Ontimitta

Ontimitta
Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Rama, located in Vontimitta town in Korajampet taluk of Kadapa District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
History
The temple was built during the reign of Chola and Vijayanagara kings around the 16th century.

Nandavaram




Nandavaram is a village in the Banaganapalle mandal of the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India.

This village is famous for the temple of Chowdeshwari.It is believed that Chowdeshwari devi came from Varanasi to Nandavarm through an underground passage within 1 day. The temple was built by King Nandana Chakravarthy.
Interesting Facts about Nandavaram Temple:

Nandana Chakravarthy has built this famous temple. The original Chowdeshwari moorthi looked very fearful to watch. So, it was kept hidden behind the garbhagriha doors and a similar Chowdeshwaridevi deity was made with simiar resemblance but with less fearful lookings. It is this fearless deity that all the piligrims can see today in this ancient temple. The height of Chowdeshwari temple is adjusted now to create the required elevation for the new deity to sit perfectly above the original Godess hidden in this temple. It is a sacred place and is regarded as the Kasi of Thogata Veera Kshatriyas.

The 60 feet high Gopuram built it the early 16th century is another main attraction of this temple. It resembles the Dravidian style architecture. The temple koneru is present at some distance towards right side from the temple and is puriied during festivals and jataras to allow devotees to perform a holy dip.

Viewers can get more information about the incarnation of Shri Chowdeshwari Devi at: http://www.thogatveersamajsolapur.org/DeviH.aspx

Nandavaram Distance:

Nandavaram village is located between Panyam and Banagana Palli/ Banaganapalle road.The distance of this temple from nearby places are:
Banaganapalli [11km]
Panyam [19 km]
Yaganti [21 km]
Nandyal [32 km]
Mahanandi [49 km]
Kurnool [75 km]
Hyderabad [287 km]
Bangalore [348 km]

Festivals Celebrated in Nandavaram:

The main festivals celebrated in Nandavaram are Chowdeshwari Jatra and Devi Navaratrulu. During Devi Navaratrulu period devotees from Andhra Pradesh and other states come here to get the blessings of the Divine Mother at Nandavaram.

Chandi Homa is performed on the 9th day of Navaratri. Shri Chowdeshwari Devi Jyoti Ustav is celebrated for 3 days during Ugadi festival period.

Also, Chowdeshwari Jatra is celebrated with great fervor in the months of March and April. Lakhs of devotees throng to Nandavaram during this Tirunala period. A large number of devotees visit this ancient temple every Monday, Tuesday and especially Friday.


Food and Accommodation at Nandavaram:

Free food and accommodation facility is available at Nandavaram temple.
Arya Vysya Nithya Anna Dhana Sathram
Nandavareeka Nitya Anna Satram, [Nandavareeka Bhavanam - Adjacent to the temple]
Brahmana Anna Dana Satram
Brief Histoy of Chowdeshwari Devi Coming to Nandavaram:

The story begins with King Somendrudu belonging to Chandravansh or Chandra Vamsam dynasty coming to southern part of India and making Nandavaram as the capital city. Many years later, Vuttanga Bhujudu son of Somendrudu became king after him and had built around 301 temples during his rule and ordered each temple to be looked after by one of the Brahmin family in his kingdom.

The king had two beautiful wives named Charumati and Chaturamati. Chaturamati, the elder queen was blessed with a cute baby boy named Nandudu. One night Vuttunga Bhujudu got a vision, in which the future told him that his son Nandudu will become Nandana Samrat Chakravarthy in the future. At the age of 16, Nandudu became Yuvaraja.

One day Billa Nayakudu, Mallikarjuna Swamy Bhaktudu and Sabara Swamy Maha Veerudu came to the king Vuttanga Bhujudu and complained that Tigers and cruel forest animals were killing their domestic animals and causing damage to their paddy crops. After listening to them, King Vuttanga Bhujudu along with his son and queen, decided to go to Srisailam and reduce animal cruelty.

One day afternoon, Nandudu alone went into the Srisailam forest for hunting and saw a Muni also named Nandudu doing severe Tapas below a tree near Pathala Ganga. Muni gave Lord Dattatreya Mantropadesam to Nandudu and praised him as the Chakravarthy and also foretold a new state will be built on your name and suddenly disappeared in front of him. Later, Nandudu realized that the Muni he saw was is non other than Srisaila Mallikarjuna Swamy.

Nandudu was later married to Shashirekha, the daughter of Panchala king. After Vuttanga Bhujudu decided to go for Vanaprasta, Nandudu taken over full kingdom and was crowned as new Emporer. He built Lord Dattatreya Swamy temple and appointed a Purohit to perform the daily rituals. One night Lord Dattatreya appeared in a dream to the new Emporer who expressed a lot of desire to visit the holy Ganges river every morning.

Dattatreya Swamy informed that his Padukas will become visible by the side of his statue tomorrow and asked him to keep it in his Pooja room and keep this matter as a secret. Lord Dattatreya told Nandudu to wear the Padukalu and visit any place he wished in his mind in no time.

