Temples and Places Associated with Sri Hanuman

Millions of people have heard of Sri Hanuman, the eternal servitor of Lord Rama. He is celebrated in many cultures, and different versions of His story appear in many languages. In China, He is known as Shun Wu Kong, the Wind Monkey. In Thailand, He is a central character in the Ramakiya, Thailand's most popular folktale. People know His history, and where He came from or how He came to have wonderful powers. There are many stories associated with Sri Hanuman but these millennia-old texts reveal His extraordinary life in bits and pieces. When the pieces are brought together they convey the story of a timeless superhero.

Pictures and idols of Anjaneya are found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, China, Mauritius, Thailand, Burma, and Bali. In Cambodia, the story of Sri Rama is popular as Ramakirthi. The story of Anjaneya is enacted in Thailand. However, there are some minor differences in the folklore in these countries. In India separate Hanuman shrines are found in most temples dedicated to Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, and Sri Vishnu. 

Andhra Pradesh (India)

Rishyamooka Mountain - This is situated near Hampi on the Bellary Highway. The mountain is visible a little away from the Sri Virupaksha Temple situated at the middle of Hampi. According to legend, Sugriva stayed here along with Anjaneya out of fear of his brother Vali. It was here that Anjaneya introduced Sri Rama to Sugriva. The Tungabhadra River flows here in the shape of a bow. At Chakratheertha there is a temple devoted to Sri Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshmana, and Anjaneya.

Kishkindha - The Anegondi village on the banks of the Tungabhadra River is considered to be the Kishkindha mentioned in the Ramayana. It is believed that Sri Rama killed Bali on his battle with Sugriva on the other side of the river. There is a cave near the place where it is believed that Sri Rama and Lakshmana took rest after killing Bali. Behind the cave there is a mountain peak known as Hanuman Mountain. It is also believed that Anjaneya visits the mountain peak on Chitra Pournami and special days and many people have reportedly heard the roar of Anjaneya from this peak. Near this mountain peak there are three other peaks known after Sugriva, Thara, and Angada.

There is yet another belief that Hampi in Karnataka, the 14^th century capital of Vijayanagara kingdom in the Deccan heartland was the Kishkindha. It is notable that this place is inhabited by large number of monkeys.

Anjaneya Shrine in Sri Seetharamachandra Swamy Temple at Bhadrachalam in Khammam District. The temple, dedicated to Lord Rama, is situated on the left bank of the Godavari River. The uniqueness of the temple is that the deity here is a combination of both incarnations - Sri Rama with kodandam (bow) and Vishnu with his shanku (conch shell) and chakra (discus, as a symbol of destruction of evil). Also, unlike in other temples Sita Devi is seated on Sri Rama's lap. This shrine was visited by Kabir. This temple is called the Kaliyuga Vaikuntam.

The temple is associated with puranic and historic facts. According to a legend, a sage named Bhadra did intense penance until Treta Yuga was over and Lord Rama, who was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was back to his original avatar. Pleased by Bhadra's devotion, He as Lord Rama as per Bhadra's wishes granted him liberation. This precisely explains the above mentioned description of the deity at Bhadrachalam. The hillock on which Bhadra Maharishi did penance and attained liberation got the name Bhadragiri or Bhadrachalam.

A few kilometers away from the temple is the Ushnagundam. It is said that from here Lakshmana had brought hot water for Sita Devi to bathe. Legend has it that Sri Rama's hermitage in exile was situated here at Bhadrachalam. Parnasala, 32 kms from Bhadrachalam is said to be the site of the hut where Sri Rama, Sita Devi and Lakshmana lived in exile and where Sita Devi was abducted by Ravana. This temple underwent renovation in the 17^th century. 

Koormakshetram located 14 kms from Srikakulam has Sri Varahamoorthy as the main deity. It is believed that Adi Sankara, Ramanuja, and Madhwacharya visited this temple. There are eight ponds around the temple of which the third one by name Chakratheertha is believed to be the place from where the second avatar of Vishnu, as Varaha appeared. On the banks of this pond there is a separate temple for Veera Hanuman.

Guthenadeevi Temple at Mumbhidivaram Taluk on the banks of Godavari River in the East Godavari District initially had only an Anjaneya idol. It is believed that the walls of the temple started shaking as Anjaneya used to dance. After astrological consultations, some twenty-five years back, idols of Sita Devi and Sri Rama were also installed after which Anjaneya became calm. It is believed that the temple was consecrated by Sage Gautama.

