Mantralayam is a pilgrim village located in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It lies on the banks of the river Tungabhadra on the borders, with the neighbouring state of Karnataka. The village is famous for the holy presence of the Vrindavana or the sacred burial of Guru Sri Raghavendra Swamy.

Thousands of devotees visit the village and offer their prayers to the Guru, even to this day. Guru Raghavendra Swamy is a Madhwa saint, and ardent follower of Sri Madhwacharya.It is believed that Raghavendra Swamy continues to be there in spirit, in the holy Vrindavana and will continue to do so for 700 years.

Mantralayam is not just a holy place, or a pilgrimage centre. For his devotees, the place is the landmark destination of all things good and great. The saint’s presence in spirit is felt even to this day and he remains alive through his teachings and wisdom. It is believed that ardent and selfless devotees stepped into larger dimensions of life and achieve the unbelievable on worshipping here.

The Moola Vrindavana or the Samadhi Temple, is the exact place inside the temple premises where the renowned saint attained Jeeva Samadhi in 1671. Several rituals are practised with great devotion even today including the famous Aradhanotsavam, which happens every year. Several rituals and practises are followed by devotees here including – bathing at the river and offering prayers through circling the temple, walking foot-on-foot, parading on the floor and so on.

This place is also popularly known as Sri Raghavendra Matha or Rayara Matha, and is considered as one of the three premier, Dvaita Vedanta monasteries in the Hindu traditions. This Matha along with the Uttaradi Matha and Vyasaraja Matha, is one of the three apostolic institutions in the Dvaita traditions.

Since Guru Raghavendra Swamy’s times, Mantralayam is the symbolic and established place for saints, seers and pontiffs of the Madhwa and Vaishnava traditions. This place contains all the holy teachings, beliefs and practices of the great Saint. To this day, the holy place upholds all practices and principles of the Saint, including charity, and working towards creation an uplifted society, a society that treats all beings equally – with justice, love and benevolence.