Mantralaya, the place where Moola Brindavana of Sri Raghavendra Tiirtha exists, mostly known as Rayaru, Sri Raghavedra Swamy, entered Brindavana alive in the year 1671 A.D here on the banks of River Tunga. The only other known to do this is Sri VadiRaja tiirtha in the year 1600 A.D
The following is a brief description and history of the place-
Mantralaya, Previously known as Manchali, is in Adhoni district , AndraPradesh. History goes that in this place Sri Rama spent time here resting when he started his search for Sita. During the 16th Century, most of what is today's AndraPradesh was ruled by Muslim Rulers. When Sri Raghavedra tiirtha visited Venkanna who was the Minister to Muslim Ruler MasudhUlla Khan, the village Manchali was given as gift to Sri Raghavendra tiirtha. This land is barren long since, but Sri Raghavendra tiirtha refused to take any other land as gift except this. The reason behind was, in his previous incranation as Prahalada, did numerous Yagnas and Yagas here.
Manchali, a small village where access was difficult in those days until the later half of the 20th Century A.D, is a dry and hot place. A small temple for the GramaDevathE Manchalamma, existed in those days and can be found next to MuttA. People have the Dharashana of Manchalamma and proceed to see the Rayaru Brindavana. Today, many buses from major cities like Bangalore, Hyderbad etc., make this place easier access, in addition to the Train facility which makes a brief stop at Mantralaya Station about 10 Miles from the Mutta.
Devotees visit here year round and it gets really busy during the days of AradhanEm (The day Sri Raghavendra Tiirtha entered the Brindavana alive), Devotees take a bath in the holy river TungaBadhra and proceed for the Dharashana and Seva, people from all walks of life receive blessings from Guru Raghavendra swamy. After Seva, every day devotees are given Teertha(Holy water) and prasada. Right next to the Moola brindavana is another brindavana of Sri Vadiindra tiirtha who is the great-grandson of venkataNatha (Sri Raghvendra swamy's name before taking Sanyasa Ashrama).
A detailed history is given below in Kannada --
Mantralaya-
