🛕 Arulmigu Anchaneyar And Kothandaramartemple

About the Deity

Anchaneyar, also known as Anjaneya, is another name for Hanuman, the revered monkey god in Hindu tradition. Hanuman is a central figure in the epic Ramayana, celebrated as the devoted servant of Lord Rama. He belongs to the Vanara race and is the son of Vayu, the wind god, and Anjana. Alternative names include Maruti, Pavanputra, and Kesari Nandan. In iconography, Hanuman is typically depicted with a muscular human-like body, a monkey face, a long tail often curled upwards, and carrying a gada (mace). He is shown in dynamic poses, such as flying with the Dronagiri mountain or kneeling in devotion to Rama. Devotees pray to Hanuman for strength, courage, devotion (bhakti), protection from evil, and victory over obstacles. Tuesdays and Saturdays are traditionally auspicious for his worship, with chants like the Hanuman Chalisa being popular.

Kothandaramar refers to Lord Rama holding the kodanda (divine bow), a form of the Vaishnava deity Vishnu's seventh avatar, Rama. Rama is the prince of Ayodhya and the protagonist of the Ramayana, embodying dharma (righteousness), ideal kingship, and familial duty. He is part of the Dashavatara (ten avatars of Vishnu) and is often worshipped alongside his consort Sita, brother Lakshmana, and devotee Hanuman. Iconographically, Rama appears as a noble warrior-king with blue skin, holding a bow and arrows, dressed in royal attire with a crown or headgear. Devotees seek his blessings for righteousness, marital harmony, prosperity, and protection from adversity. This combined worship of Anchaneyar (Hanuman) and Kothandaramar (Rama) highlights the profound guru-shishya (devotee-lord) bond central to Vaishnava and broader Hindu devotion.

Regional Context

Chennai district, located in Tamil Nadu, is a vibrant hub of Hindu religious life within the Tamil cultural sphere, often associated with the Tondaimandalam region historically linked to Pallava and Vijayanagara influences. The area blends urban dynamism with deep-rooted temple traditions, where Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Devi worship coexist harmoniously. Tamil Nadu as a whole is renowned for its Dravidian temple architecture, characterized by towering gopurams (gateway towers) adorned with colorful stucco sculptures of deities, saints, and mythical scenes, vimanas (tower over the sanctum), and intricate mandapas (pillared halls). In Chennai's urban locales like Purasaivakkam, temples often feature these styles adapted to community settings, serving as spiritual anchors amid city life. The region's bhakti tradition, enriched by Tamil saints like the Alvars (Vaishnava) and Nayanars (Shaiva), fosters a syncretic devotional culture.

What to Expect at the Temple

In Saiva-Vaishnava traditions, temples typically conduct daily poojas following the agama shastras, with Vaishnava temples often observing a six-fold service (shan-kala pooja) including early morning suprabhatam, mid-morning offerings, and evening rituals, while Shaiva influences may incorporate five-fold worship. For deities like Rama and Hanuman, expect abhishekam (ritual bathing), alankaram (decoration), naivedya (offerings of sweets and fruits), and aarti with camphor and lamps. Common festivals in this tradition include Rama Navami celebrating Rama's birth, Hanuman Jayanti for Hanuman's appearance, and Diwali (Deepavali) marking Rama's return from exile—typically marked by special poojas, processions, and bhajans. Devotees often circumambulate the shrine, recite Ramayana passages, and offer sindoor or oil to Hanuman.

Visiting & Contribution

This community-cared temple in Purasaivakkam reflects local devotion; specific pooja timings and festivals may vary, so devotees are encouraged to confirm with temple authorities or local sources. Contribute to the directory by sharing verified details to enrich this public resource.