Grandeur of This Stalam: This Tiruvannamalai is one of the greatest Saivite shrines in India, on a sprawling 24 acre temple campus, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every full moon. The hill here is considered to be a manifestation of Siva. The Earth is composed of five elements. Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether is these five elements. They are also known as prithivi, Appu, Thejo, Vayu and Akasa. Tholkappiar in his composition (1589) has categorically stated some thousand years ago that this world is composed of these five elements. The physical body of the throbbing life is also intermingled by these five elements. Our ancestors, having understood the essence of the five elements, have caused temples to be erected for each element. They are known as the Sacred spots of the five Elements. They are: Earth (land) - prithivi - Thiruvarur, Kancheepuram Water - Appu Thiruvannakikka Fire - Theju Thiruvannamalai Air - Vayu Thirukkalath Ether - Akasa - Chidambaram Thillai Kalambakam beautifully Expresses about this five stalams of elements. Of the stalams of five elements, Thiruvannamalai is the Teju Stalam: and stands foremost in bestowing grace. To be born in Thiruvarur, to die in Kasi, to see Thillai, to think about Thiruvannamalai bestows liberation; hence this stalam naturally stands supreme. One should reach a place to see, and to die, but to think one need not move an inch. One can think from the place and think of Annamalai. Because this place bestows liberation, this has secured the names Muktipuri and Sivologam. The Mukti stalam - Thiruvannamalai is supreme through three aspects, Deity, Stalam, and Tirtha (holy water). Located 42 miles (67 kms) from Villipuram, this Mukthi stalam spreads through an expense of 24 acres containing the temple of Annamalaiyar with towers piercing the sky. This shrine is famous not only in South India but throughout India. Its fame is immeasurable. It is the utterance of Saint Thirunavukarasar that one's sins will be washed off by worship here. It was in this stalam of "Fire" that the shapeless Supreme assumed a cognisable Shape. Saint Manickavachagar has put forth this idea in one of his psalm as "I bow to the Formless and the Form. The mountain in this place is like a medical cure and hence is called "Malai Marunthu" (medicine mountain), as It got the name Arunachalam. Legends declare that those who pronounce the name of this stalam once, secure the bliss of repeating three crores of time the pancakshara (the Mantra of Five Words) and that not only those who visited and worshipped in this stalam, but also their descendents up to 21 generations will get liberation. Brahma and Visnu filled with joy on seeing the Lord in the form of a Mountain addressed him supplicating how they can worship if he were to remain as a huge mountain and requested him to take the form of a sivalingam at the foot of the hill. Lord Siva conceded to their request to become a sivalinga and vanished within the hill. Immediately a Sivalinga appeared there. Overwhelmed with joy, Brahma and vishnu caused a temple to be erected through the divine sculptor Mayan. A prosperous city and three hundred holy pools sprang there. Besides the celestial Ganga and Kalpaka became Wells and trees. The Epics declare that Devas and Sages were born as men. Legend also reveals that while Nandikeswara was extolling the greatness of this stalam to sage Markandeya, he explained that while all others stalams can be deemed to be Body, this Arunachala is the Face with Lord Siva as its eyes. He also told that the fame of this stalam is unfathomable. Those who bathe in the Holy tanks like Indra Tirtham circumambulate the hill, perform "Dhanam" (donate gifts). Worship Arunachala, witness the Deepa Darishanam and meditate sincerely will be blessed with vast wealth and attain liberation. Uniqueness of the place: As the Vedas have declared "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 Lingam. The primary Lord from his shapeless mass of Mountain has assumed the shape of a Lingam 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 pathala (underground) Lingam, worshipped by the inimitable Ramana Maharishi. This is the place where Ramana Maharishi did penance and absorbed in the Bliss of Meditation secured liberation. The Kamabath IIayanar Sannadhi in the temple is a famous one. Adorned with the temple is a famous one. Adorned with 16 pillars, this spot was the hallowed 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 a parrot 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 Periya Gopuram extends 144 ft. comprising 6 enclosures, we cross 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 salient witness to the grandeur of Nagarthar's handwork. In short it is a Museum of Art. Opposite the Kiligopura stands the Sixteen pillared pavilion. 