One day Shashirekha found that Nandudu is missing at the early morning hours and gone to search for him at Lord DattatreyaSwamy temple at Nandavaram. She then returned and slept quietly. Nandudu, who just returned from Kasi realized that it is not good to keep this matter secret anymore and next day took Shashirekha to top of the palace and put on Padukalu and instantly they arrived at the Dashameda bathing ghat. The king explained how Divya Padukalu helped him reach these destinations quickly.

After hearing this, Shashirekha feels sorry as she is out of doors and can take a bath in holy Ganges after the 5th day. Nandaraju realized he has committed mistake and approached Veda Pandits at the nearby temple for help. They are happy to help the King and in return Nanda Raju said that he would offer his town to the Pandits in return to the help he received. Then, 500 Pandits performed the Dosha Nivarana Kriyas.

After that both Nandaraju and Shashirekha returned to Nandavaram. Some years later, Kasi was hit by a huge famine and the Kasi Veda Pandits decided to go to Nandavaram and seek the help of Nandudu. Instead of all 500 families going to Nandavarm, only 13 heads of Gothrams are selected to go and pursue with Nandaraju and get all the help he has promised to them earlier in Kasi. Nandaraju lied he is unaware of his earlier promise.

Peddibhattu from Kasi listened to the King answer in great patience and said in front of the Mantri in Sabha that Nandudu had made this promise in front of Sri Chamundeswari Mata and we request her to come here and disclose the actual truth. King thought in his heart that if Mata comes here, then Nandavaram will also become a new Divya Kshetram.

Then Nandaraju Mantri ordered the Veda Pandits to bring Chamundeswari Devi Mata as witness to Nandavarm and he will arrange the required purnahuti and mangala vadayams to welcome her. Then, four Pandits belonging to different Gothra's went to Kasi and prayed Chamundeswari Mata.

1. Brahmashri Avadhanam Peddibhattu - Srivatsa Gothram
2. Tharka Shastram Madhava Bhattu - Vasistasa Gothram
3. Puranam Shridhara Bhattu - Bharadwaja Gothram
4. Varthakam kamalanabha pandithudu - Harithasa Gothram

They performed Homas, Poojas and finally Mata appeared in front of them and they requested to come here to Nandavaram. Mata said that she will follow in Tejo Roopam. So, they all started their journey and reached Nandavaram by early morning. The Pandits looked back with curiosity and immediately Mata turned into a Vigraham at that place.

Devi informed that I will stay here at Nandavar and ordered 500 brahmin families to stay along with her as Nandavarika Brahmins. Later, NandaRaju has built a beautiful temple for Chowdeswari Mata who stayed here in Nandavaram as Swarna Vigrarupam. Since then, daily Poojas are performed with great devotion at this temple.


Temple Timings:

Nandavaram Chowdeshwari Devi Temple timings are as follows-

Morning: 5:30 am to 1:00 pm
Evening: 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Website and Contact Details:

Readers can get more information about Nandavaram Chowdeshwari Devi Temple at:

www.chowdeshwariamma.org

Yaganti



Yaganti is located in the Kurnool District in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, approximately 100 km from the city of Kurnool. The temple is 14 km west of Banaganapalle.

Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple is one of the few temples patronized by one of the great dynasties of India. Every year Maha Shivaratri is celebrated and a large number of devotees from all over Andhra Pradesh visit. Shiva, Parvati and Nandi are the main deities in this temple.This temple is 14 km away from Banaganipalli in kurnool dt. The saint lord Veerabrahmendra swami stayed here for some time and wrote Kalagnanam.

Popular Belief

Growing Nandi[edit]

The Yaganti Nandi Statue is believed to be growing in size.
The devotees believe that the Nandi idol in front of the temple is continuously increasing its size. The locals say that the idol was initially much smaller than its present size. They say that certain experimentation was carried out on this idol and it was said that the type of rock out of which the idol is carved has a growing or enlarging nature associated with it. Archaeological Survey of India has confirmed that the idol increases by 1 inch in every 20 years[citation needed]. Experiment suggests that the rock used to make the idol exhibits a growing nature.

It is said that people used to do Pradakshinas (rounds) around it in the past. The temple staff has already removed one pillar as the size of the Nandi has increased.

According to Potuluri Veera Brahmendra swamy[citation needed], the Basavanna (stone nandi) of Yaganti will come alive and shout when Kali Yuga ends.
Yaganti is located in the Kurnool District in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, approximately 100 km from the city of Kurnool. The temple is 14 km west of Banaganapalle.

Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple is one of the few temples patronized by one of the great dynasties of India. Every year Maha Shivaratri is celebrated and a large number of devotees from all over Andhra Pradesh visit. Shiva, Parvati and Nandi are the main deities in this temple.This temple is 14 km away from Banaganipalli in kurnool dt. The saint lord Veerabrahmendra swami stayed here for some time and wrote Kalagnanam.