Suparihanuman Temple in Aurangabad. The East facing Anjaneya idol here is swayambhu (uncreated or self-formed) and is believed to be growing.

Malyavan Mountain - This mountain is located northeast of the Srivirupaksha Temple. It is believed that Anjaneya handed over the Choodamani gem given by Sita Devi to Sri Rama at Pravarshanagiri, a place located on this mountain. 

The towering statue of Sri Anjaneya on the Tirumala Hills

Veera Anjaneya Ganddi Kshetram, Chakrayapettah, Vemballi Via, Cuddappah

Sri Prasanna Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Pannamgadu Village, Tada Mandalam, Nellore District

The 62 feet statue at the outskirts of Samalkote

The idol at Mangalagiri with Lord Narasimha

At Kamalapuram near Hospet, there is a village by name Madhuvan which is believed to be associated with Sugriva. 

Sanghi Temple - Located about 25 kms from the heart of Hyderabad city is located the picturesque Sanghi Nagar, an industrial suburb. Seen from several kilometers away is the Sanghi Temple complex with its 15 feet tall sacred Raja Gopuram. This beautiful temple complex atop the hillock Paramanand Giri exudes an aura of divinity and provides a panoramic and breathtaking view. At the foot of the hillock there are three Gopurams towering into the blue sky. Before ascending to the temple complex on top is the Shrine of Lord Anjaneya, red-faced. Lord Venkateswara, known as the bestower of piety and plenty, is the presiding deity of the complex. The nine and half feet tall idol of the deity is a true replica of the one at Tirumala and resides in the imposing sanctum sanctorum in the center of the complex. There are shrines dedicated to Goddess Padmavathy, Lord Siva, Goddess Aadilakshmi, Goddess Durga, Lord Karthikeya, Lord Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshman, Sri Hanuman, Lord Vijayganapathi, and Navagrahas.

Andhra Pradesh

Veera Mangala Anjaneya Temple at Nallattur, Tiruttani Taluk. The site is located 99 kms from Madras and 13 kms from Tiruttani. This is believed to be one of the 732 Anjaneya idols consecrated by Vyasaraya Tirtha, guru of King Krishna Devaraya in different parts of the country when he went on a padayatra. The idol, in the form of a child, is unique in many respects. The tail has a bell, the left palm holds a Sougandhigam flower, and the right hand is in a blessing posture. The neck is adored with a navaratnamala, the legs with the neck and the head carries the name Sri Rama. The background depicts the dasavatharas. It is understood that there is a similar idol in the Sreekatu Hanumantharaya Swami Temple at Dharapuram in Karur, Tamilnadu.

Sri Rama Temple in Kondapur near Madhapur Village in Hyderabad. The temple has a Chaturbhuja Rama idol. That is, Sri Rama with four hands with conch and disc in two hands, and bow and arrow in the other two, with Sita Devi on His left lap (Vamangasthitha Janaki) and Lakshmana as He appeared to Sage Bhadra at Bhadrachalam. Hanuman is placed in an aestheically built Hampi-style chariot facing the main deity in a standing posture with hands folded. This temple is hailed as the Bhadrachalam of Hyderabad. 

Assam

Anjaneya Temple in Bhimapur District in Assam

Bihar

The Aanjana village in Ranchi is believed to be the place where Anjana Devi lived. It is believed that she gave birth to Anjaneya in a cave five kilometres from the village. Devotees worship idols of Bala Hanuman and Anjana Devi in that cave. A tribe by name Uraamva living in the village claim that they are the descendents of Sri Hanuman.

There is a Lakshmikara idol of Hanuman in Hanuman Nagar in Janakpur.

Calcutta

Anjaneya Shrine at Kalighat in Calcutta

Anjaneya Shrine at Alipore in Calcutta

Anjaneya temple in Hanuman Gali near Harrison Road in Calcutta. This temple is also called the Sidhapeetham.

Delhi

Anjaneya Temple at Connaught Place in New Delhi

Karnataka

A modern temple has been built on Hanumantharayanagudda (Hanumanthnagar) which has imposing statues of Sri Rama and Hanuman locked in an embrace atop the shrine. 

