Nammakkal is an ancient city of Tamil Nadu. The name literally means “the stone of Nama”, after a 65 feet rocky-hill, Namagiri, that is at the centre of the city. Its a single rock, more than 65 metres high, and a km or more in circumference. The city is not far from Salem/Erode, and is a part of the ancient Kongu Nadu.
Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple
Legend - After returning the Sanjeevi mountain to the Himalayas Hanuman was having a bath in the Gantaki river where he found a precious Saligramam which contained two shrines of Mahavishnu together - Sri Ranganathar & Sri Narasimhar. Hanuman decided to take it home with him for worship. Enroute to Sri Lanka Hanuman stopped near a pond to perform Sandhyavandanam. As the Saligramam is precious one and it is strictly prohibited to keep it in the land, Sri Hanuman searched for a person to hand it over till the completion of his Santhyavanthana. He found goddess Mahalakshmi who was in deep meditation. She agreed to take receive it on the condition that Hanuman would not take long. If he failed to return back, she will place the Saligramam in land and continue her meditation. Hanuman agreed. But after completing Sandhyavandanam Hanuman started Rama Nama Japam after which he lost consciouness and fell into deep meditation. By the time he returned Mahalakshmi had placed the Saligramam on the ground and it had grown into a big hill.
Then, Sri Hanuman conveyed his sorry to Goddess for the delay and decided to take this Salaigrama Parvatham (name of the hill) with him. He was bit over confident about his strength. He thought that it is not difficult to lift the small hill with him. But, to wonder, he couldn’t even shake the hills a bit. Sri Hanuman felt shame and at the same time wondered about the mystery. From the sky, a divine voice (Aasurrari) announced as follows: “Oh, Bhalvan Hanuman, You are fortunate to get the Saligram of Lord Sri Narashimha and Lord Sri Ranganatha in one shrine. Lord Sri Narashimha likes to stay here only. Hear after, this place will be called Namagiri Shetram. To give personal Dharsan of Sri Narashimha Deva, to Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi, Lord Sri Narashimha Deva cheerfully played this game. Hence, don’t feel disappointed. This Lakshminarashimha Dharsanam happed to Goddess Mahalakshmi in Saligrama Giri because of Nama Jappam. Hence, Goddess Mahalakshmi will be called as Goddess Namagiri Lakshmi in this Namagiri shethram”.
To appreciate your Bhakthi and service to Lord Sri Rama, God Narashimha Deva has given you a boon. Once Lord Sri Rama went back to Vaikunda, you could come here and do service to Lord Sri Narashimha Deva forever. You will be given the primary responsibility at Lord’s service. You should save and help the devotees as per the wish of Lord Sri Narashimha Deva”. By hearing this, Sri Hanuman filled with joy, cheered up with extreme happiness. Then, Sri Hanuman prayed Lord Sri Narashimha Deva and Goddess Sri Namagiri Lakshmi. After his prayers he returned back to Sri Lanka.When Lord Shri Ram returned to Adyodhya after the conquest of Sri Lanka, Sri Hanuman also stayed in Ayodhya and was fully involved in the service of Lord Sri Rama. When Lord Sri Rama left his materialistic body and went back to Sri Vaikunda, Sri Hanuman came back to Namagiri Shetram (Namakkal) to involve himself with Lord Narashimha service. As the Merciful Lord Sri Narashimha Deva stays in the middle of the Saligrama Parvatham (hill), Sri Hanuman couldn’t get Dharsan by standing from the ground level.
Hence, Sri Hanuman raised his height slowly, and had Dharsan of lotus feet of Lord Sri Narashimha Deva. Since, Sri Hanuman was satisfied with Dharsan of Lord Narashimha feet, he stopped his growth and has been staying in Namakkal with the same gigantic figure.
Temple - The cave temple is a a fine example of early Pallava architecture of the 7th Century AD. The idol of Hanuman is 18.5 feet or so in height, and stands under open sky, opposite to the temple of Narasimha. The idol and the 4 feet high peetham (platform) on which it stands, have been carved out a single stone. It is amazing to see the Sri Hanuman’s eyes, which is very straight to Lord Sri Narashimha Deva’s foot. The wonderful gigantic figure; with Big and beautiful eyes; Curved eyebrows and Lengthy ears; Wide mouth and Bulged chin; Broad Chest and Muscular Shoulders; It’s divine look of Sri Hanuman standing on big sacred lotus.