Popular Belief

Growing Nandi[edit]

The Yaganti Nandi Statue is believed to be growing in size.
The devotees believe that the Nandi idol in front of the temple is continuously increasing its size. The locals say that the idol was initially much smaller than its present size. They say that certain experimentation was carried out on this idol and it was said that the type of rock out of which the idol is carved has a growing or enlarging nature associated with it. Archaeological Survey of India has confirmed that the idol increases by 1 inch in every 20 years[citation needed]. Experiment suggests that the rock used to make the idol exhibits a growing nature.

It is said that people used to do Pradakshinas (rounds) around it in the past. The temple staff has already removed one pillar as the size of the Nandi has increased.

According to Potuluri Veera Brahmendra swamy[citation needed], the Basavanna (stone nandi) of Yaganti will come alive and shout when Kali Yuga ends.

Nava Nandis

Nava Nandis
Prathama Nandi:
Mohankrishnan
Prathamanandi Temple
This Nandi is situated upon a high soil base very nearer to Nandyal railway station.
Naga Nandi:

Anjaneya temple inside which the Naganandi is installed
mohankrishnan
Naganandi
Naga Nandi is inside Anjaneya temple, which is located very near the Nandyal bus stand.
Soma Nandi:
mohankrishnan
Somanandi
Soma Nandi is towards east of Nandyal(almost inside nandyal town), very near the upcoming Jagajanani temple.
Surya Nandi:
mohankrishnan
Suryanandi
mohankrishnan
Suryanandi Temple
Surya Nandi is located on the road to Mahanandi. After about 4 miles from Nandyal look out for a sign called U.Bollavaram village and take the immediate right (identified by a arch erected on two large metal poles) and go for a kilometer to reach this temple.
Shiva Nandi:
mohankrishnan
Shivanandi Temple
mohankrishnan
Shivanandi Temple
mohankrishnan
Shivanandi Temple
Approximately 13 km away from Nandyal on the road to Mahanandi look out for Thimmavaram village and take a left after this. The small road is also a bus route and twists and turns to lead you to Shiva Nandi. A beautiful, but neglected temple constructed on the Chalukya Architecture lines. Kadamala Kaluva(canal)is a landmark. the temple is in Kadamala village.
Vishnu(Krishna) Nandi:

Krishnanandi or Vishnunandi

Navagrahas
mohankrishnan
The beautiful and serene Krishnanandi Temple
Located on the road to Mahanandi, 2 miles before Mahanandi, take a left just adjacent to the Telugu ganga scheme canal and follow on the banks for about 4 Kms of rugged mud road to reach this beautifully serene temple. (proceeding further ahead and taking a left, ask for directions, one can reach Shiva nandi temple also).
Garuda Nandi:

Garudanandi
When you go from Nandyal it is located just before the Mahanandi Temple after you cross the Big Nandi Statue.
Mahanandi Temple:
mohankrishnan
The grand old Mahanandi Temple
Beautiful temple with natural springs(pushkarini) where one should have a holy dip before entering the temple, but it is suggested to avoid holidays and festival days as the crowd is too much.
Vinayaka Nandi: 
Vinayaka Nandi is situated towards northwest of Mahanandi Temple. It is a small temple located to left of the exit Gopuram as you come out.

