Wikipedia
Bichali also spelled as Bichchali is a village near Gillesugur village in the Raichur taluk of Raichur district in the Indian state of Karnataka.Bichali was previously called as Bhikshalaya. Appanacharya a great scholar, though well off with three hundred acres of rich fertile land, his Shishyas grew in large number. Students from all parts of the country came to Bichali to learn and gain Knowledge under the able teaching and guidance of Appanacharya. So his income plan exceeded to feed the students. So asked the Shishyas to take rounds of Bhiksha in the village to all the houses. As per the Upanayana Upadesha it was a noble thing to ask Bhiksha not for lively hood, but for Vidya. It was a Sacred scene to others that all the Housewives were eagerly waiting to offer Bhiksha to the Students of Appanacharya before they were saying Om Bhavati Bhikshan Dehi.
All the respectable families regarded the students of Appanacharya. Though Bichali Japadakatti Appanacharya was a staunch follower of Madhwa Atreyasa Gotra - Rayara Mutt and Jahagirdar of twenty eight villages. Jahagirdar of twenty eight villages, with vast cultivation rich and fertile land in between Krishna and Tungabhadra, we can say DO AAB, never showed any greatness nor proud, lived like an ordinary man. This simplicity made him popular as a great teacher. A Guru for all the times. His Bichali Japadakatti on the sacred bank of Tungabhadra under the Ashwath Vruksha. The Gurukula of Sri Appanacharya was nothing but an open university amidst the abundant mother nature’s gift. His prayer, Mantra Siddhi, Kind concern and the thirst of Knowledge, obedience, pleasing disposition made Bichali Sri Appanacharya a Guru of the Japadakatti University. His modesty has further expanded in making rice baked without the help of fire. The washed rice in the sacred Tungabhadra water will be tied in a big cloth something like a jolige, and hangup to the branch of the Ashwath Vruksha, start teaching under the Shadow for two to three hours, after that Appanacharya praying Sri Annapurneshwari will do Prokshana . The rice was baked properly, ready for meals . As per our Sri SriMadacharya’s Sadaachara Pooja, Naivedya, Vaishwadeva, Hastodaka and then used to take his lunch as well as dinner along with his dear students. Appanacharya’s father Sri Ramasubbanacharya, a very noble pious man guided his dear son Sri Appanacharya properly in the right way Sanmaarga.
When Rayaru came to Bichali and came to know the details and the sanctity of Japadakatti, the sacredness of the house of Appanacharya which was already sixty years of old attracted Rayaru very much. The very first meeting of these two great Stalwarts attracted each other affectionately was nothing but the boon of Sri Hari. Slowly their friendship grew thick and strong reached a point that they both cannot tolerate the separation of each other. The obedience, loyal behavior, honesty, selfless seva of Appanacharya was liked by Rayaru. Appanacharya himself was grinding Dal Chatni to Rayaru as Rayaru liked it very much. Rayaru performed the Pooja of Sri Moola RamaDevaru in the central Hall of Appanacharya and used to sleep and take rest there only. The Japadakatti discourses between each other and the bank of Tungabhdra rivers lullaby they both liked much. When Rayaru was sitting on the Japadakatti Appanacharya simply squatted at the sacred feet of Rayaru and talking nicely. What an amount of subject matter they had to talk and discuss. In Sanskrit there is a Subhaashita : Vaade Vaade Jaayatae Tatvabodhaha. By debate they used to find out the real truth. Appanacharya gave his heart, mind and body to Rayaru. Surprised to see the works of Rayaru not one but Fortyeight Granthas are there. Simplified the Sudha of Malkheda Sri Jayatheertharu by title Parimala. “Pratyaksharam Pratipadam Aneka Kooti Garbhita Pratinbhaati Sudha Thaapi Granthalpatvaayanochyatae”. Such are the works of Rayaru. Rayaru’s great creativity, divinity, Siddhi were all understood by Appanacharya. The magnificent style of Praataha Sankalpa Gadya of Rayaru was nothing but the Boon of Sri Hari Appanacharya became too close, associate, close associate. Appanacharya was massaging the sacred legs of Rayaru. Rayaru also knew the Knowledge, Ashukavitva, Spontaneous creative capacity of Appanacharya, above all his Bhakti, obedience made Rayaru to love Appanacharya more. One day while Appanacharya was doing the Seva of Rayaru that is while massaging the legs f Rayaru, asked Appanacharya to give up the habit of chewing Tobacco, Appanacharya said that he had become a slave of it. Actually Rayaru thought that Appanacharya is the able person and he has to give Yati Ashrama. But hearing this from Appanacharya Rayaru dropped the idea. Appanacharya was two years elder to Rayaru. The Snake bill in the house of Appanacharya was very dear to Rayaru. SheshaDevaru daily used to come and drink the milk poured in the silver Harivaana by Rayaru. Appanacharya’s house was a sanctum of divnity. So Rayaru lived there for years together. Sri Raghavendrateertharu pleased highly towards Appanacharya and gave twelve acres of land situated in Kaldakuntla, twelve kilometers from Mantralaya. Appanacharya flatly refused,as already he was owning abundant land. But Rayaru forced Appanacharya to accept, So he accepted the land of Kaldakuntla village. Bichali very near to Mantralaya. Though Mantralaya is in Andhra Pradesh, Bichali is in Karnataka.Raichur District, via Gunjalli. Only the river Tungabhadra is between Bichali and Manchali. Our Appanacharya though married Kamalabai they did not have Santaana. Rayaru knowing this forced for the second marriage then Appanacharya married Ratnabai. The Noble Family continued by
· Sri Subbanacharya (Kolamachar)
· Sri Gundacharya (Melachar)
· Sri Narasimhacharya (Neelachar)
· SriGundacharya
Sri Narasimhacharya retired Professor of Botany in Osamania university Hyderabad survived by four sons:
· Sri Raghavendracharya
· Sri Ramacharya
· Sri Krishnacharya
. Sri Shamacharya.
Bichali is located on the banks of Tungabhadra river. Bichali in ancient times was known as Bhikshalaya. Great Madhwa scholar and follower of Sri Raghavendra Swami, Sri Appanacharya was born in Bichali.