Saturday, May 11, 2013

Ananthamangalam Rajagopalan temple


Only Trinethra Dasabhuja Anjaneya temple in Tamil Nadu
Anjaneya stayed here after defeating two Evil Asuras
Every No Moon day, the temple is open from Mid Night to 10pm  with special Thirumanjana and Abhishekam for Trinethra Anjaneya


Located just under 30kms South East of Sirkazhi on the Thirukadaiyur-Tharangambadi NH 45A is the Rajagopalaswamy temple in Ananthamangalam whose legend dates back to the Ramayana.
                 
Ramayana Connection
After defeating Lankan king Ravana, Rama visited Baradwaja Rishi’s Ashram on his way back to Ayodhya on his Pushpaka Vimana. On hearing the troubles given by the two Asuras Bindhu and Rakshasha, he assigned Anjaneya to take care of them as he had to hurry back to Ayodhya as promised to his brother Bharata.

To give him protection from the evil blood sucking asuras, Anjaneya was handed a conch and chakra by Lord Vishnu. Indra handed him his Vajrayudha, Brahmma gave him his Kapaalam while Garuda gave him his two wings. Rama sent him for the battle handing him his Bow and Arrow. Wondering what he could give Anjaneya ahead of his battle, Lord Shiva presented him with his third eye.

Name of the place
After defeating the two asuras, a delighted Anjaneya on his way back to announce his victory to Lord Rama, stayed here for a while. As Anjaneya was seen in a happy mood after his win, this place came to be called ‘Aanantha’ mangalam. And he is seen here in a Trinethra Dasabhuja Posture, not seen in any other Vishnu temple in India. 

The 10hands of Anjaneya comprises of chakra and conch, bow and arrow, Trisoolam, Kapaalam, Angusam (Sakthi’s) and Butter and whip of Rajagopalan.

Here the utsava deity of Anjaneya assumes a little more significance than the moolavar deity unlike in other Vishnu temples.  Visiting the temple on No Moon Day is said to liberate devotees from Navagriha Dosham.

Vada maalai, Vathalai Maalai, Tulasi Maalai, Poo Maalai and Lemon Maalai poojas are performed for Trinethra Dasabhuja Anjaneya.

Vijayanagara Period Construction 

The temple in its current form is believed to have been built during the rule of Vijayanagara Period with the deities similar to the ones South West of this temple at Mannargudi.

Festivals
Chitrai Day 1 Utsavam
Akshaya Tritiya
Krishna Jayanthi
Hanuman Jayanthi

Every No Moon day, the temple is open from Mid Night to 10pm with special Thirumanjana and Abhishekam for Trinethra Anjaneya.

Every month on the Rohini star, there are special poojas for Moolavar Vasudeva Perumal
While on the Moolam star, there are special poojas for Anjaneya.

Quick Facts
Moolavar : Vasudeva Perumal East Facing Standing Posture
Thaayar   : Shengamala Valli Thaayar
Utsavar    : Rajagopalan with Rukmini and Satyabhama
Time         : 8am-1pm and 4pm-8pm
Contact    : Madhavan Bhattar @  94438 85033

On Saturdays the temple is open between 530am and 1pm and between 330pm and 930pm.

How to reach
From Sirkazhi, take Karuvi- Thiru Kadaiyur- Tharagambadi route ( Sirkazhi-Karaikal-Nagai route)
From Mayiladuthurai, take Aakkur Junction-Thiru Kadaiyur- Tharagambadi route
Bus No. 27

From Mayiladuthurai, taxi to Ananthamangalam and back will cost Rs. 500.


6 comments:

sathish (bengaluru) said...

Every No Moon day, the temple is open from Mid Night to 10pm

I think this is typo.

PRabhu S said...

Sir,

On No Moon day, the temple is open continuously for 22hours ( from 00.00hours to 22.00hours that night)

Prabhu

sathish (bengaluru) said...

Thanks for the clarification.

sathish

Dr.Chandra said...


Just 2 days ago we had been to this wonderful kshetra.I do not know why this prtraveller had mentioned that the utsava moorthy is better,on the other hand the MOOLAVAR, kept separately in another small temple a few meters away is so awesome and creates such a peace of mind and tranquility which one has to experience by oneself.The utsava moorthy is kept in a shed where the young priests are just roaming around guffawing loudly and in a very disrespectful way performing aradhana etc. Devotees can first visit the original moolavar and then visit the Sri rajagopala swamy temple to know what I mean here. Dr.Chandra

PRabhu S said...

Thank You Dr for your comments.

1. One would have to visit Perumal Sannidhi before visiting Anjaneya.

2. I have referred to the significance of the temple and the speciality of the Utsava Anjaneya. I have not referred to moolavar being better than utsavar or vice versa.

3. You may have visited the temple on a No Moon Day and hence there may have been a lot of noise.

Broadly, on rest of the days, the Bhattars are fine.

Prabhu

Anonymous said...

The phone number given here is switched off. I would like to send money for some sevas. Please give the actual phone number.