[Simha13]

We are planning to go to Mantralaya this weekend. How is the route via Anantpur-Gooty-Mantralaya? We will be driving two hatchbacks.

[gypsteem@gmail.]

I travelled from bangalore & returned to bangalore. Based on the reviews here I followed this route - bangalore - kurnool - kodumur - yemmiganur - mantralaya and returned in the same route. Thank you friends for the info here, it helped. Kodumur - yemmiganur stretch is damaged and it takes good time to cover it. Rest all is good. I presume the damage could be due to the recent cyclones. From bangalore I had to pass through kurnool city which is highly crowded. Could not figure out if there was any bypass for this. I drove on this road after almost 4 years. It was good to see many food joints between kurnool and bangalore, especially at ananthpur on the highway itself.

[DiMaGo]

Trip Date: 3-Feb-2022
Start Time [from Blore, Near Arekere]: 3 AM
Team: Me, Wife + 2 kids [1 kid of 8 years, another kid of 3 years]
Travel time to Mantralaya: 5 hours 50 minutes
Route: Via KH Road -> Bangalore Hyderabad NH 44 -> Turn left onto Chennekothapalli Road/ Hyderabad - Bangalore Gooty Village Limits -> Reach Gooty Pattikonda Adoni Road -> Turn Right onto Chinna Hulti - Billakal Road -> Turn right onto Kurnool Bellary Road -> Turn left onto Billekal Yemmiganur road -> Turn Right onto Adoni-Yemmiganur-Mantralaya Road -> Reach Mantralaya
Distance: 385 kms
Best Time to visit: July to Feb

We started to Mantralaya early in the morning, to beat city + highway traffic.
NH 44 is quite good overall, however, just before crossing Lepakshi, there are few un-marked dividers which we tend to miss and if the driver is not cautious, there is every chance that he will drive directly into the divider. Also, there are numerous 'rumble strip' markings on this highway and after few markings, we indeed come across them and in few cases they are simply NOT present. As a driver, I got confused quite a few times and slowed down to find out that the speed breakers were just not there! Just after taking deviation onto Gooty village from NH 44, I took a small bio-break and then almost immediately re-started the journey. Note that, the roads are virtually non-existent through Gooty village and since we would have driven on Highway before taking this deviation, it is advised to completely slow down and be very cautious of the road + villagers riding, driving recklessly. Once we crossed Gooty, we hit the Pattikonda Adoni Road, then proceeded to Kurnool-Bellary road. This stretch is quite fine too. Drive on this road, if travelled early, will be un-eventful. I then took deviation to Billekal Yemmiganur and proceeded to connect to Adoni-Yemmiganur-Mantralaya Road; again roads are newly laid out and good and drive will be un-eventful, if driven early in the morning.
Note that, if you want to stop for breakfast, any place on highway till Anantpur is a good option, since after that, options are limited. We did not stop for breakfast, since it was really early in the morning and we were NOT hungry. Also, there were no proper rest-rooms available, especially for ladies/small kids.
We reached Mantralaya at 8.50 AM, paid Rs. 50/- to Town Panchayat for vehicle [received receipt too]. Then proceeded to book a room at the Mantralaya Temple office situated just before the temple. Note that, you may book your rooms in advance by visiting the website [https://srsmatha.org/srsbook/srsbook_rooms.php]. It is advised to book atleast 4 days in advance. But, in some cases, booking online wont guarantee that you will be allotted a room with running hot water. Hence, I asked them to provide us with a room where hot water is available. While booking online, if there are ladies and small kids, it is advised to book an AC room [where there is running hot water]. Non AC room tariff is Rs. 500/- per day and that of AC rooms is 1350/-. They will charge double the amount and refund half the amount once we check-out. Though our room was spacious, toilets were not hygienic enough. Also, after my kids' bath, there was a power cut; I and Wife decided NOT to wait any further and make do with lukewarm water itself for our bath. Post bath, proceeded to Darshan at 11 AM.