In this temple, Lord Sri Hanuman is called as “ Narashimha Bhaktha Hanuman “ means “ Divine Devotee of Lord Sri Narashimha “. His hands folded with obedience, his tail placed on top of his head resembling obedience, looking as if a bell has been tied to it, and Sri Hanuman always chants the holy names of Lord Sri Hari with his Japa Mala (A garland prepared with herbs used for counting) hanging down up to the stomach.
Sri Hanuman played a vital role in Lord Sri Rama’s kingdom. He had served Lord Sri Ram in all the ways, as a servant in personal life, as a Minister in political operations, as a knight in his military and etc., Hence, he decorated himself with silk cloths, gold and diamond ornaments and short sword suitable to all his roles and responsibilities. With the same dresses, jewels and decorations, Sri Hanuman came to Namakkal and serving the Lord Sri Narashima. Hence, Sri Hanuman is decorated with golden Crown; big diamond Earrings, lengthy gold Garlands and Chains; Fingers decorated with rings; wrists decorated ornaments; Hip covered with golden belt; a short curved sword in right hand side of hip; ankles clubbed with gold rings; such a nice huge and beautiful deity of Sri Hanuman, we couldn’t see anywhere in this world.
One more specialty of this temple is that Lord Sri Hanuman doesn’t have a roof over him and stays under the open sky. In past centuries, many people tried many times to build roof for Sri Hanuman, but Lord Hanuman didn’t accept it. Pallava kings built many halls, compound walls and numerous stone sculptures in this temple, but couldn’t build a roof for Sri Hanuman.
Prayers and Festivals - Sri Hanuman is having the primary respect and responsibility at Lord’s service. Whenever Lord Sri Narashimha comes out of temple for festivals, Sri Hanuman goes in front by facing Lord and offering obedience’s. In this temple, Sri Hanuman hosts all the festivals in Namakkal. Even in car festival of Lord, Sri Hanuman’s car is going on the streets in front of Lord’s car. Being a sacred Vaishnava, Sri Hanuman receives the first respect in all the festivals.
Special tall platforms have been constructed on the tow sides and back of the idol from where the abhisekham and alankaram are performed to the Lord.
All poojas and rituals held here are according to the Madhva sampradayam (tradition). Devotees can offer sacred tulasi garlands, sweet-scented betel garlands, vada malai and flower garlands for decorating Sri Hanuman. These come in three sizes for offering as per one’s convenience, first type going down till the stomach, 2nd type going down till the knees and the 3rd type going down to touch the feet.
Then, Sri Hanuman conveyed his sorry to Goddess for the delay and decided to take this Salaigrama Parvatham (name of the hill) with him. He was bit over confident about his strength. He thought that it is not difficult to lift the small hill with him. But, to wonder, he couldn’t even shake the hills a bit. Sri Hanuman felt shame and at the same time wondered about the mystery. From the sky, a divine voice (Aasurrari) announced as follows: “Oh, Bhalvan Hanuman, You are fortunate to get the Saligram of Lord Sri Narashimha and Lord Sri Ranganatha in one shrine. Lord Sri Narashimha likes to stay here only. Hear after, this place will be called Namagiri Shetram. To give personal Dharsan of Sri Narashimha Deva, to Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi, Lord Sri Narashimha Deva cheerfully played this game. Hence, don’t feel disappointed. This Lakshminarashimha Dharsanam happed to Goddess Mahalakshmi in Saligrama Giri because of Nama Jappam. Hence, Goddess Mahalakshmi will be called as Goddess Namagiri Lakshmi in this Namagiri shethram”.
