Raghavendra Swamy Mutt

RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY MUTT AT BICHALE

INTRODUCTION

There is a Raghavendra Swamy Mutt at Bichale, which is located a few kilometres away from Mantralayam, and it is a sacred place for the devotees of Guru Raghavendra Swamy, since Guru Raghavendra lived in this holy place for a few years along with his main disciple Appanacharya, and he also wrote some holy texts at this place.  In this place, Appanacharya also used to teach Vedic texts to his disciples.

After Guru Raghavendra Swamy had attained Samadhi at Mantralaya, his disciple Appanacharya found it difficult to regularly visit Mantralayam from Bichale. Hence Guru Raghavendra appeared in his dream, and asked him to construct a simple Brindavan for him at Bichale. Due to that, with the help of his disciples and the devotees of Guru Raghavendra, Appanacharya had established the Raghavendra Brindavana at Bichale. This mutt is surrounded by the holy mother Tungabhadra River and it is covered with full of holy trees.

We can also see Appanacharya’s house at Bichale, which looks in a slightly dilapidated state. In this house, we can find the idol of Lord Anjaneya and the idols of Serpent Gods. In this house, Appanacharya used to prepare chutney from the grinding stone and would serve along with some tiffin items to Guru Raghavendra.

Lot of devotees who visit Mantralaya would also visit Bichale Raghavendra Mutt, especially during the time of Aradhana of Guru Raghavendra. Since this is a small village, at present, there are no lodging facilities available at this place. It is suggested for the devotees to stay at Mantralayam in comfortable lodges.

Devotees can use the facility of autos to visit Bichale from Mantralaya, and it is preferable to visit this holy mutt during winter season, since during that period, chill weather would prevail at this place. It is also suggested to the devotees to visit Panchamukhi Anjaneya temple, Sri Venkataramana temple along with Bichale Mutt.
“OM”

WRITTEN BY

R.HARISHANKAR