Darshan:
People visiting Mantralaya, please ensure to First visit Goddess Manchalamma Temple and ONLY then proceed to visit Sri Raghavendra Rayaru. These days, due to various restrictions, entry inside Goddess Manchalamma temple will ONLY happen by entering from inside the Raghavendra Swamy temple [take right from main entrance after entering Rayara temple] via a small door. An Archak will usually 'control' the crowd and if he is 'pleased' he will let you in. Since I was with Wife and Kids, we were 'allowed' inside, were even made to perform 'Aarti' to Goddess Manchalamma. During exit, we need to 'Thank' the 'Archak' with some cash who let us inside the temple.

Seva to Raghavendra Swamy:
There is a Seva ticket counter with board prominently displayed. Visit here for list of Seva that can be perfomed on any day: https://srsmatha.org/lifetime-seva.php. Devotees need to note that, we need to be present BEFORE 7 AM if we wish to be present during the Seva. If it crosses 9 AM, though we can still take tickets, the Pooja will be conducted on the subsequent day in our name. However, Prasadam will be given on the same day [when we would have taken tickets for the Seva].
We took 2 Seva tickets and were proceeding to the queue when another 'Archak' spotted us and welcomed us to a 'Special Entry'. He was kind enough to even collect our Seva tickets and told us that by the time we are done with our darshan of Sri Anajaneya and Sri Rayaru, he will arrange us with Prasadam. In fact even before we were done with Darshan of Sri Anjaneya, he gave us the Prasadam. Note that we need to 'Thank' them with some 'Cash' for such acts. [More on this later]. I thought that since, we were having Seva Tickets, we were being allowed a special entry. It was only after my wife nudged me to 'Thank' the Archak by paying some cash that I realized why we were given 'special entry'. We proceeded towards Darshan of Sri Rayaru. It was a seamless darshan and I and family could even get to witness the 'Brindavan' for a good 10-15 seconds via this 'Special Entry'. We prayed and exited the Sanctum Sanctorum of Sri Rayaru and by that time, temple Bhojana Prasadam had started for which we proceeded to Annapurna Dining hall. Post lunch we returned to our room, took 1 hour rest [much needed for me], vacated the room, handed over the keys at the Mantralaya room booking office, collected half amount back and then started to 'Panchamukhi'.

Panchamukhi:
This place is around 20 kms from Mantralaya and it is believed that Sri Anjaneya gave His Blessings to Sri Rayaru at this place. Roads are quite ok apart from the last 2-3 kms. This place is quite small and there are numerous monkeys. Avoid carrying even a hat, small bags like Vanity bag or covers with Banana, Coconut, etc. The monkeys will simply snatch it from your hands. Also, be very wary of thieves/robbers at this place. It is best to quickly join the queue, complete the Darshan and start off ASAP from this place. We finished off the darshan in about 20 mins and headed back to vehicle at 3.45 PM.

Though Google maps showed us the way back via a different route, since the route I had taken in the morning was really good, I put the map back to Mantralaya and then via Adoni bypass via Gooty and ensured that I took the same route back to bangalore which I had taken in the morning. On the way back, I refueled at an IOCL pump at Gooty. I drove non-stop till the time we reached 'Sri Vaishnavi Grand' just before Chikkaballapur [this was a mistake, since food was average and rest rooms were Not Hygienic]. For people traveling with family, ensure you stop over to grab a quick bite and bio-break just before or just after Anantpur. 'Pure Veg' options post Anantpur is difficult. We re-started the journey post dinner and reached back home at 11.25 PM.

Other Points:
Like many religious places in India, Mantralaya has also been heavily commercialized, meaning, people [temple and non-temple staff] literally ask you for money at every stage. I was asked money for the Darshan of Goddess Manchalamma, Special entry to Sri Rayara Brindavana and even while vacating our room [cleaners, house keeping staff]. If you deny them, they will see you as stingy or some will even give you an earful. I have visited Mantralaya 2-3 times earlier and compared to those times, I could clearly see this difference and I am really disheartened by this fact. People visit holy places to relieve their hearts of sorrow, seek Divine intervention in their lives or even to pray and stay connected with religion/God. Devotees need to get a sense of Divinity, Sacredness and the staff at such holy places play a very important role in maintaining the overall sanctity of such places.

