History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Festivals, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Arunachaleswarar Temple, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
Annamalaiyer Temple also called Arunachaleswarar Temple or Arunachalam Temple or Annamalai Temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva, located at the base of Arunachala hill in the town of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. The temple is one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas which represent the file element of life - Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Sky. Here in Arunachaleswarar Temple is representing the element of fire, thus it is believed to be one of the most sacred temple of Lord Shiva in world. The other four temples are Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara - represent the water, Chidambaram Natarajar – represent the sky element, Kanchi Ekambareswara – represent the earth element and Srikalahasti Temple dedicated to Kalahasti Nathar – represent the wind element. Arunachala hill itself the Shiv Lingam. The temple campus is spread across around 25 acres of land thus it is believed to be one of the biggest Shiva temple in India.
The current temple structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century and later expansions were happen during Vijayanagara rulers, the Saluva Dynasty and the Tuluva Dynasty. Arunachaleswarar Temple is very well known for its architectural and sculptural splendour which has six prakararams - enclosures and 9 gopurams -towers. The main entrance to the sanctum sanctorum is in the eastern tower Rajagopuram – 11 stories and 217 feet of height which stands majestically. This is one of the tallest tower in India. The massive tower is the masterpiece of architectural excellence - the artistic genius of the Vijayanagar Dynasty and attracts people from far distance. Another key attraction of temple is the thousand pillared Mandapa at entrance and on right side which is the common in Tamil Nadu temples. The next striking feature is the large tank on your left side and inner sanctum where the Agni Lingam is worshipped.
The Main shrine of the Arunachaleswarar faces east, housing images of Nandi and Surya. There is an image of Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu. Along with Krishna, Durga, Gajalakshmi, Arumugaswami, Dakshinamoorthy, Nataraja, Lingodbhavar are also present. Shiva is represented by Lingam with his idol referred to as Agni Lingam. Paravati is depicted as Unnamalai Amman The details are mention in the ancient Hindu sacred text the ‘Thevaram’ which was written by the fabled Tamil ‘Nayanars’ - saint poets. As per the SivaPuranam, there are four sacred places for obtaining salvation and Thiruvannamalai is one among them which gives salvation to all souls. Thiruvannamalai is the "Manipooraga Sthalam", which is one of the six athara sthalams. The places is highly sacred that even Sun, Moon, Eight Vasus, Brahma, Vishnu and other Gods and celestial beings had worshipped Lord Shiva here. There is a sixteen pillared Deepa Darshana Mandapam also called hall of light, in the third precinct. The temple tree, Magizha, is considered as highly sacred and medicinal where childless couples tie small cradles to its branches to fulfil their wish of child.
There are several tales associated behind the temple and deity, some important stories are mentioned here.
As per Mythology, the Parvati, the wife of Shiva once closed the eyes of Lord Shiva in a flower garden at their abode atop Mount Kailash. Only a moment for the gods, all light was taken from the universe and earth was completely in darkness for years. Parvati performed penance along with the devotees of the Shiva. Then her husband appeared as a column of fire at the top of Annamalai hills, returning light to the world.
Another key tale mentioned about the tussle between the Lord Bramha and Lord Vishnu about the greatness of each. Thus, Lord Siva was asked to be the judge. Then Lord Siva told them that whoever is able to see his crown as well as his feet will be the greatest. For this, Lord Siva had transformed himself into a Jyothi - fire which touchs the heaven and earth. To prove the greatness Lord Vishnu had taken the form of varaha and dug deep into the earth to find Siva's feet but Lord was not able to find and accepted defeat. Bramha took the form of a swan and flew to see the crown of Siva But Lord Brahma was also unable to see the crown. Lord Bramha saw a thazhambu flower – lotus flower used for decorating Lord Shiva’s crown falling down. Lord Brahma asked the flower how he has to travel to reach crown of Lord Shiva then flower replied that he had been falling for forty thousand years. To listen this from lotus flower, Lord Bramha, realize that he would not be able to reach the crown, so asked the flower to act as witness. While lotus flower became the false witness and declared that Brahma had seen the crown, Lord Shiva became very angry on false statement and cursed that Bramha should have no temple on earth and that the thazhambu – lotus flower will not be used for praying to Lord Siva.
Lord Vishnu and Lord Bramha requested Lord Siva to cool down from his “Agni” form and Lord Siva cooled down and tranformed into a Siva Lingam where the Arunachaleswarar Temple is located today.
It is said that the Annamalai Hill was Agni -fire during Krithayugam, Manikkam -Emerald during Threthayugam, pon -Gold during Dwaprayugam and rock during Kaliyugam.
The circumambulation path of hill is around 14 kilometres and it is believed very auspicious to perform "Girilvalam" - circumambulation or Parikrama during every Full moon day. Thousands of pilgrims worship Lord Shiva by circumambulation of the Arunachala Hill.
There are eight lingams located at the eight different location and directions represent the different direction of earth surrounded in hill which are Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. Along with these lingam there are eight Nandis, more than 350 tanks and many mandapas around the hill.
Pooja – Rituals are performed six times every day along with special puja conducted on several special days. There are weekly rituals like Somavaram and Sukravaram, fortnightly rituals like pradosham and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kruttika, Purnima(full moon day) and Chaturthi. All the festivals celebrated here are considered auspicious and is visited by millions every year.
10 day celebration during the festival Brahmotsav is the main festival celebrated here in temple campus during the Karthigai month. Tiruvoodal, Maha Shivratri, Navratri and Maatu Pongal are another major festivals celebrated here.
How to reach Arunachaleswarar Temple, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
As Thiruvannamalai is major pilgrimage attraction and district place of Tamil Nadu it is very well connected to all city of India via Road, Rail and Air network. There are regular buses available from the other major cities to Thiruvannamalai. The nearest Railway Station is Thiruvannamalai Railway station just at a distance of 1km.The nearest Airport is Pondicherry Airport at just distance of 105 kms. Nearby cities from Thiruvannamalai are Vellore at 83 kms, Dindivanam at 68 kms, Viluppuram at 65 kms, Chennai at 194 kms, Pondicherry at 106 kms, Krishnagiri at 130 kms, Thanjavur at 200 kms, Tiruchirappalli at 185 kms, Tirupati at 190 kms. Chennai International Airport 185 at kms away from where flights available from all the major cities in India as well as abroad. From Chennai Airport, you can get taxi or bus to reach to Tiruvannamalai.
