Arunachalam Temple :
Arunachalam Temple (also known as Annamalaiyar Temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India. Arunachalesvara Temple is situated at the base of Arunachala hill in the town of Thiruvannamalai. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas temples associated with the five elements,especially the element of fire, or Agni. Shiva is known as Arunachalesvara or Annamalaiyar and is worshipped as Arunachalesvara or Annamalaiyar. He is portrayed by the lingam, and his idol is known as Agni lingam. Unnamalai Amman is the name of his consort Parvati.
Parvati, Shiva’s wife, once playfully closed her husband’s eyes in a flower garden at their abode atop Mount Kailash, according to Hindu mythology. While it was only for a brief moment for the gods, the universe’s light was stripped away, and the world was plunged into darkness for years. Parvati, along with other Shiva devotees, performed penance. Then, at the top of the Annamalai hills, her husband appeared as a column of fire, bringing light back to the earth.After that, he merged with Parvati to become Ardhanarishvara, Shiva’s half-female, half-male form. The Arunachala, or red mountain, is located behind the Arunachalesvara temple and is connected to its namesake temple. The hill is sacred and is regarded as a lingam, or symbolic image of Shiva.
According to another legend, Shiva appeared as a flame and challenged Vishnu and Brahma to find his source while they were fighting for supremacy. Brahma assumed the form of a swan and soared into the sky to see the top of the flame, while Vishnu assumed the form of the boar Varaha and went in search of the flame’s center. The scene is known as lingothbava and is depicted on the western wall of most Shiva temples’ sanctums. Both Brahma and Vishnu were unable to locate the source, and although Vishnu admitted defeat, Brahma lied and claimed to have discovered the pinnacle. As a punishment, Shiva decreed that Brahma would never have temples built in his honor on Earth.
Arunachalam Temple History :
In their poetic work Tevaram, the 7th century Nayanar saints Sambandar and Appar wrote about the temple. Both Appar and Sambandar worshiped Arunachalesvara in the temple, according to Sekkizhar, the author of the Periyapuranam. From 850 CE to 1280 CE, the Chola Kings ruled over the region for more than four centuries and were temple patrons. Inscriptions from the Chola king record various gifts to the temple, including land, sheep, cows, and oil, commemorating the dynasty’s various victories. Beginning in 1328 CE, the Hoysala kings made Tiruvannamalai their capital. There are 48 inscriptions from the Vijayanagara Empire’s Sangama Dynasty (1336–1485 CE), 2 inscriptions from the Saluva Dynasty, and 55 inscriptions from the Tuluva Dynasty (1491–1570 CE), all of which represent gifts from their rulers to the temple. Further patronage is indicated by inscriptions from the reign of Krishnadeva Raya (1509–1529 CE), the most influential Vijayanagara ruler. The majority of the Vijayanagara inscriptions were written in Tamil, with a few in Kannada and Sanskrit thrown in for good measure.
In comparison to the inscriptions of the same rulers in other temples such as Tirupathi, the Vijayanagara kings’ inscriptions in the temple suggest a focus on administrative matters and local concerns. Land endowments account for the bulk of the inscriptions, followed by commodities, cash endowments, pigs, and oil for lighting lamps. During the Vijayanagara Empire, the town of Tiruvannamalai served as a strategic crossroads, linking sacred pilgrimage sites and military routes. Inscriptions from the precolonial era depict the region as an urban center, with the city growing up around the temple.
Arunachalam Temple Timings:
Morning : 5:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Evening : 3:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Festivals at Arunachalesvara Temple :
Sl.No | Tamil Month | Festival Details |
1 | Chithirai (April – May) | Chitirai vasantha urchavam 10 days. |
2 | Vaikasi (May – June) | Vaikasi Urchavam 1 day. |
3 | Ani (June – July) | Ani Bramorchavam 10 days. |
Ani Thirumanjanam (Lord Nataraja Urchavam 1 day). | ||
4 | Adi (July – August) | Adi Pooram Bramorchavam 10 days. |
5 | Avani (August – Sept.) | Avani Moolam Urchavam 1 day. |
6 | Puratasi (Sept. – Oct.) | Navarathri Urchavam 9 days. |
7 | Aippasi (Oct. – Nov.) | Annabisheka Urchavam 1 day. |
Kanda Sashti urchavam 6 days. | ||
8 | Karthigai (Nov. – Dec.) | Karthigai Deepa Bramorchavam 17 days. |
9 | Margazhi (Dec. – Jan.) | Vaikunda Ekadasi Urchavam 1 day. |
Arudra Darisanam (Lord Nataraja Urchavam) 1 day. | ||
10 | Thai (Jan. – Feb.) | Uthrayana Punyakala Bramorchavam 10 days. |
Thiruvoodal Urchavam 1 day. | ||
Manalurpettai Theerthavari Urchavam 1 day. | ||
Kalasapakkam (Rathasapthami). | ||
Theerthavari Urchavam 1 day. | ||
11 | Masi (Feb. – March) | Maha Sivarathri Urchavam |
Masi Makam Pallikondpattu Theerthavari Urchavam. | ||
12 | Panguni (March – April) | Panguni Uthiram Thirukalyana Urchavam 6 days. |
Arunachalam Temple Darshan Timings :
In this well-known temple, poojas are performed six times a day. Furthermore, special poojas to be held in Lord Shiva’s Temple are performed on a daily basis.
Pooja | Time |
Ukshakala | 05:30 A.M |
Kala santhi | 08:00 A.M |
Uchikala | 11:30 A.M |
Sayaratchai | 05:30 P.M |
Irandam Kala | 07:30 P.M |
Arthajama | 09:00 P.M |
Aside from the above-mentioned pujas, Panchaparuva pujas, such as Amavasai, Kiruthigai, Pradosham, Pournami, Sathurthi, Sukravaram, and Somavaram, are held.
Arunachalam Temple Address :
Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, Thiruvannamalai – 606601,
Phone : 04175- 252438.
Arunachalam Temple Website : http://www.arunachaleswarartemple.tnhrce.in/
How to reach Arunachalam Temple :
Via Bus : Many buses run between Chennai and all of Tamil Nadu’s major cities and towns. Buses run from Bangalore and Tirupathi as well.
Via Rail : Tiruvannamalai is the closest railway station to Arunachalam Temple. It’s about 10 kilometers from the temple.
Via Air : The nearest airport is Chennai, which is about 185 kilometers away by road.
Arunachalam Temple Accommodation : There are many ashrams and charitable endowments that provide free or low-cost accommodation. In recent years, modern lodging options have become available near Arunachalam Temple. If you intend on traveling during festivals or weekends, you can book your hotel ahead of time.
tirupati to arunachalam temple distance : 4 hr 28 min (190.5 km) via NH38.
What are the Arunachalam Nearest Temples ?
Arulmigu Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Vellore
Arulmigu Ekambaranathar Temple, Kanchipuram
Arulmigu Kamakshi Amman Temple, Mangadu
Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple, Tiruthani
Arulmigu Thiruverkadukarumari Temple, Thiruperumputhur
Arunachalam Temple Photos :
Other Famous Temples in Tamilnadu :
- Meenakshi Temple
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple
- Marundeeswarar Temple
- Brihadeeswarar Temple
- Jambukeswarar Temple
- Ranganathaswamy Temple Srirangam
- Kailasanathar Temple Kanchipuram