Ahobilam





Ahobilam is a holy site in the Allagadda mandal of Kurnool district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.[1] It is located 70 km from Nandyal and 150 km from Kurnool, the district headquarters. There are two temple houses, lower Ahobilam and upper Ahobilam. According to legend, this is where Lord Narasimha blessed Prahlada and killed the demon Hiranyakashipu.
The Nine Narasimhasthalas are :- 1. Jwala Narasimha 2. Ahobila Narasimha 3. Malola Narasimha 4. Kroda Narasimha 5. Karanja Narasimha 6. Bhargava Narasimha 7. Yogananda Narasimha 8. Kshatravata Narasimha and 9. Pavana or holy Narasimha
The Sthalapurana of Ahobilam in Sanskrit gives an account of nine forms of Narasimha, worshipped here. They are: -
1. BHARGAVA NARASIMHA SWAMY
The Bhargava Narasimha Swamy is situated at a distance of two kilometres from the Lower Ahobilam, on a hill, near the sacred pond, known as 'Bhargava Theertham', where Bhargava Rama performed his penance. Hence the Lord of the temple is known as Bhargava Narasimha Swamy.
2. YOGANANDA NARASIMHA SWAMY
This temple is to the south-east of Lower Ahobilam at a distance of 2 kilometres. The popular legend is that after killing Hiranyakasipu, Lord Narasimha taught Prahlada several yogic postures. Therefore, the Lord in this aspect is called Yogananda Narasimha.
3. CHATRAVATA NARASIMHA SWAMY
About three kilometres from lower Ahobilam, the image of the deity is installed under a peepal tree, surrounded by thorny bushes. Hence, the Lord is called as Chatravata Narasimha Swamy.
4. AHOBILA NARASIMHA SWAMY
The temple, situated on the Upper Ahobilam, at a distance of eight kilometres from the Lower Ahobilam, is the main temple and the earliest of all the nine temples there. The Lord here appears in his fierce aspect, called Ugra Narasimha, who is the presiding deity of the temple and is known as Ahobila Nrisimha Swamy. It is firmly believed the Lord Narasimha was 'Svayambhu' (self-manifest) here.
5. KRODAKARA (VARAHA) NARASIMHA SWAMY
The temple of this Lord is one kilometre away from the main temple of Ahobila Nrisimha Swamy on the Upper Ahobilam. The image of the deity has the face of a boar (varaha or kroda) and the Lord is seen along with his Consort, Lakshmi. Hence the Lord of the temple is known as Krodakara (Varaha) Narasimha Swamy here.
6. KARANJA NARASIMHA SWAMY
This shrine is situated at a distance of one kilometre from the Upper Ahobilam and one furlong from the road leading to Lower Ahobilam. The image of the deity is installed under a tree, called 'Karanja Vruksham'. Hence this Lord is called Karanja Narasimha Swamy.
7. MALOLA NARASIMHA SWAMY
Nearly two kilometres from the main temple of Upper Ahobilam, is the famous shrine of Malola Narasimha Swamy. The deity here appears in 'soumya' (graceful) form. As Lord Narasimha is seen with his consort, Lakshmi, He is known as Malola Narasimha Swamy. The word 'Malola' means beloved to Lakshmi (Ma=Lakshmi, Lola= beloved). It is said that the 'utsavamoorthi' of the Lord appeared to Srimath Adivan Satakopa Jeeyar, the first Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt. Right from the founder, i.e., the first Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt down to the 44th pontiff, Srivan Satakopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatheendra Mahadesika, the present jeeyar, the utsavamoorthi of Malola Narasirnha Swamy is worshipped and it is taken by them whenever they are on religious tours, visiting the villages every year. Recently, the 45th Jeeyar Srivan Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatheendra Mahadesikan has taken over the worship.
8. JWALA NARASIMHA SWAMY
The temple of Jwala Nrisimha Swamy, lies higher up the above temple, on a hill called, 'Achalachaya Meru'. This is about four kilometres from the Upper Ahobilam temple. This place is said to be the actual spot, where the fierce anger of the Lord reached its culmination when he tore Hiranyakasipu.
9. PAVANA NARASIMHA SWAMY
Nearby the above temple, is the shrine of Pavana Narasimha, on the banks of the river, Pavana and it is about six kilometres from the Upper Ahobilam temple. Hence the Lord of the shrine is known as Pavana Narasimha Swamy.

Mantralayam








Mantralayam is a constituency in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra river on the border with neighbouring Karnataka state.

Mantralaya is one of the important pilgrimage centers in South India as it houses the original samadhi of the great Vaishnava saint Sri Raghavendra. Sri Ragahavendra selected Mantralaya for his Jeeva Samadhi. Devotees visit Mantralaya to have the darshan of the Brindavan of Sri Raghavendra. The mutt is situated on the banks of river Tungabhadra in the state of Andhra Pradesh bordering Karnataka.


Mantralaya Temple Timings :
06-00 AM to 14:00 PM
16:00 PM to 21:00

History Of Sri Raghavendra Swamy

Birth

Sri Raghavendra Swami was born as Sri Venkata Natha (Venkata Ramana), the second son of Sri Thimanna Bhatta and Smt. Gopikamba on Thursday, Sukla Navami of Phalguna month in 1595, when the moon was in Mrigashīrsha Nakshatra, at Bhuvanagiri, near present-day Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. Sri Thimmanna Bhatta was the son of Sri Kanakachala Bhatta and the grandson of Sri Krishna bhatta, a Veena scholar in the court of King Krishnadevaraya. Sri. Thimanna Bhatta and his wife, Smt. Gopikamba had a son, Gururajacharya and a daughter, Venkatamba.

Sri Venkanna Bhatta was also called Venkatanatha or Venkatacharya in honor of Sri Venkateshwara at Tirupati, with whose blessings he was considered to have been born, to his parents for their devotion and diligence towards the deity.

Early life

Sri Venkatanatha proved to be a very brilliant scholar from a very young age who learnt to play the Veena very proficiently thanks to his father and grandfather.

After his father's demise, Venkatanatha was brought up by his brother Sri Gururaja Bhatta and completed the initial portion of his education under his brother-in-law Lakshminarasimhacharya's guidance in Madurai.

Marriage

After his return from Madurai in 1614, Sri Venkatanatha married Smt. Saraswathi Bai in the same year and had a son Sri Lakshminarayanacharya. After his marriage, Sri Venkatanatha and his family went to Kumbakonam where he studied the Dwaita vedantha, grammar and literary works under his guru, Sri Sudheendra Theertha.

Sri Venkatanatha was already very well versed in bhashyas and consistently prevailed over renowned and reputed scholars, irrespective of the complexity of the debates. He was an ardent devotee of Sri Moola Rama and Sri Panchamukha MukhyaPranaDevaru (the five-faced form of Hanuman - Pancha meaning five, mukha meaning faces). He spent a large part of his Poorvashrama life teaching Sanskrit and the ancient Vedic texts to children.

