Arunachalam Temple

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Swamirara
Arunachalam Temple Pancha Bootha Sthalam

• Arunachalam temple locally referred as Annamalai
  temple is located In Thiruvannamalai of Tamil
  Nadu. The temple is situated on the piedmont of
  Annamalai hill, located in the green lush
  everywhere. This temple is regarded as one of
  the temples that is dedicated to lord Shiva
  representing him as the supreme authority of
  Pancha Bootham (Fire, water, Air, Earth, Space).
  Therefore all of these temples were collectively
  known as " Pancha Bootha Sthalams ".
• Pancha Bootha Sthalams South India
• Kanchipuram Ekambeshwara Temple Prithvi
  Lingam (Earth)
• Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara Temple Appu
  Lingam ( Water)
• Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswar temple Agni
  Lingam (Fire)
• Kalahasthi Shri Kalahastheeshwara Temple Vayu
  Lingam (Air)
• Chidambaram Thillai Natarajar Temple Agaya
  Lingam (Space)
• Lord Shiva is worshipped here with the local name
  Arunachaleswar and is said to be the resemblance
  of Agni.
• Legends of Arunachalam Temple
• There are many great stories existing on the
  history of Arunachalam temple. According to one
  of the sources, a tussle took place between Lord
  Brahma and Lord Shiva, regarding their strengths.
  In order to solve this, Lord Shiva took the form
  of a gigantic glaring ?ame with no edges in near
  vicinity. Shiva challenged Brahma and Vishnu "
  Whoever traverses the length of this ?ame will be
  declared as the might power ". Vishnu and Brahma
  forgetting the entire universe rests in Shiva,
  they accepted the challenge. At ?rst, Vishnu
  took the form of a Boar and started travelling
  towards the interior of the Earth. All of his
  energy drained out and he gave up the challenge.
  On the other hand, Brahma, who is in the form of
  Swan, began to travel towards the upper portion
  of the Earth. On his way, he found Ketaki ?ower.
  He too failed in exploring the entire length of
  ?ame. So, he requested Ketaki ?ower to lie to
  Shiva, that he

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Swamirara reached the upper portion of the
Earth. After returning Brahma lamented about his
strengths and success. At this instance, Lord
Shiva appeared in his full glory. Therefore on
this occasion, Shivaratri is celebrated. Lord
Shiva told them that, "Both of you as well as
Rudra and Maheswara were out of me, we are
inseparable and represents 5 divine life aspects
". And then Shiva cursed Brahma, that he will not
be worshipped by humans on this earth, this is
considered to be the reason for a mere number of
Brahma temples in India. Shiva also cursed
Ketaki ?ower for lying to him, that it won't be
used to worship god anymore. According to
another legend, Lord Parvathi beloved wife of
Shiva closed his eyes when they were in a happy
mood. This led to the whole creation to go in the
dark. Therefore Parvathi observed strict penance
at Thirumunvallai hills. On getting pleased Shiva
appeared there as a ?ame, Parvathi accompanied
him and eventually, they became idols on the top
of the hill.
The Arunachalam Temple and Festivals This temple
was constructed by King Vijayala Chozan who
belongs to Chola kingdom. Besides Mahabaleswaram
Temple, Arunachalam temple resembles the artistic
excellence of Cholas. Massive gopurams of this
temple are so impressive. Four gopurams can be
seen on four sides of the temple. This temple
was later reconstructed and rejuvenated by
Vijayanagara rulers as well as Hoysala
kings. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with
pomp and glory here. Inside and the premises
of temple will be
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Swamirara echoed with the chanting of " Om Nama
Shivaya ". Unlike rest of the temples in India,
here this festival was celebrated during night
time. The festivals of Lights, Kartigai Deepam
will also be celebrated here. Particularly for
this festival people from all parts of the state
visit this temple. Arunachalam Temple The
Jnana Kshetra This shrine is considered to be the
eternal place of knowledge. One, who wishes to
?nd the ultimate truth of his life, will lead
his way toward this temple. It is said that many
great saints like Appar, Sambandar, and
Virupaksha Deva got enlightened here. The great
sage Ramana Maharshi also lived here from
1899-1916. One can even ?nd the pictures of
Ramana Maharshi in this temple. He translated
Arunachala Mahatyam' from Sanskrit to Tamil. The
following verse reveals the greatness of this
sanctum- " On visiting Chidambaram, leaving the
world at Kasi, by being born at Thiruvarur, or by
merely uttering Arunachala one can achieve
liberation "
Thousand Pillar Mandapam at Arunachalam
Temple Thousand pillar Mandapam stands as a
testimony to the outstanding work of those
artisans and sculptors, who constructed this
temple. It was constructed by Bhallala king of
Hoyasala. It is believed that Arunagiranadh
remained within this mandapam in the form of a
Parrot.
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Swamirara
Giri Pradakshana at Arunachalam Temple Giri
Pradakshana or circumferencing the Annamalai is
considered to be the most pious thing. By doing
so one can be freed from all kinds of sins,
his/her wishes will be ful?lled, one will be
relieved of Karma and ?nally attain jnana. While
circumambulating the hill one should pray to the
Ashta Lingams representing the di?erent phases
of Moon - Indra Lingam Agni Lingam Yama Lingam
Niruthi Lingam Varuna Lingam Vayu Lingam
Kubera Lingam Easanya Lingam