Sri Anjaneya temples in Madurai
Sri Jayaveera Anjaneya Swami Temple, Simmakal, Madurai
Sri Krishnaraya Theppakulam Anjaneyer Temple, Madurai
Sri AnjaneyaSwami of Perumal Temple, Tallakulam, Madurai
Sri AnjaneyaTemple, Bairagi Mutt, South Chitrai Vedhi, Madurai
Sri Anjaneya Temple built by Rani Mangamma, Avaniyapuram, Madurai
Sri Anjaneya Temple, Usalampatti Road, Tirumangalam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Sri Hanumantharayan Kovil, East Hanumantharayan Kovil Street, Madurai
Sri Anjaneya of Veera Azhagar Perumal Temple Manamadurai, Sivaganga
Sri Anjaneya, Sitarama Anjaneya Mataalayam, behind alankar theater, Madurai
Sri Sitarama Anjaneya Temple, Mahal 5th St, Madurai
Sri Anjaneya, Pathinettampadi Karuppa Swami Temple, Alagar Kovil, Madurai
Madurai
Madurai is one of the oldest cities in south India and has a long, great history. To its great pride, this city was ruled by Parvati and Shiva themselves as Meenakshi, Sudaresvarar. It is no wonder that all the rulers had given great importance to the temples of Meenakshi and Sudaresvarar. Signs of human settlements and Roman trade links dating back to 300 BCE are evident from excavations by the Archeological Survey of India in Manalur. Madurai is mentioned in the works of Roman historians Pliny the Younger (61 – c. 112 CE), Ptolemy (c. 90 – c. CE 168), the Greek geographer Strabo (64/63 BCE – c. 24 CE), and also in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. The recorded history of the city starting from the early third century shows that the city always had the importance of the capital of the rulers. The Pandiyas dynasty was one major ruler who played an important role in Tamil Nadu's history. Throughout they continued to have Madurai as the capital is to be noted.
Madurai during different periods
While the present Madurai is the third Madurai, the first one had been swept under the sea and also the second one. Pandiyas were the rulers of the region and three Madurai were the capital of Pandiyas. Pandiyas were patrons of the Tamil language and had honored learned men of the language. Madurai was not only the capital of Pandiyas but also of the Tamil. The assembly of scholars of the language known as ‘Tamil Sangam’ was flourishing under the patronage of the Pandiya kings. Broadly the period of this patronage of nearly ten thousand years had been split into three Tamil Sangam periods. While these are academic, normally the third Tamil Sangam and the Pandiya kings of this period are discussed. Much of the information about the Pandian kings and Madurai of this time is available in literature and inscriptions.
Madurai and its first fort
The description of the city of Madurai is vividly given in the literature ‘Maduraikkanchi’ a 2-3rd century work by Mangudi Marudanar. This work is the longest poem having 782 lines. Lines 327 to 724 describe the plan and layout of Madurai city; the structure of the palace; four types of armed forces; shops during the day and then night; festivals; customs and practices of the people; life of prostitutes; special features of Madurai and likes.
The author while telling about the city entrance describes the fortification of the city that is encircled by a deep moat and the high raised ramparts. The gateways of the city are ancient and strong. The gateways had high towers and strong and heavy doors guarded by deities. The doors are well-oiled. Then the author likens Vaigai to Madurai and says that the crowds at the entrance of Madurai are always moving like a perennial running Vaigai. The width of the streets is as wide as that of the river with houses on both sides. At least we should think of ordinary houses the author says they are ‘in the well laid multi-layered’ [பல்புழை நல் இல்] that is, houses with many windows/balcony with beautifully decorated works.
It is clear from the above that Madurai had a fort with moats and a great strong gateway with guardian deities even as early as the 2nd to 3rd century.
Note that north Perumal Maistry Street is interrupted by the temple, in other words, the wall of the fort stops there for the bastion or entrance of the fort. It could be a probability that the northern entrance – vadakku vaasal of the fort was in existence this point then. The probability increases further because of the presence of the Sri Hanuman temple at this point.
Madurai Fort built by Nayaks
This fort of the Pandiya period had Sri Meenakshi Temple as the fulcrum and the city encompassing. Archeologists believe that the then fort of Pandiyas was within the present Avani Moola streets. Then the city came under the rule of Madurai Nayaks and the city was expanded. The new fort was built by them which formed the outer circle of the earlier fort built by Pandiays. Even this fort built by Nayaks was brought down during the British rule, to facilitate further expansion of the city. Thus Madurai had two forts at different times.
Remains of Madurai forts
What remains today to remind us about the old fort built by Pandiyas is a physical partial structure of a then gate on the eastern side of Sri Meenakshi temple. There is a stone inscription installed by Philip on the Eastern Gate, which is widely known as Vitta Vaasal, reads: ‘This structure was formerly the eastern gateway of the old Pandian fort. Any person destructing, defacing, removing, altering or in any way injuring any part of it or causing it to be so damaged will be prosecuted.’ There is a temple for Sri Muniswaran the guardian deity of the Eastern gate. To remind us about the then moat there is a street with the name ‘Mela Pandian Agazh Theru’.