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 peer is lighted, the huge beacon fire of light burning at the crest of the hill, with thousands 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 sub shrines of sokalathiswarar, Ekambaresvarar, Chidambaresvarar, and Jambukeswarar. The unique feature here is that those who cannot visit the panchabudha stalams 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 possession, 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 who registers 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 stalam 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 epigraphs that kopperunjinga donated Thiruvasi, the Holy feet of Nataraja, a gold 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 time of the historic Cholas through Vallala Maharaja, Krishna 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 separate shrine for Manickavachakar. Encircling the hills are 360 sacred pools, and in the eight cardinal directions are the Asthalingas and Asthanandis. Annamalai stalam has a special place in the history of our Tamil culture and Religious life. Manikavachakar has praised this stalam in no words, and Thiruvembavai, the divine composition, owes its blossoming to this place. And it was in this Stalam that saints Thirunavakarasar and Gnanasambandar sang their Thevarams hymns. This is the Stalam 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. The Thiruppugazh is a devotional composition paving the way for salvation by including the devotees to become spiritual .The song commencing with the words "Muthai Tharu", in Thiruppugazh was provided by Lord Muruga and in this stalam. Kanda Puranam, Thiruvikaiadal Puranam etc. give us glimpses of the shrines of Muruga and the pilgrim route of Agastiyar, mentioning Thiruvannamalai as an important place. Thiru Arul Vallalar Ramalinga Swamigal has sung about this effulgent Thiruvannamalai. The Thiruvannamalai athinam at Kunnuakudi was established by a great singer, Deivasigamani Desigar about 500 years ago. Sivapragasar a man of versatile imagination, Vanna Sarabham Thandapani Swamigal and such Great men lived here. Though this town is known by the name "Thiruvannamalai" strictly speaking it is not correct, as it is only the name of the hill. This stalam has already attained fame by the presence of Seshadri swamigal who came here some time before Ramana Maharishi. The samadhi of Seshadri swamigal, the ashramam of Ramana, and Isanya mutt are all located here. The cave of Pathala Linga, where Ramana Maharishi secured bliss is within the temple. Thiruvannamalai, is a stalam without beginning or end, shines with its own effulgence, that burns the ego afflicting human beings. The temple is big, the towers big, the tank big, the deities big, the walls big, the corridors big; in short, everything about this temple is Big. History of Thiruvannamalai: The history of this town dates from the early Chola period i.e. the period of Aditya I and Parantaka I (A.D. 871-955) when the Chola empire had expanded northwards to include practically the wholes of Tondaimandalam. After Parantaka I till the reign of Rajendra I, Chola rule over this region is not attested by the Thiruvannamalai inscriptions, possibly on account of the Rashtrakuta invasions and occupation of this area by Krishna III. This is perhaps indicated by a single inscription of Kannaradeva (Krishna III) found in this temple. the recovery of this region by the Cholas Was a slow process and reached its successful conclusion only towards the close of Rajaraja I's region i.e. AD 1014, for even Rajaraja is conspicuously absent in the inscriptions of Thiruvannamalai. While the rule of Rajendra I and Rajadhi Raja I over this area is attested by their inscriptions, once again a fairly long gap of over a hundred years is indicated by the absence of any Chola inscriptions till the beginning of Kulottunga III's region (AD 1183) Large scales activities in the period of Kulottunga III and Rajaraja III are indicated by a number of records in the temple. Further, the frequent references to a number of Chola feudatories of this period would also show a gradual ascendancy in their power and importance till the final establishment of independence by the Kadavaraya chieftains in the second quarter of the 13th century A.D. In this connection mention may be made of an interesting inscription