TIRUVANNAMALAI-(TamilNadu)
On Karthik Poornima day, a huge lamp is lit at the top of the hill which can be seen for miles around and it is believed that everyone who sees the light attains salvation.
The hillside is an abode of spiritual glory and the renowned Ramana Maha Rishi lived here and many of his disciples took advantage of his wisdom. The Ramana Ashram is a peaceful haven. Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Sri Sankara Matam at Tiruvannamalai is located near the foothills on the Girivalam path.
The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Gnanasambandar. Describing the graceful appearance of the Lord with Mother on the Annamalai Hills with its waterfalls pleasing the souls, the Saint says that all adverse effects following a soul from past births would disappear once the devotee worships Lord Annamalaiar. This is the 22nd temple in the Tamil Nadu region sung in Thevaram hymns.
10-day Karthikai Brahmmotsavam and Karthikai Deepam in November-December, Masi Maha Shivarathri in February-March, Thai Mattu Pongal, Tiruvudal, and Oonjal Utsav falling almost on January 15, and monthly Brahmmotsavam is devotionally celebrated in the temple. Firewalking is observed on Aadi Pooram day in July-August a ceremony not followed in any Shiva temple. Six-time Puja (Aaru Kala Puja) is strictly followed in this temple as per Agama rules. On Masi Magam day in February-March, Lord Annamalaiar visits a place called Palli Pattu for Theerthavari, an event that represents Lord’s performing the last rites for Vallala Maharaja to whom He was born a son earlier. Lord visits the temples in the surroundings on the 5th day of Thai month covering January-February and grants darshan to devotees at Kalasapakkam on the Rathasapthami day. It is on this day the Car (rath) of Sun turns northward marking the beginning of Utharayana period covering six months from January-February to June-July. The 6-day wedding festival takes place on Panguni Uthiram in March-April. Almost every day in the month is a festival day in the temple. Pradosha – 13th day of new moon or full moon is devotionally observed in the temple. Special pujas are performed on Deepavali, Pongal and Tamil and English New Year days.
The hill itself is Shiva Linga. This is a temple of great significance in South India. The very thought of this temple ensures total salvation to the soul. This is the place that would destroy the “I” arrogance. Mother Uma performed penance here going round the hill to claim the left part of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva granted His darshan to mother in the form of Light-Jyothi.
This is the birthplace of Saint Arunagiriar. Frustrated in life, when the Saint attempted to end himself, Lord Muruga protected him from death. Lord Muruga also made him a poet whose Tirupugazh hymns stand unmatched till today in the meter forms, syllables, melody and spiritual content singing the glory of Lord Muruga.
Tiruvannamalai is the sacred place where Ligodhbava came into being first and followed in other Shiva Temples.
The temple covers an area of 25 acres with 9 towers and 9 corridors-prakaras. The tower of the temple
is the second tallest – 217 feet. The temple is always crowded with devotees as in Tirupathi. The temple was built in the 6th Century. The renovations of this ancient temple were done by Chera, Chola, Pandya and Vaisala kings at various periods.
Tiruvannamalai was home to a number of Siddhas in the past whose lineage continues even today. Their Holinesses Sri Seshadri Swamigal, Ramana Maharishi, and Visiri Samiyar attained salvation on this sacred soil.
Girivalam: Lord Shiva gave His Half to Mother Parvathi on the Kruthika star day in the month of Karthikai-November-December. Therefore, Girivalam – going round the hill – is taken up by the devotees this day. It is said that great Rishis and enlightened souls were following this as a penance on Pradosha days and on the first day of each Tamil month. This is followed by devotees nowadays. It is said that Moon absorbs all energies from Sun on Poornima days and therefore, this day is considered important for Girivalam.
Of the five Shaktis on which Earth stands – Space, Water, Air, Earth, and Fire the Agni, Tiruvannamalai belongs to Agni. Tuesday is attributed to Agni. Girivalam is undertaken on this day. There will be special pujas in the temple. Worshipping the Lord on Sundays bring high positions to the devotee equal to a posting in His court, Mondays elevate the devotee to a position equal to Indira, Tuesdays ensure relief from debt burdens and poverty and continued prosperity in the births following, Wednesdays for academic excellence and final salvation, Thursdays wisdom equal to Maharshis, Fridays grace of Lord Vishnu and a place in His abode and Saturdays the benefit of worshipping all the 9 planets. Worshipping on New Moon day brings total mental peace. Observing a fasting for 48 days and performing the Girivalam blesses the couple with child boon.
