Jagannath Temple - Kanathur, Chennai

Temple: Jagannath Temple
Name: Jagannath Spirtual and Cultural Centre
Primary Deity: Lord Jagannath (Lord Vishnu or Krishna)
Place: Kanathur in ECR Road, Chennai
City: Chennai
District: Chennai
State: Tamil Nadu
Country: India
Train Route: Get down in Thiruvanmiyur Railway Station in Metro Railway Transport System. If you are from outside of Chennai, come to Chennai and book a cab and ask for ECR.
Bus Route: Get down in Kanathur bus stand in ECR Road. Opposite to Maayajal is a roadside fish market. Take that road and on the first right you will find the sign board directing to the temple.
Special Days: All Days
Additional Information: This temple was built recently. The structure is similar to the one in Puri and Orissa. The temple tower the flag reminds us of the main temple in Puri. The shrine is in wood as against the traditional South Indian stone carving.
Website: http://www.jagannathtemplepuri.com/ (Puri Jagannath Temple Site. I couldn't find the site of Chennai Temple)

History of the Temple

The temple was built recently and contains similar structure of Puri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa. This is very near to the sea, constructed few hundred meters away from the shore. When you eenter the Jagannanth shrine using the few steps, you will be able to see the sea and the beautiful nature.

The people in South India especially the people in Tamil Nadu visiting Orissa is very difficult and hence this was constructed.

Information on Temple and Visiting

This is a replicate of Puri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa, India. Lord Jagannath or Lord Krisha is the main deity. The shrine is made of wood as against the traditional stones in South India.

Once you enter the temple, on the left water taps have been provided for washing your hands and legs before entering the sannadhis. Every sannidhi has been provided the walking path to avoid walking on the grass.

On the left is Vinayak shrine (Sannidhi). He looks different with the head slanting as if he is dancing. Opposite to his shirne is his father Siva's Sannidhi.

The Lord Siva's Sannidhi reflect Kasi Viswanath type. Sivan is also drawn on the wall which looks beautiful. If you look at the eyes, it conveys the blessing and shows the power of Lord Siva.

When you go around the any sannidhi you will few more deities are placed on the walls like Parvathi, Agni.

Then is the main deity, Lord Jagannath. Take the steps with the prayers. You are climbing up in your life to reach GOD is one of the messages I see here. Each step reflects various stumbles or opportunities we go through in the life to reach the GOD and we overcome those and reach GOD.

Pooja is done by the Pandit. The difference in the pooja is that, the Pandit gives you flowers after chanting the mantras. Keep them with you. After chanting mantra, he gives few more flowrs and water (a spoon of water) to wash your hands along with the flower. Then after chanting mantras he asks for your Gothram, Natchathiram (star), (Rasi) (sun sign), Name. He will do archana based on the details you have given him. After that, he gives you theertha prasadam and then flower and banana as prasadam.

The place is very silent and you can site there and meditate if ther is no one else. Go around the sannidhi. Do Namaskaram (lie on your stomach with both hands stretched above your head and the tips of each hands touching each other--for Men; You can bent on your knees and bow your head that it touches the grond.

Take your time to do prayers and come down with his blessings so that you can take it with you wherever you go.

Go around the sannidhi and on the back is Sannidhi of Anjaneyar (Baktha Hanuman). There are photogrphas of Lord Rama, Lord Jagannath and the used pooja items. The sannidhi is divided and the back of these photographs is Hanuman Sannidhi.

We sat in the hall for few minutes doing meditation. On the roof, you will see paintings of Krisha and other gods. On the frontside of this hall, you will find the panting describing the great epic Ramayana. With around 20 pictures, the entire Ramayana is explained.

Then is the Maa Vimala's Sannidhi. Here also you can see other deities when you go around the sannidhi.

Then is the Maa Lakshmi's Sannidhi. After you go around the sannidhi, on the left is the cultural academy.

Next is the Navagraha Sannidhi. Here all the Navagrahams--Sun, Moon, Chevvai, Budhan, Guru, Sukra, Sani, Rahu, and Kethu, are kept in line as against the South Indian style of placing them according to their sides.

From here, the gopuram (tower) view is very good. You can take pictures and I did not find any objections.

They temple has basic amneties--water and rest rooms.

Sit for a while in the place alloted. Then you can come out of the temple.

Click here for Pictures including Ramayana Description using Pictures!

