Celebrate Purattasi Saturdays at Peelamedu Anjaneyar Temple

In Tamil Nadu, we believe that the month of Purattasi (Sept 17 to Oct 17 2024) is the month when Tirupati Balaji is amongst us and hence, a special lamp – Perumal Maavu Thiruvilakku is lit on Saturdays. Each person can light the Perumal Maavu Thiruvilakku according to their tradition. Kousalya and I plan to light the Maavu Thiruvilakku on Oct 12 as Thiruvonam nakshatra falls on this day. Tirupati Balaji’s nakshatra is Thiruvonam.

The first Purattasi Saturday fell on Sept 21 – my dearest friend Sirisha’s birthday ! Since we are in Coimbatore we thought of visiting the Peelamedu Anjaneyar temple to see the amazing alankaram that Narayana Bhattar would do. He told us that he will share the pics on Saturday but it was preferable to visit on Sunday as there would be a massive crowd to get Hanuman’s darshan on Saturday.

Sept 21, 2024 – First Purattasi Saturday

Every year the first Saturday of Purattasi, Peelamedu Anjaneyar’s alankaram is done with 10008 vadais. Just the vadais are the common factor, every single year the alankaram differs. This year I felt it was the entrance of Tirupati temple while some others felt it was like a palace with festooned pillars.

We did manage to visit the temple on Sunday and were blessed with Anjaneyar’s darshan. There is an energy here in this temple, which immediately makes one feel calm and deeply connected with the Hanuman. He showers his “Karuna” (loose translation compassion) and solves many of our problems (petty for him, huge for us).

Why Vada Malai (garland) for Anjaneyar ?

Anjaneyar has all the nine planets in his tail. Amongst the nine planets, the two “malefic” or “more impactful” planets are Shani Dev (Saturn) and Rahu (northern lunar node). Many of us may not be aware of this side story in the Ramayana. When Hanuman reaches Lanka in search of Maa Sita, he hears someone calling out to him. When he goes near the place where the voice comes from, he sees Shani Dev being held captive in a jail.

Ravana was a great astrologer and had captured Shani Dev, put him behind bars so that he wouldn’t adversely impact his fortunes. Hanuman released Shani Dev from captivity and that’s why to this date we pray to Hanuman when we are under the influence of Shani.

Shani Dev is the enforcer of Karma. So those who feel they have done deeds that lead to negative Karma have to fear Shani Dev, otherwise there is nothing to fear ! But almost all of us have collected enough negative Karma through our many lives and hence the fear of Shani Dev’s impact.

While Shani Dev and Rahu are both impactful they cannot grant boons and that’s why we pray to Hanuman because he can ward off the impact these two planets have on us.

Shani Dev likes sesame oil and Rahu likes Urad dal, that’s why the vadais are made of urad dal and fried in sesame oil with some sesame seeds. Not to be thought of as a treat or snack !!!

Sept 28, 2024 – Second Purattasi Saturday

I just received the pictures of Ashtamsa Varada Anjaneyar’s alankaram for today …. another outstanding alankaram. Its sendoora kaapu alankaram…

Anjaneyar looks regal and he is anyway the Raja of Ayodhya ! The story related to Hanuman Ji wearing Sindoor all over is endearing. He once saw Maa Sita applying Sindoor on her forehead and asked why. She said, it is for the long life, health and prosperity of Bhagwan Ram. Hanuman being the biggest Bhakt of Bhagwan Ram decided to apply Sindoor all over his body to ensure his Bhagwan is protected at all times and has good health. I wish we had even 1% of Hanuman’s Bhakti … the world will be a different place.

If you are in Coimbatore or visiting here, please do get the darshan of Ashtamsa Varada Anjaneyar at Peelamedu. Every single day the alankaram is different and equally stunning. Particularly, visit on Thursdays and Saturdays as the darshan is even more special.

Jai Sri Ram. Raja Ramchandra Ki Jai. Jai Bajrang Bali.