The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Gnanasambandar. Describing the graceful appearance of the Lord with Mother on the Annamalai Hills with its waterfalls pleasing the souls, the Saint says that all adverse effects following a soul from past births would disappear once the devotee worships Lord Annamalaiar. This is the 22nd temple in the Tamil Nadu region sung in Thevaram hymns.
10-day Karthikai Brahmmotsavam and Karthikai Deepam in November-December, Masi Maha Shivarathri in February-March, Thai Mattu Pongal, Tiruvudal, and Oonjal Utsav falling almost on January 15, and monthly Brahmmotsavam is devotionally celebrated in the temple. Firewalking is observed on Aadi Pooram day in July-August a ceremony not followed in any Shiva temple. Six-time Puja (Aaru Kala Puja) is strictly followed in this temple as per Agama rules. On Masi Magam day in February-March, Lord Annamalaiar visits a place called Palli Pattu for Theerthavari, an event that represents Lord’s performing the last rites for Vallala Maharaja to whom He was born a son earlier. Lord visits the temples in the surroundings on the 5th day of Thai month covering January-February and grants darshan to devotees at Kalasapakkam on the Rathasapthami day. It is on this day the Car (rath) of Sun turns northward marking the beginning of Utharayana period covering six months from January-February to June-July. The 6-day wedding festival takes place on Panguni Uthiram in March-April. Almost every day in the month is a festival day in the temple. Pradosha – 13th day of new moon or full moon is devotionally observed in the temple. Special pujas are performed on Deepavali, Pongal and Tamil and English New Year days.
The hill itself is Shiva Linga. This is a temple of great significance in South India. The very thought of this temple ensures total salvation to the soul. This is the place that would destroy the “I” arrogance. Mother Uma performed penance here going round the hill to claim the left part of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva granted His darshan to mother in the form of Light-Jyothi.
This is the birthplace of Saint Arunagiriar. Frustrated in life, when the Saint attempted to end himself, Lord Muruga protected him from death. Lord Muruga also made him a poet whose Tirupugazh hymns stand unmatched till today in the meter forms, syllables, melody and spiritual content singing the glory of Lord Muruga.
Tiruvannamalai is the sacred place where Ligodhbava came into being first and followed in other Shiva Temples.
The temple covers an area of 25 acres with 9 towers and 9 corridors-prakaras. The tower of the temple
is the second tallest – 217 feet. The temple is always crowded with devotees as in Tirupathi. The temple was built in the 6th Century. The renovations of this ancient temple were done by Chera, Chola, Pandya and Vaisala kings at various periods.
Tiruvannamalai was home to a number of Siddhas in the past whose lineage continues even today. Their Holinesses Sri Seshadri Swamigal, Ramana Maharishi, and Visiri Samiyar attained salvation on this sacred soil.
Girivalam: Lord Shiva gave His Half to Mother Parvathi on the Kruthika star day in the month of Karthikai-November-December. Therefore, Girivalam – going round the hill – is taken up by the devotees this day. It is said that great Rishis and enlightened souls were following this as a penance on Pradosha days and on the first day of each Tamil month. This is followed by devotees nowadays. It is said that Moon absorbs all energies from Sun on Poornima days and therefore, this day is considered important for Girivalam.
Of the five Shaktis on which Earth stands – Space, Water, Air, Earth, and Fire the Agni, Tiruvannamalai belongs to Agni. Tuesday is attributed to Agni. Girivalam is undertaken on this day. There will be special pujas in the temple. Worshipping the Lord on Sundays bring high positions to the devotee equal to a posting in His court, Mondays elevate the devotee to a position equal to Indira, Tuesdays ensure relief from debt burdens and poverty and continued prosperity in the births following, Wednesdays for academic excellence and final salvation, Thursdays wisdom equal to Maharshis, Fridays grace of Lord Vishnu and a place in His abode and Saturdays the benefit of worshipping all the 9 planets. Worshipping on New Moon day brings total mental peace. Observing a fasting for 48 days and performing the Girivalam blesses the couple with child boon.
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