Andhra Pradesh and Anjaneya
It will not be an exaggeration to state that there is no village in Andhra Pradesh without a Hanuman temple. Especially after the reign of the Vijayanagara samrajya, which spread its wings throughout the present Andhra Pradesh. Here Anjaneya Swami is popularly known as Hanumanthudu or Anjaneyalu.
Guru Sri Vyasatheerthulu
The Vijayanagara samrajya was ruled by the Saluva dynasty. Later, Saluvas were defeated by
Thaulavs, and they ruled the samrajya. In 1509, Krishnadevaraya became the emperor of the Vijayanagara
Samrajya. But during the Saluvas rule and also during the Thaulavs reign, Sri Vyasatheerthulu,
a devotee of Vishnu and a Hanumathupasakadu, was the Guru of the kings. Sri Vyasatheerthulu was
spreading Hanumat Bhakti and spirituality. He had also installed many Hanuman idols and constructed
temples for Sri Hanuman whenever he was directed.
His Visit to Machavaram
As Sri Vyasatheerthulu was touring along with his disciples on foot, they halted at Indra Kiladri and
relaxed. Lord Maruti appeared in the form of a vanara, got them up from bed, and gave indication to
follow Him. They all did so, crossed over mountains and forests, and reached the place presently known
as Machavaram. Lord Maruti in vanara form asked Sri Vyasatheerthulu to construct a temple at
that place and to install the Anjaneya vigraham (idol) with Sankh and Chakra on
either side of the idol. After being directed so, Lord Maruti proceeded towards the northern
direction, reciting Ramanamam, and disappeared. As directed by Lord Maruti, Sri Vyasatheerthulu
initiated temple construction and left for another village.
Rediscovery of the Vigraha
In subsequent to the fall of the Vijayanagara samrajya and power going to others, many temples were fallen prey to and were ruined, including many Anjaneya temples constructed by Sri Vyasatheerthulu. About one hundred and fifty years ago, a contractor, Sri Dunna Veeraswamy Naidu, was constructing the Eluru–Vijayawada road. During that time, Lord Anjaneya gave him a divine direction by appearing in his dream to excavate the idol from a particular place.
Sri Vyasa Theerthulu was camping in Indra Kiladri when Lord Sri Maruti appeared in his dream and asked him to establish Sri Hanuman under a banian tree at the present place known as Machavaram.
Sri Naidu proceeded to the site indicated by Lord Anjaneya in his dream with his labourers for digging work. A small, excellent divine idol form of Sri Hanuman with Sindhoora decoration was excavated from the very same place where a peepal tree existed. He had arranged for a thatched shed then and there for the idol, facilitating the darshan to devotees. Earlier to the construction of the present temple, the peepal tree was providing pleasant shelter at the place, and that very same tree is still alive and can be seen even today.
From then onwards, the Lord Anjaneya of this kshetra had been blessing and fulfilling the
desires of the devotees.
Sri Dasaanjaneya
Sri Dasa Anjaneya vigraha is about two to three feet tall and an ardha shila in nature. Sri Dasa Anjaneya is sitting on His knees in front of Sri Rama and is seen here as a Dasa. Both his hands are seen folded with the palms joined in 'anjali,' offering 'pranams' to His Lord. His bright, dazzling kundalam is big. He is seen wearing beautiful ornaments on His arms, chest, and legs. ‘Yagyopavetham’ with three strings of thread is seen brightly. His tuft is seen as flowing/waving in a mild breeze. As typical of Sri Vyasaraja pratishtha, the Lord's tail is seen raised above the head and has a bell tied in the fag end.
Festivals
This sthala puranam has not been found on any standard form but has only been as told by elders since the good olden days. This temple is under the Endowment Department of the AP Government.
Dhanurmasam and Hanumath Jayanti are the main festivals celebrated in this temple. Aku (betel leaf) pooja is performed for the Lord with great reverence here. Devotees from in and around Vijayawada throng for darshan of the Lord, especially on Tuesday.
The temple is located 6 km from the central bus stand of Vijayawada and 5 km from the Vijayawada Railway Station.
Under the inspiration of the Lord Anjaneya, many devotees made many slokas, including a panchavimsati, in praise of Sri Dasaanjaneya Swami of this kshetra.
machavara vasa sathakoti manmatha vilasaa
kasari putra hanumantha keerthimantha ||
Location of the temple: "Sri Dasaanjaneya Swami Temple, Machavaram"
Experience
Though Lord Anjaneya's murthi(idol) of the kshethra is small, kirthi is great, and a visit to this kshethra can bring peace, love and lot of inspiration.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [Prior to July 2001
Updates: Sep 2019, Dec 2024]