Good to know there are many Guru Rayara Bhakthas in our forum.
I was lucky to know Guru Raghavendra swamy at the age of 18 while I was doing my Engg at Davangere and a well wisher put a small steel chain with Rayara Image in my neck at that time and the same remained in my neck for 52 yrs, of course I changed the thread few times. It broke last year after 52 yrs and I bought a small silver coin of Guru with a hook from Mutt in Mangalore, of course kept the old one carefully in my pouch.
I did visit Mutt regularly for almost 53 yrs and even now , of course now a days only on Thursdays in Mangalore. During my professional career from 1980 - 1985 whenever I used to visit AP on official work I used to take a day off and used to go to Mantralaya, of course most of the time from Kurnool to Mantralaya by crossing the river in a Harigol( Round Boat). Those days there is used to be no big rush to Mantaralaya, just like Shirdi which I visited many times from 1978 to 1985. When we visited Shirdi in 2008 after many years, I was shocked to observe the big rush and long queue at Shirdi. Same may be situation now at Mantralaya !!!!!
When we lived in Pune, we used to visit Mutt on Laxmi Road ( about 20-25 minutes drive from home); in Mumbai at Jogeshawari, which is located in a muslim locality slum area. But surprising the Mutt used to remain as a peaceful place during any violence. Of course in Mumbai, I used to drive from Andheri to Jogherwari.
Now a days it is just 10 minutes drive for me from my home to Mutt in Mangalore.
Wishing all YOUNG Rayara Bhakthas a pleasant trip to Mantralaya..