The fort built by Nayaks is said to have had seventy-two watch towers. One of the 72 bastions can be seen near the Central Periyar Bus stand on West Veli Street.
Entrance to the fort
According to scholars of history the Madurai during Nayaks' time was limited to Masi streets only. The fort which existed during Nayak’s period had been pulled down during the British Raj. To expand the Madurai beyond the fort, the fort was demolished. Blackburn pulled down the fort. The moat was given away to the people who could fill the moat at their cost. Surveyor Marret and Perumal Maistry the supervisor played a major role in this process. The present Marret Streets and Veli Streets formed the moat of Madurai Fort. Perumal Maistry streets are where the fort walls were.
The fort which had seventy-two bastions had main gates and entrances in all directions also. Today the area where the fort entrances exist is known as Vadakku vaasal, Kizhakku vaasal, Therkku vassal, etc.
Vadakku Vaasal
Given alongside is the map from Google, with Vadakkuvaasal Sri Hanumar kovil marked. The temple connects North Masi Street and North Veli Street and there is a thoroughfare. Devotees can enter the temple from either street. Kindly note that north Perumal Maistry Street is interrupted by the temple, in other words, it could be said that the wall of the fort stops there for the bastion or entrance of the fort. It could be a probability that the northern entrance – vadakku vassal of the fort was in existence at this point. The probability increases further because of the presence of the Sri Hanuman temple at this point. The width and length of the temple complex could be comparable to the entrance of any other fort of that time. This could be compared with the bastion that is remaining in Periyar from where the corporation office is functioning, its relative positioning with west Veli Street, west Marret Street, and west Perumal Maistry Street. This further supports the possibility of positioning Vadakku Vaasal as the then fort of the Nayaks’ period.
Hanuman protector of Fort
Hanuman has been worshiped as the protector of the village or rajya and a deity who gives strength, and valour to the men, women headman/king. This is an especially true belief of the kings of Vijayanagara Samrajya. In many of the forts built or maintained by the feudatory kings of Vijayanagara Samrajya, Sri Hanuman had been installed as guardian deity. It is common to find a temple for Sri Hanuman in forts built by these rulers. Madurai Nayaks are one of the well-known feudal lords of Vijayanagara Samrajya, therefore it is no wonder that when they built a fort at Madurai they also installed a guardian deity, Sri Hanuman. In Madurai, one such temple for Sri Hanuman is found at the Northern entrance of the fort. In Tamil Northern entrance is known as ‘Vadakku Vaasal’.
Sri Hanuman temple complex
As said earlier, devotees could enter the temple either from North Veli Street or North Masi Street. On the north Veli Street, the entrance to the temple has a single-tier gopuram which has an arch at the center depicting Sri Sita, Sri Rama, and Sri Lakshmana. On the two sides of the gopuram, two more arches are seen in which Yoga Narashima and Yoga Anjaneya are portrayed. Next to the Yoga Anjaneya arch is a very exquisitely designed arch in which Sri Rama Darbar had been portrayed. By the side of Yoga Narasimha, Anjaneya sitting on the seat made of His tail is depicted. All these made of mortar and cement are wonderful pieces of artwork. On entering after an open space we see the sannidhi of Sri Anjaneya on the right side. On the left of the Anjaneya sannidhi is Vinayaka and on the right is Sri Krishna. On the three sides of the east-facing sannidhi of Sri Anjanaya Yoga Anjaneya in the south, Panchamukha Anjaneya on the west, and Bhaktha Anjaneya on North had been installed as koshta devata. Just then we could see a peepal tree under which Sri Marriamman sannidhi is present. A few naga predhistas are also seen here. We could see adjacent to this a long pathway, which leads to North Masi Street.
Sri Hanuman
Sri Hanuman of this kshatra is facing east. The murtham made of granite stone is around three feet tall and the carving is of the ‘ardha shila’ style.
Lord is seen walking northwards with His left lotus foot in the front. His right lotus foot is seen slightly raised from the ground. Both His feet are adorning nupuram and thandai. His left hand is seen resting on the left hip and in his hand, he is holding the stem of the sowgandika flower. The flower which is still to bloom is seen above His left shoulder. A bracelet on the wrist and nupuram on the upper arm is seen. With His other hand raised above He showers blessings on His devotees. He is wearing ornaments which adorn His bosom. Yagnopaveetham and uttriyam are also seen. The tail of the Lord is raised above His head with a curved end that adorns a small beautiful bell. The Lord is wearing kundalam and His kesam is neatly tied into tuft. A beautiful small crown as headgear adds majesty. to Lord's look. His radiant eyes are seen showering benevolence on the devotee.
Location of the temple: "Vadakku Vasal Hanumar Kovil, Madurai "
Experience
For nearly two hundred years of Nayaks' rule He had protected the city and people, stood by the rulers against all adversity, and is still eager to protect His devotees against any hardship and guide him in the righteous path.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [August 2023]
Updates: [Jan 2025]