Sri Anjaneya Temple Thanjavur

Moola Anjaneyar Temple at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu is unique as it is a rare Hanuman Temple with three-tier rajagopuram and a dwaja sthambam. It has an eighteen-pillared Alankara Mandapam. Usually Hanuman Temples do not have rajagopurams and other elaborate temple architecture.

The temple is located on the northwest corner of Thanjavur. This corner is associated with Vayu in Vasthu Shastra and Hanuman is the son of Vayu. Due to this reason, the Hanuman Temple is known as Moola Anjaneyar Temple.

Another unique aspect of the temple is the Rashi Mandalam. All the 12 Rashis are depicted on the roof of the temple. A person can pray to his/her Rashi and get relief.

There are two Hanuman murtis in the temple. One is in Yoga posture sitting on a mountain. The second one is known as Anjaneyar.

The Yoga posture hanuman has four arms. The top two hands hold sankhu and chakra. The other two hands are in blessing postures. It faces north and it is believed that one will get Siddhi by praying to this murti.

Lord Anjaneyar murti is facing east and it has two hands, which are in blessing posture.
Sree Moolai Anjaneya Temple is located in Thanjavur. This temple has a three tier rajagopuram and a dwaja sthambam. It has a eighteen pillered alankara mandapam. This is the second largest ancient temple built exclusively for the Lord with rajagopuram and dwaja sthambam.

The Lord of this temple built by Sri Veera Pratapah Simha is known by the ‘Sri Pratapah Veera Hanumar’. But this temple is known as ‘Moolai Anjaneya’ temple, moolai in Tamil means corner.