Popular Kannada actor Vijaya Raghavendra was also present in the temple during the same time when we started our darshan. People were flocking him for selfies with scant regard to Corona guidelines. We thought it best to 'leave him alone' and were satisfied with having a glimpse of him from far off. He seemed quite a 'nice guy', obliging each and every photo request from the people present there.

We were also witness to a Pravachan session from Sri Subudhendra Teertharu inside the temple premises itself. At the end of the Pravachanam, we even received His Blessings too!

Conclusion:
Overall, it was a 'hurried trip' since, we had to be back the same day owing to my daughter's school and my office work. We were grateful that our Darshan of Goddess Manchalamma, Sri Rayaru and Sri Anjaneya at Panchamukhi happened smoothly.
May Rayaru Bless us All.

[rajivtelang]

Originally Posted by gypsteem@gmail.

I travelled from bangalore & returned to bangalore. Based on the reviews here I followed this route - bangalore - kurnool - kodumur - yemmiganur - mantralaya and returned in the same route. Thank you friends for the info here, it helped. Kodumur - yemmiganur stretch is damaged and it takes good time to cover it. Rest all is good. I presume the damage could be due to the recent cyclones. From bangalore I had to pass through kurnool city which is highly crowded. Could not figure out if there was any bypass for this. I drove on this road after almost 4 years. It was good to see many food joints between kurnool and bangalore, especially at ananthpur on the highway itself.

Are there any RTPCR/ vaccination certificates check at border on either side?

[DiMaGo]

Originally Posted by rajivtelang

Are there any RTPCR/ vaccination certificates check at border on either side?

No. Though there was a checkpost, no one asked for RTPCR tests. We were even not asked to produce Vaccine certificates anywhere. This may due to the fact that we were travelling with Kids; but, even otherwise, I did not spot anybody asking for RTPCR test results or even Vaccine certificates for the rest of the crowd at Mantralaya.

[autospeaker]

Road conditions update:
Did a quick trip to Mantralaya over the weekend of 19th Feb 2022. Have been driving to Mantralaya for last 12 years or so. Never were the roads this worse. Road condition between Gooty to Aspari is pathetic. Literally non existent paths in few of the stretches near Jonnagiri and Tuggali-Looks like the craters formed due to some asteroid hits! Driving sedans and hatchbacks is a real torture
Local government does not seem to care for basic infrastructure. I pity the local citizens for their daily plight.

[rajivtelang]

Originally Posted by autospeaker

Road conditions update:
Did a quick trip to Mantralaya over the weekend of 19th Feb 2022. Have been driving to Mantralaya for last 12 years or so. Never were the roads this worse. Road condition between Gooty to Aspari is pathetic. Literally non existent paths in few of the stretches near Jonnagiri and Tuggali-Looks like the craters formed due to some asteroid hits! Driving sedans and hatchbacks is a real torture
Local government does not seem to care for basic infrastructure. I pity the local citizens for their daily plight.

Did anyone try the longer route of reaching Kurnool then back to Kodumur, Yemmiganur and then Mantralaya? I used to go until Laddagiri on NH7 and then take single lane route to Kodumur then to Yemmiganur until the Laddagiri villagers made me completely sick with sewage water ponds on road. I switched back to Gooty, Aspari, Adoni, Yemmiganur route after that. Now it seems this route is also broken. What's the best route now?

[Pradeep4pm]

Hi,
Planning to travel to Mantralayam this weekend in my compact sedan from Bangalore with family, Google maps shows an alternative route via Tumkur highway > Hiriyur > Challakere > Bellari > NH 167 via > Alur > Adoni > Mantralayam...
Reading about the condition of the popular route via Gooty, I am considering the NH 167 Via Bellari, any suggestions are greatly appreciated

[kiran_aithal]

Originally Posted by Pradeep4pm

Hi,
Planning to travel to Mantralayam this weekend in my compact sedan from Bangalore with family, Google maps shows an alternative route via Tumkur highway > Hiriyur > Challakere > Bellari > NH 167 via > Alur > Adoni > Mantralayam...
Reading about the condition of the popular route via Gooty, I am considering the NH 167 Via Bellari, any suggestions are greatly appreciated

Heard from a couple of friends that Bellari to Adoni road is not in good condition.
Not sure if it helps, during my last trip, fed up of all the routes that go inward of Gooty, went until Kurnool on HYD highway and then went via the lesser evil Kodumur - Yemmiganur route. Apart from the Kodumur - Yemmiganur stretch, the other roads were in good shape.

