Karanji Anjaneya temple is situated at
Bangalore in
Karnataka State. This temple is dedicated to
Lord Hanuman, known by the name Swayambu (self-manifest) Anjaneya Swami.
According to the Hindu epic
Ramayana, Lord Ram’s wife Sita was kidnapped by the demon king Ravana and taken to Lanka (modern Sri Lanka), his kingdom. Lord Ram, not knowing Sita’s whereabouts, sent Lord Hanuman to find her. Lord Hanuman found Goddess Sita in Lanka. He set the whole Lanka on fire, and returned with Sita’s jewels as a proof of his meeting her. The idol in the Karanji Anjaneya temple depicts Lord Hanuman’s return journey from Lanka.
The idol is a gigantic 22-foot-stone sculpture made from a monolith. Hanuman is shown facing north, as he is returning from Lanka. Goddess Sita’s Jewels are held in his palms with devotion. The fury with which he fought the demons of Lanka is clearly visible in the idol. A dagger is shown dangling in his hip. The broken chains around his arms are also clearly visible. One eye of the deity seems to be looking at the jewels, ensuring their safety, while the other eye looks downwards. It is said that Anjaneya Swami blesses the devotees with the eye that looks down.
