Key Information at a Glance
| Place | Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha, Mantralayam (Mantralaya), Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh |
| Anna prasadam (annadanam) | Free for devotees; typically served about 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (confirm with the Matha) |
| What it costs to eat | Nothing — annadanam is offered free |
| Official donation/sponsorship | Online via srsmatha.org under “Annadhana”; amounts are set by the Matha |
| Official website | srsmatha.org (the only official site; beware lookalike domains) |
| Nearest railway station | Mantralayam Road (Manthralayam Road), about 15 km away |
About Mantralayam and Annadanam
Mantralayam, on the banks of the Tungabhadra in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district near the Karnataka boundary, is home to the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha. It is one of the most visited Madhwa pilgrimage centres in South India, built around the Brindavana (the sacred resting place) of Sri Raghavendra Swamy. Pilgrims arrive every day of the year, and the numbers swell sharply during the annual Aradhana festival.
Annadanam — the offering of free, sanctified food — is a long-standing part of life at the Matha. Feeding pilgrims is treated as a form of seva (service) and devotion. The food is offered as prasadam after being presented to the deity, so devotees receive it as a blessing rather than as a paid meal. Anyone visiting for darshan can take part, regardless of how long they stay or what sevas they have booked.
Annadanam Timings and What Is Served
The main anna prasadam is generally served in the afternoon, commonly in the window of about 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. These timings are indicative and can shift on Thursdays, during the Aradhana festival, and on other special days when crowds are heavy. Please confirm the exact serving time with the Matha before you plan your visit, especially if you are travelling a long distance.
A typical annadanam meal is simple, sattvic South Indian fare — rice with sambar or rasam, a vegetable preparation, and other items that vary by day. It is vegetarian and prepared in the Matha’s kitchens. The exact menu is decided by the Matha and is not fixed in advance. To take prasadam, join the queue at the dining hall during serving hours; there is no ticket or fee to eat.
How to Donate or Sponsor Annadanam Officially
If you wish to support the feeding of pilgrims, the Matha accepts annadanam contributions through its official channels only. On the official website srsmatha.org, donations are organised into categories, and one of them is Annadhana (the food endowment). Devotees can also opt for a single-day full annadana sponsorship, sometimes referred to as Dinaika Sampoorna Annadana Seva, where a contribution funds the day’s prasadam.
Contribution amounts for sevas and annadana are set by the Matha and can change, so check the current figures on the official portal at the time of booking. The Matha has publicly warned that srsmatha.org is its only official website and that lookalike domains are fraudulent. To stay safe, donate or book sevas only through srsmatha.org and never share payment details on unofficial sites. As an information guide, Sri Vyasa Pooja does not collect donations, take payments, or process any seva on the Matha’s behalf.
Darshan and Aradhana
Daily worship at the Matha follows a set sequence. Morning rituals such as the Panchamrutha Abhisheka and Padapooja begin in the early morning (around 7:00 AM onwards), followed by other sevas through the day, with evening rituals concluding by night. The Brindavana darshan and seva schedule can vary on festival days, so it is best to verify the day’s timings on the official website.
The most important occasion is the annual Aradhana of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, observed over three days. During Aradhana and on Thursdays, both crowds and the scale of annadanam increase considerably. If you plan to visit at these times, allow extra time and confirm darshan, seva, and prasadam timings in advance.
Location and How to Reach
Mantralayam sits close to the Andhra Pradesh–Karnataka boundary. The nearest railway station is Mantralayam Road (also spelled Manthralayam Road), roughly 15 km from the Matha, with road transport and shared autos available to cover the last stretch. The station lies on the line connecting major cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Guntakal, making rail a convenient option.
By road, Mantralayam is reachable from Kurnool, Raichur, and other nearby towns by bus and taxi. The nearest larger airports are at Hyderabad and Hubballi; from either, you would continue by train or road. Accommodation, including Matha guesthouses, can be booked in advance through srsmatha.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is annadanam free at Mantralayam?
Yes. Anna prasadam is offered free to devotees at the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha in Mantralayam. There is no ticket or charge to eat. Donations towards annadanam are voluntary and separate.
What are the annadanam timings?
Anna prasadam is generally served in the afternoon, commonly between about 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Timings are indicative and may change on Thursdays, festival days, and during Aradhana, so confirm with the Matha before visiting.
How can I sponsor or donate annadanam?
You can sponsor annadanam through the Matha’s official website, srsmatha.org, under the Annadhana donation category. A single-day full annadana option is also offered. Amounts are set by the Matha and may change, so check the current figures on the official portal.
What is the official website for Mantralayam Matha?
The only official website is srsmatha.org. The Matha has warned that similar-looking domains are fraudulent, so book sevas, rooms, and donations only through srsmatha.org and avoid sharing payment details elsewhere.
