Thiruvannamalai Temple –This Temple Made So Many Great Saints Such As Arunagirinathar

SHIVA TEMPLE

AT

THIRUVANNAMALAI

Thiruvannamalai is a world renowned temple town in TamilNadu which is synonym to deepam(fire). Here Shiva (Arunachaleswar) is worshipped in the form of fire.

The temple is located on the Villupuram - Katpadi Railroad and is about 65 kilometers from Villupuram and is about 90 - kilometres form Katpadi.

It is the biggest temple in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. This Shiva – Parvathi Arunachaleswarar temple has a 66 metre high gopuram that comprises of 13 storeys or tiers.Here Shiva is known as Annamalayar in the form of Lingam and Parvathi known as Apitakuchambal.

The temple is situated east at the bottom of the hill. It faces east. It has got four towers on all the four sides and four high stone walls just like the rampart walls of a fort. In the year of 1513 Royal King Krishna Deva Rayar built this with great interest.

Thiruvannamalai is the capital of Saivism. The South Indian deity Siva is the God of all countries. Annamalaiannal is the most sacred of the names of the manifestation of Lord Siva.

The earth is formed by five basic elements namely land, water, fire, air and ether. Our ancestors called them "Pancha Boothas" and associated them with five sacred places for worshipping Lord Siva. The center of these five elements fire is identified with Thiruvannamalai.

Thiruvannamalai is the "Manipooraga Sthalam", which is one among six athara sthalams. Thiruvannamalai is so sacred that even Gods, and celestials offered their prayers. Tradition has it that Sun, Moon, Eight Vasus, Brahma, Vishnu and so on have worshipped here.

Thiruvannamalai has the honour of providing an abode for saints such as Arunagirinathar, Vitpatchathevar, Gugai Namachivayar, Guru Namachivayar, Deivasigamani, Arunachala Desikar, Mahan Seshadri Swamigal, Bagawan Ramana Maharishi, Sri Yogi Ram Surathkumar and the like.

Saint poets Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and so on have visited Thiruvannamalai, prayed to the Lord and have composed divine poems. Saint Manickavasagar had lived at Thiruvannamalai for long period and had composed "Thiruvempavai - 20" and "Thiruvammanai". Even today there is a temple for Saint Manickavasagar on the Girivalam path at Adi-Annamalai.

Devotees are expected to go around the hill at least one time to reap the full benefit and the blessings of the lord. Going around the hill is also known as Girivalam or Giripradhakshana.

At Tiruvannamalai it is great sanctity to go girivalam during every full moon day of a month or during the annual   day.

Daily poojas are conducted for six time in this famous temple. Moreover the special poojas to be carried out in Lord Siva's Temple are also performed regularly.

By Air

Chennai is the nearest airport and it lies around 185 kilometres away by road. People coming from top metros in India namely Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, Bangalore and Hyderabad can take the air travel via Chennai.

By Train

People can also avail the train service and Thriuvannamalai is located on the railway route in between Katpadi and Villupuram.

By Bus

Bus services are available in plenty from Chennai, Tirupathi, Salem, Madurai and from other important cities in Tamil Nadu. The bus station and the railway station at Tiruvannamalai are within walking distance from the temple of Lord Shiva.