Dharapuram Dasa Anjaneya Darisanam - Part 3

This is the third in the series of articles on the ten Vyasaraja Hanumans of Dharapuram. Please click here to access Part 1 and here for Part 2.

After visting the Kadu Hanumantharaya Swamy temple, which is the central temple for all the ten Hanumans, and then proceeding towards the Uttara Veeraraghava Swamy temple, where we worshipped Veera Hanuman and Kottai Vaasal Hanuman, we were in a dilemma as to which direction to proceed next. To the North was Virajimangalam, now known  as Veerachimangalam and to the South was Dalavoypattinam. The remaining five Hanumans were around the Kadu Hanumantharaya Swamy temple.

We decided to proceed to Dalavoypattinam which is about ten kilometres from Dharapuram. 

4. Dalavoypattinam Hanuman

Sri Varadaraja Perumal, Dalavoypattinam

The Varadaraja Perumal temple here houses a Vyasaraja Hanuman. Inscription found in this temple from the third year of Pandya King Sri Vallabha describe the deity as Jayamkonda Chola Vinnagar Emberumanaar. Another fragmentary inscription which only names the king asThribhuvanachakravarti Ko... calls him Naraiyanur Nattu Devanayakaperumal.

Dalavoypattinam Hanuman

Currently this temple has only two shrines - that of Varadaraja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi and of the Hanuman installed by Vyasaraja. The Hanuman is smaller than the ones we have seen so far. He is seen with the typical raised right arm in Abhaya Hasta and the left arm holding the Sowgandhika flower. 

How to reach here: The Varadaraja Perumal Temple is found near the Government Hospital in Dalavoypattinam. The GPS coordinates of all ten Hanuman shrines can be found at the bottom of this article.

Temple Timings: The temple is only open between 8 - 9.30 am in the mornings and 5-7 pm in the evenings. On Saturdays, the Bhattars are available until 10.30 - 11 am depending on the crowd.

Contact: Rangaraja Bhattar - 99764 62736

5. Veeraraghavapura Agrahara Hanuman

Veeraghavapura Agrahara Hanuman

As it was our first visit and with no one to guide us about the right order to visit, we went about  randomly which we realised was a mistake. Some shrines closed early, while others could not be approached because of their location.

It would have helped us better if we had started with the sites that closed early and then gone to the larger temples which remained open longer. Therefore, another visit is warranted to complete the ones that could not be visited this time. 

Now coming back to where we left off, we came back to the Kadu Hanumantharaya Swamy temple area, to visit the remaining Hanumans before proceeding towards Viranjimangalam (now called Veerachimangalam) which is to the North.

All the ten Hanumans have originally been installed in the open. Some have been subsequently covered with a shrine, while most still remain in the open.

Our next stop was across the road from the Kadu Hanumantharaya Swamy temple. There is a park some distance away and the lane right next to the park leads to a Hanuman temple after a drive of about a kilometre and a half. Although this Hanuman has a shrine, apparently the shrine had closed the priests had left for the day. The approach is also through the fields for about half a kilometre by foot. While we stopped at the beginning of the bund on which one has to walk to reach the temple, we found Mr Mohan and his family coming back after checking out the temple. They not only told us about the current situation, but also offered to help us visit the other shrines that were left out. Thanks to Mr Mohan's kindness we were able to quickly visit the remaining sites and worship at the ones that were open.

6 & 7. Arasamarathadi Hanuman and Bheemaraya Agrahara Hanuman 

Arasamarathadi Hanuman with the Bheemaraya Hanuman shrine behind it

From the Veeraraghavapura Agrahara Hanuman temple, we moved towards the old Bheemaraya Agraharam. This road has not been mentioned on Google Maps and therefore but for Mr Mohan's help we would not have been able to find it. There are two Hanumans here - One under a peepal tree close to the Amaravathi river, giving it the name Arasamarathadi Hanuman and the other in a shrine behind it. Unfortunately when we reached, the shrine had already closed and therefore we were only able to worship the beautiful Arasamara Hanuman.

8 & 9. Theppakula Hanuman and Amaravathi Hanuman

The Amaravathi River

Two Hanumans are found in the open about a kilometre away from here, right in the middle of the fields. One can reach them only by walking along the Amaravathi river and currently since the crops are fully grown, there was no path available to walk through. Only after harvesting can these temples be approached.

10. Veerachimangalam Hanuman

Our last stop was at Veerachimangalam. Again we would not have been able to identify this location, but for Mr Mohan who drove back all the way with us, just to show us the temple, eventhough he had already covered it.

The Veerachimangalam Hanuman

The Veerachimangalam Hanuman shrine is found next to the Shiva temple. This temple is currently closed for renovation and a new shrine is being built outside. The Hanuman shrine has been left untouched but is not in anyway controlled, maintained or patronised by the Siva temple. The Octogenarian priest is helpless. Since he does not receive any devotees at the temple nor any funds for its daily upkeep and maintenance, he keeps the temple closed unless someone specifically asks for it to be opened for worship. Even after opening the shrine, he had to search a bit to find a piece of camphor to perform the harathi. Since this was our last stop, we too had given away all the oil and ghee we had carried for distribution. 

A humble request to the devotees who plan to visit this temple. Please carry pooja materials and contribute whatever you can to the priest. Even at this advanced age, he is taking care of the temple and doing whatever he can to keep it going.

How to reach here: Veerachimangalam is about 6 kms from Dharapuram. The locations of all ten sites have been marked here

Temple Timings: There are no specific timings. The priest and his wife stay close by and the temple can be opened on request.

Contact: Shri Namperumal Bhattar - 90474 89370