Anjaneya Temple, Nanganallur
| Anjaneya Temple, Nanganallur | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Chennai |
| Deity | Hanuman |
| Festivals | Hanumath Jayanthi, Gokulashtami, Sri Rama Navami |
| Governing body | Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department[1] |
| Location | |
| Location | Nanganallur |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
  Location in Tamil Nadu | |
| Geographic coordinates | 12°59′11″N 80°11′40″E / 12.986276°N 80.194308°E |
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The Anjaneya Temple at Nanganallur, Chennai is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Hanuman. The principal idol of Hanuman is 32 feet tall and sculpted from a single piece of granite, which the second tallest Hanuman after Panchavatee near Puducherry. The idol was installed in 1989 and consecrated in 1995.
Sri Maruthi Bhaktha Samajam 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.
The main shrine houses Anjaneya inside a Temple Tower 90 feet tall. Anjaneya is facing West, and thus the main entrance is on the West. There is an auxiliary entrance on the southern side used during temple festivals. 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 "Kodanda Rama" for the Lord here. On the South-West, a Sannidhi for Lord Krishna with Rukmani and Satyabhama, all facing East has been built. Even though a Sannidhi for Lord Rama is normally built in Anjaneya temples, rarely a Sannidhi for Lord Krishna is built. Here in the Temple, Krishna Sannidhi is built to remind the devotees that among the Gods it was only Anjaneya who was present in both the Indian epics. 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. Saint Raghavendra has taken his abode facing Lord Krishna.
The temple was run by a private trust - Sri maruthi bhaktha samajam trust - since consecration on 1995. However, widespread allegations of financial irregularities in the administration of the temple and the trust resulted in several complaints and petitions to the Govt of TamilNadu. This prompted a review and enquiry by Govt and upon unsatisfactory response and evidence from the trust, HR & CE declined exemption and took over the administration of the temple on July 2013.[1] Predictably, this action was severely criticized by Sri Maruthi Bhaktha Samajam Trust, the former management, which was accused of the financial irregularities.
References
- ^ a b "Government takes over Anjaneya Temple in Nanganallur". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. 6 July 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
Further reading
- Ambujam Anantharaman (2006). Temples of South India. East West books. pp. 11–12. ISBN 8188661422, ISBN 978-81-88661-42-8.
- [1]
