Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple in Raichur

Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple in Raichur

With the Raichur district being roughly around the 20+ kilometres away from the Mantralaya, to reach the Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple, one must pass through the Mantralaya village. The Mantralaya is famously known as the place where stone slabs were used for Brindavana, these stone slabs were carved and few included carvings and details within them as well. Even to this days while passing through the Mantralaya village, stone slabs that were left behind can still be seen by viewers.

While travelling from Madhavaram, to reach the Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple one must proceed till the famously known Tungabhadra River. Located close to Bichale, the Panchamukhi Anjaneya temple can be reached when one crosses over the river and gets into the heart Raichur district.

Located just about 18 kilometres from Bichale, the Panchamukhi Temple is located within an area called “Gandhal”. Gandhal is present at the South most area in Raichur and is roughly a journey of 31 kilometres.

The Pachmukhi Anjaneya Temple is placed over a hilly area, and is said to be associated with one of the most renowned saints in India – Ragavendra Swamy. Ragavendra Swamy was also a profound philosopher, and was considered to be a person who carried out miracles during his lifetime. Having quite a few temples named after him and having been mentoring many people and saints, Ragavendran Swamy was considered to be a divine intellect.

History behind temple's name

It was during his stay at Manchale that Ragavendran Swamy would regularly visit all the holy places present around his locality. It was then these two villages – Bichale and Gandhal, that he visited on a frequent basis. It is said that the cave present in Gandhal was one of the most frequently visited places by Ragavendran and that he would meditate there for hour’s and even days together.

The cravings on the rocks within the caves and a few in the temple were said to be done by Ragavendran Swamy himself. It is believed that upon one of his meditation, Ragavendran was Hanuman with five faces, the faces were that of Hanuman, Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda and Varaha. Hence that lead to name Panchamukhi which he then carved on the rock. The name of the temple was then taken from that event and the temple was then named as “Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple”

With over fifty steps leading to the cave, and a narrow passage leading to the sanctum, the surroundings are a masterpiece to observe. The rocking carvings and display of nature in its purest form is a sight for all to see.

Timings for visiting the Temple

Unlike other tourist’s spots and historical places in Raichur, the Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple is a more closed area. Hence it is open only during a certain time frame in a day, and during this time Darshans (ceremonies) do actually take place as the temple is still being used by many pandits and people of the nearby villages.

The timings the temple is open is between 5 -30 am to 1 pm, and it then opens again at around the evening time and finally closes by 8pm.

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