Ganadhala, a small town, en route to Mantralaya, is home to the famous Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy Temple. Built on a small hillock, it is one of the important places where Guru Raghavendra undertook meditation in a cave atop the hillock for twelve years.
The legend goes that Lord Anjaneya pleased with the saint's devotion, appeared before him in the form of Panchamukhi (five faces), bearing the faces of Varaha, Garuda, Anjaneya, Hayagreeva and Narasimha.
It is also said that in addition to Anjaneya, the saint also had a vision of Lakshmi, Kurmavatara and Venkateshwara during his stay here. A temple constructed in the God's honour attracts many devotees even today.
Humble saint
The Temple is simple in construction and can easily be reached by steps that lead all the way up. Climbing up, one can notice two large sized foot prints at the entrance that are said to be those of the Guru.
The interiors of the Temple are modest with a few modern additions done to the cave where the Guru meditated.
Although no idol exists, the priest explained the legend behind the place and pointed out to the rock in the cave where the five faces of the Lord are said to have appeared. To mark the spots of other deities, Lakshmi, Venkateshwara, and Kurmavatara, small idols have been placed and are worshipped.
One gets to see several rock formations with one resembling the mythological vehicle, vimana and other bearing a striking resemblance to a bed and a pillow, believed to have been used by Hanuman.
Bichali or Bhikshala, as it was known earlier, was home to Appannacharya, one of the greatest disciples of the Guru. Residing on the banks of the Tungabhadra along with his family and disciples, this ardent devotee of the Guru impressed upon the saint so much that the Guru decided to accept his hospitality and stayed in this place for a long time.
During his stay, all of Appannacharya's disciples would roam the nearby villages seeking bhiksha (alms) in the form of rice and other ingredients which would then be cooked and shared together.
The region thus got its name from this which later became Bichali. While there is no shrine as such, the Ekashila Brundavana installed to commemorate the Guru's stay by Appannacharya is worshipped and maintained by his descendants to this day.
In addition to this, idols of Narasimha, Suryanarayana, Anjaneya and Nagarakatte are also worshipped. The spot used by the Guru for meditation and the grinding stone used for his food preparation are also marked for the devotees to see.
Being slightly afar from human habitation, the place is serene and has an all pervading calm. Looking at it, one can easily discern as to why it was chosen. The tranquility of the place, occasionally interspersed by the murmur of the Tungabhadra river flowing nearby, makes it a perfect place.
Ganadhala and Bichali are about 25 km from Mantralaya. Gillesugur junction is the common point. NEKRTC buses that ply between Raichur and Mantralaya with regular frequency can be used to reach Gillesugur junction from where autos can be hired to Ganadhala and Bichali.
The legend goes that Lord Anjaneya pleased with the saint's devotion, appeared before him in the form of Panchamukhi (five faces), bearing the faces of Varaha, Garuda, Anjaneya, Hayagreeva and Narasimha.
It is also said that in addition to Anjaneya, the saint also had a vision of Lakshmi, Kurmavatara and Venkateshwara during his stay here. A temple constructed in the God's honour attracts many devotees even today.
Humble saint
The Temple is simple in construction and can easily be reached by steps that lead all the way up. Climbing up, one can notice two large sized foot prints at the entrance that are said to be those of the Guru.
The interiors of the Temple are modest with a few modern additions done to the cave where the Guru meditated.
Although no idol exists, the priest explained the legend behind the place and pointed out to the rock in the cave where the five faces of the Lord are said to have appeared. To mark the spots of other deities, Lakshmi, Venkateshwara, and Kurmavatara, small idols have been placed and are worshipped.
One gets to see several rock formations with one resembling the mythological vehicle, vimana and other bearing a striking resemblance to a bed and a pillow, believed to have been used by Hanuman.
Bichali or Bhikshala, as it was known earlier, was home to Appannacharya, one of the greatest disciples of the Guru. Residing on the banks of the Tungabhadra along with his family and disciples, this ardent devotee of the Guru impressed upon the saint so much that the Guru decided to accept his hospitality and stayed in this place for a long time.
During his stay, all of Appannacharya's disciples would roam the nearby villages seeking bhiksha (alms) in the form of rice and other ingredients which would then be cooked and shared together.
The region thus got its name from this which later became Bichali. While there is no shrine as such, the Ekashila Brundavana installed to commemorate the Guru's stay by Appannacharya is worshipped and maintained by his descendants to this day.
In addition to this, idols of Narasimha, Suryanarayana, Anjaneya and Nagarakatte are also worshipped. The spot used by the Guru for meditation and the grinding stone used for his food preparation are also marked for the devotees to see.
Being slightly afar from human habitation, the place is serene and has an all pervading calm. Looking at it, one can easily discern as to why it was chosen. The tranquility of the place, occasionally interspersed by the murmur of the Tungabhadra river flowing nearby, makes it a perfect place.
Ganadhala and Bichali are about 25 km from Mantralaya. Gillesugur junction is the common point. NEKRTC buses that ply between Raichur and Mantralaya with regular frequency can be used to reach Gillesugur junction from where autos can be hired to Ganadhala and Bichali.