DHARMAPURI: Residents have appealed to the Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) department and the Dharmapuri district administration to restore a ruined and neglected Anjaneyar temple on the banks of the Varattaru river in Harur.The temple, which is more than 500 years old, is believed to date back to the Vijayanagara period. It is linked to the legacy of Sri Vyasaraja Theertha, the royal guru of the Vijayanagara empire, who in the 15th–16th centuries consecrated nearly 732 west-facing Veeranjaneya idols across the country to ward off negative energies. These idols are distinguished by Hanuman’s raised tail crowned with a bell. Devotees believe worshipping at such temples will help alleviate the Shani dosha, remove obstacles and protect against adversities.The temple has suffered severe damage over the years. Sculptures have crumbled, and the sanctum now stands largely deserted.Residents and devotees have called for the urgent restoration of the temple. “This temple is not just a place of worship, but it is Harur’s spiritual identity. If renovated, it will benefit devotees and attract pilgrims,” said R Suresh, an activist.M Prakash, a teacher, said reviving this temple would also boost tourism. “It can become a cultural landmark for Dharmapuri district,” he said.
