Aadyanta Prabhu - Unique temple of Half Ganesh and Half Hanumaan

Aadyanta Prabhu - Madhya Kailash in Chennai.

When I came to know to the lyrics of one of the famous Tyagaraja Kruti - SRI GANA NAATHAM BHAJAAMYAHAM, I wondered Why Sri Tyagaraja swami mentioned Ganesh as "AANJANEYAAVATHAARAM". Since Anajaneya is born out of Rudraamsha and Ganesha is the son of Rudra, I thought Sri Tyagaraja swamy might thought in this way. But when actually I came to know about a temple which holds a deity which is half Ganesha and half hanumaan.

 

శ్రీ త్యాగరాజ స్వామి వారి కృతి :

శ్రీ గణ నాథం భజామ్యహం
శ్రీకరం చింతితార్థ ఫలదం

శ్రీ గురు గుహాగ్రజం అగ్ర పూజ్యం
శ్రీ కంఠాత్మజం శ్రిత సామ్రాజ్యం (శ్రీ)

రంజిత నాటక రంగ తోషణం
శింజిత వర మణి-మయ భూషణం
ఆంజనేయావతారం సుభాషణం
కుంజర ముఖం త్యాగరాజ పోషణం (శ్రీ)

Madhya Kailash also known as Nadukkayilai in Tamil, is a Hindu temple in South Chennai, located at the junction between Sardar Patel Road, Adyar and Rajiv Gandhi Salai. It is located opposite the Central Leather Research Institute and is close to the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai.

The "Moolavar" or main deity, Venkata Ananda Vinayakar, is surrounded by shrines to Lord Siva, Surya, Devi and Vishnu. In response to the wishes of the people, there are also "Sannidhis" to Anjaneya, Swarna Bhairavar, though these fall outside Ganapatyam practices.

On Vinayaka Chaturthi day, the rays of the sun fall on the presiding deity, striking an auspicious note. Since Vinayaka is the form of the first sound "Om", eight bells have been installed. They represent the seven notes Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ni, with the eighth bell signifying the Sa that follows. In the "Mandapam" before the sanctum sanctorum is a shrine to Vinayaka’s brother Muruga.

The temple has become famous for its unique idol of "Adhyantha Prabhu", which is part Ganapathy and part Anjaneya. The right side is Ganesh and the left Hanuman. The idol was crafted after a vision of such a form was seen by one of the temple officials. In Maharashtra style, one can light the camphor to this deity himself, giving a great sense of satisfaction. Lord Vinayaka himself takes on the onus of propitiating the ancestors. Every afternoon, the priest has a bath and in his wet clothes begins the rites. He takes the Darba grass, earlier placed at the Anandavinayaka idol’s feet and goes to the shrine of Lord Vishnu. From there he takes the white rice offered to the Lord and comes to the Siva shrine. There the rice transforms into the "Pindam". The rice "Pindam" is taken from the Surya shrine and offered to the crows on a platform. All people can avail this service.

Aadyantha Prabhu means The Lord who has neither origin nor end. As per scriptures, Hanumaan is Chiranjeevi and being a son of Shiva and parvati, Ganesha was twice born. This Unique temple holds the deity of Half Ganesha and Half Hanumaan who are said be the forms of Rudra.

The very conception of the fusion of Vinayaka  and Anjaneya forms in one icon has a great significance . It is fortified by the truth that our worship should begin with Ganesha and end up  with Anjaneya. The unique sight of the  amalgamation of two potent and highly worshipful  deities, invariably sends such thrills in the spines of the viewers  that they raise their hands in veneration unknown to themselves.  Needless to emphasize, that prayers offered to this archamurti fetches double benefits, like two flowers obtained at a single pick.

May Lord Aadyanta Prabhu bless all of us!!