Piercing the Chennai skyline, a 32-foot Hanuman statue stands tall at Vishwaroopa Sri Bhakta Anjaneya Swami Temple. It is not just a statue. It is a symbol of unwavering devotion. Welcome to the Anjaneya Temple in Nanganallur.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. He is a revered deity in Hinduism. The principal idol is a sight to behold. Sculpted from a single piece of granite, it is the second tallest Hanuman statue in India.
Imagine the year 1989. The idol was installed then. The temple was consecrated in 1995. It was the vision of Sri Maruthi Bhaktha Samajam Trust. They were a group of people with deep spiritual beliefs. Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati of Kanchi Mutt blessed the installation. He cemented the idol of Anjaneyar.
The most remarkable thing is that the 32-foot idol was carved from one single rock. The main shrine houses Anjaneya. It is inside a Temple Tower. This tower is 90 feet tall. Anjaneya faces west. The main entrance is also on the west. There is another entrance on the south. It is used during temple festivals.
Pathways surround the inner sanctum. A large hall offers space for devotees. They assemble to worship the deity. In the northwest corner, you will find a shrine for Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. They all face east. Rama holds his bow. He is Kodanda Rama. This signifies his role as protector.
In the southwest, there is a shrine for Lord Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama. They also face east. It is rare to see a Krishna shrine in Anjaneya temples. Here it reminds devotees that Hanuman was present in both epics. He was a disciple of Rama in Ramayana. He was on Arjuna’s chariot in Mahabharata. He saved it from destruction.
In the northeast, Vinayaka sits on a small platform. He faces east. To his left, Naga has been installed. Saint Raghavendra faces Lord Krishna. He has taken his abode here.
The Sri Maruthi Bhaktha Samajam Trust ran the temple since 1995. Allegations of financial irregularities arose. The government took over administration in July 2013. The Hindu Religious and Charity Endowment Department now manages it.
The massive Hanuman statue embodies strength and devotion. It inspires devotees. They face life’s challenges with faith. Lord Hanuman’s worship brings benefits. It removes obstacles and protects from harm. It also brings success. The Nanganallur Hanuman grants mental strength. Students and professionals seek solace here.
The Anjaneyar statue shows Hanuman with folded hands. This shows his devotion to Lord Rama. He wears a crown and earrings. His legs are straight showing readiness. The statue captures his devotion perfectly.
The temple’s creation is a tale of faith. Sri Ramani Anna had a dream. He wanted to build a temple for Hanuman. With blessings from Sri Maha Periyava, he found a stone. A sculptor carved the idol.
During installation, a problem arose. Maha Periyava said Hanuman’s tail should not be raised above his head. But the idol was already carved. Miraculously, the tail was found expertly cut off on the day of consecration.
The Vishwaroopa Sri Bhakta Anjaneya Swami Temple stands as a beacon of faith. It reminds us of devotion and divine strength.