Ayyangarkulam Sanjeevirayar Temple / ஐயங்கார்குளம் ஸ்ரீ சஞ்சீவிராயர் சுவாமி ( ஹனுமன் ) கோயில், Ayyangarkulam, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this 16^th to 17^th Century Sri Sanjeevirayar temple was a part of a visit to the Temples and heritage sites around Kanchipuram, scheduled on 11^th July 2021. This Visit was combined with the Ayyangarkulam Nadavavi and Thirupanangadu Sri Thalapureeswarar Temple and Sri Swarna Kala Bhairavar Temple at Azhividaithangi.

Moolavar  : Sri Sanjeevi Rayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

This temple faces North with a Reservoir called “Thatha Samudram” also called “Lakshmi Saras” measuring between 135 to 150 acres. Moolavar Sri Anjaneyar is in a standing position with Anjali Hastham. There are no images in the Koshtam.  It has two prakaras of which the inner praharam is narrow around the sanctum sanctorum. Mahalakshmi, Rama, Sita & Lakshmana, Garuda (about 6 feet tall with wings and a beautiful smile on his face), and a Thulasi Madam. Both Moolavar and Garudan are carved on a stone slab in the form of bas–relief. In praharam a stone Uruli/bowl and a huge stone slab.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of Sanctum sanctorum artha mandapam, maha mandapam and Mukha mandapam.  There is a Tall 4 Pillar mandapam with a stucco sikara on the western side entrance. Mahavishnu’s 10 avatar stucco images are on the top of the southern side entrance wall (Inside) There is a 4-pillar mandapa on the left side after the south side entrance. A faint Vijayanagara-period painting of Gajalakshmi can be seen on the ceiling. In addition to this, there is a 4 pillar mandapam with stucco Vimana on the east side of the outer Prahara (not easy to approach).

A Nagara-style Stucco 3-tier Vimana is above the sanctum sanctorum. The Vimana does not have many images except in the Salaipathi and Greevam. A 4-pillar mandapa is in front of the temple / at the beginning of the steps to Thatha Samudram. A Three tier Rajagopuram is on the east side between Mukha mandapa and the maha mandapa. There is a 24 Pillar mandapam in between north side 4 Pillar Mandapam (Thatha Samudram) and Rajagopuram. The 24 Pillar mandapa/Mukha Mandapa stone pillars have the bass reliefs 83 (85..?) different postures of Anjaneyar, in addition to other bas reliefs.

A big granite stone slab is placed on the east side of the temple in the second praharam. As per the experts, this might have been used to prepare tamarind rice/Puliyodharai and distribute it as Prasad or make Garlands (Thirupalli Thamam).

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This huge Temple complex was constructed by one “Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan”, who was the minister in the Vijayanagara Dynasty from 1585 to 1614 CE. Sri Thatha Desikan was a philanthropist and conducted many marriages for the poor hence had the title of “Koti Kanniyadhana Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan” also called ”Ettur Lakshmi Kumara Thathacharya”. He holds as Minister and Rajaguru for the Vijayanagara Kings Venkatapathy Rayas-I and II also called Sriranga Rayas. He was made in charge of Divya Desams at Kanchipuram, Sriperumbudur, and Kumbakonam.

He also excavated a huge tank called “Thatha Samudram”, which is located on the northern side of the Temple. Besides this, there are two huge wells Known as “Nadai-Vavi” that were excavated by him. The details are written as a separate post.

Out of the two Grantha inscriptions, one inscription praises the Thathathreyar in the form of a poem. The other inscription records the construction of the Temple for Hanuman and the excavation of "Thathasamudram" eri. ( He also excavated a lake at Thenneri near Kanchipuram. There is also an inscription was inscribed in the form of a poem. 

Vijayanagara King Venkatapathirayar's  (Saka 153) 1609 CE inscription records that the Villages Ayyankulathur and Enathiputhur are gifted to this Hanuman. 

Krishnadevaraya's inscription records the reconstruction of Punya kodi Vimanam into a Kalyana kodi vimana since the old Vimana was completely destroyed. He also plated Vimana with Gold and constructed a Mandapa with Vahanas by Lakshmi Kumara Thathachariar (02-01-1614).

As per ARE 91-96 of 1923 inscription, during Damal Chennappa Nayakan was as an administrator (1622 CE),  records that the Merchants assembled and established an endowment to conduct special poojas on Amavasya days, monthly special poojas.

Ref:

Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy Year 1923.   

LEGENDS

As per the legend when Anjaneya was carrying the Sanjeevi Parvatha ( Hill from the Mount Himalayas, which contains Herbel to save the life of Lakshmana during the war in Sri Lanka with Ravana ) piece or a small portion of it fell down at this spot. Sanjeevi Rayar Hill and the temple is known as Sanjeevi Rayar Temple.

In another legend once Thatha Desikan and his disciples were traveling with wealth earned / as a gift received for the King,  to offer to Sri Varadharaja Perumal of Kanchipuram. It was dark after the sunset when they reached this place and decided to stay that night. When they were in deep sleep, some thieves took off all their wealth and tried to run. Suddenly some monkeys came and fought with the thieves and chased them away. This was known to Thatha Desikan in his dream. When he woke in the morning and found all his wealth guarded by the head of the monkeys. Thatha Desikan felt that the monkey was none other than Anjaneyar or Hanuman. As a part of thanksgiving Thatha Desikan built this beautiful temple for Anjaneyar. He also composed a poem in Sanskrit called “Srimad Hanumath Vimsathi”. The same is inscribed boldly on the back side wall of the sanctum sanctorum (Thanks to the unknown contributor).

guNAbhirAmamindirAkumAratAta vAridhi

prasiddhimadramA taTAka tIrasImni mArutim |

mudAdhiruhya mAdhavo vrshAcalasthalAdapi

prakalpate nikAmamatra pAlanAya dehinAm ||

குணங்களால் அழகியவரும், லக்ஷ்மீஸரஸ் என்னப்பட்ட ஸ்ரீஐயங்கார் குளத்தின் கரையில் உறைபவரும் ஆகிய ஸ்ரீ ஹனுமானின் மேல் திருமலை எம்பெருமான் ஸ்ரீ மாதவன் ஏறி எழுந்தருளி, ஸ்ரீ வேங்கடாசலத்தைவிட மேலான மகிழ்வுடன் இங்கு உலகிள்ளோரைப் பாதுகாக்க அமைந்துள்ளார்.

Since this place was a part of Sanjeevi Hill, it is believed that people will not die due to poison or will not harm anybody bit by poisonous insects. Devotees also pray to Lord Sanjeevi Rayar for Child boon, especially male children.

Temple View from Lakshmisaras / “Thatha Samudram”

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular Poojas, special Poojas are conducted on Rama Navami ( Thirukalyanam of Rama & Sita will be celebrated ), Hanuman Jayanthi, Tamil Month Chitra Pournami Days ( full moon Day – When Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal used to Visit Ayyangarkulam and Stayed at Nadavavi.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is 9 KM from Kanchipuram, 25 KM from Cheyyar, 35 KM from Vandavasi,  45 KM from Chengalpattu, and 85 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Kanchipuram

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Gaja Lakshmi Painting 

Stone Uruli

Stone Slab 

Garuda

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---