Tumkur district

The present district of Tumkur was under the rule of many popular dynasties, such as the Western Ganga dynasty, Rastrakutas, and the Chalukyas. The Nolambas, under these rulers, ruled the area for a long time. The area was under the Vijayanagara Empire’s rule from the 13th to the 17th century. Following this, the Mysore Wodeyars ruled this area.

Tumkur city

The Tumkur town was the administrative headquarters for the entire district for a long period. During Mysore Wodeyar's time, the town was made a municipality in 1916. The self-rule of the residents of Tumkur started after the setting up of the municipality. In the year 2010, the town of Tumkur was converted into a city corporation. This middle-class majority city, with a literacy rate of 80% is presently a ‘satellite’ township of Bangalore. Since the distance between these two cities is just seventy kilometers only many small traders and Government employees of Bangalore prefer to operate from here.

Anjaneya temples of Tumkur

There are quite a few temples for Sri Anjaneya in the town. Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Bayalu Anjaneya Swami Temple, and Shettihalli Gate Anjaneya Temple are a few names to mention. All these Anjaneya Temples are the most visited temples of this town. All these temples are quite ancient and received patronage from the royals during different rulers. Almost all of them claim to have been installed by Sri Vyasaraja Gurugalu.

Hanumanthapura Anjaneya Temple

Anjaneya temple is located around six kilometers from the town of Tumkur, in a location called Hanumathapura. The temple is at a distance of three kilometers from the main bus station by walk. A simple structure constitutes the temple which is located on a huge open ground. At a distance, one can see the chariot shed housing the chariot used during the car festival. A small arch depicting the main deity on the top of the porch welcomes the devotees to the temple. Devotees can have a darshan of the Lord from the doorway itself.

Rama Ravana war

On the day when Ravana comes to the Warfield for the first time, he fights with all his might. At one stage he encounters Lakshmana and engages him in a fight. Ravana when countered with equal might from Lakshmana, uses a weapon gifted by Brahma on Lakshmana. Hit upon by this powerful weapon Lakshmana falls to the ground and faints. Ravana wanted to carry him away and tried to lift him. He could not move him, leaving the lifting him off the ground.

Seeing that Lakshmna is in trouble, Hanuman comes and gives Ravana a big blow. Ravana lands on the ground, profoundly bleeding through his mouth, ears, and eyes. At that moment, Hanuman lifts Lakshmna and goes away. Soon, Ravana recovers from the shock and climbs back on his chariot. Meanwhile, Lakshmana recovers from the shock, and Sri Rama sees the monkey army being attacked by Ravana. On seeing this, Sri Rama rushes towards Ravana.

Hanuman as Chariot of Sri Rama

Sri Hanuman saw that Ravana was back on his chariot and Rama had to fight him standing on the ground. Hanuman told Sri Rama ‘You must punish the demon by climbing on my back, as Vishnu on Garuda to fight with the enemy of Gods.’Rama soon after mounted the great monkey, Hanuman. Rama the Lord of men then saw Ravana standing in his chariot in the battle-field. The fight ensues and the angry Ravana at one stage hits Hanuman who was carrying Rama. On seeing Hanuman being hit by Ravana, Rama knocks down the chariot of Ravana. In the commotion Ravana fell from the chariot, Rama then pulled a string of the bow and the arrow took away the crown of Ravana. Rama says ‘In this condition, I would not like to put you under the clutches of Death. Go back to Lanka and come back in your chariot with your bow and then standing in your chariot, you will witness once more my prowess.’

The above-said description is from Valmiki Ramayanam. We may see many paintings depicting this scene where Sri Hanuman is carrying Sri Rama. This act of Sri Hanuman had earned him the name of ‘Tiruvadi’ in Tamil. While the picture of this scene is common there is rarely any temple where the main deity is worshiped in this form.

Bayalu Anjaneya Temple

During the early days, the scene described above where Sri Hanuman acts as a chariot for Sri Rama was sculpted on a rock which was in the open space of present-day Hanumanthapura. People living nearby started worshiping Sri Hanuman along with Sri Rama. To have these two deities together in the same vigraha is rare and unique. ‘ Bayulu ’ means open space in the Kanada language; hence the Anjaneya is known as Bayulu Anjaneya. Over a period Sri Anjaneya attracted more devotees towards him. Many rulers of this place contributed their might towards the development of this temple. Today it looks the description as stated above.

Uniqueness of Sri Bayalu Anjaneya

In the scene of the war field in Lanka described above Sri Anjaneya carries Sri Rama facing Ravana. But in the moortham of Hanumathapura, there is a Rakshasa near the feet of Sri Anjaneya is also found. The legend goes that when Sri Rama carried by Sri Hanuman was attacking Ravana, a demon crawled onto the feet of Sri Hanuman. He intended to pull the feet of Sri Hanuman to imbalance him thereby making Sri Rama fall. But when the demon caught the feet of Sri Hanuman, he felt the divinely blessed of both the Lords. His intention changed, and as a devotee of Sri Rama, he clinched on to the charan of Sri Hanuman, the greatest of all SriRama bhakta.

The temple is west-facing, as is Bayalu Sri Anjaneya. The moortham is about ten feet tall. Sri Anjaneya faces the devotees and blesses all His devotees ‘Abhaya’ with His right hand. The demon is seen near His left foot. Sri Rama is seen standing on Sri Anjaneya's strong shoulders.

 

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SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE

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Ed [September 2021]
Updates: [Jan 2025]

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