Hanuman Temple at Tekal near Kolar

Hanuman Temple at Annigeri near Hubli

Ragigudda Anjaneya Temple

Anjaneya Temple at Mahalakshmi Layout in Bangalore

Hanuman Temple at Seshadripuram, Bangalore

Anjaneya Shrine in Sri Balkrishna Temple in Udipi consecrated by Sri Madhawacharya

Anjaneya Shrine in Mookambigai Temple

Anjaneya Temple at Tulsigiri in Bijapur District. The trayodasi festival in November – December is important.

Hanuman Temple at Dharwad

Panchamukha Anjaneya idol (swayambhu) at Mantralayam consecrated by Sri Raghavendra Swami

Anjaneya Temple at Palaguru on the Sholapur – Hubli Railway line near the Alamatti Railway Station

In Nanjudeswara Temple at Nanjangud, the idol of Sri Hanuman on a pillar is believed to be growing over the years.

Kerala

Sri Rama Temple at Triprayar in Thrissur District. The idol of Sri Rama is believed to be the one worshiped by Lord Krishna.

Sri Ramadasa Ashram, Chengottukonam, Trivandrum

Anjaneya Shrine in Thiruvilvamala on the banks of Bharathapuzha near Lakkidi Railway Station

Bhaktha Anjaneya Shrine in Thiruvangad Temple near Tellicherry

Anjaneya Shrine in Pampa on the way to the Sabarimala Tmple

Anjaneya Temple at Konathukunnu, near Irinjalakuda in Trichur District

Anjaneya Shrine at Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple nearly one kilometre from the Narasimha Swami Temple at Thuravur in Shertalai Taluk in Alleppey District. Devotees pray here for curing diseases and mental imbalances.

Maharashtra

Hanuman Temple at Kumbharbawadi is the family deity of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba.

Anjaneya Temple at Rahata, five kilometres west of Shirdi where Sri Shirdi Sai Baba appeared as Sri Hanuman to a devotee.

Anjaneya Shrine at Sri Venkateswara Balaji Temple at Walkeshwar in Bombay

Manipur

Anjaneya Shrine in Mahabali Ashram in Manipur

Orissa

Anjaneya has five shrines in Jagnnathpuri Temple. At the main entrance is the Makaradhwaja Hanuman Shrine. According to a legend, Kamdev entered the temple without the permission of Anjaneya and when he was stopped by Anjaneya, Kamdev engaged Him in a battle. Kamdev was defeated and had to flee from the place. The idol depicts a sword in the right hand and the left palm displays a victory sign. 

The shrine to the east of the temple depicts Hanuman as Bhaktha Hanuman, the shrine to the west of the temple as Veera Hanuman, and as Jnana Hanuman in the shrine north of the temple.

Hanuman is considered the caretaker of the garden in Puri Temple. Anjaneya here is known as Suranga Hanuman. It is believed that Lord Jaganath visits the garden on akshaya trithiya day with the permission of Sri Hanuman. 

Hanuman Temple in Bauda District

Gandhamadana Hills, 74 kms from Bolangir, is believed to be a part fallen from the Sanjivini Mount carried by Sri Hanuman. The Hill is abundant with herbs.

Rajasthan

Bharath Anjaneya Mandap, Sadachar Mandir, Pilani

Hanuman Temple at Bhangarh near Alwar

Tamil Nadu

Sri Vikraman Swami Puja Mandiram, Nanganallur, Madras

Yoga Anjaneya Temple at Kadikachalam, Sholinganallur. This is a rare idol of Anjaneya with four hands holding the Conch, Disc, and weapons. According to legend, Lord Vishnu deputed Anjaneya with His Conch and Disc to help King Indradyumna in his battle with the Kalakeya demons. The Sundays in Vrischika month (November-December) is of special importance here. Persons afflicted by evil spirits get cured by praying at this temple. There are over 300 steps to this temple. Facing the temple is the Yoga Narasimhar Temple situated on another hill just opposite.

Aadhivyadhihara Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple at Nanganallur, Madras. The granite idol is 32 feet tall and weighs over 90 tonnes. The base has a Panchamukha Anjaneya yantra. Aadhivyadhihara means one who destroys diseases.

