Maddi Anjaneya Temple

Sri Maddi Anjaneya Swamy Temple, an ancient place of pilgrimage, stands at Gurvaigudem, Jangareddygudem, in Andhra Pradesh, 51 km from Eluru. Its focus is a tree: Hanuman is believed to have manifested himself in the bark, holding a mace in one hand and a fruit in the other. Because this is held to be his own form, and he wished the tree to come to no harm, no arch surrounds it, a feature that sets the temple apart.

The legend follows one devotee, Madhvasura, across three ages. He gave up his life rather than face Hanuman in the war between Rama and Ravana, and again among the Kauravas as Madhvaka. Born in Kali Yuga as the sage Madhva, he lived by a lake and was helped to his daily bath by a monkey who proved to be Hanuman. His boon was to stay with the god for ever as this tree, and the name Maddi recalls him. Devotees hold that those who come here are freed of fears and doshas.