Mahalakshmipura

Mahalakshmipura, Bangalore, was once a range for shooting practice, during the rule of Mysore Maharaja. There stood an elegant colossal rock erect on the top of a hillock with small hillocks at a distance, as the backdrop. It was a magnificent sight to see the erect rock from the distance.

When the Bangalore Development Authority were developing new layouts in Bangalore, Mahalakshmipura was renamed Mahalakshmi Layout. BDA had identified this area for development as a community living area, with all basic amenities.

The rock on the top of the hillock measured twenty-two feet in height and sixteen feet in breadth and four feet width. It so happened that the rock was in the 'eesanya' (northeast) corner of the plot, earmarked, for community amenities by BDA. The northeast corner is considered auspicious.

Painting of Lord Anjaneya

On the intuition of the local residents, a grand painting of Lord Anjaneya was made on the rock. The Lord was named as Sree Prasanna Veeranjaneya Swamy. The first pooja was performed during 1973 on Ramanavami day. Further to this, on formation of a committee with proper permission from the public authorities it was decided to have a carving of the deity of Sri Prasanna Veeranjaneya Swamy in the place of the painting. Sri Shanmugananda Stapati was entrusted with this work. On completion of the carving of the deity, the Prana Pratista was performed on 7th June 1976 in the holy presence of HH Sri Shivabalayogi Mahraj.

Hypaethral to Sannathi

The Lord housed in a hypaethral temple was worshipped for some time. The devotees were keen to see that the Lord dwelled under a proper roof. On 27.3.77 the foundation for construction of the temple was laid in the presence of HH Sri Thiruchi Swamigal of Kailasa Asrama, Kenchenahally, Bangalore. The activities, which were looked after by the Committee, were handed over to the seventeen member Trust with Sri N.Lakshman Rao as President in 1980.

Along with the construction of main temple measuring 40 feet by 40 feet, three separate sannathis were also constructed just behind the main temple. White marble idols of Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Seetha and Anjaneya were consecrated in the center Sannathi. Lord Abhaya Hastha Ganapathi and Lord Lakshmi were constructed on either side of the Sri Rama Sannathi.

On completion of the construction of the main temple and the other three sannathis, on 10th June 1985, the 6.5-ft gold plated copper Kalasham was installed on the Vimana of the main temple. HH Sri Abhinava Ramananda Saraswathi performed the Kumbhabhishekham.

Pressana Anjaneya

The main temple is 40 feet long and 40 ft wide and in the midst is the idol of the Sri Prasanna Veeranjaneya Swamy. The upper vihara is 40 ft high with a concrete dome. The gopura is 41 ft high with a total height of 81 ft. Here the carved image on the huge rock depicts a simple figure of Anjaneya in a standing position holding the 'parvatha' in his right hand and the 'Ghadha' in his left hand with his palm resting on his thigh. His hair is tied up neatly and he wears a crown. On his chest is etched, the figure of Lord Sri Rama. He wears a silver earring, wears a necklace and anklets adorn his ankles. He wears an ornament with a bell shaped pendant on his right leg. Each of his arms are adorned by an armlet and a bracelet. The huge depiction of Sri Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy is magnificent, inspiring, and at the same time pleasant on the eyes.

Temple Complex

The temple complex spread over thirteen acres, has a separate grand sannathi for Mahalakshmi. The Goddess Mahalakshmi idol, which is twelve feet height, is seated on a five feet fully carved-blossomed lotus. Sri Mohan Raj and Sri Raja Ganapathi carved this. The idol - befitting the name of Mahalakshmi Lay Out, encompassing the entire area surrounding the hillock - is both pleasing to the eye and is very graceful.

There are two shelters built -one for housing the plant 'vella erukku' and the other for the 'tulasi' plant. The former is located opposite to Abhaya Hastha Ganapathi. It is eight sided and 'Ashta Ganapathi' has been carved on its sides. The shelter housing the Tulsi plant is located opposite to the Lakshmi sannathi. It is also eight sided and has 'Ashta Lakshmi' carved on it's sides.

There is a beautiful, pleasant meditation hall with deities Lord Kodanda Rama and Sri Dhyana Anjaneya. Adjacent is a huge library with a wide collection of religious books.

Festivals

On the Magashuddha Trayodashi day Hanumatjayanthi pooja is perfomed and in sequence of about eight days various cultural programmes are held. Annual function is held on Jestashuddha Dashmi, Sri Rama Pattabhisheka, Sri Sitarama Kalyanotsavam, Sathyanarayana Pooja and Lakshmi Pooja are performed.

Seva

Annual Pooja / life membership, Annual Panchamrutha Seva, Annual Mahabhisheka Seva, Mahabhisheka on Sunday for Sri Anjaneya and on Friday for Sri Mahalakshmi, Paanchmrutha Abhisheka on all week days, Vede Male Seva on all days except Sundays and Ekadasi.

Present activities of the Trust

The trust had now undertaken the task of fulfilling the long cherished desire of devotees to make the temple a "Golden Anjaneya Temple", by fixing gold coated copper sheets in the vimana etc. Devotees who are interested in contributing towards this can make out a cheque or draft drawn in favour of "Sri Prassanna Veeanjaneya Swamy Trust, Bangalore"

Social Activities of the Trust

The Trust is engaged in social activities like providing free medical facilities [inclusive of providing facilities for free eye operation] and free food for patients and their caretakers till the patient is discharged. To keep alive the tradition lectures on Vedanta, Harikatha Kalakshepams, and other cultural programmes like music, traditional dances are also organised.

I salute Thee to give me inspiration, magnanimity, and Santhi.

-Ms. Bawani Karthik
Singapore

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Sri Prasanna Veeranjaneya Swamy Trust
Mahalakshmi Puram :: Bangalore 560 086
Ph: 91 80 3491727

Working Hours of Temple : 6 AM to 8.30 PM
Working Hours of Office : 9 AM to 1.30 PM & 5 PM to 8.30 PM

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