Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple Gopuram Photos & Arunachalam Title Song
The Arunachaleswarar Temple (Also called as Annamalayar Temple) is a famous South Indian Shiva temple, located in Tiruvannamalai town, in the state of Tamil Nadu (180 KM from Chennai; 200 KM from Bangalore). Tiruvannamalai, is the district headquarters, and this temple is in the center of the town. The temple (and town) is located on the footsteps of the Annamalai mountains.
This is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalams – Grand Temples dedicated to the five basic elements of nature. This one is associated with Fire, because people believe that God manifests as fire, once every year and a huge fire appears on the Annamalai mountains (Actually fire is lit using three tons of ghee on the Annamalai mountains) during the Tamil month of Karthigai (November/ December), on the day of Karthigai Deepam.
Girivalam, is another important event that is conducted in this town during full moon night. On this date, people walk a stretch of 15 KM around the temple (and mountain) during the night.
This is one of the four Gopurams (East Gopuram) that surrounds the temple and is about 220 feet in height. The other three are located in the other three directions. There are more smaller Gopurams inside the temple as well, But I didn’t want to photograph anything from inside of the temple.
There is a puranic history to this temple (Which you can read from this link, if you are interested). Other than the temple, Tiruvannamalai is famous for the large number of ashrams (both in the town and on the mountain).
One of the famous saints who lived in this place is Sri Ramana Maharishi. He was a follower of Advaita principle, which states that the Self and God (and every other object in this universe) is a manifestation of the same (and, one and only) supreme being. This is more of a philosophical concept, than religious and he believed that religious activities/ pilgrimages are the first step of reaching this level of higher consciousness.
There is one interesting discussion between Ramana Maharishi and U.G.Krishnamurti and it happened when the latter was 21 years old. This is said to have made a deep impact on the latter (Reference – Wikipedia article):
U G Krishnamurti – ‘This thing called Moksha, can you give it to me?’
Sri Ramana Maharishi – ‘I can give it, but can you take it?’ 🙂
Rajnikanth, is a Super-Star (Hero, Tamil movie actor) in TN. Many people from other states attribute that to his style and mass following. He has even donated some amount for the setting up of sodium vapor lamps all along the ‘Girivalam’ path around this temple. But his image has been carefully constructed over a long period of time. Though unrelated to the temple, there is a song in the movie named ‘Arunachalam’ (The name of a person, named after this temple). I will translate some key lyrics in that song for everyone to understand how he became so popular.
If you had watched this introduction song in the cinema hall, you would not have heard even a single word. The noise fans make is so deafening! There was no way of even getting tickets to his movies in the first two weeks. Some selected lyrics from the song:
‘Andavan nadathiduvan da…. Arunachalam nadandhiduvan da’
“God Proposes; Arunachalam (Rajini’s character) disposes”
‘Yen irudhi varai kooda varum kootaniyum neethan’
“You are the coalition that stays with me till the end” – Referring to God and pointing at the people.
‘Elamayil Uzhaippavan mudhumayil sirrikiran; Elamayil padduppavan mudhumayil thavikkiran’
“People who work hard when they are young, reap its benefits and smile when they are old. People who sleep (lazy) when they are young, suffer when they are old”.
‘Thayendra oru deivam veettoda irrukku; Ne thani thaniya kovil kulam alaivadhuvum edhukku?’
“Your mother is like a God who stays at home – So, why do you want to go to Temples to pray?”
‘Ada Kavi thuraviyellam nelinja than madhippu; Panam konjam irrundhalum koduthathan madhippu; Ni magan yenral un Thayai madhicha than madhippu’
“Being humble gives respect to the saint; Giving money to others gives respect to you; If you are a son, then treating your mother well gives you respect”
‘Thanakkena vazhndavan irrukkayil errakkiran; Pirarkena vazhbavan erandhume irrukkiran’
“If you live for your self, you will struggle while you live. If you live for others, you will live (in the hearts of the people) even after you die”
Destination Infinity
Nice recaps on history and traditions. Of course I am a huge Rajni fan, can you tell? 🙂
I’d be surprised if someone is not a Rajni fan! I guess he has a good image well outside of TN as well.
Destination Infinity
This place seems like an architectural marvel, Destination Infinity. The carving on the walls is so intricate….. I would love to visit this place some time. I will add this place to the list that I have prepared 🙂
I am quite interested in Temples and other monuments that have an architectural importance associated with them. And you have prepared a list? That reminds me, I need to be more organized and prepare such a list too, instead of going to places in a random manner 🙂
Destination Infinity
beautiful pics
thanks for translation
I am planning to translate quite a lot from Tamil to English in this blog. Wonder why i have done so less till now!
Destination Infinity
Nice pictures…South Indian temples are famous for their architecture and this is one of them.
The lyrics is so good in the Rajni song and I had not noticed it until now. Feel as if I am reading an MGR’s old song. This is good.
I am yet to visit this place! You have given just the important anecdotes of the temple, nice.
You are yet to visit this temple? I am surprised!
When I went previously, I took the photo of the entrance but never thought that there were Gopurams on all the sides! The Gopuram on the eastern side is the biggest it seems! This seems like an interesting place with Sathanoor dam and Senji kottai nearby. Another trip is required 🙂
Destination Infinity
This temple is not very far, but never got the opportunity to visit! Must try to visit soon.
I have always been so fascinated by South Indian temples…I want to visit Mahabalipuram and Madurai
Visit Trichy Srirangam Temple – That’s the biggest in TN.
Destination Infinity
Thanks for the nice blog. I also like to visit temples. I am religious person.
Swim With Dolphins
That’s really a very nice and attractive Temple. And pictures are also very good. I really like it. Thanks for sharing with us.
Very attractive and good intelligent temple…….
can we keep Arunachaleswar’s photo at Home?
OM nama shivaya
I have visited arunchaleshwara temple, when i entered inside the temple i felt very peace of mind
we will get positive vibes in the temple, I myself felt there is god.
visiting once to again to this temple with grace of sri arunchala shiva.
one more thing i want to share that in temple there a tree were people were doing pooja and looking upward to the tree, i was unable to know what it is . All tamil people who came to temple came to the tree and seeing up to the tree and talking but language problem could not understand. pl tell me what it is.