The Moola Rama murtis (idols or vigraham) worshipped at the Mantralayam
Raghavendra Swamy Mutt has an ancient history and great divinity about them.
The murtis were worshipped by various gods and goddesses throughout various
yugas. The holiness and greatness of the murtis are found in the Adhyatma
Ramayana, Markandeya Purana and Ramayana.
It is believed that the murtis were made on the order of
Brahma by Vishwakarma, the divine architect. The murtis were handed over to
Jabala Rishi by Brahma for the benefit of living beings in the universe.
The murtis were worshipped by Shiva and Goddess Parvati and
it then reached the Satya Yuga.
Sage Vivaswan through penance got these murits. From him the
murtis passed on to various rishis and kings on earth. The murtis finally
reached the hands of Dasaratha, king of Ayodhya and father of Bhagavan Sri Rama.
It is said that the king named his eldest son Rama after the
name of the main murti which became known as Moola Rama from then onwards. The
murtis were worshiped by Sri Rama, Mata Sita, Lakshmana and Jambavantha.
Hanuman who got the murtis gifted it to Bhima Sena. Thus the
murti passed on from Treta Yuga to Dwapara Yuga. Hanuman told Bhima Sena to
make sure the murti passed on to Sri Madhwa in Kali Yuga.
The murtis of Shudashabaahu Narasimha and Vaikunta Vasudeva
are also part of the darshan.