Yanthroddhaaraka (Chakra Theertha) - Rare Temple of Lord Hanuman # 9

Dedicated to Lord Hanuman; Yanthroddharaka Aanjaneya Swamy temple at Chakratheertha (Hampi) has acquired a unique significance by its location, sanctity, spirituality and symbolism. Located at the legendary Kishkindha of the Ramayana period on the southern banks of sacred river Tungabhadra behind Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy temple, Yanthroddharaka is a rare temple of Lord Hanuman that we come across. This temple is considered as the first one among the 732 temples of Lord Hanuman installed/consecrated by the great Madhwa Saint and Philosopher Sri Vyaasa Rajaru.  Located at an elevated place on the top of a small hillock the temple of Yanthroddharaka Hanuman is standing as a testimony to the great spiritual powers and holiness of Sri Vyaasarayaru.

Legend behind the temple...

Brief about Sri Vyasarayaru (1447 – 1539 AD)

Shankukarna (Karmaja Devatha) took his third birth in this Kaliyuga as Sri Vyasaraayaru a great saint and a reputed propagator of Madhva (Dvaita/Tattvavada) philosophy. His guru was another great saint Sri SriPadarayaru (Mulabagalu). Sri Vyaasarayaru, popularly called as Sri Vyasarajaru lived in 15^th Century during the historical days of Vijayanagara (Hampi) empire. He was Raja Guru for its Kings more particularly Sri Krishnadevaraya the popular king of Vijayanagara dynasty. In fact He had helped Sri Krishnadevaraya to pass through a major crisis in his life. For a brief period Sri Vyasarayaru had even ascended the throne of Vijayanagara Empire in order to protect Sri Krishna Deva Raya from an astrological menace.  Thus came to be called as Vyaasaraajaru.

At one point of time Sri Vyasarayaru had even conducted the daily pooja rituals of Lord Sri Venkateswara at Tirumala temple for a period 12 years when it was hampered during the time of Vijayanagara King Saluva Narasimha Raya.  He lived for more than 90 years and made Brindavana pravesa near Anegondi on the banks of river Thunga Bhadra.  He is the one who has initiated for the Daasakoota headed by Saint Sri Purandara Dasaru. Sri Vyaasarayaru was an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman, during whose period 732 Hanuman idols were installed/consecrated at various locations across South India. Prominent among them is the famous temple of Yanthroddharaka Hanuman at Chakratheertha Hampi.

Sri Vyaasarayaru was an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman; during whose period 732 Hanuman idols were installed/consecrated at various locations across South India.  He had so much devotion towards Lord Hanuman that everyday soon after his pooja rituals on the banks of Chakratheertha, he used to meditate on an image of Lord Hanuman and draw its picture with a piece of Angaara (Charcoal) on a nearby rock and worship the same.  One day when he drew the image of Lord Hanuman; to his surprise a monkey came out of it alive from the rock jumping out and his drawing disappeared. 

This situation continued for twelve days and every time the Pontiff used to draw an image of Lord Hanuman on the rock; the image used to take life; a monkey used to leap out and the image used to disappear.  After failing to fix the image of Lord Hanuman continuously for 12 days Sri Vyasarayaru went into meditation seeking the help of Lord Hanuman himself to solve the puzzle.  Finally on the 13^th day Sri Vyasarayaru drew the image of Lord Hanuman as directed by Him (Lord Hanuman) by encircling the image with a powerful Yantra (consecrated geometrical shape) bequeathed with Beejaakshara mantras.  Further the stupendous Yantra was also sealed with figurines of twelve simian monkeys bound to each other in a tight group in a circular fashion encompassing the outer ring of the Yantra.

(Yanthroddharaka Sri Hanuman at Chakratheertha)

Thus, dighbandana (caged) was made and Lord Hanuman was confined to a potent Yantra sitting firm in a yogic posture.  Since Hanuman was fixed in a Yantra, thenceforth He came to be known as Yanthroddharaka Praana Devaru (Lord Hanuman). Thereafter Sri Vyasarayaru composed the famous Yanthroddharaka Hanumath Sthothram which became very popular and powerful prayer manthra of Lord Hanuman.  Unlike the usual symbolism of Lord Hanuman that we generally come across in most of the temples, here the icon of Lord Hanuman is depicted in a rare posture. This rare icon of Lord Hanuman manifested on a holy rock in a sitting position is embedded inside an amulet (Yantra) at the centre of a set of six concentric triangles enmeshed in a circle.  Sitting quiet in a yoga mudra (meditative posture) in padmaasana at the centre of a sacrosanct Yantra with beads of japamala in his hands this unique image of Lord Hanuman is an epitome of spirituality.

Thus the temple of YanthroddharakaHanuman came into existence nearly about 500 years ago and has become a popular pilgrim center dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Located in Hospet Tq of Bellary district in Karnataka State, Chakratheertha near Hampi is attracting pilgrims from across the country and also from abroad.  Pilgrims visiting Hampi will make it a point to visit Yanthroddharaka Hanuman temple located nearby.  Hampi is about 12 km from Hospet which is well connected by rail and road. Nearest railway junction is Guntakal. Other nearby places worth visiting are Anegondi and Nava Brundavana, an island in Thunga Bhadra river and the seat of Moola Brundavanas of nine great Madhwa Saints including that of Sri Vyaasa Rajaru. With all its sanctity and spirituality this holy shrine of Mukhya Praana (Lord Hanuman) at Yanthroddharaka is one of the must visit places for the Madhwa fraternity.

Contact details

Sri M. Gururajachar

Archaka, Yanthroddharaka

Sri Prana Devara Temple

Near TML, Kamalapur-Post

Hospet (Tq), Bellary Dist.

Karnataka – 583221

Tele: 08394 – 241519

Mobile: 9242480290

Sri Raama Jaya Raama Jaya Jaya Raama

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu