An early pickup from home and about 370 km north on NH44 through Penukonda, Anantapur and Adoni, reaching Mantralayam by lunch. In the afternoon cross the river to the Panchamukhi Anjaneya cave temple, then take a dip at the Tungabhadra ghat, visit Manchalamma and have darshan at the Brindavana of Sri Raghavendra Swamy before the evening Rathotsava.
- 5:00 AM
Pickup from your home
Your driver calls you 30 minutes before. We leave early so you reach Mantralayam by lunch and have a calm afternoon.
- 2 h 44 min · 144 km
- 7:45 AM
Breakfast in Penukonda
Idli, vada, upma or pesarattu with coffee at a highway tiffin place. Pay as you eat.
- 4 h 41 min · 228 km
- 1:00 PM
Lunch in Mantralayam
The mutt serves free prasada lunch to devotees in the afternoon, or eat at a vegetarian hotel on Main Road. Your driver drops your bags at the hotel first so you can freshen up and rest. Mantralayam is a strictly vegetarian town.
- 32 min · 19 km
- 3:15 PM1
Panchamukhi Anjaneya temple
1 h hereA small cave temple on a rocky hill across the Tungabhadra, about 20 km from Mantralayam in Karnataka. Tradition says Sri Raghavendra Swamy meditated here and saw Hanuman in his five faced form. Expect some rock cut steps up to the shrine. Free darshan. Approx hours 6 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 8 PM.
- 35 min · 20 km
- 4:45 PM2
Tungabhadra ghat and Manchalamma temple
45 min hereMany pilgrims take a dip at the river ghat behind the mutt, then visit Manchalamma, the village goddess, before going to Rayaru, as tradition asks. The river can be shallow and rocky in the dry months and fast after rain: stay near the steps and keep children close.
- 5:30 PM3
Darshan at the Brindavana of Sri Raghavendra Swamy
45 min hereFree darshan. Dress code: men in dhoti with an angavastra, shirt off inside; women in saree or churidar with dupatta. No jeans, shorts or T-shirts. Leave phones and footwear with the driver or at the counters. Approx hours 6 AM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM, which change on festival days.
- 6:30 PM4
Evening Rathotsava at the mutt
1 h hereAround 6:30 PM the utsava idol is taken around the prakara on a chariot, with nadaswaram and chanting. Watching is free. Sevas are not performed on Ekadasi, eclipse days and Sri Krishna Janmashtami, so check the date. You can book sevas yourself on srsmatha.org or at the seva counter.
- 7:45 PM
Check in at your hotel
Dinner at the mutt or a vegetarian hotel nearby, your choice. Sleep early for the morning pooja.
