Anjaneya Temple, Nanganallur

The Anjaneya Temple located in Nanganallur, Chennai, is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, also known as Anjaneya. The temple is most renowned for its colossal 32-foot tall idol of Hanuman, which is a significant attraction for devotees and visitors alike. This principal idol is unique in that it was sculpted from a single piece of granite, making it the second tallest Hanuman idol in India, surpassed only by the one at Panchavatee near Puducherry.

History and Consecration

The installation of the Hanuman idol took place in 1989, with the temple's consecration ceremony, known as Kumbabishekam, held in 1995. The establishment of this temple was an initiative of the Sri Maruthi Bhaktha Samajam Trust, an organization comprising individuals with strong spiritual convictions. The esteemed Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamigal of Kanchi Mutt played a role in the idol's installation in 1989 and the subsequent consecration.

Temple Structure and Deities

The main shrine features the 90-foot tall temple tower housing the Anjaneya idol, which faces west, aligning with the main entrance. An auxiliary entrance on the southern side is utilized during temple festivals. The temple building provides pathways around the sanctum sanctorum and a spacious covered area (mandapa) for devotees to gather and offer worship.

Beyond the primary deity, the temple complex is home to several other significant shrines. In the northwest corner, a full shrine is dedicated to Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, with Hanuman in attendance, collectively known as Kodanda Rama. To the southwest, a shrine for Lord Krishna, accompanied by Rukmini and Satyabhama, faces east. The inclusion of a Krishna shrine is notable, as it serves to remind devotees of Hanuman's presence in both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. In the northeast, a small platform houses a Vinayaka idol, and nearby, a 'Naga' (serpent deity) is installed. Saint Raghavendra also has a shrine within the temple, facing Lord Krishna.

Administration and Governance

For many years following its consecration, the Anjaneya Temple was managed by the private Sri Maruthi Bhaktha Samajam Trust. However, in July 2013, the Hindu Religious and Charity Endowment Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu assumed administrative control. This action followed widespread allegations of financial irregularities within the trust's management, leading to government inquiries and petitions. The trust, formerly accused of financial improprieties, reportedly criticized the government's decision to take over the temple's administration.