Anjaneya temple is a famous Hindu temple located in the Nanganallur region of Chennai in the South Indian state Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The main idol of the temple rises to a height of 32 feet and is carved out of a single piece of granite. The year 1989 marks the installation of the idol and it was in 1995 when it was consecrated. The 32 feet tall idol of Sri Anjaneya was established by the Sri Maruti Bhakta Samajan Trust, which comprises devotees of high spiritual belief, along with the blessings of Sri Ragavendra Swami and Sri Kanchi Paramacharyar. The Kumbabishekam of the idol was done in the year 1995. Being made of a single rock makes this idol very unique.
The temple tower of Anjaneya temple is 90 feet tall and the main shrine houses the idol of Sri Anjaneya. The deity faces the west direction and the main entrance is also located in the same direction. On the southern side of the temple, there is an auxiliary entrance which is used mainly during the temple festivals. Pathways surround the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. There is also a vast covered space called Mandapam where the devotees assemble for offering worship to the lord.
In the north-west corner of the temple, there is a full-fledged Sannidhi for Lord Rama. It is believed that the lord had taken abode here along with Sita and Lakshmana and Anjaneya was also present with them. The idols of these deities face the east direction. Lord Rama is depicted here carrying his bow which signifies his role as the protector and ruler and thus he is addressed as Kothanda Rama. A Sannidhi for Lord Krishna along with Rukmini and Satyabhama is situated in the south-west with all the deities facing east. Although Sannidhi for Lord Rama is usually present in Anjaneya temples but the Sannidhi for Lord Krishna is quite rare.
Krishna Sannidhi has been built in the temple as a reminder to the devotees that among all the Gods, only Anjaneya was present in both the Indian epics. In Ramayana he was a direct disciple of Lord Rama whereas in Mahabharata he was in the flag of Arjuna`s Chariot, ordained by Lord Krishna, for saving it from being destructed by opponents. There lies a small platform in the north-east part of Anjaneya temple where Vinayaka stands facing east. On another platform, to his left, Naga has been installed.
