| Arunachalesvara Temple | |
|---|---|
Annamalaiyar Temple | |
 View of the temple complex from theArunachala hill | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Tiruvannamalai |
| Deity | Annamalaiyar (Shiva) Unnamulai Ammai (Parvati) |
| Festivals |
|
| Features |
|
| Location | |
| Location | Tiruvannamalai |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
  Location within Tamil Nadu Show map of Tamil Nadu Arunachalesvara Temple (India) Show map of India | |
| Coordinates | 12°13′53.76″N79°4′1.92″E / 12.2316000°N 79.0672000°E /12.2316000; 79.0672000 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Tamil architecture[1] |
| Creator | Cholas |
| Completed | 9th century CE |
| Website | |
| annamalaiyar | |
TheArunachalesvara Temple orAnnamalaiyar Temple, is aHindu temple dedicated toShiva andParvati, located at the foothills of theArunachala hill inTiruvannamalai,Tamil Nadu, India. It is regarded as one of the significant temples in theTamil Shaivite tradition. It is one of thePancha Bhuta Sthalams and is associated with the element of fire (Agni) among the five natural elements. The presidingdeity of the temple is Annamalaiyar (meaning "the mountain that cannot be reached"), who is worshipped as the embodiment of the hill itself, and is represented by alingam known as theAgni Lingam, symbolizing the element of fire. Parvathi, revered as Unnamulai ammai, is represented by theyoni, with her idol referred to as theAgni Yoni.[2][3]
The temple is classified as one of thePaadal Petra Sthalams, one of the 276 sacred Saivite temples glorified in medieval Tamil Shaiva literature. It is celebrated in canonical Tamil devotional works such as theTevaram composed by theNayanars in 7th century CE,Tiruvempavai byManikkavacakar in 9th century CE, andTiruppukal byArunagirinathar in the 14th century CE.
The present structure was built during theChola Empire in the 9th century CE, while later expansions were done during theVijayanagara rule (13th to 15th century CE). The temple complex covers 10 hectares, and is one of the largest in India.[4] It has four largegopurams (ornamental gateway towers), with the east tower being the tallest at 66 m (217 ft) with 11 stories.[4] The temple has numerous shrines, dedicated to various Hindu gods, and houses severallarge halls, the notable of which is the thousand-pillared hall built during the Vijayanagara rule. The temple is maintained and administered by theHindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of theGovernment of Tamil Nadu.
The temple has six daily rituals, performed between 5:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals. During theKarthigai Deepam festival, celebrated during thepurnima day in theTamil month ofKarthigai, and a large beacon is lit atop the Arunachala hill. The beacon, which can be seen from miles around, symbolizes thejyotirlinga form of Shiva, which extended as a pillar of fire.[5] The event attracts million of pilgrims, who often circumambulate the hill calledgirivalam.[4][5]
Annamalai is derived from a combination of twoTamil language words with "Anna" meaning "great" or "powerful" and "malai" meaning hill. Arunachala is derived from theSanskrit words "Aruna" representing the rays of the Sun and "achala" meaning "unmoving". AsShiva is represented by the form of a large column of fire radiating from the hill, the names of the place came to represent the same.[6]
According to theShiva Purana,Brahma (god of creation) andVishnu (god of preservation) had an argument over their supremacy.[7][8] To settle the debate, Shiva took the form ofjyotirlinga, a huge column of fire or light, stretching across thethree worlds.[9][10] Vishnu took the form of aboar and descended to locate the bottom of the column, while Brahma assumed the form of a swan to locate its top. Vishnu failed in his search and returned, honest about the outcome of his quest. Brahma chanced upon athalampu flower in the midst of his ascent.[7] Upon enquiry, he learned that the flower had been descending from the column for several years. He bade the flower to lie to Vishnu that he had seen the top of the column. The dishonesty of Brahma angered Shiva, causing him to curse Brahma that he would not be worshipped. He also declared that Vishnu would be eternally worshipped for his honesty.[7][10] Shiva took the form of fire at theArunachala hill inTiruvannamalai, and later took the form of alingam at the base of the hill.[11]
According toHindu mythology,Parvati once blindfolded Shiva, which led to the entireEarth being plunged in darkness. Shiva opened his third eye to shine light on the Earth. Realising her mistake, Parvati prayed for Shiva's forgiveness. Shiva directed her to go to Tiruvannamali and performtapas at theashram of sageGautama. WhenMahisasura disturbed her, she took the form ofDurga, and killed theasura. Later, Shiva accepted her on thepurnima day of theTamil month ofKarthigai.[11] TheKarthika Deepam festival is celebrated to commemorate the manifestation of Shiva as jyotirlinga, and his re-acceptance of Parvati.[11][12]