[Pradeep4pm]

Originally Posted by kiran_aithal

Heard from a couple of friends that Bellari to Adoni road is not in good condition.
Not sure if it helps, during my last trip, fed up of all the routes that go inward of Gooty, went until Kurnool on HYD highway and then went via the lesser evil Kodumur - Yemmiganur route. Apart from the Kodumur - Yemmiganur stretch, the other roads were in good shape.

Thank you very much this helps...summary is no need to experiment Bellari to Adoni and stick to most popular Gooty route, known devil is better...

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by Pradeep4pm

Tumkur highway > Hiriyur > Challakere > Bellari > NH 167 via > Alur > Adoni > Mantralayam

You can read DragonHawk's update in the previous page (Bangalore - Mantralayam : Route Queries).

I would say Kurnool bypass-Kodumur-Yemmiganur-Mantralyam is a much better option. Yes it is 50 km longer, but you get much wider roads for the most part (except Kodumur-Yemmiganur)

[Pradeep4pm]

Originally Posted by Pradeep4pm

Hi,
Planning to travel to Mantralayam this weekend in my compact sedan from Bangalore with family, Google maps shows an alternative route via Tumkur highway > Hiriyur > Challakere > Bellari > NH 167 via > Alur > Adoni > Mantralayam...
Reading about the condition of the popular route via Gooty, I am considering the NH 167 Via Bellari, any suggestions are greatly appreciated

Hi BHPians,

Just wanted to share my experience of my travel to Mantralayam on 12th & 13th March '22 from Bangalore.

Wheels : Volkswagen Ameo Petrol, comfortline,1.2ltrs 2016.

Started on 12th Mar Saturday morning at 4:45 from Gublala, Bangalore. Reached Mantralayam at 11:15. 6.5 hours journey in total.

Decided to take Bellari highway from Bangalore against my earlier decision of going via Hiriyur, Challakere after couple of BHPians advise...

One refueling break somewhere after airport. It was a wrong choice of petrol bunk, Bharat petroleum one, made us wait for almost 10-15 mins..

We had started early so my father wanted a tea break, didn't wait till Ananthapur, which was again a wrong decision, should have waited till we reached Ananthapur as you will get a lot of options for good breakfast, coffee and tea just before Ananthapur. We stopped much before Ananthapur at a place called vaishnavi dhaba 7:45AM to 8:05AM, they serve idlis and dosa but the place is full of house flies which makes it disgusting. Even the taste of food is very ordinary, try to avoid this place. In front of this dhaba there is a milk parlour who serves a very good hot tea and flavoured milks like badam, pista drinks 10/10 for him. My dad and mom had a good tea and badam milk break. My wife and I had a plate of underwhelming idlis while my son (7 years) chose not to eat or drink anything watching his Eega (Flies) friends all over...

Near Gooty take the deviation from NH to state roads, first timers keep the Google map turned on here as you shouldn't continue on NH.
Gooty town will consume a bit of your time, narrow and a busy road till you cross the town. Roads continue to be ok with some really bad patches of 1-2kms stretch till Pathikonda. Narrow road, not much traffic but you will be slow and careful. In this stretch you will be way laid by groups of women for money, never open the window or stop the car and try to talk. I stayed firm and kept honking till they allowed my car to go past. This will keep repeating every 5-10kms including some groups of eunuchs collecting money from 2 wheeler riders, trucks and buses.

