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.