Jai Sriman Narayana
!!
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara
Hara Sankara !!
Thiruvannamalai is one of
the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva also known as Mukthisthal, situated
180km away from Chennai and 80km from Katpadi.
Lord Arunachaleshwara symbolizes in the form of a huge fire in the hills
of Thiruvannamalai. This is one of the
‘Thevara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam’. The
‘Nalvar’ – Appar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar and Thiru Gnana Sambadhar sung
praising the glories of Lord Arunachaleshwara in their great lyrical works
known as Thevaram and Thiruvasakam. This
is one of the ‘Mukthistal’ is capable to provide ‘Salvation’ from the cycles of
birth and death.
The Presiding deity –
Thiru Annamalayar/Sri Arunachaleshwarar - Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of
Linga – Lord Arunachaleshwara represents the form of ‘Fire’ in the hills of
Thiru Annamalai – One of the Pancha Bootha Sthalangal. Goddess Parvati – Apitha
Kuchalambal/Unnamulai Ammai
Theertham – Brahma
Theertham and Siva Gangai Theertham
Mangalasasanam – Appar,
Sundarar, Manicka Vasakar and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar
Worshipped by - Lord Surya, Lord Chandra, Lord Brahma, Lord
Vishnu and Ashta Vasukkal.
Sannidhis – Pathala
Lingam, Shiva Gangai Vinayakar, Saint Arunagirinathar, Lord Subramanya, Lord
Ganesha, Lord Kalyana Sundareshwarar, Kala Bhairavar, Lord Nandikeshwara, Brahma
Lingam, Vidhyadhareshwarar Lingam, Naleshwara Lingam,
Festivals – Chaitra
Pournami, Vaikasi Utsavam, Adi Pooram,
Navaratri Utsavam, Karthikai Deepam, Annabhishekam, Kantha Shashti, Vaikundha
Ekadashi, Arudara Darisanam, Utharayana Punyakalam, Thiruvoodal Utsavam,
Manalurpettai Theerthavari Utsavam, Ratha Sapathami, Masi Makam, Maha
Shivaratri, Panguni Uthiram – Thirukalyanam.
Karthikai Deepam is one of the spectacular events in the Tamil month
Karthikai. A huge fire is lit on the
hill top of Thiru Annamalai witnessed by massive crowd.
Girivalam is performed on
all Pournami days and Karthikai Deepam Day.
Girivalam (Giri – Mountain, Valam – go round) is a marvelous practice of
walking nearly 13 kms through the rough path ways at the bottom of the hill, the
place where Yogis and Siddhars lived. It
brings a harmonious relationship between mind, body and soul. It is believed
that whoever circumambulates the hill and Lord Arunachaleshwara
(Girivalam/Giripradakshina) during the full moon days and Thiru Annamalai Deepam
day treated as one of the most propitious act in order to acquire the perpetual
positive vibes in them.
This is one of the oldest
temples built by the Kings of Chola and Pandya dynasties during the period of 750 A.D. The 217 ft. height of magnificent Rajagopuram
situated on the east side was built by the King Krishnadevarayar in
15th century. King of
Hoysalas was also made abundance of contributions to the temple in the form of
Praharams and Sannidhis. This temple is
situated on the massive land of 25 acres consists of seven Praharams and nine Gopurams. Out of
seven Praharams the first two of them were erected by the Kings of Pandya and
the remaining was built by the Kings of Chola and
others. The splendid thousand pillared
hall is one of the major attractions of this temple with a basement chamber
enshrines Pathala Lingam. During Ani –
Thiruvathirai (Star) Thirumanjanam, the sacred bath for the Lord is performed
here.
The sixth Praharam is the
outer wall consists of majestic Rajagopuram built by King Krishnadevarayar,
Thirumanjana Gopuram, Pei Gopuram and Ammani Ammal Gopuram.
The Presiding deity of
this temple Lord Shiva – Annamalayar/ Arunachaleshwarar worshipped in the form
of a Lingam with his consort Goddess Parvati – Apithakuchalambal. This is one of the most promising places
where saints and holy men were lived in this hill and worshipped Lord Shiva.
This holy hill has long been associated with the Yogis and Siddhars like Sri
Arunagirinathar, Sri Sheshadri Swamigal and Ramsurat Kumar etc.. During 20th century Sri Ramana Maharshi – who
lived in this Mount Arunachala made this holy place as one of the ultimate
spiritual destination. Sri Ramana
Maharshi lived here for fifty three years and attained ‘Samadhi’ in the year
1950.
This temple is closely
associated with many mythologies. Shiva
Puranam describes the disagreement between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. At the divine command of Lord Shiva to prove the superiority among the
two deities, they set off in search for the beginning and end of a huge Phallaum
appeared before them. Lord Brahma took
the form of a swan and continued his search in the Sky and Lord Vishnu took the
form of a boar and plunged into Earth.
They continued their search for several years. Finally, Lord Brahma took the false witness
of ‘Thamzham Poo’ that was falling from the crown of the Phallum and Lord Vishnu
returned with true statement. Lord Shiva
disliked the false statement of Lord Brahma and cursed him. Lord Shiva transformed himself into a huge
fire and appeared in the hills of Thiruvannamalai. Soon after at the request of Lord Brahma and
Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Lingam at the foot
hills.
In this temple, Lord
Muruga saved the life of his zealous devotee Saint Arunagirinathar while he was
trying to commit suicide jumping from the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram. After that with the blessings of Lord Muruga,
Saint Arunagirinathar became a renowned Tamil poet who composed and sung
praising the glories of Lord in his sacred hymns ‘Thirupukazh’.
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara
Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Narayana
!!
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