He never demanded any money for his services and endured a life of poverty along with his wife and son. They went without food several times a week. On occasion, his wife did not have change of clothes. This forced her daily change of wear to be dependent on when the clothes dried. She would wear 1/2 the saree, wait for the other 1/2 to dry and wrap it around her. But he was so devoted in his quest for a higher spiritual plane that these obstacles never deterred his faith in the Lord

Poorvashrama Miracles

Once while he was touring Kumbakonam along with his wife, Sri Venkatanatha and his family were invited to attend a function. Unfortunately, the hosts did not treat him well and wanted him to earn his food by running a chore. So they asked him to make some sandalwood paste for all the invitees. Sri Venkatanatha per his habit was chanting stotras and mantras while preparing sandalwood for Tilaka. When the guests applied this paste, it induced a burning sensation all over their bodies. Surprised by this, the hosts sought a clarification from Venkatanatha. He replied that the burning sensation was due to the Agni Suktam (hymn for the worship as defined in the Esoteric Vedas) that he was chanting while preparing sandalwood and thus eternal power of Vedic Mantras revealed itself. This happens only when chanted with absolute dedication and devotion. The power is enhanced since it was chanted by someone as virtuous and devoted to Bhagwaan Hari as himself. Upon realizing his devotion and power, the host apologized profusely to Sri Venkatanatha and sought his forgiveness.

Sri Venkatanatha then prepared the paste again but chanted the Vedic Mantra to Varuna (Vedic rain gods) this time. It has been recorded that when the guests applied this paste, they were awash with a sense of being drenched in rainwater, reaffirming Sri Venkatanatha's power of devotion.

Ordination into Sanyasa as Guru Raghavendra

Thus while his life was spent in the worship of God and service of humanity, his spiritual guru, Sri Sudheendra Theertharu, was looking for a successor to his math. He had a dream where the Lord indicated that Sri Venkatanatha would be the right person to succeed him as the pontiff. Sri Venkatanatha initially refused due to his responsibility towards his young wife and son but was soon blessed by the Goddess of Learning, where she in a dream indicated that he was to seek salvation as a Sanyasi. Sri Venkatanatha treated this as an omen and changed his mind. The sanyasa ordination took place in 1621 on the Phalguni Sukla Dwitiya at Tanjore.

Moksha of Smt. Saraswathi

On the day of Sri Venkatanatha's ascension into SanyasAshrama, his wife, Smt. Saraswathi was seized by a sudden desire to see her husband's face for the last time. She ran towards the Matha throwing caution to the winds and was turned back. Since she couldn't see her husband any longer, she committed suicide by drowning in an old and unused well on the way.

Per the tenets of Hinduism, she became a ghost trapped mid-way between Heaven and Earth due to her untimely death. Since her last wish of seeing her husband was not fulfilled, her ghost went to the matha to witness the ordaining function. However, by the time she arrived, her husband had become a Sannyasi Sri Raghavendra Theertha. However, Sri Guru Raghavendra could immediately sense his wife's presence with his spiritual powers. He sprinkled some holy water from His Kamandalu on her as a means of granting her last wish. This action granted her moksha or liberation from the cycle of births and deaths and was considered her reward for a lifetime of dedicated and selfless service to Sri Raghavendra Swami.

Sri Sudheendra Tirtha Swamiji

On handing over the Peetha to Sri Raghavendra Swami, his guru, Sri Sudheendra Tirtha Swamiji left for his heavenly abode. His Brindavana was constructed at Anegundi near Hampi under the personal supervision of Sri Raghavendra Swami. Sri Sudheendra Tirtha Swami's Brindavana is the ninth Brindavana at that location, earning the region the popular moniker of "Nava Brindavana". It is an extremely holy pilgrimage centre for Madhvas.

Sri Yadavendra Tirtha and Sri Raghavendra Swami

Much before Sri Raghavendra Swami ascended as Peethaathipathi of the Mutt, Sri Yadavendra Tirtha had been given Sanyasa by Sri Sudheendra Tirtha Swamiji. When he came back to Tanjore from his Teertha Yatra across Southern India, Sri Raghavendra Swami offered to make him the Peethaathipathi of the Matha and offered him the idols of Sri Moola Rama. However, Sri Yadavendra Tirtha, on seeing the devotion and spiritual prowess with which Sri Raghavendra Swami was pontificating the Mutt, declined the offer and continued on his pilgrimage. Thus Sri Raghavendra Swami then continued to enrich Dvaita Vedanta from Kumbakonam where numerous shishyas joined the Matha.

Kumbakonam drought

During Sri Raghavendra Swami's time at Kumbakonam, the Tanjore district as a whole was reeling under the effects of a severe 12 year long drought. The Thanjavur Nayak ruler Sevvappa Nayak approached Swamiji for spiritual solace and was advised to perform some Yagnas. No sooner were these rites performed, was the region flush with rain and prosperity. As a mark of gratitude, the Maharaja gifted the Matha with a necklace embellished with precious stones.

Swamiji offered the necklace as a contribution to a yagna that he was performing then. The Maharaja took affront at this action. When Swamiji realized this, he immediately put his hand into the homa kunda and retrieved the necklace in a condition identical to which it was given to him by the King. Neither the necklace nor Swamiji's hand showed any indication of having been in a raging fire. This incident only served to reaffirm the greatness of Swamiji and converted the Maharaja of Tanjore into an ardent Bhakta.

