Anjaneya unique in many ways
Devotees throng the Ashtamsa Sri Varada Anjaneya temple on the Coimbatore-Avinashi highway.
TWO DECADES ago, Rajamani Bhattachar, a native of Tirunelveli, brought up in Vaikanasa agama tradition and an upasaka of the Vayukumara, was blessed by Haridas Giri Swami and he was presented with the idols of Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Anjaneya and a Shadchakra Saligrama at Thennangur.
The Swami had made an apocalyptic statement that the votary would build a shrine for Anjaneya. Two years ago, a divine call directed him to devote his entire time and energy to construct a temple for Anjaneya at the spot indicated in his dream, at Peelamedu in Coimbatore. A sense of fulfilment can be seen on his placid countenance on completion of the sacred task.
Located at a spacious plot of ground tucked a few metres away from Coimbatore on the Coimbatore-Avinashi highway, near ESSO bus stop (near Suguna Kalyanamandapam) the Ashtamsa Sri Varada Anjaneya is endued with eight special features. Hence its uniqueness in standing apart from other temples dedicated to the Anjaniputhra.
Normally Hanuman is portrayed with His folded hands praying to Sri Ramachandra. But, the gomukhi-structured idol of the deity here, in Peelamedu facing west and measuring eight feet is of a different kind.
The Lord's abhaya hastha (right hand) removes fear while the left hand with gadha destroys not only the five passions of lust, anger, greed, infatuation and jealousy afflicting the human kind but the external enemies as well.
The face turned towards the Sanjivi hill in the western ghats bestows on the devotees a long and healthy life free of ailments. His legs pointing to the south wards off unexpected calamities like death.
It is a common sight to see that the Lord's tail is hidden behind His back. But, here, the devotees can have a full view of it. It is said that the nine planets inhere the tail and so paying obeisance to the tail rids one of the malefic effects of the navagrahas.
Obeisance to the tail
The tail directed towards the north endows the devotee with wealth and prosperity. The Lord manifests here amid a Siva linga meaning that praying to Hanuman is equal to worshipping Siva.
Goddess Lakshmi resides in the right palm of the deity to grant all-round prosperity to the worshippers. The Lord's eyes representing the sun and the moon radiate brilliance during the day and the coolness of the moon during the evening. A shadchakra saligramam adorns the crown.
The installation ceremony and Kumbhabishekam of the temple was held on February 9, 2004. Since then, the town has been experiencing continuous showers bringing relief to the farmers in the district and the residents of the city. The temple has been attracting huge crowds all these days.
During the last Tamil New Year's day, an offering of 10,008 fruits was made to the deity.
Raja Maruthi alankaram, senthoor kaappu, vennai kaappu and vadamala offering are the regular sevas here on Saturdays in the Tamil month of Purattasi. Muthangi and Pushpangi sevas are the other offerings given to the Lord here.
Frequent buses ply from various parts of the city to Kovai Medical Hospital. Getting down at ESSO bus stop, opposite Suguna Kalyanamandapam, devotees can reach the shrine easily.
T. K. GANAPATHY
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