at Thiruvannamalai, which records the agreement entered into by a number of feudatory chieftains to support one another and swearing allegiance to the ruling Chola king (Kulottunga III-A.D. 1210), pointing to a period of great political tension under the late Cholas. The inscriptions of Kopperunjinga clearly show that by the second quarter of the 13th century, the Kadavarayas had established complete mastery over this region leading to the final decline of Chola power. A brief period of Pandya supremacy over this region is indicated by the inscriptions of the Pandyas of the second empire such as Jatavaraman Srivallabha and Tribhuvanachakravartin Kulasekhara in the 13th century AD The Hoysalas under Vira Vallaladeva (Ballala III) also exercised sway over this area dated AD 1340 indicates that the Hoysala power continued to influence Tamil politics even after the Muslim invasions of Malik kafur. After the Hoysalas, Thiruvannamalai passed into the hands of the Vijayanagar rulers, whose southern invasions under kampana are well known and led to the establishment of Vijayanagar authority over practically the whole of Tamil Nadu. Vijayanagar inscriptions in this temple are fairly large in number and range from the period of Harihara II to the late Vijayanagar ruler Venkatapatideva Maharaya i.e. late 14th to the 17 th centuries AD Following them, their Kayak feudatories of Tanner, established their independent sway over this region and under the famous Sevvappa Nayaka, carried out large scale renovation and building activities in the temple. After Nayak rule, this region seems to have gradually passed into British hands except for a brief period of subordination to the Mysore Odeyars (AD 1816). Town and Temple: Thiruvannamalai is one of the major sacred places of Tamil Nadu, It is impossible to ignore this because of the great area occupied by the Siva temple, the many processing, and the frequent festivals, especially that of Kartigai, the festival of fire, which more then doubles the population. This influx of pilgrims is received in lodges and hotels, most of which are situated in the north and south car-street. Another aspect of the temple which has determined the physical form of the town was the construction of the fourth and fifth enclosures. This important extension caused the relocation of residences, especially of Brahmins who usually live around the temple in the square formed by the four car-streets. At Thiruvannamalai, the west car-street behind the temple has very few houses because the mountain slopes upward almost immediately. As for the east and south streets, which follow the main regional highways, they are quite naturally crowded with shops, and also hostels for pilgrims, who thus benefit from the passing processions. The pavement is full of potholes and is a virtual death trap for pedestrians. The drainage is blocked and is a fertile ground for mosquitoes. The street is has abundance of urine rivers accompanied by unbearable stench.
Besides occupying a large area, the great temple radiates its influence throughout the whole town due to its connections with outlying tanks. The sacred bath which takes place at the close of each of the numerous temple festivals is performed either in one of the two temple tanks (which is very dirty due to poor maintenance and the piece of land adjoining the tank is virtually used as a public toilet and the management is turning a blind eye), or in one of the outlying tanks: Indra Tirtha, Thamarai Kulam, Agni Tirtha, and Ishanya Tirtha. The last two of these lie at the two extremities of the circumambulatory route around the mountain; that is, at the outer limits of the town, where the cremation grounds lie. For this reason they are used for ablutions after funerals. In Thiruvannamalai the Shiva temple is omnipresent and all-powerful, so that there is no Vishnu temple. Apart from three abandoned Shiva temples, there are about a hundred temples to the goddess or to Ganapati. These are street shrines or community temples, all of which relate to the great Shiva temple. During their festivals the processions from these proceed through the four car-streets of the great temple. The final bath takes place, depending on the location of the temple, either in the Ishanya Tirtha to the north or in the Agni Tirtha to the south. Geographical Location: This town Thiruvannamalai is situated in 187 kilometres away from Chennai, formerly known as Madras- Capital of Tamil Nadu and there is a railway station on the villupuram - Katpadi rail route. This town stands on an elevation of 266ft (79.80 M) above sea level.