Tour of South India

Sri Raghavendra Swami embarked on a tour of South India, spreading the Dvaita Philosophy and visiting famous pilgrimage centers such as those at Rameshwaram and Srirangam. At Rameshwaram, he clarified the origins of the Siva Linga as the one that was installed by Lord Rama himself before his journey to Lanka to fight Ravana. In this context, he also clarified that Ravana was a Rakshasa since he was born to a Rakshasi mother and Brahmin father. He rebuffed the claim made by some scholars that Lord Rama, as the Supreme One, is not bound by Brahma Hatya Dosha (or any other doshas) for eliminating Ravana.

He also traveled to Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai where he met his Poorvashrama brother-in-law with whom he had spent a large part of his childhood. As part of his Yatras, he traveled to Vishnu Mangala, Kukke Subramanya and Udupi in Karnataka, amongst other such spiritual centers and impressed one and all with his mastery of Dvaita philosophy, won many admirers, gained many devotees and published stellar works of literature and philosophy some of which were carried around in processions of elephants as a mark of respect for its brilliance.

Diwaan of Adoni

On one of his numerous travels, Sri Raghavendra Swamy came across a young and poor sheep rancher who prostrated before him in respect. Swamiji blessed him and told the young rancher to think of him or pray to him in times of adversity.

A few days later, the Nawaab siddi masud khan (king) of Adoni who is a Persian, and he did not know how to read, write the local language Telugu or Kannada was riding on a horse near where the sheep rancher's herd was grazing. At that time an ambassador brought a letter written in local language, and gave it to Nawaab. The Nawaab, who did not read the local language, looked around to seek someone's help to read and explain the contents of the letter. He saw the rancher and asked him to read and explain the contents of the letter. The sheep rancher too was illiterate and could not help the Nawaab in deciphering the contents of the letter. This angered the Nawaab because the Nawaab misunderstood the sheep rancher's inability to translate the contents of the letter as not obeying his order and threatened the man with dire consequences for failing to obey his order. The sheep rancher, who was in desperation by then, remembered the benevolent Swamiji who had passed by the same route a few days earlier. He prayed hard to him and tried reading the letter. Miraculously, the rancher was able to read and explain the contents of the letter to the Nawaab. Since the information was favourable to the Nawaab, he was impressed and the rancher became the Diwaan of Adoni (administrator of the local region Adoni). Many years later, the Nawaab learned about Sri Raghavendra Swami from this man.

Nawaab of Adoni and Mantralayam

Much after the above incident had occurred; Sri Raghavendra Swami got an opportunity to meet the Nawaab of Adoni face-to-face. The Nawaab, instead of being respectful to him, decided to test his spiritual skills and placed before the Swamiji, a plate of non vegetarian delicacies completely covered with a piece of cloth, in the guise of offering alms.

Per Hindu customs, alms are customarily offered to a visiting saint to seek his blessings. Swamiji took some water from his Kamandala, meditated and sprinkled it on the covered plate, as part of his regular practice of purifying any food before consumption. He then opened the plate. It contained fresh fruits. The Nawaab immediately became remorseful and became an ardent devotee of Swamiji then on. As an apology, he offered to give the Swamiji any amount of land and wealth. While Swamiji refused any such gift for his personal gains, he asked that the land around Manchale (present day Mantralayam), which was part of the Nawab's kingdom, to be handed over to his Matha.
Though the Nawaab of Adoni offered to give him a more fertile region, Sri Raghavendra Swami insisted on the dry and barren region around Mantralayam, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

Many years later, he told a devotee that it was the region where King Prahalada had performed his yagnyas to Lord Rama during the Dwapara Yuga and was hence an extremely holy land. Thus the Matha moved to Mantralayam where Sri Raghavendra Swamy continued his spiritual journey. At Mantralayam, Sri Guru Raghavendra encouraged Annadhanam (donation of food) to all devotees. It is a practice that is followed by the Matha to this date and is heavily subsidized by donations.

Panchamuki

Sri Guru Raghavendra performed penance at a place called Panchamukhi, near Mantralayam, in present day Andhra Pradesh where He received darshan of Hanuman in the form of Sri Panchamukha MukhyaPrana. Sri Guru Raghavendra is considered by his devotees to be a reincarnation of Prahalada, the devotee who was saved by Vishnu in his Avatar as Narasimha (see Vaishnava Theology). Prahalada in turn is believed to be a reincarnation of Shankukarna, a Devatha, in the Dwapara Yuga. Hence, Sri Raghavendra Swamy chose Mantralayam as the location of his Brindavana

Jeeva Samadhi

On Dwitiya Day of Sravana Krishna Paksha in 1671, Raghavendra Swami gave a soul-stirring speech to hundreds of devotees who had gathered to watch the event. Some quotes from that speech are as follows -

