Witnessing Rituals in Anjaneyar Temple Namakal, Tamil Nadu
I was blogging on my tour in West Bengal, a pause to that, this post will be on Anjaneyar Temple in Namakal, Tamil Nadu. Last week en route Srirangam, a temple town of Tiruchirapalli we halted at Namakal. This town too has some temples more than 1000 years old with very interesting stories.
Anjaneyar temple is dedicated to Lord Anjaneyar who was known as Hanuman in Ramayan. (He has different names in different Yugas.) The statue here is amazing. It is 18 feet tall with no canopy over it.
Anjaneyar Temple Namakal
Milk Abhishek for Anjaneyar
Abhishek in Anjaneyar Temple Namakal
When we reached the temple, the idol was being bathed. Prior to this I had only heard about idols of deities being bathed, but this was the first time I was witnessing it. The huge idol was being bathed with milk, turmeric paste and sandalwood paste. Pujaris were standing on makeshift platforms at the top and pouring the fluids on it. It is called abhishek. It is done with constant chanting of mantras by priests.
I could watch just three of the abhisheks. After the abhisheks are over the deity is adorned with jewels, silk clothes and flowers. It is offered food and water. This is an important part of worship of Hindu Gods. I could not see the final decoration, if luck favors may be I will be able to visit again.
Here are the pics of abhishek. After each abhishek the idol was washed with water made clean and then splashed with next abhishek item. Continuous ringing of bells, chants of mantra and different aromas; it was a great experience just standing and watching.
Red sandalwood paste abhishek for Anjaneyar
We had been to NAMAKKAL and Anjaneyar Darsanam on 13 the March 2018. It was an Akadesi day with Thiruvona naksharram. We had been to fortunate to have Darsanam of Abishekam. Especially milk and Chandan Abishekam was fantastic.
SN Subramanian
Rajarajeshwari Nagar
Bangalore
The paal abhishekam picture is superb Indrani …
It is good to see that these temples (some more than 1000 years old) are still preserved and looked after.
The link of this post is at "Hindi Bloggers Chaupal" Charcha Ank – 40 .
Great shots and information. Very interesting post.
I've been to this temple once.. At that time we did this and covered the idol with butter.
They also has a Golden charriot inside the temple which is used during the Pradakshinam by devotees.
Nice Post Indrani..
Some interval to west bengal series ..? good idea..! I like bengal people for many reasons anyway!
Since you have mentioned that you had not seen Abhishekas before, being a South Indian, I must share this link with you:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Shravanabelagola
Mahamastakabhishekam for Gommateshwara once in every 12 years is very popular with Jain tradition. Millions of people visit Shravanabelagola and Dharmastala during Mahamastakabhisheka. TV channels like DD Chandana do live telecast of the festival.
I shared this link because, if at all you make a visit for next Mahamastakabhishekam, we would be getting beautiful captures of yours to see 😀
This is a huge and awesome Anjaneya. Good you got to see the Abhisheka.By any chance are you touching Coimbatore?
It is amazing how temple architecture differs across regions.. good post, gave an insight into the temple for folks who have never been there 🙂
South Indian temples are really the most exquisite and well maintained in country. So happy to see pictures of Abhishekam here.
What a great experience…:)
I have seen this temple and truly it is amazing. The reason why they don't have a roof over the statue of Anjenayer is because they believe that he grows every year. Just something that i learned recently.
fascinating one !
Nice read. Photo where idol being bathed is nice action photo !
I heard a lot about this Hunaman Statue..I wish to visit here someday.. 😀
Thank you for a fascinating post. I really like both the information and your photos.
fascinating!
Fascinating and fantastic at the same time. Beautiful photos!
Lovely temple. Thanks for sharing this info.
Well that is interesting Indrani! I love the colourful entrance of the temple.
Wil, ABCW Team
So fascinating ! Lovely details of the Temple.
What a great experience- thanks for telling us about it! I am leaving for India next week…can`t wait!
Great architectural and colorful temple! the sculptures looking beautiful.
Thanks for sharing your travel experience.
Great post, Indrani! What a sight to see the idol being bathed. Thanks for sharing, have a great day!
Very nice…
I have been to a similar place temple with a huge Anjaneya statue enroute to Kanyakumari from Trivandrum. The place is called Suchindram. http://vectorgaming.blogspot.in/search/label/Suchindram
Beautiful idols Indrani.
Lovely details on the temple. And what a great sight to see the huge idol being bathed.
Wow,magnificent pictures.I haven't been here though it is famous.
You are blessed you could have darsan of the lord here.
Write about Srirangam and other places you visited
So nice post and photos,Thanks for sharing 🙂
very interesting Indrani… thank you for sharing these images and explaining the rituals. I do hope you will participate in the gratitude quilt this year… instructions are at the top of my blog:-)
Oh, I totally agree with EG, Indrani, this is SO fascinating! I'm so glad you shared it with us today!! Incredible!!
How fascinating. I guess it's the turmeric paste that makes the idol look so golden, right?