The deities are described in theShaiva text ofTevaram from the 7th century CE.Sekkilhar, the author of thePeriya Puranam, wrote thatAppar andSambandar worshipped Annamalaiyar in the temple.[13] The present masonry of the temple dates back to the 9th century to the reign of theCholas. Inscriptions found in the temple record gifts such as land, and cows given to the temple by various Chola kings.[14][15] Further inscriptions from the temple indicate that before the 9th century CE, the region was under the reign of thePallava Kings, who ruled fromKanchipuram.[16] TheHoysalas made the region around the temple as their capital in 1328 CE.[14][17]
The temple was located at a strategic location in theVijayanagara Empire, connecting important pilgrimage centers and military routes.[18] Inscriptions describe the expansion of the temple, and the town developing around the Annamalaiyar temple during the period.[18][19] There are 48 inscriptions from theSangama Dynasty (1336–1485 CE), two inscriptions from theSaluva Dynasty, and 55 inscriptions from theTuluva Dynasty (1491–1570 CE) of theVijayanagara Empire, describing various gifts to the temple by their respective rulers.[20] Inscriptions from the period ofKrishnadevaraya (1509–1529 CE), indicates patronage to the temple.[16] Most of the Vijayanagara inscriptions are written inTamil, with some inKannada andSanskrit.[21]
The expansion of the temple and construction of the largegopuram at the eastern entrance began during the reign of Krishnadevaraya, and completed during the period ofSevappa Nayaka (1532–80 CE).[14][22][15] The inscriptions indicate that the tower was built at the behest of Sivanesa and his brother Lokanatha in 1572 CE.[23] TheTanjavuri Andhra Raja Charitamu mentions that Krishnadevaraya built the tower and the outer precincts of the temple.[23]Nayak period texts such asRaghunathabhyudayam andSangitha Sudha describe the towers.[23] During the reign of Krishnadevaraya, the thousand pillared hall and a tank were constructed within the temple premises.[5][24]
During the 17th century CE, the temple came under the dominion of theCarnatic Sultanate.[25] Subsequently, the temple was besieged by various rulers such as Muraru Raya, Krishna Raya, Mrithis Ali Khan, and Burkat Ullakhan in succession. As European incursions progressed, Tiruvannamalai was attacked by theFrench and theEnglish. The French occupied the town in 1757, and the temple along with the town later came under control of the British in 1760.[15] In 1790, it was captured byTipu Sultan, who ruled from 1750–99 CE.[25] During the first half of the 19th century, the town along with the temple came underBritish rule.[15]
AfterIndian Independence, the temple has been maintained by theHindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of theGovernment of Tamil Nadu since 1951.[13] In 2002, theArchaeological Survey of India declared the temple a national heritage monument and took over its stewardship. Following a litigation with theSupreme Court of India, the administration of the temple was given back to the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board.[26][27] In the mid 20th century CE, the temple and the town were popularised in the Western World by the work ofRamana Maharshi (1879 CE–1950 CE).[2][28] The cave where Ramana meditated is on the lower slopes of the Annamalai hills, with theSri Ramana Ashram located further down at the foothill.[29][30]
The Arunachalesvara temple is one of thePancha Bhuta Sthalams, which are five major Shiva temples, each representing a manifestation of anatural elements.[31] The lingam in the shrine is referred to as theAgni Lingam, symbolising the element of fire (Agni) and representing the themes of duty, tapas (penance), self-sacrifice, and spiritual liberation.[32]
Sambandar, a 7th-century CE Tamil poet, venerated Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman in ten verses inTevaram, compiled as the firstTirumurai.[33] Appar, a contemporary of Sambandar, also praised the deity in ten verses in theTevaram, compiled as the fifthThirumurai.[34] As the temple is revered in theTevaram, it is classified as aPaadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 276 temples mentioned in the Tamil Saiva canon.[35][36]Manikkavacakar, a 9th-century CE Tamil saint and poet, composed theTiruvempavai at the temple, and described the deities as "Annamalai" and "Unnamulai".[37][38]Arunagirinathar was a 15th-century CE Tamil poet born in Tiruvannamalai, who composed Tamil hymns glorifyingMurugan, the most notable beingThiruppugazh.[15][39]
Aathara Thalams are various Shiva temples considered to correspond to the Tantricchakras of the human body. The Arunachalesvara Temple corresponds to theManipooraga chakra, associated with the solar plexus (naabhi moolam).[40][41] The place is also called aMukthi Thalam (place of salvation), and saints like Ramana Maharishi,Seshadri Swamigal, Gugai Namashivayar,Yogi Ramsuratkumar attained salvation within the temple.[42]
The temple is situated at the foot of the Annamalai hills, spread over 25 acres (10 ha). The walls on the east and west measure 700 ft (210 m) in length, the south 1,479 ft (451 m), and the north 1,590 ft (480 m).[43] It hasgopurams (ornamental gateway towers), one on each side. The eastern tower, known as theRajagopuram, is the tallest, and largest with a base measuring 135 ft (41 m) by 98 ft (30 m).[13] The south tower is called Thirumanchangopuram, the west tower as Pe Gopuram, and the north tower as Ammani Amman gourami.[23] The temple has five precincts, each of which holds a largeNandhi statue. Smaller towers include the Vallala maharaja and Kili gopurams.[44] Brahma Nanneer, the temple tank, is located in the fourth precinct.[45]