"Without right living, right thinking will never come. Right living is performing one's ordained duties according to one's station in life without hankering the after fruits of the actions and on the other hand offering all one's activities to the Lord. This is real sadachara (right living). This is real karma yoga."
"Social work done for the good of worthy people should also be considered as the Lord's worship. In short, our life itself is worship. Every action is a puja. This life is precious. Every second of our life is precious. Not even a second that has gone will come back. Listening to the right shastras and always remembering Him is the highest duty."
"Always keep away from people who merely perform miracles without following the shastras and yet call themselves God or guru. I have performed miracles, and so have great persons like Srimadvacharya. These are based on yoga siddhi and the shastras. There is no fraud or trickery at all. These miracles were performed only to show the greatness of God and the wonderful powers that one can attain with His grace. "
"Right knowledge (jnana) is greater than any miracle. Without this no real miracle can take place. Any miracle performed without this right knowledge is only sorcery. No good will comes to those who perform such miracles and also those who believe in them."
"Have devotion to the Lord. This devotion should never be blind faith. Accepting the Lord's supremacy wholeheartedly is true devotion. Blind faith is not devotion. It is only stupidity. We should have devotion, not only for the Lord, but also for all other deities and preceptors in keeping with their status."
After this speech, Sri Raghavendra entered the Brindavana specially constructed for him with stone brought from Madavara village, near Manchale. Per his advice these stones were sanctified by Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana's footsteps when they visited the village during Treta Yuga.

He had advised his disciples to start arranging slabs around him once the japamala rolling by fingers in his hand become still.

He began reciting the pranava mantra and slipped into deep Samadhi. Once his japamala became still, his disciples arranged the slabs up to his head and then, as per his earlier instructions, they placed a copper box containing 1200 Lakshmi narayana saligramas that had been specially brought from Gandaki River in Nepal. Then they placed the covering slab over it and filled it with earth. They poured twelve thousand varahas (abhisheka) over the Brindavana that they had built.

Thus Sri Raghavendra Swami attained Jeeva Samadhi on Dwitiya Day of Sravana Krishna Paksha in 1671. This date is celebrated each year as Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhana at Brindavana all over the world. The Raghavendra Mutt in Mantralayam housing his Brindavana is visited by thousands of devotees every year.

It is believed he would live for
76 years physically on the Earth.
300 years in the Brindavana, through his literary work among the people.
400 years in the Brindavana without a physical form.
Totally 700 years in the Brindavana helping the society and the mankind to come-out from troubles and miseries

Raghavendra and Sir Thomas Munro

An incident concerning Raghavendra Swami and Sir Thomas Munro has been recorded in the Madras Districts Gazetteer. In 1801, while serving as the Collector of Bellary, Sir Thomas Munro, who later served as the Governor of Madras is believed to have come across an apparition of Raghavendra Swami. Sir Thomas Munro recorded as having spoken with Raghavendra Swami in English over an endowment proposal which he ultimately quashed as per the Swami's advice.

Sri Appanacharya and Sri Raghavendra Stotra

Sri Appanacharya was one of Sri Raghavendra Swami's foremost disciples at Mantralayam. Knowing his unstinting devotion and that he would try and thwart his Jeeva Samadhi, Sri Raghavendra Swami sent Sri Appanacharya to a town in Karnataka on the opposite bank of the Tungabhadra River before entering the Brindavana to attain Jeeva Samadhi.

Upon hearing of his beloved Swamiji's decision to enter Brindavana, Sri Appanacharya came rushing back to Mantralayam only to find the Tungabhadra in full spate (sudden flood) due to the rain. Unable to cross the river, he burst into a 32-stanza hymn, now popularly known as Sri Raghavendra stotra as a prayer to his beloved Swamiji. It is said that on hearing the hymn, the Tungabhadra abated and allowed him to walk on her.

As Sri Appanacharya rushed into the Math, he was mid-way through singing the last stanza of his hymn. At the same time, the last slab was placed on Sri Raghavendra Swamy in the Brindavana. On seeing this, Sri Appanacharya was overcome with emotion and was unable to sing any further to complete the stanza. Suddenly, a voice from inside the Brindavana said "Sakshee Hayastotra Hee", completing the Stotra and implying Sri Hayagreeva (an avatara of Lord Vishnu with the Horse head and Human body) and Prahalada and hence Sri Guru Raghavendra himself was witness to Sri Appanacharya's hymn.

This 32 stanza sloka has acquired fame as Sri Raghavendra Stotra or Sri Poornabodha sloka, since the first stanza starts with the words "Sri Poornabodha".

Another famous 2-stanza sloka praising Sri Raghavendra goes thus

"Poojyaaya Raaghavendraaya Satya Dharma Rathaayacha
 Bhajataam Kalpa Vrukshaaya Namathaam Kaamadhenave"


Raghavendra Mathas

Devotees of Shri Raghavendra Swamiji have built his Mathas all over world. In these Mathas, religious rituals and ceremonies are carried out as per the tradition and customs followed at Mantralayam. These branches of the Matha are very useful, especially for those offering SRADDHAKARMA, according to the Vaidhika Dharma of the Hindu religion.

Sri Raghavendra Theertha is also known as Guru Rajaru and Rayaru lovingly by his devotees

Srisailm









The Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple located in Srisailam is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Earlier, it was called Srigiri. The Bhramarambha Temple is also located in the same complex. It is considered as one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas in India.

