lunch which is served like ‘prasadam’. It is preferable for women to wear sarees. This is to be noted imporantly by those devotees who wish to offer ‘Naivedyam’ pooja.
3. There is no fixed charges for Naivedyam pooja. It is upto people’s wish to give any amount of ‘dakshina’, which is an honorarium given to Archakas for their Archaka (service). Definitely Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi will be pleased if we serve those who serve Her.
4. There is no provision to get a lodge/stay facility in Kallur. The nearest place would be Raichur.
Devotees who come from far off places can go to Raichur and come to the Temple after having bath, food etc.
5. Devotees who wish to offer Naivedyam pooja should reach the Temple by 10:00 AM. It would be good if they speak to the Paryaya Archaka on phone before they plan their journey. This will help them to know the conditions regarding travel, weather etc.

Below are the Kallur Mahalakshmi stotrams :
(click on the images to get larger and clear view)