Information of Annamalaiyar Temple (Arulmigu Arunchalaeswarar Temple), Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu

The Annamalaiyar Temple or Arulmigu Arunchalaeswarar Temple is known to be devoted to the revered Hindu god Shiva. This temple is situated right at the foot hills of Annamalai in Tamil Nadu's Thiruvannamalai. The temple holds immense significance with respect to Saivism, a division of Hinduism and is considered to be one of its kinds owing to the temple's alliance with all the five basic elements of life, especially fire.

Annamalaiyar Temple (Arulmigu Arunchalaeswarar Temple) Religious Significance

Lord Shiva in the mentioned temple is worshipped and adored as Arunachaleswarar or Annamalaiyar and is depicted in the form of a lingam and his statue is addressed as the Agni lingam. Parvati, Lord Shiva's wife is represented as Unnamulai Amman in the temple. Although, the Annamalaiyar Temple consists of several places of worship, but the Unnamulai Amman and Annamalaiyar are still considered to be the well-known and significant ones. The regular routine of the temple includes six elaborate formal procedures or rather customs which commences from 5:30 a.m. in the early morning to 10:00 p.m. at night. The rituals or worships are accompanied with music played with pipe and percussion instruments along with religious chants by the priests from the Vedas followed by prostration by the parishioners in the temple grounds. Huge numbers of worshippers flock to the temple on the full moon days to worship Annamalaiyar by walking all the way to the hills that is Arunachala barefoot. This particular way of worship is known as Girivalam which is believed to set free one from the sins, grants wishes or desires and also helps in attaining liberty from the rebirth as well as birth cycle.

Annamalaiyar Temple (Arulmigu Arunchalaeswarar Temple) Mythology & History

According to the Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Shiva's wife, Parvati on one occasion teasingly covered her husband's eyes in their garden on the summit of Mount Kailash. This was the moment when the universe along with the earth was completely covered with darkness without any single ray of light for years. On realization, Parvati decided to carry out an act of self-punishment accompanied with the other followers of Lord Shiva. This act of Parvati proved to be satisfying and made Lord Shiva come into sight in the form of a fire column atop the Annamalai hills thus bringing back light to the universe. Soon after Lord Shiva became one with his wife for forming Ardhanarishvara which is believed to be the half-male and half-female figure of Shiva. The red mountain or Annamalai is positioned just at the back of the Annamalaiyar temple. Thus the mythological significance has enhance the importance among the devotees, calling them every day and year to the stairs of this holy temple to offer prayers and seek blessing for blessed and prosperous life.

Annamalaiyar Temple (Arulmigu Arunchalaeswarar Temple) Architectural Significance

The architectural pattern of the Annamalaiyar temple represents the Dravidian style and it is known to have been constructed during the period of 9th century C.E. which was derived from a particular writing on the structure done by the Chola kings. The temple or rather the construction includes 48 inscriptions made by various dynasties such as the Saluva Dynasty, Sangama Dynasty and the Tuluva Dynasty in Kannada, Tamil and Sanskrit languages. The temple is known to occupy an area of more than 25 acres and faces towards the east. It comprises of total four towers in the entrances situated on all the four sides. Various inscriptions reveal the fact that the town where the temple is located, Tiruvannamalai was known to be quite a significant urban hub prior to the commencement of the precolonial era which also promoted the development of the city adjacent to the temple.