Grivalam The Mountain's grandeur: The mountain in this Annamalai stalam is full of unequalled greatness. In Krita Yuga, the Lord stood in the form of Fire, hence it became the Fire Mountain. In tretha Yuga, it was a Mountain of precious gems (rathna). In dvapara Yuga it stood in the form of Bronze and now in Kaliyuga it has become a stone hill. This is the substance of Arunachala Purana. It is said that while Kailas is a place where Lord Siva resides, this mountain is Siva himself. It is customary to install Nandi in front of Lord Siva. The images of Nandi are Found around the Hill innumerably. One can see them, while going round the hill. In the eight cardinal directions, eight Lingas are enshrined in stone edifices, and there is a sacred pool by the side of each. They are named Agni Linga, Yama Linga, Niruti Linga, Vayu Linga, Varuna Linga and Kubera Linga respectively. Daily worship is conducted for some, but many are devoid of any worship. Some of them do have a Vimana, Antarala and a Sanctum. Circumambulation : One should bathe, Smear the Sacred ash, foot bare, lips muttering the sacred hymns of this stalam meditating on Annamalaiyar -- the sacred hymns of this stalam meditating on Annamaliyar - this is ritual for making a circuit of the hill. When one circumambulates the hill of the Lord who was the Prime cause of a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu who were unable to fathom the beginning or end of Him, it should be Borne in Mind that the Devas and saint also follow us invisibly. Naturally on should have a pure mind and start the circuit from the East. While thus coming round we see the Indra Tirtham closely. Nearby is the Samadhi of Seshadri Swmigal. Adjacent to this are Ramana ashram, the places where he sat for penance, the seats he occupied while meditating , are all there. In the same west street, is the temple of saint Manickavachaka, whose Hymns of Thiruvembavai and Thiruvemmanai drip like honeyed nectar into our ears. Sadasiva Murthi with five faces is enshrined in the north street abutting the hill. proceeding further we come across Isanya Mutt sacred pool. The first seat of Deivasigamani Desika Paramacharya Swamigal, places connected with Guhai Namsivayar, and Muttambikai are housed under the slope of the hill. While performing Girivalam there is a particular place where we see a Nandi in the top of the hill that has been formed naturally.
All round the hill are eight Lingas, eight Nandis, more than 360 holy tanks, many mandapas and Ashrams.
The mountain rises up with an elevation of 2665 ft. (800M). The road encircling the hill where devotees circumbulate is 8 1/4 miles (13 kms) long. Anga Pradakshna : The custom of circling the hill by the unique way of rolling with the entire body has been in vogue for a very long time. This way of circumbulation with the entire body is called Anga Pradakshna. Peopale who observe this ritual will roll a coconut and stand where it has stopped, bow to the hill and continue with their circumbulation. The firm belief is that barren couples will be blessed with offspring if they go around the hill with devotion in their heart. And it is Deemed to be specially sacred to go round the mountain in the month ippasi, Karthigai, And Margazhi. It is certain that such devotees will be blessed with divine grace. In other parts of the year , the first day of Chitirai, on the Sivaratri Day in the month of Masi, on the monthly karigai days, on Full Moon Days, it is equally holy to go around the hill. Legends declare that those who make a circuit of this hill on Sunday after a holy bath and making gifts will attain liberation. It is customary to poetically describe it as securing Sivahood after piercing through the Sun's Cosmos. Similarly a circuit on Mondays with Wet clothes will Secure the State of Siva after reigning over the seven worlds like Devendra. Tuesday Circuits confer freedom from poverty and the cause of Births and deaths that follow eternally like a chain. Circling the hill on Wednesday will make scholars proficient in four Vedas, six Sastras and Sixty four Arts, They are propelled towars Mukti - liberation. Thursdays are equally effective in elevating one to a staus equal to Devas and praised by sages. Fridays elevate one t the Vishnu Padha. i.e. grace of Vishnu. Those who go round in the dawn on Saturday will secure the grace of Navagrahas. The first day of Chitirai, the three months commencing from iyappasiconfers special boons on those who circumambulate. As Devas and sages also Circumambulate this hill in invisible form, mortals should avoid carriages, blankets, umberlla, Sandal, betel etc. while going round. Their heart should be entirely filled only with thoughts of Arunachaleswara. While coming round, any noise sounded in Palani Andavar Sannadhi will echo. Even lame devotees undergo this penance. The Arunachala Purana describes that when a lame devotee was cirumambulating with the aid of wooden sturt, Lord Siva appeared before him and blessed him with legs. On the way round, near the Chengam route on the left is the Vair Kannu. Here stones suitable for making images are found. The work relating to Valluvar kottam at Madras was carried on only here. Milestones have been fixed all along the route around the hill. They are 700 years old, and they carry insciptons of 13 th century ad. in Tamil. They have a great historical importance.
