23 Nov 2011

Pilgrimage with Swami Vishwananda - 6th part

Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy


The next stop of the tour with Swami Vishwananda was at Mantralayam, a city on the banks of the river Tungabhadra on the way back to Hyderabad. 
Mantralyam is a Hindu religious place where the Moola Brindavanam of Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy is located.
Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, (1601-1671), was an influential saint in Hinduism. He advocated Vaishnavism (i.e. worship of Vishnu as the supreme God) and Dvaita philosophy advocated by Sri Madhavacharya.
It is believed that Guru Raghavendra Swamy is in the Vrindavana for the past 339 years and will remain there in Jiva-Samadhi for another 361 years. While entering the Vrindavana, Guru Raghavendra Swamy stated that he would be there (in the Vrindavana) for 700 years.
He is considered to be a reincarnation of Lord Rama and Sri Krishna. Shri Raghavendra Swamy is said to have performed many miracles during his lifetime and is believed to continue to bless his devotees to this day and will continue to do so.
His devotees sing this Stotra every day.