Pudupakkam Anjaneya Temple

Situated on the outskirts of Chennai along Kelampakkam-Vandalur High Road, Pudupakkam is a quaint village gaining recent fame for its Anjaneya temple.

Despite claims attempting to link the site to certain incidents in the Ramayana, the temple is relatively new and lacks significant mythological or historical significance. Nonetheless, it has emerged as a noteworthy landmark in Chennai in recent years.

Perched atop a small hill, the temple is easily accessible via a climb of approximately 100 moderately inclined steps. The primary deity, Anjaneya, is represented in the form of a bas-relief image, likely originating from the Vijayanagara period. The main shrine also houses the bronze icon of Veera Anjaneya, portrayed in the Abhaya mudra, a rare sight as Hanuman is typically depicted with the Anjali mudra.

The outer walls of the shrine are adorned with painted images showcasing Hanuman in various postures. The shrine located in front features Rama alongside Sita and Lakshmana.

At the foothills, visitors encounter giant-sized stucco images of Garuda and Hanuman, while nearby sub-shrines house Ganesha and Navagraha. As we stroll along the street, a small Hanuman icon warmly welcomes us to the temple.

Happy travelling.