Sanjeevi Raya Hanuman Temple, Ayyangarkulam,
Kanchipuram
Sanjeevi
Raya Hanuman Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman located at Ayyangarkulam
Village in Kanchipuram District. It is situated on the Kanchipuram - Vandavasi
route, on the banks of Palar, this temple has been built by Sri Koti
Kannikadhanam Lakshmi Kumara Thathachariar in the 16th Century.
Geographical Position of this temple is 12.78'E, 79.67'N.
In the
past, the sacred sanctum was also known as Thiruvadi Raya Puram and as
Thiruvadi Puram as Anjaneya is also known as Siriya Thiruvadi. Thus from the
historical background of the temple it is known that Sri Sanjeevi Rayar temple
is an ancient one and of enough chronological importance.
This is
also one of the oldest temples and maintained by the private trust. Only the
main shrine is in good condition. The wall and the front gopuram are in damaged
condition. The inner shrine outer walls have huge Grantha inscriptions. There
is a small mandapam with old marks of Gajalakshmi sudhai Sirpams are found
below the roof.
It is
quite common to find Hanuman in Vishnu/Ramar temples facing the Sanctum
Sanctorum or in a separate shrine. There are even Shiva temples where we can
see separate shrines for Hanuman. But here is a temple where
the Siriya Thiruvadi is in the Sanctum Sanctorum and the Periya Thiruvadi
(Garudalwar) is found outside. For a medium sized temple, there is no other
shrine.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
History
As per
available historical evidence, it is known that this temple was constructed by
a great scholar and administrator named Kotikanyadanam Lakshmikumara
Tatacharya. This administrator was popularly known as Ettur Lakshmikumara
Tatacharya and was highly venerated. He was the royal preceptor (raja-guru) of
the Vijayanagar emperor Venkata Raya II (1586-1614 A.D.) who had his capital at
Chandragiri in the region of Andhra Pradesh. He performed the coronation of
this king. The newly coroneted king entrusted much of the administration of his
realm to his guru, Tatacharya.
Tatacharya
was then the manager (Sri-karya-durandara) of many temples in Kanchipuram like
the Sri Varadarajaswamy temple and other important shrines elsewhere. He
contributed immensely to the growth and expansion of the Sri Varadarajaswamy
temple through several donations. He presented many Vahanas to this shrine and
covered the vimana above the sanctum of Goddess Perundevi Thayar. This vimana
was popularly called Kalyanakoti vimana; with gold in 1614 A.D. Tatacharya
constructed the stupendously large tank called Tatasamudram in front of the
temple, which also follows the name of Tatacharya.
The
Temple
The
architecture of the temple of Sri Sanjeevi Temple depicts the Vijayanagara
style as the essential feature. The structural design of the shrine is the
striking feature of the architecture. A big temple complex houses only one
sanctum enshrining the image of hanuman is a unique architectural feature of
the temple. The main entrance to the temple is probably opened only on
festival days. Entry is usually from the pond side. There is a 24 pillared
mandapam on the banks of the pond that lead to the temple. This mandapam pillars has about 85 different depictions of hanumans in various forms.
Hanumad Vimsathi written in
Grantha can be found on an entire wall immediately after the entrance. Garudalwar is housed in a huge courtyard in the temple. Garudalwar is about six feet tall, stands in an open area in this huuge courtyard. He is in praying posture with folded hands.
Sanjeevi
Raya Hanuman is housed in the Sanctum Sanctorum. Only Hanuman is found in the sanctum. He is in Anjali Hastha Posture. He is without a crown, and slightly bowing forward. It is believed people here bit by any poisonous insects do not have any discomfort or
any problems, due to the presence of Hanuman.
Devotees pray here for child boon. The idols of Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana
can be found in a subshrine. These idols were of recent origin.
There is
a kitchen (Madapalli) for making the prasadams in the Temple premises. There is a grinding stone and a stone platform in the Madapalli, which were used for making prasadams during
festivals. There are two mandapams to house utsavars during festivals. Dasavathara panels in the walls are in deteriorated condition. 
Nata
Bhavi
Nata
Bhavi is an architectural wonder and has an arch. The arch is quite similar to the one at
Hampi Thulabharam, but of smaller size, with a Gajalakshmi panel on top of the arch. It
is a well with a 16 pillared underground hall. There is a
mechanism to take out the water from this well when it is required.
On
Chitra Pournami Day every year, Lord Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchipuram used to visit this Nata Bhavi on Chitra Pournami every year. He stays in the underground Mandapam. Thirumanjanam is performed here
for the Lord.
An
interesting thing observed in this Nata Bhavi that if you drop a stone in the
well on the opposite side of the Nata Bhavi you will be able to see ripples in
the water collected inside the Bhavi. A fence has been created around the Nata
Bhavi after it was featured in the Tamil film "Naan Kadavul" where
the villain keeps all the children and beggars hidden.
Festivals
Hanuman
Jayanthi is the most celebrated festival in this temple. The festivals observed
in the temple reveals the cultural significance of the traditional temple. The
temple is considered as the sanctified Prarthana Sthala. The festivals also
testify the religious significance of the temple. The temple follows the rules
of the Vaikhanasa Agama in its way of offering worship to God.
Contact
Sanjeevirayar
Hanuman Temple,
No.35,
Ayyangarkulam Village,
Kanchipuram
Taluk – 631502
Connectivity
This
temple is located on the Kanchipuram - Vandavasi route, after 2 Kms turn at the
Vembakkam Koot Road. After you cross the Palar Bridge, continue on SH116 for 3
Kms you will reach the temple. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Kanchipuram and nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
References
