Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple

The Annamalaiyar temple in thiruvannamalai is ‘Agni Stala’,which is one of the pancha boodha stalas.It is well known for the Karthigai Dheepam, which takes place in the months of November and December. It is a ten days festival.The important aspects of the festival include Magharatha Thaerottam, Barani dheepam and Magadheepam.

Legend

The deity in this temple is Lord Shiva and it is believed that lord Shiva takes up the form of fire to prevent the world from drowning into darkness,when Parvathi playfully closed his eyes and did penance accordingly. Then he took up the divine form called ‘Arthanaareeswaram’ ,by merging with Parvathi.The exotic statue of Arthanaareeswarar is a very significant aspect of Thiruvannamalai and God shows his blessings to the devotees in this form,only for a few minutes during the event of Maghadheepam. It is believed that one can be relieved from the cycle of rebirth if one sees or even thinks of this form of Lord Shiva. There is also another belief that Lord Shiva appeared as a column of fire, due to the event of Lingothbavam and erased the feeling of superiority from the minds of Brahma and Vishnu.

Significance in Literature

Thiruvannamalai is also regarded as a ‘Paadal Petra Stalam’ since many immense poetic works such as Thevaram and Thiruvembavai has been sung in this temple. Many verses in the Thevaram has been sung on Annamaliyar and Unnamulaiamman of this temple and these works contributed to the First Thirumurai.Thiruvembavai is one marvelous work in Tamil Literature where MaanickaVachakar potrayed himself as a girl who has an unconditional love towards Annamalaiyar.These versus are sung in the month of Margazhi in this temple.The Sthala virutcham in this temple is Magizha Maram.

Poojas and Festivals
Girivalam is a very famous event in this stalam and thousands of people from different parts of the state assemble here on the night of chithra Pournami,Magashivarathri and Thirukaarthigai dheepam. The name Girivalam represents the pathway of about 14 kms surrounding the hill of Thiruvannamalai. Many Siddhas are still believed to live and medidate in this pathway which comprises several small temples. The pathway is also known for its divine ambience.

Specialities of the sculptures
The temple is built in twenty five acres. It stands magnificently with nine gopuras facing four sides. The ‘Aayiram kaal mandapam’ is an important architecture of this temples with an exotic assembling of thousand pillars. It is believed that Goddess Parvathi enjoys her play in the swing in this Mandapam.  The statue of Nataraja in this temple is an immense sculpture which depicts a divine feel. The statues of Sixty three Nayanmars in the temple is one great thing which resembles the connectivity between God and Literature. Saints like Arunagirinaadhar and Ramana Maharishi have attained enlightment in this temple. Apart from these, one can feel that all these are to impart love in human minds on seeing the exotic Ardhanaaree statue and the Urchavar statue of Shiva and Parvathi. The soul meaning of life, which is love is depicted beautifully in these statues.

Temple timings
Morning  :5 a.m to 12.30 p.m
Evening   :3.30 p.m to 9.30 p.m

How to reach
The town has many routes connected with major cities of the state and can be reached through bus,train or flight.
Nearest airport is Chennai.
By road,travel from Chennai takes place for about 4 hours,covering 185 kms.