“Manthani” is located on the right bank of ‘Dakshina Ganga’ river Godavari. This Jeeva Nadi (ever flowing river), originating from Tryambakeshwar (Near Nasik, Maharashtra) touches several places in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh on its total course of 1,500+ KM. Though “Manthani” is not that prominent, Kaleshwaram, Bhadrachalam, Kunavaram, Rajahmundry, etc. are on the banks of this very sacred river .
The Village stands good for its name “Mantrakoota Sahasra Linga Sthanam” as there are ‘Sahasra’ (Thousand, literally ‘innumerable’) Shiva Lingams scattered all over the village and as well as on the banks of river Godavari.
One among such shiva lingams is the “Surabhandeswara Lingam” right in the riverbed of Godavari. There is one “Koti Lingala Dibba” island in river Godavari, which homes innumerable Shiva Lingams. On this very Koti Lingala Dibba, there lie two sculptures one featuring 22 Shiva Lingams and other featuring 22 Nandis carved on one stone each.
