Sri Jayaveera Anjaneya Swami Temple, Simmakal, Madurai, T.NADU....
gk kaushik
Madurai
When thinking about the holy places of South, one will not miss remembering
Madurai. The place is associated with Lord Sundereswarar and Meenakshi. The
great four towers of this temple is world known. When Sri Krishna Rao of Madras
School of Arts was entrusted with the work of designing an emblem for Government
of Madras (then. Now Tamil Nadu), he chooses the west tower of Sri Meenakshi
temple as model. (It is not Srivilliputur tower as some claims.)
Madurai of past
Madurai has a glories history right from the days when the city was ruled by
Pandiya dynasty. In modern time one could not forget the Malik Kafur ransacking
the city, and paving way for others Delhi Sultanite to follow. The city was
again brought back to the glory when it was part of Vijayanagara samrajya and
then during Nayaks' rule. The famous among them is Tirumalai Nayak, who had
contributed to the city in the best and artistic way. The Raja gopuram of Sri
Meenakshi temple is one among them. Madurai had a woman ruler by name Rani
Mangammal, the woman of great skill and sagacity. Rani Mangammmal, shines in
almost solitary eminence as an able and powerful ruler in Tamil Nadu.
Temple town
Presently Madurai is a busy city with lot of amenities. Many temples built
during Nayak's period and after are there to visit. Many of the places are
easily accessible since the transport system is very good. Many of the local
trade depends on the tourist, hence they are tourist friendly. Lots of devotees,
who visit Ramaswaram, do not miss seeing this temple town. Though Sri Meenakshi
temple is centre of attraction for many visitors there are very many holy
temples around Madurai for Lord Kartik, Vishnu etc.
Lord Sri Jayaveera Anjaneya Swami Temple
There are many temples for Lord Sri Anjaneya in the city of Madurai. Let us
visit one such temple built for the Lord in a place called Simmakal, with in
Madurai. Place is just two kilometers from railway station, and bus stop. The
temple is called 'Lord Sri Jayaveera Anjaneya Swami Temple'. The small and
beautiful temple is worth visiting.
Legend of the Temple
Sri Kuzhantai Ananda Swami was a yogi who was living near Simmakal in Madurai.
The yogi was respected by many in Madurai as son of Sri Meenakshi, hence known
as 'Kuzhantai' (' Kuzhantai' in tamil means child). He lived in the banks of
Krithumala River a branch of Vaigai River. He had the practice of taking bath in
the Vaigai River in the early morning and sat for japa in the banks of the
river. The locals use to feed the 'Kuzhantai', which he accepted as per his need
and wish (eccha).
One fine day Sri Anjaneya (Hanuman) appeared in the dreams of the many of the
locals and informed them to install His vigraha which is lying in the Krithumala
River. The locals did not know what to do, approach Sri Kuzhantai Ananda Swami.
To their surprise Swamiji welcomed them and asked them 'All of you are fortunate
to have dharshan of Lord Anjaneya. Have you found out where Lord Hanuman is?'
People told Swamiji that they had come to him for guidence. Swamiji asked them
to follow him to the river.
Under the supervision of Swamiji a search was conducted in the Krithumala River.
First the deity of Lord Sri Narashima was found, followed by Lord Sri Anjaneya,
Mahalakshmi, Garuda, and Ganesha (two in number).
Under the divine direction of Lord Sri Anjaneya, all these deities were to be
installed under a 'Eluppai' (இலுப்பை) tree, the place indicated to the Swami
Kuzhantai Ananda. When the tree was located in the banks of the river, it was
observed that the tree is very old, and almost dead. Swamiji offered prayers to
Lord Anjaneya and installed the deity of Lord Anjaneya under the tree on an
aspious day. Other deities found along with Lord Anjaneya were also installed in
the same location. To the astonishment of the people the tree stated growing,
blooming with green new leaves then after.
There is big hall as you enter the temple, and the main Gharbhagraham is seen
just seen with a broad doorway. Above the doorway one could find a large cement
embossment work depicting the Sri Rama Darbar. The main sanctum sanctorum of the
temple one will find a portion of the trunk of the tree, under which Lord
Hanuman is installed. On to the right of Lord Anjaneya, Lord Yoga Narashimha,
Sri Mahalakshmi and Sri Garuda had been established. The Two Ganapati deities
found along with Lord Anjaneya had been installed just in a row along the walls
of the sanctum. The three and half feet in height utsava deity (deity taken out
on procession) is kept on left the main deity. Just above the sanctum a vimanam
has been established.
When circumfuse the main sanctum, one could see separate sannathi one for Vishnu
Durga and the other Lord Sudersanam. We can also see a figure of Lord Anjaneya
naturally grown in the 'sthala virsham' (sacrat tree of the temple).
Lord JayaVeera Anjaneya
The main deity had been named as Sri Jaya Veera Anjaneya and is about two and
half feet in height. Lord's left hand is seen raised and holding sanjeevi
parvath. His right hand is seen resting on his hip holding 'ghadha' (mace). He
has a small knife tied to his waist belt. It is said that the Lord holds a small
hill tied in His langoolam (tail). There is a small bell tied to the tail. One
has to wonder see His charanam (lotus feet), they are in such a posture as if He
is eager to jump for helping His and Sri Rama's devotees. His eyes are gracing
with fondness towards His devotees with 'deerga kataksham'. Lord
is seen as an virdha (aged) when abishakam (anointment) is
performed.
Saiva-vaishnava oneness
Since the predista is done by Sri Kuzhantai Swami in accordance with Saiva
Agama, Vibuti is given as prasadam along with kunkumam. Since Lord Narashimha
was first found in the river the fifteen days annual function starts on the day
where Swati star falls in the solar month of 'Adi' (July-August).
During these days the Lord is decorated in various forms each day and one among
them is 'virdha' alankaram. Devotees can
have dharshan of Lord Anjaneya and Lord Ganapati in the same temple, which is a
rarity. Devotees can have dharshan of Lord Anjaneya and Lord Garuda in the same
sanctum, which again is a rarity.
Next time when in Maduri visit also this small temple and get the immense blessings of Sri Jaya Veera Anjaneya.
[Ed : March 2010]