About Gali Anjaneya temple, Byatanarayanapura, Mysore Road, Bangalore

                             

                       

                           

                             

                           

 This temple is one of the oldest Anjaneya temples in the city. As it is located in the heart of the city on Mysore Road , many devotees visit this temple. The temple’s outer walls freshly painted with gilded towers attract everyone’s attention. The main deity is called Gali Anjaneya as the idol was found in an open space before the Saint Vyasaraya discovered the idol and constructed a temple in 1425 at the convergence of two rivers, Vrishabhavati and its tributary, Paschima Vahini. This is one of the 732 temples built by him in various regions. Now the river is not seen. The word “gali” in Kannada means “wind’. As Vayuputra the Lord here is called “Gali Anjaneya”.  The word “gali” also suggests the harmful evil spirits and the Lord here is the protector who wards off the effects of evil spirits. Many devotees bring their children to receive the protection and blessings of the Lord.

 The 75-foot tall Rajagopuram leads one to pass through an arched entrance where one can see tiny idols of Venu Gopala and Ganesha on either side of the corridor. The main presiding deity Anjaneya appears quite different from those of other Hanuman idols we see in other temples. The west-facing idol of Anjaneya faces directly the devotees (yathumukhi) with wide-open eyes and radiant sindur-coated body. He keeps His left hand on his hip and holds a flower in His right hand. A small knife is seen near His right hip. The Lord’s face looks quite benign and calm. So he is called Prasanna Anjaneya and a Shanta Gnana Swaroopi (an embodiment of wisdom and serenity). The moustache on his lip indicates the Lord’s valor and manliness. The tail has a lot of bends with a small bell tied at the end. The small bell attached at the end is a common feature seen in most of the idols installed by the great Hanuman Bhakth and philosopher, Sri Vysa Raja (1460-1539). 

Just on the left side of the main shrine, there is a shrine for Sri Rama along with Lakshmana and Sita facing east. On the right side of the main shrine there is a shrine for Lord Satyanarayana On every full moon day, Satyanarayana Vratam is performed here. In the hall leading to exit door there is a shrine for Gopala Krishna. Here a sacred range-colored thread along with sindur is given as Prasad to devotees as a means of Lord’s protection and blessing. The temple is very much crowded during Tuesdays and Saturdays when special poojas are done. The car festival is being celebrated here in Chaitra month for the last 120 years. During Sankranthi season special poojas are performed for one month. 

The Gali Anjaneya Trust formed in 1985 looks after the temple activities. The temple is open from 7.00 to 2.00 p.m. in the morning and from 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. in the evening. Recently an idol of Anjaneya is found in the storm drain just near this temple. The idol is now under the care of the Archaeological Department.           
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    8th october, 2018                                              Somaseshu Gutala