On the banks of the Tungabhadra

My parents, adventurous and devout, decided to take my brother and me on a trip to a remote destination.

So we set off, to unknown Mantralaya. I was worried if we would get a decent place to stay and be able to have hygienic food to eat. I wondered if it would be hostile, remote and deserted.

After an over-night journey, we reached Mantralaya, which is in Andhra Pradesh. This is the place where the saint, Raghavendra lived. We had transportation to where we would be staying. My fears vanished when I saw the well furnished and absolutely clean guest house.

Mantralaya being a pilgrim centre is fairly well developed. The temple is more like a math and houses the temple dedicated to the saint. We were taken around by a staff member of the temple and then escorted to the river. Mantralaya is on the banks of the majestic Tungabadra. One look at the river and we decided we would take a holy dip the next morning.

We woke up early the next day, which dawned clear and bright. We walked to the river and the water was calm.

I stepped in, my feet treading the cool pebbles. After changing we headed for the math to eat. But, the food was extremely spicy and my taste buds could not bear it. At 2 p.m. we headed for the Panchmukhi temple, situated in Karnataka. What fascinated me most was the way it had been formed. It is on rocks piled one on top of the other.

We were in a hurry as our train was to leave at 3-30 p.m..

MANISHA, VIII E

CHETTINAD VIDYASHRAM, Chennai

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