Panchamukha Hanuman Temple

Sri Panchamukha Hanuman is an ancient temple located in Tharamani, Chennai.This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman with five heads. The temple has a constant fire burning and the vibe is extremely calming.The temple structure is eye capturing with its bright colours and unusual design.

Here in this temple Lord Hanuman is in kneeling position with his right knee touching the ground. The five faces are Lord Hanuman, Lord Narasimha,Lord Garuda, Lord Varaha and Lord Hayagriva with 10 hands holding weapons Kumbh, Soolam, axe, chakra, Sword, Shield, Thanda, and a pot. Lower right hand in abhaya hastha and left hand holds a curved knife.

Sri Panchamukhi Hanuman can be traced to a story in Ramayana. In the war between Lord Rama and Ravana, Ravana took help of Ahiravana, the king of Pathala.In order to protect Lord Rama and Lakshman, Lord Hanuman formed a fortress with his tail. Ahiravana assumes the form of Vibhishana, the noble brother of Ravana and took Lord Rama and Lakshman to Pathala loka.

Hanuman went to pathala loka to search Lord Rama and Lakshmana. There he found that the life of Ahiravana was hidden in the five lamps which were placed in different directions.He could be killed only by extinguishing all five lamps the same time. To kill Ahiravana, Lord Hanuman had to take the form of Panchamukha Hanuman the Hanuman with five faces. Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda and Varaha are the four other faces along with Hanuman’s face. Panchamukha Hanuman using the five faces in different directions blows air to extinguish the lamps there to kill Ahiravana.