According to tradition, Sri Raghavendra Swami once blessed a young shepherd named Venkanna, who later astonished the Nawab of Adoni by reading a Persian royal message despite being illiterate. Impressed, the Nawab appointed him Dewan. Curious about Raghavendra Swami’s spiritual power, the Nawab tested him by presenting a covered plate containing meat. The saint calmly sprinkled sacred water over it, and when uncovered, it was said to have changed into fragrant flowers and fruits. Overcome with remorse, the Nawab offered wealth and land. Raghavendra Swami chose the barren village of Manchale, later known as Mantralayam, as his sacred abode.

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Tradition holds that Sri Raghavendra Swami selected the dry land of Manchale because he believed it had already been sanctified by Prahlada’s ancient worship. The site later became Mantralayam, where he entered Jeeva Samadhi in 1671 and where devotees continue to seek his blessings.