Grivalam
Thanks to omarunachala.com
Full Moon pulls people and swells the crowd:
Earthlings enjoy every full moon night. On every full moon day, the temple wears a festive look and draws devotees from all parts of the land as the nectar of the floral disc attracts bees with an osmotic pull of an astounding force. The full moon not only swells oceans and seas but also the crowd of devotees who throng about the temple. The moon shows its whole disc illuminated and this illumination exerts an influence upon earnest adherents by imperceptible means. While the waning phases of moon bring in depression its waning phases waken up soul of men to winsome elation; and the lovely luminous (full) moon brings in the devotees a magical sense of spiritual awakening. A glow with aspirations the adherents find a promise of new life, new spring in the severe summer of the earthly life. Malaivalam (Girivalam):
A monthly ritual, a token of devotion working a stage in spiritual developments. The illumination of the entire disc of moon, is a monthly feature devotees drawn from different parts of the land visit the temple and phallic symbol placed in the sanctum sanctorum, and the mother Goddess 'UMA' and dextrally move in a circle in large numbers keeping the hill as the centre covering in a complete round a distance of nearly fifteen kilometers. Viewing the vicissitudes of the vesture by which the nature covers the vertical monument. Observing on all sides from the ground floor to the heavenly peak the changing moods of the hill. Worshipping all along the way the hundred and odd lingams the masculine means of majesty, the phallic symbols used extensively in the cult of worship of 'Siva' and erected at regular intervals the procreative force (lingam). Having a sense of detachment and Felling their oneness with the nature as they are o On joyous journey as o Go round the world, the universe, the constellations, all of which are his myth and manifestations. Seeking spiritual union with the savior of all and for sometime the aspirants of higher aims are away from the harassing material world. Devotees Glow in Health and return home refreshed
This monthly malaivalam, circuiting the sublime hill gives devotees spiritual power and relief from tension allays their suffering and alleviate their pain, calms their agitations and composes their feelings comforts them to a state to rest and joy offers an additional brightness of cheerfulness. This circumbulation issues a vital glow to the devotees who gain marvelous strength. All these one has to personally acquire and enjoy. The devotees return home refreshed and rejuvenated and refined regaining their lost hope and vigor with their psychic energy of primitive impulses converted into socially acceptable channels of endeavor.
One who thinks Arunachalam and desire to go around by water covering 15km the Arunachala hill and forwarding one foot will get equal benefit of Yagam and for second foot he will achieve the benefit of Raja suya Yagam and with clear mind of third foot will achieve Aswameda Yagam and who continues further will get beneficial of all Yagams.
Siddhas and devotees from various part of the World walk around on all days. In the full moon day of every month, lakhs of devotees go around the hill regularly.
Every angular sight of this holy hill - also known as Annamalai in the divine parameters of the upper worlds-offers various types of Godly visions of the mountain on your every footsteps and each such angular vision carries behind it thousand fold munificence and divine beneficence of the almighty all the 72000 cores of human physiology - are divinely activated and blissfully stream lined when you perform Girivalam here. the spiritual splendor of this holy mountain is enjoyed by physical circumambulation, under the divine guidelines of Sathguru who reveals its divine splendor .
The Siddhas tell going around the hill once destroys the karma of ten million births. That means nothing is as effective as MALAI VALAM. And siddhas like Sathguru Maharishi Venkatramana preaches devotees to walk around hill at least once in their life. How to make MalaiValam: Everyone should walk around the hill barefoot. Mutter the name "Om Arunachala". view the peak of the Arunachala hill during the circumambulation. It should be undertaken during night.
Now, in 2006 there are different forms of girivalam is being practiced. Cyclevalam go aound the hill in a bicycle Autovalam - go round the hill in an auto Carvalem - go round in a car Ultrarich carvalem go round the hill in a car and park the car at the door step of the temple blocking all others paths and ensue that they will not step on to road like poor peasants.
