Ragigudda Anjaneya Temple

Ragigudda Sree Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Temple
View of the temple dome
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictBengaluru Urban
DeityShree Prasanna Anyaneyaswamy (Lord Hanuman)
FestivalsHanuman Jayanti, Ram Navami
Governing bodyRagiguddada Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Bhaktha Mandali Trust
StatusFunctional
Features
  • Temple tank: Pushkarni
Location
LocationJayanagara 9th Block, Bengaluru
StateKarnataka
CountryIndia
Ragigudda Anjaneya Temple is located in Bengaluru
Ragigudda Anjaneya Temple
Location within Bangalore
Geographic coordinates12°54′51″N 77°35′36″E / 12.91424°N 77.59320°E / 12.91424; 77.59320
Architecture
TypeHindu temple architecture
StyleDravidian style
Founderthe effort of a group of dedicated youth
Date established1972
Groundbreaking1969
Completed1969
Website
Ragigudda

The Ragigudda Sree Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Temple, commonly referred to as Ragigudda Temple or Ragigudda Anjaneya Temple[1] is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, spread across 5 acres also having a hillock in Jayanagara 9th Block suburb of Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.[2] The temple[3] also houses a Shivalinga along with Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshmana along with the main deity of Lord Hanuman in the same precinct. The temple is on a hillock. There is a smaller temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Navagrahas and the Goddess Rajarajeshwari at the base of the hillock. It also plays host a Thrimurthy Sannidhi to the Hindu holy trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva on huge engraved rocks at the side of the temple.[2]

An image of Lord Hanuman

Currently Bengaluru's Namma Metro work is underway a few 100m from the temple with a Yellow Line Metro station planned as well.[4]

History

It is believed that the hillock or Gudda in Kannada language that hosts the main deity Sri Prasanna Anjaneya Swamy was formed from a heap of Finger Millet or Ragi and hence was termed "Ragigudda". Local mythology has it that this place owes it to a dharmic lady Sudharma who was the wife of a local chieftain. She is an embodiment of good character and a very pious. One day the trinity comes in the form of visitors and asks for bhiksha (alms). She gives them newly harvested Raghava Dhanya or Ragi. Her mother-in-law disapproves of it and wants it back. This being an unholy act she says that if the visitors do not want the bhiksha then she does not need the Ragi. This Ragi becomes a hillock. In the end, the holy trinity is pleased with her selfless behaviour and grants her their sacred darshan. The holy trinity expressed their will to remain near the hillock and turned themselves into stones nearby. These three stones now bear the engravings of the trinity.[5]

The temple was formed in 1969 and registered in 1972.[6]

Culture

Over the past decades, this temple has become the social centre in this locality. It has a charitable arm that provides affordable education and healthcare to the less privileged in and around the temple. The schools provide education till the 10th standard in Karnataka State Secondary Education Examination Board in both Kannada and English medium. The temple also provides healthcare services through Sanjeevini Arogya Tapasana Kendra and Yoga classes for devotees. Free tuition classes are held for graduate students. It also has a Kalyana Mantapa (Hindu Marriage Hall) that is budget conscious while providing the necessary services. It also has a Goshale (cowshed) that provides milk for the pooja and the students.[2]

In December every year, the festival of Shree Hanuman Jayanthi (the auspicious birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman) is celebrated as a 12-day event in grandeur at the temple with over 35,000 pilgrims attending the festivities. A lot of yagyas, abhisheka and poojas are carried out with the Mahaprasada being served to thousands of devotees.[5] The temple allows its devotees to work as volunteers for various activities. Hundreds of youngsters participate in various activities from crowd management to providing devotees with prasad. During this period there is a big fair in and around the temple and it acts as a livelihood for hundreds of families in South Bengaluru.[7]

Timings

Monday to Friday

Morning 8.00 am to 11.30 am

Evening 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm

Saturday and Sunday

Morning 8.00 am to 12.30 pm

Evening 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm

Mahamangalarathi

Saturday 11:00 am to 11:30 am & 8:00 pm to 8:30 pm

References

  1. ^ "About Ragigudda Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Temple". TripAdvisor. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Ragigudda Temple" (in Kannada). 18 March 2017. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Ragigudda temple visit". nativeplanet.com. native planet. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  4. ^ Ray, Aparajita (30 June 2020). "Ragigudda temple and Silk Board flyover finalized for Rs 800". Times of India. TNN. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Ragigudda Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy Temple". ishtadevata.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Ragigudda Anjaneya Temple". www.bengaloorutourism.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011.
  7. ^ "Festive fervour fills Ragigudda Temple". news18. THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS. 11 December 2011. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.