Ananthamangalam Anchaneyar Temple - Rajagopalaswamy Temple

Overview

Ananthamangalam is a village in the Nagapatinam district of Tamil Nadu. It is situated about 1Km from the highway connecting Tharangambadi and Thirukkadaiyur. This State highway originally connects the towns of Myladuthurai and Nagapattinam which passes through Tharangambadi and Thirukkadaiyur in the Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu.

About The Temple

Ananthamangalam is famous for Sri Anjaneya Swami temple. Lord Anjaneya in this temple has three eyes and ten arms holding various armaments. The temple is located at an ideal place, just adjacent to Sri Rajagopala perumal temple. The temple is said to be built during the period of Vijayanagara kings. Anjaneya Swami is seen with chathurbuja (four arms) holding shanku, chakra, navaneetha, and pasham. The shrine of Sri Anjaneya swamy lies within the premises of the main temple and is facing the direction north. Sri Rajagopala perumal temple is east facing. The temple tank is located in its front and is known as the Hanumar theertham. The holy water from this tank is believed to cure many illnesses.

The Anjeneya in this temple is in the form of Thri Nethra Dasa Bhuja Veera Anjaneya. The idol of this deity is three eyed and ten handed Anjanaya Swamy (Veera Anjaneya) is approximately four and half feet tall and is made of panchalooka (alloy made of mixing the five basic metals). This 'uthsava moorthi' (the deity taken out in procession) is so pleasing and attracts the devotees who come to offer their prayers. The Veera Anjaneya in the Sri Rajagopala Swamy temple is south facing.

Shrines in Rajagopalaswamy Temple

Moolavar - Vasudeva Perumal, Sri Devi, and Boodevi Nachiar
Uthasavar - Rajagopala swamy, Rukmani and sathybama, Santhana Krishnan
Goddess - Sengamalavalli Thayar

About The Deity

Anjenaya Swamy in this temple has a pleasing face with 3 eyes. The ten arms hold armaments such as the Conch (Sangu), Chakram, Soolam, Kabalam, Madhatchagam, Pasamankusam, Bow, Arrow, Sattai, Navaneetham and has two feathers in both side.

Legends and Stories

After killing Ravana, Sri Rama and Seetha is said to have started their journey back to Ayodhya, for the Pattabhisheka of Lord Sri Rama. Sage Narada had secretly informed Sri Rama of impending danger from two therakshasas from Lanka. While all the rakshasas of Lanka were killed in the holy war, two of them - Raktha Bindu and Raktha Rakkadhan is said to have survived the war. They were waiting to avenge the killings of their people by defeating Sri Rama and his army. The two Rakshas is said to have undertaken severe penance by placing themselves at the bottom of the Ocean. Once their penance gets completed successfully, they would get the powers to destroy the world. Hence sage Narada adviced Lord Sri Rama to fight them before leaving for Ayodhya. Even as Rama is inclined to complete this task, he remembers that his brother Bharatha is awaiting his return to Ayodhya, and if his return is delayed, Bharatha is likely to commit suicide by falling into the fire he has set for this purpose. On understanding the critical situation of Lord Rama, Lord Anjaneya offers to fight the two demons on his behalf for which Sri Rama agrees. All the Devas, who were concerned about the penance of these demons, were pleased with this idea and blessed Anjaneya for his victory over the rakshasas.

Sri Rama offers Sri Anjaneya, his peerless bow (Kothandam) and arrows along with a weapon called Navaneetha to fight the evil demons. Lord Vishnu helps by giving the conch (Shanku), Chakra (Sudarshana) and also a weapon called Mathaksham. Lord Brahma gives him the powerful Ankusha. Lord Siva gives his third eye and his Trishul to Anjaneya. Parvathi Devi gives him her whip (Pasham). Laksmi gives Padmam and Garudan gives his wings to Anjaneya. Thus Sri Anjaneya armed with all these weapons, acquires the form of "Thri Nethra Dasa Bhuja Sri Veera Anjaneya" (Veera Anjaneya with three eyes and ten hands). This is the form of Anjaneya that is depicted by the presiding deity of this the temple. He carries in his five right hands the Sudharshana, Trishulam, Ankusham, Arrows and Maththaksham. His five left hands carry Shanka, Padmam, Pasham, Kothandam and Navaneetham. The third eye adorns his forehead. He carries a quiver full of arrows on his back.

