Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple

South India is a hub of ancient temples and Indian culture. Here all the temples are one of its kind and carry lots of legend with them. Among these, Temples Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu was a prominent one.

 

HOW TO REACH:

This place is connected by all means of transport from different parts of country. It was 185Kms from Chennai. Many people visit from different parts of world. If you are planning from a long distance then it’s better to take Airways and get down at Chennai from there you can hire a car or you can aboard in a Govt bus. Govt buses are frequently available. Private bus facilities are also available from nearest places like Tirupathi, Bangalore and Kanchipuram. From the bus stop, it is at a walking distance. Railway station is also near to this place.

HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE:

According to legends, this place was blessed by Lord Shiva. As per Shivapuranas Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, had an argument of Supremacy, to solve this dispute Lord Shiva turned himself into jythoi (a column of fire) and asked them to find his feet and crown. The jyothi was so big that it covered the universe from Patala to Swarga lok. Lord Vishnu turned himself into Varaha avatara (A Man Boar) and started digging into patala for locating Shiva’s feet but he failed. Lord Brahma took a form of Swan and flew towards crown. On his way towards crown he saw a Tazhambu flower falling down which was decorated on Lord Shiva’s crown. Brahma asked him that can he locate the crown, in reply flower said that he was falling since 40000 years, hearing this Brahma thought that it would be impossible to find the crown. Therefore, he requested flower to act as a witness of Brahma’s statement that he located the crown. On his false statement, Shiva cursed him not to be worshipped on earth and the Tazambu flower will never be used to while praying. The place where Lord Shiva stood as a Jyothi was the place of Thiruvannamalai. Later Lors Shiva took a shape of Lingam from Fire column as Arunachale Swarar Lingam.

Arunachaleswar temple constructed wonderfully with 66mts High Gopuram having 13-storey tier. This temples Gopuram was 2^nd tallest in India. Arunachaleswar temple was built over 25 acres of land. This temple has 7 Prakaras out of them 2 were constructed by Pandya Kings and other Prakaras were built by Chola kings.

SEVAS & FESTIVALS:

Daily 6 poojas were conducted in this temple.

TIMINGS	POOJA DETAILS
5:30AM	Ukshakala Pooja
8:00AM	Kala Santhi Pooja
11:30AM	Uchikala Pooja
5:30PM	Sayaratchai Pooja
7:30PM	Irandam Kala Pooja
9:00PM	Arthajama pooja

Apart from that, many special poojas were conducted like Panchaparuva pooja, Amavasai, Kiruthigai, Pradosham, Sathurthi, Sukravaram, and Somavaram. Karthigai Deepam festival was most important festival of this temple. It was celebrated for ten days.

Accommodation facility was provided for pilgrims in choultries like Annachatram. However many private hotels are there where you can have comfort stay.

Official  Website: - http://www.arunachaleswarartemple.tnhrce.in/