Story of Yalguresh Hanuman
Legend has it that Lord Ram had visited Yalgur located on
the banks of Krishna
River
During the period of Muslim invasion, the murti worshipped
in the shrine was carried away to another temple to keep it away from getting
destroyed. After several years when the murti was being unpacked, the priest
broke in inadvertently.
The priest was filled with remorse. During the night he had
a dream in which Hanumanji appeared and asked him to bring the broken murti
back to Yalgur and place it in the sanctum sanctorum. He was also directed to
perform puja outside the sanctum sanctorum without opening the doors.
The priest brought back the pieces and put them in the
sanctum sanctorum and performed the puja as directed. But the priest out of
curiosity to know what was happening inside the sanctum sanctorum opened the
doors and found that the pieces of the deity were bonded together. But as the
priest had opened the doors before the seventh day, the lower portions were yet
to bond together.
Yalaguresh Hanuman Murti
Yalaguresh Hanuman murti is around 7 feet tall and is in an
ardha shila form. The silver Thiruvachi is adorned with carvings depicting the
10 avatars of Srihari Vishnu. The murti is calm looking and is noted for its
large glowing eyes. Another highlight is the huge earrings worn by the murti
which nearly touches the shoulders. The right hand is in Abhaya Mudra posture.
The left hand holds saugandhika flower. The left feet of the murti crushes a
demon. The tail runs near the feet of the murti.
Architecture of the temple
The temple has a three tier Rajagopuram with numerous murtis
of Hanuman the most noteworthy and easily visible is the sculpture of Hanuman
in Yoga posture.
When one passes the Rajagopuram one comes across a big hall.
Then there is huge arch and a big mandapam. The arch is ornate with designs and elephant sculptures. The
arch also has sculptures of two dwarapalakas.
Ram Darbar is depicted on the mandapam. Sculptures of
Hanuman on the mandapam is seen holding Shivling and and sanjeevani mountain.
The big mandapam leads to the Sanctum sanctorum.
The walls of the sanctum sanctorum are painted with scenes
from Ramayana and that of Sri Madhvacharya.
Pujas and Rituals at Yalaguresh Temple
Abhishekam in the temple is performed with water from the
Krishna River. The priest goes daily to the river to fetch water for the puja. The
most important abhishekam in a day is performed at noon and is known as Maha
Pooja.
During the noon puja
panchamrutha abhisheka and milk abhisheka are also done. After the abhishekam, the murti is adorned with kumkum, flowers and ornaments. The Lord is
then offered naivedyam.
The most important festivals that are observed in the shrine
are Ram Navami, Gudi Padwa and Hanumanth Jayanti.
Special pujas and rituals are offered during Kartik month in
the temple. Annadanam is performed in the temple during the period.