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Kurnool district is home to various popular tourist destinations, especially full of historical and spiritual significance. Mantralayam happens to be one such spot. The main reason behind the place’s popularity is due to the presence of the Samadhi of Saint Raghavendra Swami. Beyond that, there are several other places to visit in Mantralayam that suggest why you must consider spending a few days exploring this beautiful and sacred town. There are natural wonders, including the beauty of the Tungabhadra River that make it a must-visit place.
10 Places To Visit In And Around Mantralayam
Every year, thousands of devotees flock to Mantralayam on their pilgrimage journey to the Raghavendra Swamy Temple to seek blessings from the saint. Beyond that, there are a few other spots worth adding to your itinerary.
1. Raghavendra Swamy Temple
Photo: Dr Murali Mohan Gurram / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Raghavendra Swamy Temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mantralayam, if not the most significant. It is the heart and soul of this town and is dedicated to the 16th-century saint Sri Raghavendra Swamy. The Samadhi of Raghavendra Swamy, where the saint is believed to have entered Jeeva Samadhi, is the central attraction. Inside the temple, the devotees come from across the country to offer their prayers and seek blessings from the deity.
Location: Mantralayam, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 6 AM – 2 PM and 4 PM – 9 PM
2. Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy Temple
Photo: BHARATHESHA ALASANDEMAJALU / Wikimedia Commons
Another one of the Mantralayam tourist places to add to your itinerary is the Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy Temple. The temple is roughly 20 km from Mantralayam, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, depicted here with five faces (Panchamukhi), symbolising his different aspects. According to legend, this is the spot where Lord Hanuman appeared before Sri Raghavendra Swamy in his five-faced form and blessed him. This explains why visiting this temple when you are in Mantralayam is an absolute must.
Location: PanchaMukhi, Karnataka
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM
3. Manchalamma Temple
Photo: Itsmyworld / Wikimedia Commons
The Manchalamma Temple is one of the largest temples in Mantralayam. It is located within the Raghavendra Swamy Temple complex and is dedicated to Goddess Manchalamma, who happens to be a village deity that the locals worship. According to legends, Raghavendra Swamy sought permission from Goddess Manchalamma before he finally settled down in Mantralayam. Despite being quite small, the Manchalamma temple holds a lot of spiritual significance.
Location: Mantralayam, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 5 AM – 8:30 PM
4. Bichali
Photo: Sudhakarbichali / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
One of the nearest villages to visit from Mantralayam is Bichali. This small village is around 20 km from the main centre of Mantralayam and serves as a getaway for tourists who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The main reason why devotees of Raghavendra Swamy visit this village is because legends suggest that this is where the saint spent roughly 13 years of his life meditating and teaching people. The village is home to the house where the saint stayed, which has now been converted into a shrine.
Location: Bichali, 20 km from Mantralayam
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
5. Vedic Pathashala
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The concept of Vedic Pathshala is an initiative run by Sree Raghavendra Swamy Mutt. The Vedic Pathashala in Mantralayam is an institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Vedic knowledge and traditions. Being one of the oldest educational mediums, the learners get knowledge about Vedic rituals, scriptures, and the Madhwa philosophy. Since there are multiple such pathshalas around Mantralayam, plan to visit one and truly immerse yourself in polishing and enhancing your knowledge. If you are interested in learning more about the Vedic culture and history, consider visiting one of these schools.
Location: Mantralayam, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM
6. Alampur
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons
Another one of the places to visit in Mantralayam is Alampur. The main attraction in this city is the Alampur Jogulamba Temple, which is a Shakti peetha. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Jogulamba, and it holds great significance for devotees of Shakti worship. The temple complex also includes several other shrines dedicated to various deities as well. The temple is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, adding to its serene and spiritual ambience. If you are interested in Shakti worship, this is a must-visit temple.
Location: Alampur, 90 km from Mantralayam
Timings: 6 AM – 1 PM and 4 PM – 8 PM
7. Venkateswara Swamy Temple
Photo: Siddharth Verma 101 / Wikimedia Commons
When talking about the places to visit in Mantralayam Andhra Pradesh, Venkateswara Swamy Temple is an absolute must. The temple is located right by the main bus stand, only a kilometre’s walk away. Inside the temple’s inner sanctum lies the idol of Lord Venkateswara. According to legends, Sri Raghavendra himself used to worship the idol of the deity. The inside features pristine white marble architecture and beauty, which adds to the charm of the place. Inside the temple, the idol is made out of black stone and there are other shrines dedicated to his consorts.
Location: Mantralayam, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 6 – 12 PM and 5 PM – 8 PM
8. Chinna Tumbalam
Photo: P. Madhusudan / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Another one of the tourist places in Mantralayam that’s worth exploring is the Chinna Tumbalam. It is an offbeat and remote village located around Mantralayam. One of the main attractions of this village is a temple dedicated to Narasimha Swamy, which is reportedly two centuries old. Given how old the temple is, it has undergone extensive renovations and restorations too. In the village, you can offer your prayers to the deity, unwind and then relax and explore the village’s surroundings. The raw, unfiltered beauty of this village should also be captured in motion in your cameras.
Location: 25 km from Mantralayam
Timings: 24*7
9. Urukunda
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Urukunda is a small village in Andhra Pradesh, India, near the temple town of Mantralayam. It’s accessible from Mantralayam by a single road. Urukunda has several attractions, including a temple. The main attraction in this quaint village is the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple wherein the main presiding deity is Sri Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple also has a silver idol of Sage Eeranna Swamy, or Veeranna Swamy, in the sanctum.
Location: 30 km from Mantralayam
Timings: 24*7
10. Adoni Fort
Photo: S. Praveen Bharadhwaj / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The last spot to add to your Mantralayam tourist places list is the Adoni Fort, located in the Kurnool district. It is one of the most majestic forts in India, each wall measuring around 50 km in length. The fort was built in the 15th century by the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. Later, the fort was transferred to the custody of the British colonists. Inside the fort lies 12 more sub-forts, which add to the historical significance of the spot.
Location: Adoni, Andhra Pradesh 518301
Timings: 24*7
As you plan your travel plans with the best places to visit in Mantralayam, ensure that all the logistics of your stay and your travel are taken care of with TripXL. Beyond that, the true spiritual significance of this town is what makes it such a holy and sacred spot. Be it history, religion or a peaceful retreat, Mantralayam has something to cater to your interests.
Cover Photo: Ravikiran / Wikimedia Commons