Anjaneyar Temple - Nanganallur

Temple: Anjaneyar aka Nanganallur Anjaneyar Temple
Place: Nanganallur
City: Chennai
District: Chennai
State: Tamil Nadu
Country: India
Train Route: Get down in Pazhavanthangal Station and ask for direction from Auto / Auto Rikshaw
Bus Route: Get down in Roja Medicals which is couple of stops away from Mount Railway Station.
Special Days: Thursday and Saturday
Additional Information: The Anjaneyar is 32 feet tall and looks beautiful. The temple also has Nagarajan, Ganapathy, Ramar-Sita-Lakshmanan-Anjaneyar, Venugopalan, and Saint Raghavendra sannadhi.
Website: http://www.anjaneyaswami.com

Being a strong devotee of Anjaneyar, I have been to Nanganallur Anjaneyar temple several times seeking his blessings. The temple is in a place called Nanganallur in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, Southern part of India.

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE

Sri Maruti Bhakta samajan trust, consisting of people with high spiritual beliefs, wished for this temple. with the blessings of Sri Ragavendra swami and Sri Kanchi Paramacharyar entrenched the 32 foot idol of Sri Anjaneyar in 1989 and consummated the Kumbabishekam in 1995. The distinguished factor of the 32 feet idol is that it was molded out of a single rock.

DIVINESS OF THE TEMPLE

The Bhaktha Anjaneya temple at Nanganallur in Chennai is known for bestowing better health to the devotees. The idol of the central image is 32 feet in height making it one of its own kind. Sri Rama, Sri Lakshmana and Seetha with Sri Anjaneyar, Sri Vinayagar, Sri Ragavendra and Sri Krishna with his consorts Bhama and Rukmini are also indoctrinated here. The idol is believed to have special power and is considered a healer.

The website of the temple is: http://www.anjaneyaswami.com/index.asp Please visit this site and get updated on the regular and special events performed in the temple. You can also donote to the temple and the details are available in the site.

Information on Temple and Visiting

When you enter the temple, you can leave your footwear outside the temple or with the flower vendors.

You can buy archana items from the vendors. If you go on a weekday, you will not see too many people. If you go on a Saturday, you will see a lot of people because it is a special day for Anjaneyar. From 5 PM till 8 PM you can see the line coming out of the temple and standing still the next street.

Enter the temple. Please note that you switch off your mobile or put it in silent mode. Do not use still, digital or video camera inside the temple. No pictures using any camera (including Mobile).

First you will see Nagarajar Sannidhi (Snake God / King of Snakes) followed by Ganapathi (Pillayar or Elephone God)

Give your archana items on the way to the volunteers and get the token

You will come to Garudazhvar and then Rama-Sita-Lakshmana-Anjaneyar sannidhi

If you want to buy Ghee or Anjaneyar picture, buy it after you see Rama. The counter is next to the Sannidhi.

If you buy Ghee, put it in the Dheepam, which is already lighted. Put the empty bottle in the container.

Go round the Anjaneyar Sannidhi. Get the theertha prasadam. When you do your pradhikshinam, you will see the Yoga Anjaneyar. You have to do the sangalpam there. Then collect the archana items on the backside (on the pradhikshinam route)

You can site and do dhyanam / meditation. Make your sashtanga namaskarm in the place alloted.

Then you will be lead to Venugopala Swamy (Krishnan) Sannidhi. Go around the dhulasi madam and take the aarathi.

You will be lead to take kunguma prasadam. Then the prasadam.

Come out of the temple piecefully with an assurance and believe that Anjaneyar will take care of everything!

DOs inside the temple

Always think about the god
Say only god's name and talk only good things
Chant RAMA RAMA RAMA or your mantra until you come out of the temple
Come in the line and obey the rules set by the temple
Eat the prasadam outside the temple in a neat place, put the dhonnai in the container;

DON'Ts inside the temple

Do not enter the temple after taking alchoal;
Do not enter the temple with your footwear;
Do not wear 'lungi', one of the dresses used by Men
Do not talk anything other than chanting Lord Rama or your favorite mantra
Do not wish others inside the temple
Do not namaskaram others inside the temple regarldess of how senior they are;
Do not violate any rules set by the temple authorities; it is only for the good of us and others to see the god piecefully and get his blessings
Do not use mobile phones and cameras
Do not eat prasadam inside the temple;
Do not spill the Prasadam
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Main Mantra

Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

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Sri Rama Jaya Rama
Jaya Jaya Rama

Sri Rama Jaya Rama
Jaya Jaya Rama

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JAI ANJANEYA!!!