Lord Hanuman is a popular and much-venerated deity in Tamil Nadu. He is the symbol of courage, strength, and devotion. The state boasts many temples that are dedicated to his worship. Here are the top 10 Hanuman Anjaneyar temples in Tamil Nadu.
1. Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneyaswami Temple, Tiruvallur
Tiruvallur lies around 45 km from Chennai on the Chennai – Tiruttani – Tirupati route. Chennai is the nearest airport. One can also reach it by train. One has to alight at Tiruvallur railway station.
2. Veera Anjaneyar Temple, Pudupakkam
This temple is in Pudupakkam village near Kelambakkam. It is in Vandalur Taluk in Chengalpattu district.
People worship Veera Anjaneya by covering him with butter. The name of this ritual is ‘Vennai Kappu’. They also offer garlands of betel leaves with Arugampul on Tuesdays. They believe that this ritual will help them get jobs and promotions, and wish-fulfillment. Devotees worship the deity on Moola Nakshatra days. The offerings include garlands of betel leaves and Vadas. This can help remove obstacles to marriage. They also tie coconuts with the husk and a bell in the temple.
Some devotees carry bricks on which Lord Rama’s name is engraved. Carrying these, they climb the steps to the temple and worship Hanuman. Those who want to build homes and own properties perform this ritual. Spraying the Theertha on the devotees in a Valampuri conch after the Pooja brings relief from all kinds of Doshas.
3. Alwarpet Anjaneyar Temple
This is the oldest Hanuman temple in Chennai. It is in Luz, Mylapore. Salivahana Chettiars from Mysore, who came to Mylapore in the 18th century, built this temple. The Nawab gave them land, and they built two Vinayaga temples on the land. They discovered a self-manifested idol of Hanuman when digging a well. So they built a Hanuman temple on that spot.
4. Veera Mangala Anjaneya Temple, Tiruvallur
This temple is in Nallathur Village in Thiruthani Taluk in Tiruvallur district. The temple stands on the banks of the Kusasthalai river. The presiding deity is popularly known as Bala Anjaneya as his features are like those of a small child.
The idol of Anjaneya was carved from a single slab of stone, and it faces north. It is one of the nine forms of Hanuman, says the Parasara Samhita. Lord Anjaneya walks towards the North, where Tirupati (the abode of Lord Venkateswara) is located. On the back of the idol, one can see a description of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. On his chest is a silver carving of Sita-Rama.
The shrine has a single-tiered vimana. On its southern side, one can see Yoga Anjaneya with Shanku chakra and mala. On the east is Bhakta Anjaneya. On the western side is the Panchamukha Anjaneya, who has five faces and ten hands. On the northern side is Veera Anjaneya.
A snake, which supposedly guarded the temple in the past, is said to visit the temple regularly. There is a provision for its entry in the outer wall.
5.Ravathanallur Veera Anjaneyar Kovil
Ravathanallur village is in Sankarapuram, Vizhuppuram district. The temple stands around 68 km from the Sankarapuram bus stand. Sundays are special days here. Special celebrations take place during the Tamil new year.
6. Anjaneya Temple, Nanganallur
This Temple is in Nanganallur, Chennai. The idol of Hanuman is 32 feet tall, and it is carved from a single piece of granite. It is the second tallest Hanuman idol after Panchavatee near Puducherry. The idol installation was in 1989, and its consecration was in 1995.
The Temple Tower is 90 feet tall. Anjaneya faces West, and so the main entrance is on the West. On the North-West corner, one can see a full-fledged shrine for Lord Rama. Sita, Lakshmana, and Anjaneya are seen with him. The Gods face the East. On the South-West, there is a shrine for Lord Krishna with Rukmani and Satyabhama. It is rare to see a shrine for Lord Krishna in Hanuman temples.
7. Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple
It is in Namakkal town in Namakkal district. The architecture is Dravidian in style. The temple legend is associated with the Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu, who appeared for Hanuman and Lakshmi. The Anjaneyar idol is 18 ft tall, so it is one of the tallest Hanuman idols in India. The most prominent festival here is the 15-day Panguni Uthiram festival, when the idols are taken around the streets of the temple.
The Anjaneyar idol in the sanctum axially faces the Narasimha temple in the foothills, around 430 ft away. The sanctum lacks a roof. Anjaneyar has a sword in his waist and holds a saligrama garland.
8. Suchindram Hanuman Temple
Suchindram is in Kanyakumari district. It is a major pilgrim center and also boasts the famous Thanumalayan Temple. The Anjaneya idol in the temple is 22 feet (6.7 m) tall and was carved from a single granite block.
9. Manakula Vinayagar Temple
Manakula Vinayagar Temple is in the Union Territory of Puducherry. It is a popular destination for pilgrims. The temple is very ancient and existed before the French occupied the territory. During Dupleix’s tenure, there were attempts to destroy it. But strong protests from the Hindus as well as threats of British and Maratha invasions prevented it.
The main deity here is "Manakula Vinayagar." It is only a 10-minute walk from the famous beach road.
10. Arjun’s Hanuman Temple, Chennai
Arjun, a well-known South Indian actor known for his action films, is a great devotee of Anjaneya. He built this temple on his own property in Chennai. The Hanuman idol is 35 feet tall. The deity is in a seated posture and weighs around 160 tonnes. The sitting posture for a Hanuman idol is the first of its kind in India.
If you are a Hanuman devotee, make it a point to visit these temples and get darshan of your favorite deity!
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