Srinivasa Perumal Anjaneya Temple Royapettah High Road

New Sannidhis for Srinivasa Perumal and Alarmel Mangai Thayar are being constructed at the Royapettah Road Anjaneya Temple and the Consecration Ceremony will take place on the morning of July 11

Just under a Century ago, new Sannidhis for Srinivasa Perumal and Alarmel Mangai Thayar were consecrated at the Vedantha Desikar Temple in Mylapore

New Sannidhi for Srinivasa Perumal and Alarmel Mangai Thayar in Mylapore was consecrated in the summer of 1924 at the centuries old Vedantha Desikar Temple (Vedantha Desikar Temple Mylapore) in Mylapore with the help of generous financial contribution from brothers Srinivasan Iyengar and Gopalan Iyengar, the grandfather of former Ranji Cricketer K Balaji (The Hindu Ranji Cricketer K Balaji), of The Hindu family.  Over the last century, the temple has become a very popular one with round the year festivals including Brahmotsavam for Srinivasa Perumal in Vaikasi (there is one taking place currently with simple pallakku procession inside the temple) and Navarathri Celebrations for Alarmel Mangai Thayar. 

In 2021,  the consecration of Srinivasa Perumal and Alarmel Mangai Thayar Sannidhi at the Anjaneya temple near the Sanskrit College on Royapettah High Road, will take place almost a hundred years after the Mega Samprokshanam at the Vedantha Desikar Temple. 

While the restrictions on devotees’ entry still continues in the city, the date of the Consecration has been fixed for Suday July 11. The Chief Priest of the temple, Kannan Bhattachar, told this writer that the sacred events will take place between 10.30am and 11.30am in Kanya Lagnam on Poosam Star. 

Mega Street Procession in 1924

In 1924, a mega procession of Srinivasa Perumal of the Vedantha Desikar Koil took place around the Mada Streets following the consecration. There is likely to be no such processions at the Anjaneya temple next month as street processions are currently disallowed. 

At the moment, the Samprokshanam is planned as a simple internal event inside the temple without  the presence of devotees. However, if the restrictions are lifted over the next fortnight and devotees are allowed inside temples in the city, then it is likely that devotees could participate in and watch the consecration on July 11. However, a Kalyana Utsavam will be performed that evening at the temple.

While this was primarily an Anjaneya temple with Sannidhi for Rama, Sita and Lakshmana and Venugopalan, the trustees came upon the idea of building new sannidhis for Srinivasa Perumal and Alarmel Mangai Thaayar just behind the Anjaneya Sannidhi a few years ago.

B. Balaji, trustee of the temple told this writer earlier this week that the construction work was started in 2019 and has been fully funded by the temple. The Consecration was originally slated for May and then the plan was to hold it this month. But with the lockdown restrictions, work had been delayed. The authorities have finally decided on performing the Samprokshanam on July 11.

The Temple, run by the Chettiar Community since the 18th Century, is one of the oldest temples here for Lord Hanuman. Utsavams include street processions on the occasion of Rama Navami, Hanuman Jayanthi and Vaikunta Ekadasi (Garuda Vahanam).