Since Lord Anjenaya got the blessings of all the main Gods, he was able to use their might and their capabilities too. Thus he was able to defeat the rakshas with ease, on transforming into his vishwaroopa form. The size of his vishwaroopa form was such that, the normal eyes lacked the capacity to fully visualize the entire form. After accomplishing the task of killing the two demons, he decides to return back to his beloved Sri Rama, who is the primary deity of this temple, known by the name Rajagopalan. This village was originally named as Aanandhamangalam but later came to be known as Ananthamangalam. Thus the Anjaneya Swamy of this temple stands unique and special.

Thirumanjana Timings

Thirumanjanam is conducted for the deity on Amavasya (New moon days) at 6am. On other days, the Thirumanjanam is conducted at 10 a.m.

Festivals

Every month on all Saturdays’ and Amavasya, Special 'Abisheka and Arathanai’ Pooja in performed. Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated every year in the tamil month of Margazhi in a grandeur way with `Special Abhishekam’ for the Lord. 'Annathanam’ (Free meals) is offered to the devotees on that day.

Sri Vaikunda Ekadesi Festival is an important festival celebrated every year in this temple.

On the occasion of Tamil New year, special abishegam, for perumal and Hanuman are undertaken.

For Sri Krishna Jayanthi, special Pooja for perumal is performed.

Every year for aadi velli (Friday) Special Pooja for Sri Sengamala thayar is done.

Every year during the Tamil month of Purattasi, all Saturdays are considered auspicious and thus Special Pooja for perumal and Hanumar is performed.

During the tamil month of Puurattasi every year, Navarathiri uthsavam for sengamala thayar is a prominent festival.

Deepavali pandigai is celebrated with special Poojas for Perumal and Hanumar.

For Karthigai Deepam Special Pooja is performed for Perumal.

Every year during the Margazhi month (dhanur month) Special Pooja for Perumal and Hanumar are done.

Every English New year , special abishegam for Perumal and Hanumar.

Every year Margazhi month (January) Laksharchani for perumal.

Pongal pandigai, is celebrated every year in the tamil month of Thai.

Every year thai Friday Special Pooja for Sri Sengamala thayar.

Every year thai month 4rh Friday Thirukalyanam Special Pooja for perumal thayar.

Sri Rama Navamy is also an important festival, celebrating the birth anniversary of Lord Rama.

Fasting

Devotees undertake to fast for 48 days and eat just two time a day. They recite the Hanuman Thudhi and Hanuman Kavasam for 48 days. On the 48th day the devotees visit the Ananthamangalam temple and worship the God. It is believed that those undertaking the fast with true devotion to the Lord, would achieve success in all their endeavours.

Offerings

The devotees offer betel leaves, flower garland, Tulasi garland, Vada Malai and Butter to Lord Anjaneya here. Devotees performing Kumkuma pooja on the feet of Sri Anjaneyar Swamy is said to get benefited immensely. Lord Anjaneya can be worshipped at all times including Ragu Kalam, Emakandam, Astami and Navami, etc. It is auspicious to start the Hanumar Pooja on Amavasya (New moon day), Kettai and Moolam stars especially on Wednesday and Saturday. Hanuman Jayanthi, which is an important festival falls in the tamil month of Margazhi (December mid – January mid) on Amavasya (New moon day) with Moola star.

Significance

Visiting the Anjaneya Swamy temple at Ananthamangalam is said to bring about happiness and prosperity in one’s life. All the sins committed by a person is believed to fade away on worshipping this mighty God. Troubles and sufferings are said to vanish, bringing about inner peace and strength. Family lineage is said to continue undisturbedly due to santhanakrishna prartham. Marriage falls on cards of unmarried men and women. Business becomes profitable. All Navagraha doshas are said to be relieved on worshipping Lord Anjaneya, since the Navagrahas are said to be on the tail of the Lord. Worshipping Lord Anjaneya boosts the confidence in a person and helps in gaining knowledge. In simple terms, Praying Lord Anjeneyar is equalent to praying all the Gods.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearby airport is at Trichy and Chennai.

Railways

Train services are available upto Mayiladuthurai.

Road

This temple is situated at Anandhamangalam on the Chennai – Nagapattinam East Coast road in between Thirukadayur and Tharangampadi i.e, 4 k.m., from Thirukkadayur towards south direction. Bus services are also available from Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, Cidambaram, Karaikal and Nagapatinam.

Temple Address

Ananthamangalam Anchaneyar Temple - Rajagopalaswamy Temple,
Ananthamangalam, Kazhiyappanallur post,
Tharankambadi Taluk, Nagapattinam District,
Tamil Nadu, India, Pincode – 609307.