Tiruvannamalai - History

Home » TamilNadu Districts » Tiruvannamalai » History

Tiruvannamalai - History

Uniqueness of the Place

As the vedas have declred "though formless, being without beginning or end", the Lord of effulgence will present himself in a form," Thiruvannamalai is the unique holy spot where He has shown himself in a Form of Linga. The primary Lord from his shapless mass of Mountain has assumed the shape of a Linga in the Temple for all to view. This sacred temple is a light beacon for all to steer through the sea of birth and reach the Shores of Mukti (Liberation). As one enters the town Annamalai, the Rajagopura,standing Majestically,soaring 217 feet(65m) comes to view first. This tower is a standing testimony to the artistic genius of the vijayanagara Dynasty. Inside the Temple in the south west corner of the thousand pillared hall patala (underground) Linga, worshipped by the inimatable Ramana Maharishi.This is the palce where Ramana Maharishi did penence and absorbed in the Bliss of Meditation secured liberation.

The Kamabath IIayanar Sannadhi in the temple is a famous one. Adornred with the temple is a famous one. Adorned with 16 pillars, this spot was the hallowes place where Arunagiri Swami, the Author of Thiruppugazh, was granted Mukti by the Lord. God Muruga bestowed grace on this devotee under the sixteen pillars after accepting the devotion by the token Tamil Tiruppugazh. The IIayanar sannadhi near the Gopura is the place where Arunagirinadha disgusted with life, fell from the Vallala Maharajah tower; Lord Muruga saved him by receiving him in his hands. Muruga further blessed him in this sannadhi by appearing with his spouses Valli and devasena.

The Kiligopura in this Temple has an interesting background. Proud Deva Raya wanted a Parijata flower from paradise , and Arunagirinadha after shaking of this physical body, assumed the form of a parrot for that purpose. Sambandan, his foe, viciously circulated that Arunagirinadha has expired on which all cremated his physical body. After the lapse of some time, Arunagirinadhar returned only to find that his body has been burnt and he had to live as aparrot in the kili Gopura, while he sang the charming Kandar Anubhudi. That is why that tower was kili Gopuram. In a niche in that tower can be seen a mortar image of a parrot. It is not an empty boast to tell that the shrine of Annamalaiyar is a forest of Gopurams. Nine tall Gopuras and nine vimanas adorn the temple. Of these the Thirumanjana gopuram is 157 ft high; Ammani ammal tower soars 171 ft and the Peiy Gopuram extends 144 ft. comprising 6 enclosures, we eross each through miniature towers of 70 ft high. The Temple is rich in Mandapams too.

Of these the Jnanapal mandapam, Tirthavari Mandapam Thirvarul Vilasa mandapam, Madhapirappu mandapam, Rudraksha mandapam, Nandhi mandapam, Amavasai mandapam, Panner mandapam and Katchi mandapam are noteworthy. Thiru kalyana mandapam is a poem in stone, its wooden canopy being roofed with copper tiles, embellished with exquisite murals and artistic pillars. It was built in 1903 by Nattukotai Nagararthars, and stands as a sailent witness to the grandeur of Nagarthar's handwork. In short it is a Museum of Art. Opposite the Kiligopura stands the Sixteen pillared pavillion. In the Month of Karthigai When the Great Fire is Lighted atop the hill, the panchamurtis (Five deities) assemble here. At the time when the Lamp in front of the Bali peere is lighted, the huge beacon fire of light burning at the crest of the hill, with lakhs of Devotees chanting in unison "Annamalaiku Arohara", what an entrancing sight it offers.

Another important ritual that is celebrated in the temple is he Bharani deepa at 5 am on the 10th day of the Karthigai Festival and the Mountain Deepa Darshana at 6 pm. In the third Enclosure,one can see the subshrines of sokalathiswarar, Ekambaresvarar, Chidambaresvarar, and Jambukeswarar. The unique feature here is that those who cannot visit the panchabudha sthalas located can have darshana of them here itself. Near the sanctum, one can see rings hanging from the mouth of an Yali (a lion like mythical animal) like entiwined chain. This object draws our Mind to the various mental attributes of man : affection possesion, passion, Illusion and desire.

Proceeding along the outer enclosure, worshipping the 63 Nayanmars, We reach the sanctum of Vishnu, Who was responsible for the Annamalaiyar temple. Vishnu is enshrined here with the Name of Venugopala. The shrine of Chitragupta, the scribe of Dharma Devata who register all our acts, is located next to the Navagrahas in the Amman temple (Shrine of The goddess). The stone pillars that support the Mahamantapa of the Devi Shrine are of extraordinary beauty. The 16 pillars of this Mandapa are a treasure house of Art, revealing the intricacies of Silpa canons. Within the Sanctum, the goddess reveals Herself in a Young maiden form. This illustrates a Mystery. In her right hand is the lotus flower; the left hand hangs limpy expressive of the humility of a charming girl. The pose expresses that one can live in this world happily bereft of sorrow if only they live like a fragile flower clothed in humility.

In the enclosure of the Devi Shrine, the psalms poured forth by Jnanasambanda, Navukarsar, Arunagirinadhar and Manickavachakar about this sthala are written on the walls. The inscriptions of the walls in the third enclosure display the Meykirtis of the Cholas, Pandiyas, Pallavas, Hoysalar, and vijayanagara rulers. We learn from the epigraps that kopperunjinga donated Thiruvasi, the Holy feet of Nataraja, agold throne and gold ornaments. From another inscription we learn that during the vijayanagara rule and especially during krishna Deva Raya's period, the thousand pillared hall, the holy tank of Vasanthosthsava the gopura of 11 tiers, a car for vinayaka, Indra vimana and such 20 great gifts were made.

From the the time of the historic Cholas through Vallala Maharaja, Krishana Deva Raya, Tanjore Nayaks, and of late from patrons like Nattukotai Nagarattar, this Annamalaiyar temple grew gradually in artistic splendour. Ani Annamalai also called Adi Annamalai is the ancient temple and is in on the route of circumambulating the hill. Nearby stands a seperate shrine for Manickavachaka. Encircling the hills are 360 sacred pools, and in the eight cardinal directions are the Asthalingas and Asthanandis. Annamalai sthala has a special place in the history of our Tamil culture and Religous life. Manikavachaka has praised this sthala in no words, and Thiruvmbavai, the divine composition, owes its blossoming to this place. And it was in this Sthalathat saints Thirunavakarasar and Gnanasambandar sang their Thevarams hymns. This is the Sthala where Muruga blessed saint Arunagiri with the grace. It was Muruga who initiated Arunagiri to compose and even provided him with the first line. It was at Thiruvannamalai that Arunagiri lived and on 15th August, every year a festival is conducted here for him.

Tiruvannamalai - History

Home » TamilNadu Districts » Tiruvannamalai » History