There are 8 lingams, 360 holy tanks, mandapas and ashrams. There are eight lingams around the Arunachala hill one in each direction. Indra Lingam:(East) This is the first lingam while the hill circumambulation, worshipping this lingam yields healthy and wealthy life. Locating this lingam may be a problem as the temple is hidden by shops and advertising boards. Agni Lingam:(South East) This is the second lingam, It placed near The Lotus tank, This is the only lingam placed on right side of the circumambulation path, all other lingams are placed on left side, It occupies the South East direction, worshipping here retrieves us from all diseases and to face challenges of life. This temple is also hidden by unauthorised new residential buildings. Yema Lingam : (South) This is the third lingam, and next to Agni lingam and 3 kilometer away from the Rajagopuram, and it occupies the South direction, it also has a holy tank called "Simma Theertha", it is believed that, worship of this solves economical problems. These three kilometres are very dangerous, if you are not careful, you are likely to be knocked down by Indian crazy drivers. I wonder weather the grave yard just opposite the Yema lingam temple is for people who are knocked by these drivers. Niruthi Lingam : (South West) This is the fourth lingam, while we see the peak of the holy hill Arunachala, it views accompanying of two parts of mountain and shows 'Sivan' and 'Sakthi' together. It placed in south west of Arunachala. It also has a holy tank nearby, called "Sani Theertha", worshipping here relieves us from our difficulties Varuna Lingam : (West) This temple placed West of the hill Arunachala, this is the fifth lingam. It is 8 kilometers away from the Rajagopuram. One of the holy tank called "Varuna theertha" is here. Workship of this temple retrieves from crucial diseases and promotes ones social status.
Vayu Lingam : (North West) The whole world is made up of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Sky. no living creature can survive without Air. While reaching this temple we feel the pleasantness of spring and get peace of mind. it is placed in Northwest direction. Worshipping here is of confers boon on ladies and children Kubera Lingam : (North) This is the seventh lingam. Almost all of the devotees , who comes for circumambulation, worship here by soaring coins and currencies on this lingam. Worship of this lingam grants economical growth, and promotes peace of mind. It is placed in North direction. Esanya Lingam : (North East) This is the eighth and last lingam. Here gets peace of mind ability to concentrate mind on God works out his way to heaven. There is every chance that you will not be able to find this place as there are no sign board to direct you. Further it is in the crowded part of the town and as usual in any Indian city walking is dangerous.
Steps to develop Thiruvannamalai Temple Meeting convened as per Supreme Court order Thiruvannamalai: A meeting, presided over by the former Supreme Court Judge, K.Venkatasamy, here on Wednesday, decided to initiate measures for maintenance and development of the Arunachaleswara temple, the roads around the temple and the Grivalam path, based on the Supreme Court judgement , dated October 3. The meeting was convened as per the order of the court, which directed the authorities concerned to take all measures in consultation with Mr. Justice Venkatasamy. Encroachments It discussed removal of encroachments and planning maintenance of trees on the Girivalam path, providing the drinking water and electricity connection to buildings whose plan were approved by the Thiruvannamalai municipality, renovation and maintenance of tanks, provision of health and drinking water facilities to devotees coming for Grivalam, approval of plans for buildings within the municipality and upgrading of roads. Collector Sathyabrata Sahoo; District Revenue Officer G.Srinivasaraghavan; District Rural Development Agency Project Officer A.Pandian; Municipal Chairman R.Sridharan; Revenue Divisional Officer P.Anbarasu; and Thiruvannamalai MLA K.Pichandi took part in the meeting. Courtesy : The Hindu, 25 Nov 2005 My appeal to former supreme court judge K Venkatasamy
Dear Sir
Please ensure the following are given priority in your development plan
1 Clean the water tank inside the temple and maintain it properly 2 Ensure the piece of land adjoining the tank is not used as a public toilet 3 Remove all unauthorised shops, residential and commercial buidings encroaching the linga temples on the girivalam path 4 Create a dedicated safe Girivalam pedestrian path from temple up to yama lingam temple 5 Put up proper sign boards 6 Build public toilets at convenient spots all along the girivalam path to ensure high standard of hygine
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