Gaali Anjaneya Temple is one of
the most sacred and oldest temples of Bangalore. Located in Mysore Road, in
middle of the busy street of Byatarayanapura, this temple serves as a very
important holy attraction for both the outsiders and the local Bangalorians.
History
This temple has been constructed
by a great philosopher and devotee of Lord Anjaneya, Sri Vyasaraya Tirtha of
Channapattana. Being an immense follower of Lord Anjaneya, he has built around
732 temples for the lord and one of which is Gaali Anjaneya Temple.
Way back, this temple has been
constructed in 1425, having a history of around 600 years. It is said that the
idol of Lord Anjaneya had existed in the open air from more than 800 years back
in the sangama of the two sacred rivers Vrishabavathi and Paschmavahini and it
is when Sri Vyasaraya Tirtha had performed Punnar
Uddarnam (reincarnation) for the open Lord. The word “Gaali” which means
“air” (in Kannada). It is also believed that he is called as Gaali Anjaneya
since he is the son of God Vayu-the wind god.
Speciality of the Temple
This temple is known as the only
ancient temple in south India where Gaali Anjaneya is smeared with the
auspicious paste of sinduram (a saffron coloured paste). The uniqueness of the
idol is that the tail of the Anjaneya is seen with lots of bents and is rolled
at the end which shows that the Lord here is a Shantha Swaroopi(calm demeanour) and a small bell tied to the tail
is the signature of Saint Vyasaraya linked with Lord Anjaneya.
Another attraction of this
Anjaneya is that he is facing the devotees directly.
The famous festival of this temple
is the car festival which is held on this auspicious day with a huge gathering
of devotees.
This is the only temple which
celebrates the most famous car festival once in a year which is followed since
120 years.
Unique Prasadam
The taaitha (a sacred yellow
coloured thread) blessed by Anjaneya is given to the devotees as prasadham
which is said to have the power which rids people’s troubles and obstacles in
life generally tied around the arm/wrist/waist of devotees.
Faith believed- Devotees throng
here with great faith to get “Purna Kripa
Drishti”. The lord is known for curing aliments in children.