Viswaroopa Panchamuga Anjaneya Swamy Temple,
Thiruvallur – Legends
Origin of Panchamukha Hanuman:
The
origin of Panchamukha Hanuman can be traced to a story in the Ramayana. During
the war between Lord Ram and Ravana, Ravana took the help of Mahiravana who was
the king of pathala. Lord Hanuman in order to protect Lord Ram and Lakshman
formed a fortress with his tail. But Mahiravana took the form of Vibheeshana
and took Lord Ram and Lakshman to pathala loka.
Hanuman
entered pathala loka in search of Rama and Lakshmana. He found out that to kill
Mahiravana he had to extinguish 5 lamps at the same time. So, he took the
Panchamukha form with Hanuman, Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda and Varaha faces
and extinguished the lamps. Mahiravana was killed immediately.
Rudhra Vanam:
The
place of Pradhishtai was known as Rudhra Vanam in legendary times where great
sages like Agasthya have done penance. The Ashram site at
Periyakuppam has been chosen after Divine approval. A study of ancient scrolls
showed that the site is legendary, as Anjaneya while carrying the Sanjeevi
Mountain, stopped here to witness the Siva Puja being performed by Sage
Agasthya.