The shrine of Lord Mallikarjuna picturesquely situated on a flat top of Nallamalai Hills, Srisailam is reputed to be one of the most ancient kshetras in India. It is on the right side of the River Krishna in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. This celebrated mountain is also named as Siridhan, Srigiri, Sirigiri, Sriparvatha and Srinagam. It has been a popular centre of Saivite pilgrimage for centuries.

The prominence of this Divya Kshetram is highlighted by the fact that while performing our daily household rituals we specify place of location of our existence with reference to Srisailam.

The timings of the temple is as follow:
From To
4.30 AM 5.00 AM  Mangalavadyams.
5.00 AM 5.15 AM  Suprabhatam.
5.15 AM  6.30 AM Pratahkalapuja, Gopuja and Maha Mangala Harathi.
6.30 AM 1.00 PM Darshanam, Abhishekam and Archanas by the devotees.
1.00 PM 3.30 PM Alankara Darshanam.
4.30 PM 4.50 PM Mangalavadyams.
4.50 PM 5.20 PM  Pradoshakalapuja.
5.20 PM 6.00 PM Susandhyam and Maha Mangala Harathi.
5.50 PM 6.20 PM Rajopachara puja (Parakulu) to Bhramaramba Devi.
6.20 PM  9.00 PM Darshanam, Abhishekam and Archanas.
9.00 PM 10.00 PM Dharma Darshanam.
9.30 PM 10.00 PM  Ekantha Seva.
10.00 PM Closure of the temple.

Darshanams
Darshanams
Name of the Darshanams Time       Amount Entry for
Suprabhatha Darshanam 5.00 AM 300 Couple or Single person
Mahamangala Harathi 5.50 AM 200 One Person
Athiseegra Darshanam 6.30 AM to 1.00 PM & 6.30 PM to 9.00 PM 100 Couple or Single person
Special Queue Line  Darshanam 6.30 AM to 1.00 PM & 6.30 PM to 9.00 PM 50 One Person
Free Darshanam in
general Queue 6.00 AM to 3.30 PM & 6.00 PM to 10.00 PM
Mahamangala Harathi (Evening) 5.00 PM 200 One Person
Quick Darshanam 6.30 AM to 1.00 PM & 6.30 PM to 9.00 PM 100





Note: The Suprabhatam ,Harathi,Darshnam and Abhishekams will be advanced during monday's i.e they will be start from suprabhatam 4.00Am,Harathi 5.00Am,Abhishekam 5.30Am and Darshnam 5.30Am

Lepakshi

Lapakshi



Lepakshi is a small village in Mandal in the Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh.The Shiva's bull Nandi is a granite monolithic sculpture on the main road of Lepashki approximately 200m from the temple. It is 4.5m high and 8.23m long making one of the largest nandi in India.Hindupur is a major town nearby and 14 km away from Lepakshi. One can reach Lepakshi through Hindupur which is well connected to Bengaluru and Anantapur - district headquarters.
There are lots of private bus services and APSRTC buses connecting Hindupur and Lepakshi for every 10 minutes.

lepakshi temple history

  Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi. The Veerabhadra temple is in Lepakshi in the Anantapur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Built in the 16th century, the architectural features of the temple are in the Vijayanagara style with profusion of carvings and paintings at almost every exposed surface of the temple.

How to Reach
Well connected through main city via all means of transport. Bus services quite prominent. Lepakshi is reached by going north from Bengaluru, turn west at the Kodikonda checkpost on the Hyderabad highway NH 44. Lepakshi is 14 km away from Hindupur where there are bus and train links.

Tips

Carry camera, torch, light and fully covered clothes, proper footwears, munchies, beverages and water along
Time Required: 1-2 hrs
Cost: No entry fee
Open Time: Best Time to visit is during day hours in favorable seasons.


Belum Caves




Belum Caves are located at Belum Village in Kolimigundla Mandal of Kurnool District in Rayalaseema.Belum Caves is the largest tourist cave in Indian subcontinent and the longest caves in plains of Indian Subcontinent, known for its stalactite and stalagmite formations. Belum Caves have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. It is a natural underground cave formed by the constant flow of underground water.

Belum Caves are geologically and historically important caves. There are indications that Jains and Buddhists monks occupied these caves centuries ago.he tourists are charged an amount of Rs.50.00 for entrance. Foreign Tourists are charged Rs.300.00 per person for entrance

Gandikota


Gandikota is one of the oldest fort in Rayalaseema






Gandikota is one of the oldest fort in RayalaseemaGandikota is one of the oldest fort in Rayalaseema.Gandikota is a small village on the right bank of the river Pennar, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa districtIn November 2015, Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu, cited a plan to develop 
Gandikota as next major tourist hub of Andhra Pradesh.Gandikota is a small village on the right bank of the river Pennar, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaNearest Railway station is 26 km away at Muddanuru(Railway code: MOO) in Kadapa Dist. There are number of trains from Gooty Jn. Nearest Town is Jammalamadugu.