From Pathikonda to Aspari raod condition is far better and it's a smooth drive. Usually Google map makes you take the route of Billekallu after Aspari, don't take this and go straight to Adoni. Before entering Adoni town, take right to Adoni bypass towards Yammiganur. Even the stretch from Adoni to Mantralayam via Yammiganur is in great shape and it's a very calm drive here. You will be happy to drive if you had taken this route with apprehension as in my case. Many had suggested to take Kurnool to Mantralayam route to avoid bad roads, but it is not required as except to the stretch between Gooty and Pathikonda most of the roads are new and good.

Reached Mantralayam at 11:15, we had prebooked rooms at Hotel Harekrishna (4.5 ish in make my trip) just behind the Udupi residency. It was very clean and maintained well. You will get the contact details with Google search. Staff are courteous and professional. Inside the room is really maintained well. Contact them directly, it's much economical than through make my trip...

For 3+ star kind of hotel experience, you can opt for Hotel Adobe which is at the Mantralayam entrace to your left. It is little expensive compared to other hotels but rating was not great (3.5 ish) in make my trip. This has a better parking for car and a neatly maintained ambience.

Darshan and seva for all day. Good food at Mutt (afternoon and night)🙏🙏

Next day morning Sunday, 13th March '23.
Breakfast at Mami Mess, very neatly maintained place by Mami and you will get very good breakfast combo (idli, Vada, pingal, poori). Homely taste and a courteous host in Mami. 5 star for this place..

Visited Panchamukhi Anjaneya, 30-40 mins drive from Mantralayam. A quick darshan and started return journey.

I chose to take the route back to Mantralayam and same route to Bangalore which I had taken on Saturday instead of trying a new route to Adoni or Gooty from Panchamukhi Anjaneya. Didn't want to test as the route on Saturday was lot better and manageable except for a stretch between Gooty and Pathikonda.

Tea break at Hotel Adobe, Mantralayam before starting the journey to Bangalore. Started at 11:45. Lunch break at Triveni Club, Ananthapur, very good option for pure Veg.

Blue moon hotel immediately after Gooty on NH is a very good option for non-veg.

Went to Lepakshi for a short 1 hour. From NH to Lapakshi, road is just like a race track. Don't get carried away and drive fast, it's a 2 way road with vehicles approaching at higher speeds from opposite direction. Be careful and drive safe.

Reached Bangalore by 8/8:30 with lots of blessings from Guru Raghavendra Swamy🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Hope this helps fellow BHPians..

[SmartCat]

Gents, between Nandi Upachar and Gooty, what restaurant options are available? Somewhat clean (need not smell like roses) washrooms are a must.

[W@SIM]

Originally Posted by SmartCat

Gents, between Nandi Upachar and Gooty, what restaurant options are available? Somewhat clean (need not smell like roses) washrooms are a must.

Hotel Blue moon just before Gooty

[rajivtelang]

Planning to visit Mantralaya in second week of June. One query on booking srs matha rooms online. Earlier there was a choice of selecting the vasathigruha but not anymore. Issue is we will be 7 people and 4 of them are quite elderly. We need 2 or 3 rooms and if they are split across different vasathigruhas there will be a small problem. Has anybody tried booking online recently with successful reservation of rooms in same vasathigruha?

Originally Posted by rajivtelang

Planning to visit Mantralaya in second week of June. One query on booking srs matha rooms online. Earlier there was a choice of selecting the vasathigruha but not anymore. Issue is we will be 7 people and 4 of them are quite elderly. We need 2 or 3 rooms and if they are split across different vasathigruhas there will be a small problem. Has anybody tried booking online recently with successful reservation of rooms in same vasathigruha?

I got it. I need to select the dates and then the choice of vasathigruha is available. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Pradeep4pm

Gooty town will consume a bit of your time, narrow and a busy road till you cross the town. Roads continue to be ok with some really bad patches of 1-2kms stretch till Pathikonda. Narrow road, not much traffic but you will be slow and careful. In this stretch you will be way laid by groups of women for money, never open the window or stop the car and try to talk. I stayed firm and kept honking till they allowed my car to go past. This will keep repeating every 5-10kms including some groups of eunuchs collecting money from 2 wheeler riders, trucks and buses.

How bad is this section? My ertiga will be fully loaded with 7 people and some luggage.