Aanjaneya Temple

A 32-foot giant graces Nanganallur. He stands tall at the Aanjaneya Temple. He is a testament to devotion and artistic skill. The Aanjaneya Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Hanuman. The deity, a magnificent 32-foot tall Hanuman, is carved from a single piece of granite. This makes it the second tallest Hanuman statue, second only to the one at Panchavatee near Puducherry. The story of the Aanjaneya Temple began in 1989. The Sri Maruthi Bhaktha Samajam Trust, a group of deeply spiritual individuals, envisioned this grand temple. The revered Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Mahaswamiji of Kanchi Mutt played a crucial role. He oversaw the installation of the colossal Hanuman idol in 1989. He also led the consecration ceremony in 1995. The temple’s main shrine houses this impressive Hanuman within a 90-foot tall temple tower. Anjaneya faces west, so the main entrance is also on the west side. A secondary entrance on the south side is used during festivals. The temple is designed with pathways surrounding the sanctum sanctorum. There’s a spacious covered area, a mandapa, where devotees can gather for worship. The temple grounds also house other deities. In the northwest corner, there’s a shrine for Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman. They face east. Rama, depicted with his bow, is known as “Kodanda Rama,” signifying his role as protector and ruler. In the southwest, a shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama also faces east. While Rama shrines are common in Anjaneya temples, Krishna shrines are rare. Its presence here highlights Hanuman’s unique role in both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Hanuman served Rama as a loyal disciple and was present on Arjuna’s chariot flag in the Mahabharata. In the northeast, smaller platforms house Vinayaka facing east and Naga to his left. Saint Raghavendra’s abode faces Lord Krishna. The Aanjaneya Temple was initially managed by the Sri Maruthi Bhaktha Samajam Trust. However, amidst allegations of financial irregularities, the government intervened. In 2013, the Hindu Religious and Charity Endowment Department (HR&CE) took over the temple’s administration.