Periya Anjaneyar Temple, Ambur – Legends
The Sthala
Puranam (history of the temple) is very interesting. While fighting the demon
Ravana to take back the abducted Sita, Lakshmana, brother of Rama is injured in
the battle hurt by a missile from Ravana's son. Jambavan, the bear Advisor,
says that he can be rescued by an herb called Sanjeevini. Hanuman is sent back
to India to bring the herb. Hanuman sets out to the Himalayas, finds the hill
where the herb grows but cannot recognize it. He uproots the entire mountains
and returns.
Meanwhile,
Sukracharya, Ravana's Guru and the preceptor for all Rakshasas (demons) says
that he needs to be stopped from returning. Ravana, sends Saturn one of the
nine enslaved planets who form the nine steps to his throne to stop Hanuman.
Sani (Saturn) accosts Hanuman. Hanuman asks Sani the reason for stopping him
from returning. Sani says that he is now under the rule of Ravana and has come
to stop Hanuman from proceeding to Sri Lanka. Hanuman places the entire
mountain on Sani who is unable to bear the weight. Sani surrenders.
Hanuman
then lifts the mountain and crushes Sani under his foot. Sani requests for
forgiveness. Hanuman does so under the conditions that Sani is not to impede
anyone's path who chants Rama's name. Hanuman then returns to Sri Lanka with
herb and rest of the story is known. The temple idol of Hanuman here is in the
posture of crushing Sani Bhagwan under his foot. This is the history that is told about this temple and a huge sanctum of
Hanuman, about 11 feet height with Shani being stamped under his leg.