Now
read why Agra puja is offered to Manchalamma. It began thus His Holiness was on
his tours. This time in Andhra Pradesh, and particularly in the present Adoni
district. Learning the visit of his master, Venkanna, the Divan, the erstwhile
poor lad who gave Biksha to Swamiji, despite grinding poverty, arranged a grand
reception. It was a gala affair, when the whole town participated in it with
utmost fervour. Venkanna in all sincerity invited the Nawab also to join them.
The sceptical Nawab accepted but decided to put to test Swamiji's super human
powers. After offering prayers to Sri Mula Rama, His Holiness was about to offer
Naivedya to the deities. Just then a tray sent by Nawab reached him. The Swamiji
scenting some irreverence of the Nawab, sprinkling holy water on the tray asked
the servants to remove the cloth covering it.
And
lo! the pieces of meat turned at once into fragrant flowers and sparkling fresh
fruits. The Nawab bent his head. And at once, he decided to gift away a village
to Swamiji. He asked his Divan to communicate this to Swamiji. Pleased with his
religious tolerance and charitable disposition, he opted for the village of
Manchala on the banks of the holy river Tungabhadra. Though it was gifted away
already to a Muslim Fakir, the Nawab made an endowment of the same to Swamiji,
giving another village to the Fakir. When Venkanna solicited Swamiji for
enlightenment of his choice, he said that it was on the holy land alone Prahlad
did yagna in the Kritayuga, and also Sri Rama passed through that spot in his
search for Sita in the Tretayuga. Delighted Diwan, at once made arrangements for
his permanent settlement. Swamiji discerned with the inner eye that the sanctity
of this place was duly maintained by mother Manchala, the guardian deity of this
region. And if she were to be given Agrapuja, troubles would never dare to rise
their heads in future. So, he ordained that Agrapuja to be offered to her. The
visitors are implementing his adesh with utmost veneration since then.
Location
: The temple lies in Mantralaya, accessible by four wheelers from Adoni, A.P.
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