Idugampalayam Jayamangala Anjaneyar Temple, Coimbatore

Address

Idugampalayam Village, Mettupalayam,

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641301

Moolavar

Jayamangala Anjaneyar

Introduction

Idugampalayam Jayamangala Anjaneyar Temple is located in the Idugampalayam village, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Here the Lord is called as Jayamangala Anjaneyar. Idugampalayam is around 16 Kms from Mettupalayam via Sirumugai. There are town bus services available from Mettupalayam.

Puranic Significance

This temple is believed to be 1200 years old. Since there are images of fish carved in this temple, the connection with the Pandya kingdom is presumed. However, the locals believe that this one of the Anjaneyas Shri Vyasa Rayar, the well known Madhwa Seer had installed. He had installed a large number of Anjaneyas all over the country. There are seven natural springs near the temple from where the theertham is taken for temple purposes. The Anjaneyar here is a Swayambu. He is on a naturally situated rock of around eight feet in height. The Murthy is a gigantic one-six feet in height and five feet in width!

There are several unique things about this temple. Generally, in the Anjaneya vigrahams, the Swamy used to either face right or left side. Here He faces straight. On His anklet does an ornament resemble lotus flower. On His right Hand, one can see the Sudarshana Chakra. He holds Sougandhika flower on His left hand and his tail with bells ends above His head. Behind this rock, a beautiful Nandi is carved which instead of facing a Shiva shrine, is actually showing the other side to a small Lingam and Vinayakar carved in the same rock. The locals believe that such a unique positioning is not seen in any other temple. Shri Ramalingeswarar shrine is south west of the Anjaneyar shrine. Near the Ramalingeswarar shrine, are the shrines of Selvamuthukumaran and Parvathavardhini. All the three are in a straight line, in the Somaskanda formation. The installation of Ramalingeswarar here is linked to Hanuman bringing the Lingam for Sri Rama’s Pooja (Rameswaram Sthala Puranam). According to the legend in this place, as Hanuman reached late, Shri Rama made a lingam with sand and commenced the Pooja. Hence we see two lingams in this temple. On the other side of the main shrine is the temple for Vinayakar where in a single rectangular rock various images are carved- Vinayakar, Suryan, Chandran, Adiseshan and Kamadhenu.

Beliefs

Devotees sincerely pray to Anjaneya for the blessing of children and marriage. Those who fulfil their wishes, keep a handful of rice separately in their homes every day. In this way they offer the rice in the temple after 30 days. In this way, food is offered in rice which is added by many devotees.

Special Features

This Hanuman stands at a height of 5 feet and presents an attractive display to the onlookers. He is auspicious with straight vision, with a salamander in his left hand and in a blessing posture with his right hand. A bell is attached to the tail that curls behind his head. As the temple is situated on a narrow plot of land, this temple is known as ‘Idugam’.

On the south side of the temple is Vinayaka, on the corner of the temple is Ram Phusidhara Ramalingeswarar, in front of him is Thirunandideva, in the north side is Selvamuthukumaran, and next to him is Parvathavardani Amman. Jayamangala Anjaneyar is the main deity. It is believed that he will get rid of Navagraha doshas and also get the grace of the Trinity.