Tiruvannamalai is an ancient city named after the holy mountain "Tiruvannan Malai".
Geologist consider this mountain is older than The Himalayas. The history of Tiruvannamalai Can be tracked from B.C 100 Tamil Sangam age. The foundation of Arunachala temple has been laid by Chola king Vijalaya Chozan And the contributions have been extended by continuous kingdom and people.
Under the Hoysala King Vallalan this town flourished among the spiritual seekers and become famous south Indian spiritual pilgrimage site. Local Deepam festival is world famous, this festival take place every year of Tamil month Karthigai and celebrated for the period of 13 days.
.This city is full of spiritual ashram built by many holy men and enlightenment gurus. Seshadri Swamigal, Ramana Maharishi and Yogi Ramsuratkumar are some of them who lived attained eternity from Tiruvannamalai.
Visitors all around the world travel to this city during the month of November and December.
Thiruvannamalai - Annamalaiannal
The Saiva cult is a world phenomenon. Thiruvannamalai is the capital of Saivism. The South Indian eity Siva is the God of all countries. Annamalaiannal is the most sacred of the names of the manifestation of Lord Siva.
The Creator Lord Bramha and Protector Lord Thirumal entered into a controversy Among themselves so as to ascertain who was the greatest.
Lord Siva was asked to be the judge. Lord Siva told them that Whoever was able to see his crown as well as his feet would be termed as the greatest.
Then Lord Siva transformed himself into a Jothi (a column of fire) touching the heaven and earth. Thirumal took the avatar of varaha (wild boar) and dug deep into the earthto find Siva's feet but at last accepted defeat. Bramha took the form of a swan and flew to see the crown of Siva. Unable to see the crown, Bramha saw a thazhambu flower which had decked Siva's crown falling down. He asked the flower as to the distance of Siva's crown whereby the flower replied that he had been falling for forty thousand years. Bramha, realizing that he would not be able to reach the crown asked the flower to act as a false witness.
The thazhambu flower acting as a false witness declared that Brahma had seen the crown. Siva became angry at the deception and cursed that Bramha should have no temple on earth and that the thazhambu flower should not be used while praying to Lord Siva. The place where Lord Siva stood as a column of fire to eliminate the ego is Thiruvannamalai. The Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Krithayugam, was Manikkam (Emerald) during Threthayugam, and was pon (Gold) during Dwaprayugam and rock during Kaliyugam as per the ancient legends. On the request of Thirumal and Bramha by their devout prayer, Siva who was in the form of a fire column took the form of a Sivalingam at the foot of the hill where the Arulmigu Annamalaiyar Temple is located |
Thiruvannamalai has been the abode of Siddhars. Idaikkattu Siddhar, one of the eighteen Siddhars, belongs to this sacred soil.
The Significance of Girivalam (Circumambulation)
In most of the holy places the Deity is found atop the hill. But here the Holy hill itself is the Deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and is worshipped. "Arunam" means sun and denotes the red colour of fire. "Asalam" means "Giri" or "malai" (mountain). Thus "Arunachalam" means the Holy hill which is red in colour. The Holy hill is 2668 fi. high. he Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Kirthayugam, was Manikkam (Emerald) during Threthayugam, and was Pon (Gold) during Dwaparayugam and rock during Kaliyugam. There are eight lingams located at the eight directions and provides an octagonal structure to Thiruvannamalai Town. The eight lingams are: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. The Adi Annamalai Temple glorified in
Dhevaram is located on this path. The circumambulation path is 14 kilometers. History has it that even today a number of siddhars are living on the hill. It is auspicious to perform "Girilvalam" during every Full moon day which would do immense good. It is because during Full Moon Day siddhars movement would be there and the whole atmosphere would be filled with perfumes of herbal plants. This will provide peace of mind and good health to body. It is a proven fact that on every Full moon day lakhs of devotees circumambulate the Hill and get all benefits by praying to Lord Annamalaiyar .
- Indra Lingam
East
Lord Indiran, the king of Celestials
Sun and Sukiran
Long life and fame - Agni Lingam
South East
Lord Agni (God of Fire)
Chandran (Moon)
Relief from diseases and fear - Yama Lingam
South
Yama, God of Death
Sevvai
Longevity of life span - Niruthilingam
South West
Niruthi, the king of giants
Raghu
Health, Wealth and Fame. Issueless can get children. - Varunalingam
West
Varuna, the God of Rain
Sani (Saturn)
Relief from illnessEspecially water related diseases - Vayulingam
North West
Vayu the God of air
Kedhu
Relief from illness especially the heart diseases, breathing and stomach problems - Kupera Lingam
North
Kuperan, the God of Wealth
Guru
Wealth and improvement in life status - Easanya Lingam
North East
Easanyan
Budhan
Peace of mind
Arthanareeswarar
Lord Siva's wife Goddess Umadevi once playfully closed His eyes which plunged the world into darkness. All living beings suffered in the dark. To absolve herse of this sin Mother Umadevi created a Sivalingam out of sand and worshipped at Kancheepuram. At that instance, Lord Siva ordered her to proceed to Thiruvannamalai and do penance so that she could get half of His body. Likewise Mother Parvathi did penance at Pavalakundru with the help of Saint Gowthama. A demon called Makidasuran disturbed the penance of Mother Parvathi. The Mother took the form of goddess Durga Devi and destroyed him on the full moon day of the Tamil Month of Karthigai during the auspicious period of pradosham. Lord Siva presented himself in the form of Fire atop the hill and merged Goddess Parvathi on the left half of his body.
To commemorate this event, every year during the Tamil month of Karthigai in Kiruthigai Star, exactly at 6.00 p.m. Arthanareeswaramurthi presents himself as Jyothi Swaroopa to his devotees at the time of Karthigai Festival 10th day.
Deepam
Temple plan
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1 comment:
Nice blog with good snaps. Wonderful information.
Cool blog and Keep it up.
:-)
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