Makar Sankranti Sun Rays Touch Feet Of Hanuman
Every year, during Makar Sankranti, marking the beginning
of the Uttarayana Punya Kala, a grand Pancharatra Agama-style festival is
celebrated with great fervor on the outskirts of Vandaraguppe village in
Channapatna taluk, Ramanagara district, adjacent to the Bengaluru-Mysuru
highway. On the first day of this period, sun rays touch the feet of the deity,
which is considered highly auspicious. The famous cattle fair also takes place
during this time.
Ayyana Gudi Cattle Fair
Known popularly as the "Ayyana Gudi Cattle Fair",
the event draws cattle sellers and buyers not only from within the district but
also from neighboring districts and even other states. The fair lasts for
several weeks. A local belief associated with the origin of this fair tells of
a poor farmer who once stayed overnight at the temple premises with his cow due
to the presence of thick forest (Hulimuttige forest) surrounding the area. The
next morning, the cow was missing. After searching through the forest and
failing to find it, the farmer prayed to the deity. Miraculously, both the cow
and a tiger were found peacefully together behind the temple in the forest.
Amazed by this divine incident, the farmer started the tradition of the cattle
fair at this sacred place.
Every year, on the first Saturday of the Shravana month
(July – August) and on Hanuman Jayanti (December), a navaneeta (butter)
alankara (decoration) is performed for the deity.
Devotees believe that the Lord here blesses childless
couples with children and the unmarried with marriage, and heals those
suffering from ailments—thus revered as a divine form offering protection and
relief. It is also believed that circumambulating (doing 12 pradakshinas)
around the temple with sincere devotion fulfills one's wishes.
The temple is widely believed to have been worshipped by the
great sage Maharshi Kanva. It is considered to be an ancient temple dating back
to the 12th century CE, although there are no historical or mythological
records to confirm this. The temple is also known as "Ayyana Gudi",
having gained fame through worship by Sri Vyasaraja.
The presiding deity, Sri Kengal Anjaneya Swamy, is believed
to have manifested in a red monolithic stone, which is why the name
"Kengal Anjaneya" (Kengal meaning "red stone") came into
common usage. Every day, thousands of devotees visit this sacred site.
Interestingly, the idol of Sri Anjaneya is facing north and
is gradually believed to be turning towards the northeast, which is considered
a miracle by devotees. Typically, Hanuman temples face south or west, so the
fact that this temple faces east is also seen as a unique feature.
The deity here, manifested in a rare red monolithic stone
found only at this sacred site, holds a conch (shankha) and discus (chakra),
with a bell at the tail end. A Saugandhika flower can be seen on the left side
of the idol. It is believed that Lord Hanuman, to relieve himself from
exhaustion, applied red sandalwood paste on his body and took abode in this red
stone.
Within the temple, idols of Kodanda Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana, as well as Sri Narasimha Swamy with Lakshmi, and Sri Venkataramana Swamy with Sridevi, Bhudevi, and Garuda are also enshrined.