Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara temple is situated at the Annamalai Hills in the Tiruvannamalai of Tamil Nadu. This Temple is one of the Pancha Bhootha Stalam, which means it is one among the Shiva Temples related with the five Bhoothas. This Temple depicts the element of fire and the main God Shiva of this Temple is in the form of the Agni Lingam ( column of fire). To know more other famous temple Kapaleeswarar temple
History
Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara Temple is one of the biggest Temple in India which covers an area of about 10 hectares. This temple was built by the Chola Kings, since the stone works, towers and Architecture date back to the 9th century.
Architecture
This Temple has four gopurams or the gate towers. Here the tallest gate tower on the eastern side is with a height of 217ft. Then it has 11 stories and this tower is one among the Tallest towers of the Temples in India. Here the very famous Ayiram kaal Manadapam (Thousand pillared Hall) was built at the time of the Vijayanagar period.
The Tiruvannamalai Hill is surrounded by the eight Lingams, which is considered to be the holy Girivalam path. These eight Lingams are the Agni Lingam(in south east direction), Indra Lingam (in east direction), Varuna lingam (in West direction), Yema Lingam (in south direction), Vayu Lingam (in North West direction), Kubera Lingam (in north direction), Niruthi Lingam (in South west direction) and Esanya Lingam (in north east direction).
Story of the Temple
It is believed that this Tiruvannamalai Hills had existing in all the four yugams(yuga as per Hinduism). In this place only , Lord Shiva proved to this world, Shiva and Shakthi are equal by giving his half part to the Goddess Parvati. This form of Lord Shiva with half of Goddess Shakthi( Parvati) is called “Arthanaareeswarar”. Here the Hill itself is considered as the God Shiva. Here the Lord Shiva is called Annamalaiyar and the Goddess Parvati is known as Unnamulai Amman.
In this Temple, the God Shiva gave his darshan to his devotee and saint Arunagirinathar in the “Jothi”(also called deepam) form. For this reason, the “Karthigai deepam” (light using natural materials) is lighted on the Tamil month of Karthigai (from mid November to mid December) every year.
World famous Girivalam
On the Pournami(full moon) day of each month, nearly ten thousand of devotees would gather in this Temple. As a prayer to God, these people will circumambulate the Annamalai Hills without the slippers(with bare foot). They would walk around the Hill for the distance of about 14Km, since they consider the Hill as the God. This circumambulation of the devotees around the Hill is called the Girivalam (in Tamil). Due to this Girivalam alone, one million of people walk around this Hill annually. The Hindus in South India, consider this as the Significant ritual, that fulfills their prayers.
Celebrations
The main festival in this Temple is the “Karthigai Deepam” which falls on the Tamil month of Karthigai(mid November to mid December). Then the main event in this Temple is the lighting of a large lamp(Deepam) using the natural ghee on the top of the Hill to mark the presence of God on this auspicious function. This festival had been celebrated by the Tamil people from the 8th century. On the Thiru Karthigai festival, one million devotees come to this Temple to see the deepam .
The other festivals of this Temple are Mahasivarathri, Chithirai Vasantha Urchavam, Vaikasi Visakham, Aani Brahmorchavam, Thirumanjanam, Aadi Pooram, Avani Moola Urchavam, Avani Moola Urchavam, Navrathri, Aippasi Annabhisekham, Kandha Sasti Vizha and Panguni Uthiram.
Transport Facilities
This Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara temple is nearer from the Tiruvannamalai main bus stand. So the devotees who come through the road transport, can reach the Tiruvannamalai Bus stand. From there, you can reach the temple easily. There are buses from many parts of Tamil Nadu to Tiruvannamalai.
The devotees who travel through the flight can reach the Chennai International Airport. From there they can opt the bus or the taxi, to come to the Tiruvannamalai Temple. Then the devotees who come through the train can come to the Tiruvannamalai Railway station to reach this Temple.
You can visit this Temple, throughout the year. Each day, a thousand of devotees visit this Temple.
Timings: Morning – 5.00 A.M to 1.00 P.M ( Timings may vary with festivals)
Evening – 3.30 P.M to 9.00 P.M.