Chennai: Mylapore Luz Hanumar temple is a very famous shrine in the city and has a rich history behind it. Located on Royapettah High Road, the Thirumailai Sri Sundara Vinayagar, Sri Selva Vinayagar, Sri Anjaneyar Devasthanam temple is believed to be the oldest Hanuman temple in the city.
The temple has been managed by the Salivahana Chettiyar Trust for more than 200 years. It also manages Sundara Vinayagar and Selva Vinayagar temples, situated close to the temple.
Speaking about the temple’s history, the chairman and managing trustee of the temple, B Balaji, says, “This is the oldest and the first Hanuman temple of the city. The Hanuman here is a self-manifested idol that is believed to be more than 600 years old.”
It is said two centuries ago, the Nawab of Arcot gave the temple land to the Salivahana Chettiyars who started managing it since then. The head priest of the temple, Kannan Bhattachar, said, “Earlier, there was only a small temple with only the Hanuman sanctum sanctorum in it. Later, the Salivahana Trust expanded the temple.”
Upon entering the temple, there are two sanctums placed next to each other, facing west. The main sanctum is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. “The speciality here is the idol of Lord Hanuman. In no other temple can one see the Lord turning his entire face to the left and facing south. That is a unique feature,” says the managing trustee.
In another sanctum, Lord Kothandaramar is present alongside Lakshmana and Sitadevi. Utsava murthies are placed on the left side of the sanctums. Some of the special occasions celebrated in the temple include Hanumath Jayanthi, Rama Navami and Gokulashtami.
“Every year, there will be laksharchanai for three days before Hanumath Jayanthi. This year, Hanumath Jayanthi falls on Saturday (5 January) and at 6 am, thirumanjanam for Anjaneyar will take place and by 7 pm, the same day, the utsava murthies of Rama and Anjaneyar will be taken out on a procession,” the priest said.
“During Rama Navami, too, laksharchanai takes place – for nine days before Rama Navami. Every day in the morning, thirumanjanam happens and in the evening, the processional deities are taken out. Apart from that every month during a Sunday, Sudarshana homam takes place and on the Fridays of every week, in the evening, Sri Suktham Mantra is chanted and kumkumarchanai and vilvarchanai is performed for Thaayar,” said the priest.
The latest kumbabhishekam of the temple happened in 2012. In the month of Margazhi the temple is open from 4 am to 10 am and from 4 pm to 8.45 pm. On all the remaining months, it is open from 6.30 am to 11 am and from 4 pm to 9 pm. For details, contact: 2498 0132, 2466 0380.