BHAKTA ANJANEYA OF THE TEMPLE TOWN

Nanganallur - the satellite town to the city of Chennai, formerlly Madras, is located about 10 Km from the city and 5 Km from the Airport. It is now known as the temple town housing about 100 temples within a range of 4 kms. The most famous of these is the 32 feet Viswaroopa Adhivyadhihara Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Swamy. The Temple has indeed become a landmark and no tourist bus in that route skips the Temple. The Temple is accessible by road and by suburban trains stopping at Pazhavanthangal Railway station.

The main shrine houses Anjaneya inside Temple Tower, which is 90 feet tall. Anjaneya is facing west and the main entrance is on the West. There is an auxiliary entrance on the southern side used during temple festivals. A Rajagopuram is planned at the Western entrance and work has already commenced. The main Temple building has path-ways all around the sanctum sanctorum and also a large covered space (Mandapam) for devotees to assemble in front of the Lord for offering worship.

On the North-West corner, a full-fledged Sannidhi for Sri Rama has been built and here. He has taken abode with Seetha and Lakshmana with Anjaneya in attendance. The Gods are facing East. Rama's role as the protector and ruler is signified here as Rama is seen carrying his bow, hence the name "Kothanda Rama" for the Lord here.

On the South-West, a Sannidhi for Lord Krishna with Rukmani and Satya Bhama, all facing East has been built. A "thulam" (weighing balance) has been erected for offering "thulabaram" (offering made in different materials equivalent to the weight of the devotee). A Sannidhi for Lord Krishna is rarely seen in Anjaneya temples. A temple of Krishna here reminds us that among the Gods it was only Anjaneya who was present in both the indian epics, i.e., in Ramayana, as a direct disciple of Rama and in Mahabaratha, in the flag of Arjuna's Chariot as ordained by Lord Krishna to save it from destruction by the opponents. In the North-East part of the Temple, on a small platform, "Vinayaka" is housed facing East and to his left on a yet another platform 'Naga' has been installed.

Moving towards the southern side of the outer Praharam facing West, Saint Raghavendra has taken His abode facing Lord Krishna. On the Eastern side to the temple, a large building houses the Madapalli (kitchen) and the administrative wings, with facilities for offering Annadhanam. To the North-West of this building, a shed houses cows and calves to provide milk for daily Sevas to the Lord.

Beyond the main street on the Southern side, a large tract of land has been acquired to build the Kalyana Mandapam-cum-music auditorium.

All in all, the Temple has ample space to accommodate its future expansion plans, namely, vedapatashala (teaching of Vedas), Goshala (cowsheds), Gnanavapi (performing religious rites to the departed souls), Annadaanam (free food for the poor), Kalyana mandapam (marriage hall attached to the temple).

HOW THE TEMPLE CAME TO BE.

Sri Maruti Bhakta samajan trust, consisting of people with high spiritual beliefs, wished for this temple. With the blessings of Sri Ragavendra swami and Sri Kanchi Paramacharyar entrenched the 32 foot idol of Sri Anjaneyar in 1989 and consummated the Kumbabishekam in 1995. The distinguished factor of the 32 feet idol is that it was molded out of a single rock, that is monolithic. The black granite pedestal resembles a lotus. The efforts that were taken were unique in nature. In fact, initiative was taken by a small group of 10 / 15 persons without having any idea as to how finally the efforts will fructify and how the Temple can come through, etc. But the great Paramacharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt did take the stone and keep it on his head and offered his blessings. On the occasion of the Kumbhabhishekam of the temple, 32 cows were given as Godhanam and there was non-stop poor feeding for 18 hours. All the rituals were scrupulously followed. It may be of interest to note that the God has been happily called "Adhivyadhihara Bhaktha Anjaneya”, which means, “the extinguisher of the first disease of man namely "Karma" and the diseases which the man goes through because of that Karma.

The temple has come up very well and it is also being maintained and administered well by the Trustees.

Anjaneya believed to be the son of Vayu has two main forms, bhakta and veera and both forms are beneficient. Bhakta Anjaneya stresses the devotional aspect while Veera Anjaneya underlines the importance of valour and fearlessness. It is also believed that Lord Siva himself manifested himself as Anjaneya to assist Lord Rama in overcoming the demon Ravana as Rama could not exercise his divine powers in that avatar of Lord Vishnu.

The temple celebrates a lot of festivals or Utsavams to worship Lord Hanuman. Some of them are listed below.

HANUMATH JAYANTHI

This is the most significant Utsavam of the Temple. This Utsavam goes on for a period of 15-17 days during which "Laksharchana" for Lord Anjaneya is performed. Japam, Homam and Abishekam as prescribed in the scriptures are performed.

On the cultural side, a music festival in honour of Anjaneya is held. Over fifty concerts rendered by renowned musicians in Indian classical music (Carnatic and Hindustani) add charm to the celebrations.

Similar to the Sahithya Academy Award, Sri Maruthi Baktha Samajam Trust has instituted a prestigious award with a purse, citation and medal called the "Hanumath Gana Siromani" award. This award was instituted two years ago and a novel process of selection of the awardee is done by seeking the very choice of Anjaneya himself.

Hanumath Jayanthi normally falls during Dec 15-Jan 14.

SRI RAMA NAVAMI

Wherever Ramanama Sangeerthanam is heard, there resides Anjaneya. Therefore, Sri Ramanavami is celebrated for 9 days with Japam, Homam and Abishekam. During the Ramanavami festival, Laksharchana for Lord Rama is also performed.

The highlight of the celebration is Harikatha Upanyasam on all the 9 days of the festival with accent on Ramanama Sangeerthanam.

Ramanavami normally falls between Apr 15-May 14.

It is unbelievable to see the kind of crowd of devotees who throng the temple everyday, more so in the evenings on Saturdays to take His blessings. The very unique feature of this temple is the continuous distribution of Prasadam during the temple hours, which changes hourly according to the offering given to the Lord.

Nanganallur apparently, looks a place far off from the city. Only a visit to the Bhakta Anjaneya temple makes one realize its worth.

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