The mainshrine, holding the lingam of Annamalaiyar, faces east. It is considered the oldest structures within the temple complex, and houses the images of Nandi, Shiva'svahana andSurya, the Sun god.[44] On the backside of the sanctum walls, there is an image ofVenugopalaswamy (a form ofKrishna, an incarnation ofVishnu). Surrounding the sanctum are images of various Hindu deities, including Somakanthar,Durga,Chandeshvara,Gajalakshmi,Arumugaswami, andDakshinamurti,Bhairava,Nataraja, andLingodbhava. The palliyarai, the divine room for resting deities, is located at the first precinct around the sanctum.[45]
The shrine of Shiva's consort, Unnamalai ammai, lies in the second precinct, with goddess depicted in a standing posture.Sambantha Pillaiyar's shrine is located to the north of the flagstaff, and Yanai Thirai Konda Pillaiyar shrine is located in the fourth precinct.[45] To the south of the thousand-pillared hall, there is a small shrine for Subramanya and a large tank.[5] There is a shrine of Sivagangai Pillaiyar along the northern bank of the Sivangangai tank.[45] Pathala Lingam (underground lingam), located at the basement of the raised hall inside the temple complex, is the place where Ramana Maharshi performed his penance, and attained supreme awareness.[30][42][29] A stonetrident is present in the outer precinct of the temple in open air, and has protective railings.[46] The temple tree, Magizha, is considered sacred and medicinal, and childless couples tie small cradles to its branches in obeisance.[47]
There are various halls within the temple presmies. A sixteen pillared hall, known as Theepa Kaatchi Arangam (hall of light), in located in the third precinct. The Thirumana Mandapam (marriage hall), built in Vijayanagara style, is located in the south-west of the precinct.[46] The Ilavenil Mandapam (hall of spring), located in the same precinct, consists of the Kalahateeswarar shrine and temple office.[40] In the fourth precinct, there is a hall with a six-foot-tall statue of Nandhi, erected by Vallala.[45]
In the fifth and outermost precinct, there is a thousand-pillared hall built during the late Vijayanagara period.[5] The pillars in the hall are carved with images ofyali, a mythological beast with body of lion and head of an elephant.[48] The Arunagirinathar mndapam is located to the right of the Kalayana Linga Sundara Eswara mandapam, and the Gopurathilayanar shrine is to the left of a flight of stone stairs that lead up to the Vallala gopuram.[40]
The temple priests performpujas (rituals) six times on a daily basis. These include the Kaalaippani at 5:30 a.m., Kaalai Vazhipaadu at 8:00 a.m., Nadunchama Vazhipaadu at 10:00 a.m., Maalaipani at 6:00 p.m., Irandaam Kaalai Pani at 8:00 p.m. and Iravuppani at 10:00 p.m.[49] Each ritual comprises four steps:Thirumanchanam (sacred bath),Alangaaram (decoration),Neivedhiyam (food offering) andTheepaarathanai (waving of lamps) for both Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman. The worship is held amidst music withnagaswaram (pipe instrument) andtavil (percussion instrument), religious instructions in theVedas read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast.[citation needed] Special pujas are performed on Mondays (Soma varam) and Fridays (Sukra varam), and onPradosha,Amavasya,Purnima,Chaturthi, andKiruthigai.[49]
The temple celebrates variousHindu festivals throughout the year.[50] Four prime festivals, theThiruvizha, are celebrated yearly. The most important of these lasts ten days during theTamil month ofKarthigai (November–December), concluding with the celebration ofKarthika Deepam. During the Deepam festival, A lamp is lit in a hugecauldron, containing tons ofNei (Ghee), at the top of the Annamalai hill.[5][51] On the occasion, the image of Annamalaiyar is taken on a wooden chariot around the mountain.[52] Inscriptions indicate that the festival was celebrated as early as the Chola period (from 850 CE to 1280 CE) and was expanded to ten days in the 20th century.[44]
Every full moon, thousands of pilgrims circumambulate the Annamalai hill barefoot.[5] The circumambulation covers a distance of 14 km (8.7 mi), and is referred asgirivalam.[53][54] According to Hindu legend, the circumambulation is considered as an atonement for one's sins, fulfils wishes and helps achieve freedom from thecycle of birth and rebirth.[13] Various offerings are made in the temple tanks, shrines, pillared halls, springs and caves around the hill.[3] OnChitra Pournami, five woodentemple cars are used for taking the gods on a procession.[13]
Thiruvoodal is celebrated during the first week of the Tamil monthThai every year. On the morning ofMaatu Pongal, the Nandi is decorated with garlands made of fruits, vegetables and sweets. The deities of Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman are taken out of the temple toThiruvoodal Street to enact theoodal (or love tiff) between the two in the evening.[13][55]
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