Unique Hanuman kshetra, where He is praying to Sri Rama's Kula Devata
Theradi Sri Anjaneya temple, Tiruvindaloor, Mayiladuthurai, T Nadu
Sri Hari Sunder
images provided by Sri gk kaushik
Tiruvindaloor
Tiruvindaloor, the Srivaishnava kshetra and one of the 108 Divya Desams, is situated in Mayiladuthurai. Thirumangai Alwar has sung 10 pasurams in praise of the presiding deity, Sri Perimala Ranganathan of this temple. This Kshetram is revered as one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams, a group of five holy temples along the banks of the River Kaveri where Sri Ranganatha is the presiding deity.
Legend has it that Moon God was asked to pray to Sri Ranganatha in this kshetra to alleviate the curse of waning. Moon God meditated upon Sri Ranganatha of this kshetra and was relieved of the curse. Later, the temple for Sri Ranganatha was built, and many rulers contributed at different times from the Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagara Empire, and Madurai Nayaks towards the preservation and maintenance of this temple.
Shrines of the complex
The presiding deity, Sri Ranganathar, crafted from green granite, is seen in a reclining posture in the central shrine. The presiding deity, revered as Sri Parimala Ranganathar, is facing east. His consort, Sri Ranganayaki, is in a separate shrine. There are separate shrines for Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Anjaneya, Surya, and Chandra. This temple has three prakarams (precincts) that house all these shrines.
Archaeologically, one could find that all pillars of this temple are adorned with intricate carvings of the Dasavatara or incidents from the Ramayana. The complete Rasi Mandalalm [the twelve houses of the various Grahas as generally represented in a birth chart] is depicted nicely on the inside of the roof of the prakarams at different places.
All thirty-six pillars housing this temple bear sculptures of events from Sri Hanuman’s life. Created with great care, they bring the events to life. On top of the entrance to the Grabhagraham is covered with a brass sheet intricately designed. At the pinnacle of the entrance, an arch featuring beautifully rendered stucco of Sri Sita, Sri Rama, and Lakshmana flanked by Sri Anjaneya and Sri Garuda is seen.
Rituals
The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and throughout the year, festivals are celebrated.
During the daily rituals, different offerings are made to the deity. After the offerings to Sri Ranganatha, next it is offered to Sri Anjaneya, who resides in the Theradi.
Theradi
‘Ther’ in Tamil means chariot. During the main festival, the procession deities of the temple are brought to theradi. The deities are taken to the top of the theradi mandapam from where they are transferred to the chariot. The chariot is then taken on a procession on a prescribed route with the main deities placed on it.
The Theradi of this temple is just opposite the main temple. If one goes past the Rajagopuram with five tiers on the path leading to theradi, on the right is the ‘chandra pushkarni’. Facing the Rajagopuram is the sannidhi of Sri Hanuman, adjacent to theradi.
Theradi Hanuman temple
The Sri Hanuman Temple is prominently visible from the main Sri Ranganatha Temple. Its façade features a beautifully rendered stucco depicting the Sri SitaRama Kalyanam scene, the divine marriage of Lord Rama and Sita. To the right of Sri Sitarama are Lakshmana and Sathuguna, while to the left stand Lord Shiva and Vishwamitra with divine angels at both ends. The entire scene is housed within a protective glass enclosure. Sri Lakshmi and Sri Saraswati are seen on either side of this enclosure.
The temple is quite large, and the Garbhagraham is fully built with granite stones. A wide pathway encircles the Garbhagraham, allowing devotees to perform the sacred circumambulation, or parikrama, around the deity. The vimana on the top of the Garbhagraham is beautiful with vanaras protecting in all eight directions.
All thirty-six pillars housing this temple bear sculptures of events from Sri Hanuman’s life. Created with great care, they bring the events to life. ‘Lanka dhaganam’ scene depicted in the main temple and the Sri Hanuman temple is shown here for the details shown by the sculptor.
On top of the entrance to the Grabhagraham is covered with a brass sheet intricately designed. At the pinnacle of the entrance, an arch featuring beautifully rendered stucco of Sri Sita, Sri Rama, and Lakshmana flanked by Sri Anjaneya and Sri Garuda is seen.
Sri Hanuman
[The given image represents Sri Bhakta Hanuman, and not that of this Hanuman temple at Tiruvindaloor, Mayiladuthurai.]
The idol of Sri Anjaneya of this kshetra is placed on a platform of two feet, with the deity in a standing posture. Lord is wearing ‘thandai’ and ‘nupur’ on His feet. The left leg is ahead of the right foot and slightly bent, adding elegance. He is wearing an ornament near His right knee. The dhoti draped in the katcham style is gracefully held by an upper cloth wrapped around His waist. His palms are joined in prayer, offered to Lord Ranganatha. Kankan in the wrist and keyur in the upper arm, and bhuja valayam on the shoulder, parade His strength. The sacred yagyopavit, and a few ornamentals decorate His broad chest. The kundalam on His long ears dangle distinctively. The tail of the Lord arches gracefully over His head. The ‘kesa bhandan’ is holding the neatly tied kesam, resembling a crown on His head. Lord’s long, big eyes radiate compassion, bestowing blessings upon His devotees.
Location of the temple: "Theradi Sri Hanuman temple,Tiruvindaloor,Mayiladuthurai"
Experience
Sri Ranganatha is the ‘kula devatha’ of Sri Rama. Sri Hanuman is a great devotee of Sri Rama. Darshan of this ‘karunya moorthi’ Sri Hanuman, who is worshipping Sri Rama’s Kula devatha, will bestow immeasurable blessings upon the devotee.
OTHER INTERESTING TEMPLES
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [ September 2026]