Bichali or Bichchali is a hamlet located on the banks of River Tungabadra in Raichur District. The entire Temple premises is located 6 to 8 feet below the ground level and any Devotee has to go down these steps.  None of the Sub Shrines including the main Shrine of Shri Ragavendra Swami does  have a roofing and most of the Sub Shrines are within iron grilled enclosures.  The first Sub Shrine is one where Lord Ganapathy is seen with a Naga Devatha which are kept under a huge Tree.  Close to it is the Nagalogam where several step like structure have been built and 108 Serpant images are neatly etched in tandem. Next to it are a few black Idols or Vigrahams of Lord Surya Bhagwan along with His Consorts Usha and Prathyusha.  Lord Lakshmi Ugra Narasimha Swamy is found in another Sub Shrine and there are few Naga Devatha Idols kept separately.  There is a Shiva Lingam and facing it is a Nandhi Bhagwan and a Divine feet.  The Main Shrine which many refer as a Bridavana has a stoned structure of Sri Ragavendra Swamy.  Just outside the Main Shrine are Idols of Rahu,  Kethu and Anjaneya Swami.  The Story behind this Temple is that Ragavendra Swamy entered Brudavana in Mantralayam in 1671 and this happened in the absence of His disciple Appanacharya.  After this incident Appanancharya made it a point to swim across River Thungabadra despite its strong current and visited the Mantralaya Brindavan almost daily.  Appanacharya was too close to Ragavendra Swamy since they happened to spend several years together in Bichchali. It is believed that Ragavendra Swamy had come in the dream of Appanancharya and instructed to build a Brindavana in Bichale in the place where they both had sat together for several years.  Hence Appanacharya took several pain and effort in building this Brindavana of Ragavendra Swamy in Bichale.  This is the one and only Ekashila Brindavana built out of a single monolith stone.  The premises has a coloured Idol of Sri Ragavendra Swamy tutoring Mantras to Appanacharya.  Close to it is the grinding stone that was used in those days by them.  In recent times a new Sri Bichalamma Temple has sprung up and there is a Welcome Arch with a few steps and Devotees could Pray and seek the Blessings of Sri Bichalamma.  Two Purohits found here keep explaining the story behind the Temple to the Devotees visiting here.  These Purohits do accept Cash / Cheque as Donation and issue receipts to that effect.  The Temple has a Temple Kitchen or a Madapalli of its own and Annadhanam is done to Devotees visiting here.  There is a ample space for the Devotees to sit and eat Annadhanam.  There is a Ghoshala where they maintain a few cattles.  There are a few shops to cater to the needs of the Devotees.  Around 15 cars could be parked in the parking area and opposite to it they have earmarking a parking space for commercial vehicles like autos, tempo travellers etc.  Since Ragavendra Swamy was close to Bichale and Panchamuki, Devotees visiting Mantralayam do make a visit to Bichali and Panchamuki too. But in recent days Alkur and Chinna Thumbalam have been added to this list.  Therefore Devotees thronging Mantralayam make it a point to visit Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple in Chinna Thumbalam and also Mallikarjuna Swamy & 12 Jyothirlinga Temple in Alkur.  A visit to all these places cited above could bring in a huge change in the life and living of any Devotee.

Contact Details: 098858 53864, 099481 22829 and 08532 - 204108

Temple Timing: 7 AM to 6 PM

Distance from Mantralayam to Bichali is 21 Kms

Distance from Raichur to Bichale is 36 Kms

Distance from Kurnool to Bichali is 101 Kms

Distance from Mahanandhi to Bichali is 195 Kms

Distance from Raichur to Bichali is 36 Kms

Distance from Bellary to Bichali is 126 Kms

Distance from Nandyal to Bichali is 181 Kms

Distance from Alkur to Bichali is 15 Kms

Distance from Chinnathumbalam to Bichali is 34 Kms

Distance from Peddathumbalam to Bichali is 37 Kms

Distance from Urukunda to Bichali is 42 Kms

Distance from Panchamukhi to Bichali is 13 Kms

Distance from Adoni to Bichali is 55 Kms

Distance from Hampi to Bichali is 160 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Bichali is 575 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Raichur R.S.

For any Suggesions in the Website: T.Ragavachari  98411 40126