To appreciate your Bhakthi and service to Lord Sri Rama, God Narashimha Deva has given you a boon. Once Lord Sri Rama went back to Vaikunda, you could come here and do service to Lord Sri Narashimha Deva forever. You will be given the primary responsibility at Lord’s service. You should save and help the devotees as per the wish of Lord Sri Narashimha Deva”. By hearing this, Sri Hanuman filled with joy, cheered up with extreme happiness. Then, Sri Hanuman prayed Lord Sri Narashimha Deva and Goddess Sri Namagiri Lakshmi. After his prayers he returned back to Sri Lanka.When Lord Shri Ram returned to Adyodhya after the conquest of Sri Lanka, Sri Hanuman also stayed in Ayodhya and was fully involved in the service of Lord Sri Rama. When Lord Sri Rama left his materialistic body and went back to Sri Vaikunda, Sri Hanuman came back to Namagiri Shetram (Namakkal) to involve himself with Lord Narashimha service. As the Merciful Lord Sri Narashimha Deva stays in the middle of the Saligrama Parvatham (hill), Sri Hanuman couldn’t get Dharsan by standing from the ground level.
Hence, Sri Hanuman raised his height slowly, and had Dharsan of lotus feet of Lord Sri Narashimha Deva. Since, Sri Hanuman was satisfied with Dharsan of Lord Narashimha feet, he stopped his growth and has been staying in Namakkal with the same gigantic figure.
Temple - The cave temple is a a fine example of early Pallava architecture of the 7th Century AD. The idol of Hanuman is 18.5 feet or so in height, and stands under open sky, opposite to the temple of Narasimha. The idol and the 4 feet high peetham (platform) on which it stands, have been carved out a single stone. It is amazing to see the Sri Hanuman’s eyes, which is very straight to Lord Sri Narashimha Deva’s foot. The wonderful gigantic figure; with Big and beautiful eyes; Curved eyebrows and Lengthy ears; Wide mouth and Bulged chin; Broad Chest and Muscular Shoulders; It’s divine look of Sri Hanuman standing on big sacred lotus.
In this temple, Lord Sri Hanuman is called as “ Narashimha Bhaktha Hanuman “ means “ Divine Devotee of Lord Sri Narashimha “. His hands folded with obedience, his tail placed on top of his head resembling obedience, looking as if a bell has been tied to it, and Sri Hanuman always chants the holy names of Lord Sri Hari with his Japa Mala (A garland prepared with herbs used for counting) hanging down up to the stomach.
Sri Hanuman played a vital role in Lord Sri Rama’s kingdom. He had served Lord Sri Ram in all the ways, as a servant in personal life, as a Minister in political operations, as a knight in his military and etc., Hence, he decorated himself with silk cloths, gold and diamond ornaments and short sword suitable to all his roles and responsibilities. With the same dresses, jewels and decorations, Sri Hanuman came to Namakkal and serving the Lord Sri Narashima. Hence, Sri Hanuman is decorated with golden Crown; big diamond Earrings, lengthy gold Garlands and Chains; Fingers decorated with rings; wrists decorated ornaments; Hip covered with golden belt; a short curved sword in right hand side of hip; ankles clubbed with gold rings; such a nice huge and beautiful deity of Sri Hanuman, we couldn’t see anywhere in this world.
One more specialty of this temple is that Lord Sri Hanuman doesn’t have a roof over him and stays under the open sky. In past centuries, many people tried many times to build roof for Sri Hanuman, but Lord Hanuman didn’t accept it. Pallava kings built many halls, compound walls and numerous stone sculptures in this temple, but couldn’t build a roof for Sri Hanuman.
Prayers and Festivals - Sri Hanuman is having the primary respect and responsibility at Lord’s service. Whenever Lord Sri Narashimha comes out of temple for festivals, Sri Hanuman goes in front by facing Lord and offering obedience’s. In this temple, Sri Hanuman hosts all the festivals in Namakkal. Even in car festival of Lord, Sri Hanuman’s car is going on the streets in front of Lord’s car. Being a sacred Vaishnava, Sri Hanuman receives the first respect in all the festivals.
Special tall platforms have been constructed on the tow sides and back of the idol from where the abhisekham and alankaram are performed to the Lord.
All poojas and rituals held here are according to the Madhva sampradayam (tradition). Devotees can offer sacred tulasi garlands, sweet-scented betel garlands, vada malai and flower garlands for decorating Sri Hanuman. These come in three sizes for offering as per one’s convenience, first type going down till the stomach, 2nd type going down till the knees and the 3rd type going down to touch the feet.
On Sri Hanuman’s birthday, New Year day and ammavasai days in the month of margazhi are specially celebrated here.
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