Anjaneya Temple at Alwarpet, Madras

Anjaneya Temple at Royapettah, Madras

Anjaneya Temple at Triplicane, Madras

Aadyantha Maha Prabhu idol depicting half Vinayaka and half Anjaneya at the Madhya Kailas Temple in Adyar, Madras

Anjaneya Shrine at Vadapalani Temple, Madras

12 feet Anjaneya Temple at 53^rd Street, Ashok Nagar, Madras

The South facing Anjaneya Shrine in Mallikeshwarar Temple, inside the Police Training College campus, Ashok Nagar, Madras

 

Panchamukha Anjaneya Shrine in West Mambalam, Madras

Anjaneya Shrine at Siva Vishnu Temple, T.Nagar, Madras

Anjaneya figure carved on a pillar (depicting Anjaneya sitting on a seat made of His tail) near the entrance at the Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Madras

Anjaneya figure carved on a pillar near the shrine of Azhagiasingar inside the Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Madras

Anjaneya Temple at Valsaravakkam, Madras

Anjaneya Shrine in front of the Parthasarathy Shrine, Triplicane, Madras

Anjaneya figure carved on a pillar near the entrance to the Tiruvatteswaran Temple, Triplicane, Madras

Anjaneya Temple, Mosque street and Perumal Koil street junction, Saidapet, Madras

Sri Ramanjaneyar Temple on GST Road, Tambaram Sanatorium, Madras

Anjaneya Temple, Masudi street, Mylapore, Madras

Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple at Korattur, Madras

The Satya Hanuman idol on the Chengelpet Fort wall

Anjaneya Temple at Padappa on Vandalur-Sriperumpudur Road

Anjaneya Shrine facing Kailasanathar, Kanchipuram

Sri Rama Bhaktha Veera Anjaneya Temple, Road around the Arunachala Hill, Thiruvannamalai

Anjaneya idol, in child form, near the Navagraha Shrine in Sri Arunachala Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Anjaneya Shrine at Srimushna, North West of Varahaswami Temple in South Arcot District. Here Anjaneya appears reading the Ramayana.

Anjaneya idol in Sri Rama Temple at Kumbakonam in a sitting posture on a pedestal made of His tail

Hanuman Temple at Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli

Sreekatu Hanumantharaya Swami Temple at Dharapuram near Karur

Anjaneya Temple at Hanumanthapuram six miles east of Sri Narasimha Swami Temple, Chengelpet

Sri Anjaneya Sthanumalayaswami Temple at Suchindram near Kanyakumari which has an idol 16 feet tall.

Sri Sundaravaradaraja Perumal Temple at Uttaramerur, 85 kms from Madras, dedicated to Lord Vishnu has Sundaravaradaraja (also known as Soundarya Varadaraja) Perumal as the presiding deity. The shrine of Sri Veera Anjaneya is right opposite. The idols of ulsavamurthis placed in front of the presiding deity include that of Sri Hanuman. Bhrigu, according to legend, had performed his tapas in Uttaramerur. There are two Dwarapalikakals instead of Dwarapalakas found usually in temples which symbolise the Ganges River and the Yamuna River. Just as the Prayag in Allahabad in the north, Uttaramerur is called Dakshina Prayag.

The Anjaneya idol carrying Sanjivini Mount at the entrance of the Kanyakumari Temple

The Anjaneya Temple at the foot of the Marutuamala Mount on Trivandrum – Kanyakumari Road. It is believed that this mount was formed when a portion of Rishabadri carried by Anjaneya fell down. The holy fire lighted here on the Karthika day in Vrischika month (November-December) is very famous.

Anjaneya Temple, Kallukuzhi, Trichy

Veera Anjaneya Temple on Putlur Road, Kakkalur

The 18 feet Anjaneya Temple at Namakkal, Salem

Anjaneya Shrine in Balaji Temple located 7 kms from Valparai - 64 kms from Pollachi.

Anjaneya Shrine in the Ramanathar Temple at Rameswaram. The idol, eight feet below the sea and eight feet above the sea, is believed to be a swayambhu (uncreated or self-formed). The temple is one of the twelve sacred Jyotir Linga sites located throughout the sub-continent of India, where Lord Siva is said to have manifested as a towering column of fire. Unlike the other eleven Jyotir Linga sites, Rameshvaram has two sacred Lingas instead of just one. Following a terrific battle on the island of Lanka in which Sri Rama killed Ravana, Sita Devi and Sri Rama returned to India. At the site where they landed, Sri Rama decided to install a Siva Ling to absolve him of the sin of destroying Ravana who was a Brahmin by birth. Lord Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to get a lingam from Lord Siva. Hanuman's journey took longer than expected however, and as the auspicious time of worship neared, Sita Devi quickly fashioned a lingam out of sand. When Hanuman arrived with a lingam from Kailash He was disappointed to find another lingam already installed. To please Hanuman, Sri Rama installed the stone lingam beside the sand one and ordered that all worship should henceforth be given first to the Visvalingam brought by Hanuman, and only then to the Ramalinga made by Sita Devi.

