Anaipatty Anjaneyar Temple, Nilakottai, Dindigul
Anaipatty Anjaneyar Temple is a prominent temple situated at Anaipatty. This temple is dedicated to Anjaneyar and he is worshipped as Veera Anjaneyar. Vaigai River flows in closer proximity of this temple. Devotees can worship this lord and enjoy the panoramic Anaipatty Dam constructed near this temple. Nilakottai is about 10 kms away from this temple.
Geographical Position
Anaipatty Anjaneyar Temple in Nilakottai is located at 10°05'19.4"N 77°51'01.7"E or 10.088736, 77.850463.
Location
This temple is situated near Nilakottai which is 40 Kms from Dindigul. From Nilakottai, The Temple is located at a distance of 10 Kms from Nilakottai.
Legends
The legend says that when the Pancha Pandavas were in exile Draupadi wanted to drink water and Yudhishthira the elder brother sends Bheema to fetch the water. Anjaneya intercepts him on his way and an argument ensues between the two ending in the defeat of Bheema because of this fight Bheema was not able to get water. Bheema went back to Yudhishthira who advised him to pay respect to Anjaneya and he would oblige. Bheema did as advised and Anjaneya gleefully allows Bheema to take water from Vaigai. This is the place they met.
The Temple
From Nilakottai one has to travel parallel to the river Vaigai at most of the times. There was a dam (i.e. Barrage), near the temple called as Peranai, a regulator constructed by the British. One has to cross the bridge to reach this Anaipatty (Anai meaning dam, Patti meaning, village.) an obscure village. The climate was cool and the temple was set in sylvan surroundings. The temple is quite small, no special architectural splendor as it is normally found in temples around here.
Idol of Anjaneyar kept inside the sanctum sanctorum was about 4 feet tall and was adorned with silk. The eyes were big, the display board mentions the God is watching his devotees with one eye and the other eye is looking at the direction of Ayodhya, Lord Rama's abode. The hand which carried the Sanjeevani Parvatha (the hill which he brought from Himalayas during the Ramayana war) is on his thigh. The tail is pointing upwards. When water rises in Vaigai River the idol gets half immersed in water. The archanas are offered to another small deity kept outside the sanctum sanctorum.
At the back side of this sanctum there is another Hanuman idol where pilgrims were lighting lamps. Outside this temple there is another deity of Vinayagar and of serpent God.
Just outside the temple is a huge banyan tree which is providing a canopy of sort to the travelers. This place is abounding in village eateries and a simple South Indian food is offered
Contact
Anaipatty Anjaneyar Temple
Anaipatty, Nilakottai
Dindigul
Phone: +91 97860 40907
Connectivity
The nearest railway station is Dindigul. Regular buses are available from Dindigul, Vatala gundu and Madurai though frequency is low. It is better to stay in Dindigul or Madurai which is around 50 kms.