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Annamalaiyar Temple, also known as Arunachaleswarar Temple, is a temple of the Hindu religion dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Tamil Nadu town of Thiruvannamalai, at the base of the Anamalai Hills. It is one of the five Panchambootham linga temples in the country. It represents Panchambootham’s or Agni’s fire. The Lord Shiva-representing Agni Lingam is portrayed here. The ten-hectare temple is one of the largest in India. The property has four gateway towers. Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman are two of the temple’s most notable shrines.
Panchabootham
According to Hinduism, life began as a cosmic synthesis of the five elements, fire, air, water, sky, and land.
Lord Shiva is claimed to have manifested the five elements in each Pancha Bootha temple. He appeared as Prithvi lingam, a land symbol, in the Ekambareshwar temple. He also appeared as the lingam of Agni symbolising fire and heat in the Annamalaiyar temple, the Appu lingam representing water in the Jambukeshwar temple, the Vayu lingam representing air in the Kalahasteeswara temple, and the Aakasha lingam representing sky in the Nataraja temple.
In the Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati closed Lord Shiva’s eyelids for a brief while. Despite the fact that it was only a fraction of a second, all light in the universe vanished for that second, and the universe was plunged into darkness for years. After that, the Goddess and the other Gods conducted penance. Lord Shiva then appeared as a burning column of fire on top of the Anamalai hills, restoring light to the universe. He then merged with Parvati to produce Ardhanarishvara, Shiva’s half-female, half-male form. The Annamalai, or red mountain, is situated behind the Annamalaiyar temple and is connected to it. The hill is pure and is revered as a lingam, or Shiva’s symbolic image.
Athara Sthalam
An Athara Sthalam is a temple where even the gods and goddesses come to pray. There are six temples in the Athara Sthalam complex. Among the six temples, this is the Manipooraga Sthalam. Brahma, Vishnu, Sun, Moon, and the eight Vasus are said to have worshipped at this temple.
Many magnificent creatures known as Siddhars have lived in the Thiruvannamalai hills. Arunagirinathar, Vitapatch Thevar, Guru Namachivayar, Gugai Namachivayar, Arunachala Desikar, Deivasigamani, Mahan Seshadri Swamigal, Sri Yogi Ram Surat Kumar, and Sri Ramana Maharishi are among the renowned saints who have dwelt here. The temple and the surrounding hills are also intertwined with the life stories of many great spiritual leaders.
Prominent Festivals
Girivalam
The Arunachala hill is magnificent. It stands approximately 2668 feet high. A rite called Girivalam is performed every year on the eve of the Karthigai Deepam festival, which falls on the full moon in November and December. Giri refers to a mountain. Approximately, a million worshipers walk around the temple and the surrounding hills on a 14-kilometre long circle. Some believers also practice the ritual of walking around the hill every full moon. This is advantageous since the hill is heavenly. Even in present times, many holy men dwell there.
Karthigai Deepam
Every year, the annual Karthigai Deepam celebration is held. A massive fire is lit on the top of the hill, which can be seen from distant places. This fire represents the temple’s Agni or Fire Shiv Lingam. For this festival, the Ardhanarishvara God is brought out.
Deities: Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu
Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma squabbled over who was the most powerful of the two. They resorted to Lord Shiva for help in resolving the conflict. Lord Shiva issued a challenge to them. He claimed that the one who saw his head and feet would be the most powerful. He then transformed into a series of fires that stretched between heaven and earth. Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and flew to the top. In the appearance of a hog, Lord Vishnu attempted to dig deep into the earth also known as Varaha. He ultimately conceded defeat after failing to reach the base of the massive fire column.
Lord Brahma was unable to climb to the summit of the fiery column. However, he noticed a flower (named Thazampu) tumbling below as he ascended. Lord Shiva’s crown was adorned with this flower. Lord Brahma then inquired regarding the stretch to Lord Shiva’s head. The flower informed Brahma that it had dropped for forty thousand years.
Lord Brahma was well aware that his quest for the throne would be fruitless. Instead, he persuaded the flower to lie for him. Then, the Thazhampoo flower presented false testimony, claiming to have seen Lord Brahma glimpse Lord Shiva’s crown.
Conclusion
The Annamalaiyar Temple is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva, with a 10-hectare temple complex. It is one of India’s largest temples, drawing pilgrims from across the country. It is regarded as a prominent Hindu temple linked to the Pancha Bhoota Stalam, representing the five elements. Shiva is worshipped as Arunachaleswarar and is represented by the Lingam. Annamalai Amman is the name of his wife, Parvati. The Karthigai Deepam is observed by roughly 3 million people and is celebrated with great pomp and splendour. The temple boasts beautiful architecture, and a visit to this sacred site will bring you peace.