 The temple, near the seashore, has 100-feet towers, and is renowned for its magnificent corridors with massive stone pillars. It is understood that more than ten thousand pilgrims visit the temple daily, making it one of the most visited sacred sites in Asia.

Jaya Veera Anjaneya Temple at Sethukkarai, Ramnad District

Anjaneya Shrine in Sankara Math near the sea shore at Rameswaram

Saakshi Hanuman Temple at Ram Jharokha, on the way to Ramarpadam at Rameswaram is open 24 hours where soondal (cooked black gram) is given as prasad (food sanctified by offering to the deity) 24 hours. According to legend, it was here that Lord Hanuman informed Sri Rama that He met Sita Devi at Lanka. Hence the name of the temple. Saakshi means witness.

Adi Jagannatha Temple at Tiruppullani near Ramanathapuram in Ramnad District forms a part of the Sethusthalam associated with the Ramayana and it enshrines Sri Rama in a reclining pose on a bed of darba grass. Its praise has been sung by Saint Tirumangai Alwar. Adjacent to the idol of Sri Rama is a beautiful idol of Anjaneya. 

Thallakulam Anjaneyar Shrine in the Prasanna Venkateswara Temple in Ramanad District

Near Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, there is an oblong stone which is believed to be and worshiped as Sri Hanuman’s tail. It is believed that it was here that He kept His tail on the path of Bheema.

Three faced idol of four feet high at Anantamangalam in Tanjore

Panchamukha Hanuman in Chakrapani Temple in Tanjore

Anjaneya Temple at Santhaveli near Valangaiman, about 20 kms from Kumbakonam in Tanjore District

The eight feet idol of Sri Hanuman at Dharapuram, with His tail facing up

 

Uttar Pradesh

Hanuman Ghat Anjaneya Temple at Ayodhya on the banks of the Sarayu River. There are two mounts named after Sugriva and Angada south of the temple. 

Jnana Hanuman Temple at Hanuman Baug

The swayambhu (uncreated or self-formed) Anjaneya idol in the temple near Triveni Sangam at Prayag.

Sri Hanuman Guffa at Tulsi Mandir, Tulsi Ghat

Sankatamochana Hanuman Temple near the South Hindu Vishwa Vidyalaya in Varanasi. Chitra Pournami is observed as a significant day here.

Hanuman Temple near the Sri Vinayaka Temple in Badrinath

Bala Hanuman Temple, known as Hanuman Pathak, on a mount North West in Varanasi. The temple is believed to be consecrated by Sant Tulsidas.

Five kilometres from Koditheertham is Hanumandhara (also called Patala Ganga Theertham) at Chitrakutam in the midst of mountain ranges. Water flows down the mountain, fills two ponds and falls over an idol of Sri Anjaneya, hence the name Hanumandhara. According to a legend Sri Rama asked Anjaneya to cool his tail in Chitrakutam which was still hot after He burnt down Lanka.

Anjaneya Mela at Aligarh in Lucknow. Lucknow was originally called Lakshman Puri. Hindus and Muslims participate in the Mela. According to a local legend, the temple was built by Muhammed Ali who ruled Lucknow as a mark of gratitude for being blessed with a child. The ruler who did not have a child was advised by his spiritual mendicant, Sri Baba Swami, to pray to Anjaneya.

Anjaneya Temple at Sri Simhapuram at Vrindavan. It is said that when Aurangazeb ordered demolition of the temple, Govindadevaji, the person in charge of the temple, prayed to Anjaneya and scores of monkeys appeared on the walls of the temple. The soldiers ran away scared and Aurangazeb not only withdrew the order but also gave assistance for the development of the temple.

Ayodhya – Allahabad – Chitrakoot – Bithur is called the Ram Van Vaas route.