Thiruvannamalai History

The ancient religion Temples are of major source of significance for most of the Hindus which centres for religious activity and serve as forcus for social and cultural activities. The history, art and literature of Hindus are always rich of all the other reglions of India. Hindus believe in salvation which is promoted by the blessings of Shiva and Vishnu. A Hindu, believes in Dharma, which is a law that rules human society corrects duties and rebirth of each person as per his deeds. For a Hindu, janmam and Karmam in a caste are the reversible actions and duties, papams (sin) performed in the previous lives.

For every good action or duty in this janma, fruits out equal good actions in next janma. This is what is called “Karma”. The future birth is decided on the basis of what one is performed lawful, good work, humbleness with the Order and good karmas. He alone escapes from this who attains to final salvation, a state which liberates him from the obligation to be reborn on this earth. Exactly based on these rules and actions of an individual gods also have a different function. Based on the functions they fulfill each take different aspects and names.

The gods like to flower those who deserve liberation through their devotion to a diety, or else the diety of their caste or one of their own choice. The Gods also watch over the destruction and the evolution of the worlds. At the very modest level, they are posed to be the caretaker of the Dharma in the Village of that religion or region to be said.

Holy Mountain Tiruvannamalai

The story of the Sacred tiruvannamalai mountain from the ancient times tells us that a quarrel between the Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma depicts the origin of the mountain. Both the creator and preserver of this universe were fighting to claim who is powerful among them. This went on for year and years. The sage Narada also convinced them that neither of the two were powerful nor Supreme. Then, the Lord Shiva made up his mind to show the truth, who is actual Supreme among two.

To prove this he took the form of fire which was very big and immense. This fire stood in front of the two and a voice was heard from the fire, which was Lord Shiva himself and told that “Among you two who will first approach the top and bottom of this dazzling fire will be said to be the most powerful forever.” Then Brahma, changed himself as a swan and flew up to the sky to reach the top of the Fire and kept flying for hundreds and hundreds of years. But could not reach the top on the other side, Lord Vishnu changed himself as a boar and starting digging down the Earth to find the bottom.

Who also did the same thing over couple of years and could not ever find the bottom. Then both of them realized that Lord Shiva, he who is endless without the start nor an end was only the “Superior” among both of them. Their fight had got a conclusion.

They came back to Earth and bowed in front of the Shiva, who was in the form of dazzling form of fire and requested to stay in the same form on this Earth and bless the devotees Who is He the actual meaning for the power of creation nor preservation, Lord Shiva agreed to stay in the same form and transformed himself as a mountain. From then, every Karthikai Deepam Festival the column of dense fire comes to the sight on the top of mountain. At Thiruvannamalai this is done on the 10th day of this Festival Karthikai Deepam.

OmArunachala – Thiruvannamalai Temple Details

The Arunachaleswarar Temple in Thiruvannamalai is one of the most significant and ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is revered as the Agni Lingam (Fire Element) among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams (Five Elements Temples). Devotees from all over the world visit this sacred site for spiritual awakening, Girivalam, and to witness its grandeur.

Temple Overview

🛕 Temple Name: Arunachaleswarar Temple (Annamalaiyar Temple)
📍 Location: Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
📜 Deity: Lord Shiva as Arunachaleswarar (Annamalaiyar) and Goddess Parvati as Unnamulai Amman
🔥 Significance: Represents the Agni Lingam (Fire Element)
🏛️ Architecture: Dravidian style, covering 25 acres
Temple Age: Over 1,000 years (expanded by Chola, Pallava, and Vijayanagara rulers)

Temple Structure & Highlights

🏛️ Majestic Temple Architecture
  • The temple spans 25 acres and has nine towering gopurams (gateway towers).
  • The Rajagopuram (Main Entrance Tower) is 66 meters (217 feet) tall, one of the tallest in South India.
  • The temple has six prakarams (corridors) with intricate carvings, mandapams, and sacred shrines.
🔥 Main Shrines
  • Arunachaleswarar (Shiva) Shrine – The main sanctum where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Arunachala.
  • Unnamulai Amman Shrine – Dedicated to Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva.
  • Patala Lingam – Underground shrine where Sri Ramana Maharshi meditated.
🌳 Sacred Spaces
  • Arunachala Hill – Considered to be Lord Shiva himself.
  • Girivalam Path – A 14 km sacred circumambulation path around the hill.
  • Theerthams (Temple Tanks) – The temple has sacred water tanks like Agni Theertham, Brahma Theertham, and Siva Ganga Theertham, where devotees take a holy dip.

Temple Timings & Pujas

Temple Timings: 5:30 AM – 9:30 PM (Daily)

🔱 Daily Puja Schedule
Puja Name Timing
Ushathkala Pooja (Morning) 5:30 AM – 6:00 AM
Kala Santhi Pooja 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Uchikala Pooja (Midday) 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Sayaratchai Pooja (Evening) 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Arthajama Pooja (Night) 9:00 PM

Girivalam – Sacred Circumambulation of Arunachala Hill

🚶‍♂️ What is Girivalam?

  • A 14 km walk around Arunachala Hill, performed on full moon days and special occasions.
  • It is believed that walking with devotion removes karmic debts and grants liberation (Moksha).
  • Along the path, there are eight Lingams (Ashta Lingams) dedicated to different planetary deities.

📅 Best Time for Girivalam

  • Full Moon Nights – Most auspicious; thousands of devotees participate.
  • Karthigai Deepam Festival – The grandest time for Girivalam.
  • Start Time: After 6:00 PM is ideal due to cooler temperatures.

Festivals & Special Occasions

🎆 Karthigai Deepam Festival (November – December)
  • The biggest festival celebrated in Thiruvannamalai.
  • A massive Maha Deepam (sacred flame) is lit atop Arunachala Hill, symbolizing Shiva’s Jyotirlinga (cosmic fire form).
  • Millions of devotees gather to witness this divine event.
🕉️ Other Important Festivals
  • Maha Shivaratri (February – March)
  • Panguni Uthiram (March – April)
  • Chitra Pournami (April – May)
  • Thai Poosam (January – February)

How to Reach Arunachaleswarar Temple

🚆 By Train: Thiruvannamalai Railway Station (TNM) – 1.5 km from the temple.
🚌 By Bus: Regular buses from Chennai, Bangalore, Pondicherry, and Madurai.
✈️ By Air: Nearest airport – Chennai (190 km) & Bangalore (210 km).