I had the blessings to land in Mantralayam in Feb 2011. This was my first visit and before this visit i was
doing lot of search and other details in the web on how to reach Mantralayam and what needs to be done over there.
I thought of writting this blog to help others who are making / planing their first visit to the greatest holy places in the world.
Since I was in US, the ticket arrangements were made in India. We also planned to visit both Mantralayam and Shridi.
Best way to go to Mantralayam from Chennai is through Train. The Bombay Mail goes everyday night at 10.20 PM ( pls. check the timings as these changes every now and then ). This training reaches Mantralayam rail road next day around 11 or 12 PM based on the schedule & delays. The train stops there for 10 to 15 mins as this is the place where water will also be refilled.
I do not consider road as a best option because of the distance and not sure whether any buses go directly from Chennai to Mantralayam. Nearest airport is Hydrabad from which we need to travel via road for about 250 KMs. Once you get out of the station, we can see lot of share autos and travel cars who does the trip to Mantralayam Rail road to Mantralayam temple. It is about 12 Kms. Usually shared auto is Rs 50 / head ( in 2011 ) but it will be fully cramped.
I went through a Jeep where they charged me Rs 300 for a 12 KM drive. But it was more private and no one were there other than my family members. It took like 20 to 25 mins to reach the Mantralayam area. On the way you can also see Goshala where the cows are maintained.
There is a arch that welcomes us which indicates that we are in Mantralayam. This is very small area and it is crowded as usual. You can see lot of private lodges there which are very near and close to the temples. We never made any reservation in the hotels. Since we went in Feb which was a off season, we were able to get the hotels right away. You can also find AC hotels where they charge Rs 1000 / day ( in 2011 ). We stayed in the hotel just outside the temple.
If you plan to perform any seva, please make sure to visit the office to get the Seva receipt. All donations are also made in the office which are open most of the time. Office is situated just outside the temple it is on a newly renovated building after the 2009 floods. Most the roads and buildings around the temple are renovated after the floods.
Also if you prayed to do a seva, please make sure to purchase the cocunut which is full ( it should similar to the one that we use in marriages, only the outer hard layer has to be removed , rest should be as it is ) and also a plastic cup to have a water for Seva.
As always, whenever you enter Brindavana , visit to Manchallamma temple. This is mandatory and follow the same. Once you enter brindavana you have 3 different ways. One is regular queue which will be slightly far away from Guru's brindavana. In this queue, you can go with pant and shirt. Other one is vip entrance which is little close to Brindavana. There is no charge to it, however if you have bought recipts to perform Seva you can get in this queue. Other one is the main entrance though which we can just go as much close as we can to Guru's brindavana. I had a privilage to get an entry through this and I was asked to perform Aarthi to Guru Baghavan Raghavendra Swamy which is once a life time event for a common man like me. I stayed there for 10 - 15 mins. I have not by hearted Guru Stotra , however if I hear the audio version, I can recite it back. Luckily for me there was another devotee who came through this entrance and he was reciting Guru stotra
loudly which I was able to hear and I recited it back. It was a true miracle which I never imagined.
In the temple you can get Parimala Prasadam for Rs 20. Other holy places that needs to be visited or Panchamuki temple where Guru stayed for 12 years and then Bichali where Guru stayed with Appanacharya. To go to these places we need to cross river Tungabadra. When I went, there was not much water but there were parisals which helped us to cross the river. They charged Rs 40 / per person for a round trip.
On the other side of the river, there were autos who were waiting for a drop and pick-up. Again they were very expensive and we cannot blame them because there were no proper roads and the way was a mud road with ups and down. For old people it will be a difficult travel. Again if you prefer to have a private trip with your family members for both Panchamuki and Bichali they charged Rs 800.
There is also a perumal temple close to Mantralaya. The idol in this temple was installed by Guru. I just visited the temple from outside and did not get into the temple. Planning to do it in my next visit.
If you just visted Mantralaya you can return back next day. If you visiting Mantralaya to seva, then you may need to stay there for 3 days to complete the seva. You can return back to Chennai through same Bombay mail which comes around 3 PM in the evening to Mantralayam Rail Road. You will reach chennai next day by 5 AM in the morning.
Hope these information are helpful and do plan to visit Mantralayam to get the blessings of Guru Baghavan Sri Raghavendra Swami.
[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]
