- Hanuman
Ragigudda Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Temple
- Jayanagar,Karnataka
- View on map
- Tell us about this temple
Overview
The Ragigudda Sri Prasanna Anjaneya temple is a popular Hindu shrine devoted to Lord Hanuman. It is located in the Jayanagar 9th Block which is a suburb of Bangalore. The temple also houses a Shivalinga and a small shrine with Lord Rama, Maa Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman together, next to the main Sanctum. The temple is built over a hilllock. Smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Navagrahas and Devi Rajarajeshwari are situated at the base of the hill. The images of the three important gods in Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are engraved on huge rocks at the side of the temple.
About The Temple
Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy sanidhi is on top of the Ragigudda hill. When viewed from a particular angle, the temple is seen as if perched on the back of an ‘annapakshi’, a celestial bird and is floating in the air.
Steps have been constructed on one side of the hill enabling the devotees to reach hill top. After climbing about one hundred and fifty steps, one reaches the hilltop shrine of Sri Anjeneya Swamy. Huge round pillars with a lotus petal are seen on the center of the temple podium. It is a visual treat to view the huge wooden engraved archway which leads into the main hall consisting of Sri Anjaneya Swamy sannidhi on the centre along with Sri Rama mandhir and Sri Siva mandhir on the right and left sides respectively. The ‘dasavathara’ or the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu is engraved on the sides of the beautiful archway.
About The Deity
Devotees can get the divine darshan of Bhagvan Anjeneya from the temple entrance itself. Lord Hanuman is seen holding the sacred Sanjeevi Mountain on his left hand and the mighty ‘gadha’ on the right. The Gadha is seen resting on his right shoulder. The tail of Sri Anjeneya Swamy is seen raised above his head and is resting on the Sanjeevi parvath . The Bhagvan is seen adorning various ornaments all over his body. He is seen wearing a Rathna Kundalam on his ears and a majestic crown on his head. Bhagvan Sri Anjeneya Swamy’s eyes are seen glowing with karuna.
Legend And Stories
The hillock where Sri Prasanna Anjaneya Swamy is located is believed to be formed from a heap of Ragi Millet. Thus the hill came to be called “Ragigudda". The temple was established in 1969 and was registered in the year 1972.
According to Hindu Mythology, there once lived a kind and generous woman named Sudharma who helped the poor and the needy. She was a ‘dharma chintamai’ who whole heartedly fed those visiting her house. She had the practice of eating only after offering food to the visitor. One fine day, she was given on marriage to the son of a Palayakar (landlord) in the outskirts of the present day Bengaluru. Her mother-in-law was a greedy and jealousy woman who disliked Sudharma. People in the village loved Sudharma for her good character and deeds. They wished her all good in life and were sure that she would be rewarded by the almighty for her benevolent heart.
One fine morning, a few days after the harvest, three visitors knocked the doors of Sudharma’s house asking for ‘Biksha’. They were extremely bright
and had a divine glow. Sudharma was so pleased to give some newly harvested ragi grains to these maha purushas (It was widely believed in olden days that Ragi grains are blessed by Sri Raghava and Sri Kapila maharishi and hence the grain got to be called ‘Raghava Dhanya’). On seeing this, her mother-in-law became furious and said that the new grains cannot be offered as biksha to the strangers. When Sudharma insisted the visitors to part with the ragi grains which she had already offered to them as biksha, her mother-in-law became even more furious. The three divine men stood there watching this. Sudharma told her mother-in-law that since the ragi grains had been already offered as biksha, it cannot be taken back, as it is unethical or an adharmic act. When her Mother-in-law refused to accept this, Sudharma felt that if the divine men cannot take away the ragi grains, then she too no longer needs them. The moment she thought so, the heap of newly harvested ragi grains turned to stone and looked like a small hillock. The three divine men gave dharshan to Sudharma as Sri Brahma, Sri Vishnu, and Sri Mahadev and blessed her for her magnanimity. As per Sudharma’s wish, the three moorthies decided to stay there forever and bless those seeking their blessing. The heap of ragi grains that turned into hillock, thus got to be called the ‘Raghava dhanya guddi’. Later, over the course of time, it became Rahava guddi and now is called the Ragigudda. Even today, it is believed that the three moorthis reside in the three rocks beside the temple.
Festivals
Sri Hanumath Jayanthi is celebrated every year in a grandeur way. The celebration lasts for 12 days which includes various rituals such as Abhishekas, Yagas and Poojas. The Maha Prasada is served to thousands of devotees who throng the temple every day.
How To Reach
Airport
The state of Karnataka has 6 domestic and International airports that connect with many cities around the world. HAL airport in Bangalore is the nearest airport to the temple.
Railways
Karnataka has a well-developed railway network connecting major places in the state. Interstate train services are also widely available.
Road
The Government of Karnataka owned Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), connects the state to other major cities and states. Other than this, the NEKRTC and NWKRTC is the other road transport corporation in Karnataka that plies buses to even the remotest areas of the state.
Temple Address
Ragigudda Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Temple,
Jayanagar,
Karnataka.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Happiness
- Removal of worries
- Removal of sins
- Prosperity of future generations
- Relief from suffering
- Suitable grooms for unmarried girls
Shlokas
Mano Javam , Maruda Thulya Vegam, Jithendriyam Buddhi Matham Varishtam, Vatha Atmajam Vanara Yudha Mukhyam, Sree Rama Dootham Sirasa Namami
Meaning -I bow my head to salute Rama's messenger, who has won over His mind, who is as fast as the wind, who has mastered his organs, who is the most knowledgeable, who is the wind God's son, and who leads as the chief in the army of monkeys.
Anjaneya Madhi Paatalaananam, Kanjanaadri Kamaneeya Vigraham, Paarijatha Tharu Moola Vaasinam, Bhaavayami Bhava mana Nandanam
Meaning -I bow before the wind God's darling son, Anjana's son, the great killer of ogres, who is handsome and like a golden mountain, who lives near Parijatha tree's roots.
Divya Mangala Dehaaya Peethambara Dharayacha Thaptha Kanchana Varnaaya Mangalam Shri Hanumathey
Meaning -Oh Lord Hanuman who has a mystical form, who adorns a silk garment in yellow and who looks similar to molten gold, let thy be auspiciousness.
Anjana Nandanam Veeram Janaki Soka Naasanam, Kapeesa Maksha Hantharam, Vandhe Lanka Bhayankaram
Meaning -We salute Lanka's horror, Anjana's brave son, who ended Sita's sorrows, the ruler of monkeys and the one who killed Aksha, Ravana's son.
Timings
During the week days, the temple is open from 8am to 12 noon in the mornings and 5pm to 8.30 pm in the evenings. On weekends, the temple functions from 8am to 1pm in the mornings and 5pm to 8.30pm on the evenings.