Annamalaiyar
Temple is one of the earliest stone temples built by the Pallava kings. Later, the Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, Thanjavur Nayaks and others built
many sanctorums, mandapams and towers. The kings of the Tulu dynasty
also made some edifices.
It is significant to the Hindu section of Saivismas one of the temples associated with the five elements,the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, and specifically the element of fire,or Agni. The 9th century Saiva saint poet Manikkavasagar composed the Tiruvempaavai here.
Every full moon, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Annamalaiyar by circumambulating the Arunachala hill barefoot. The circumambulation covers a distance of 14 kilometres (8.7 mi), and is referred as Girivalam.
The temple celebrates dozens of festivals throughout the year.Four prime festivals, the Brahmotsavam, are celebrated yearly. The most important of these lasts ten days during the Tamil month of Karthikai, between November and December, concluding with the celebration of Karthikai Deepam.
Annamalayar Temple is a temple dedicated to the deityLord Shiva, located at the base of Annamalai hills in the town of Thiruvanamalai. This Temple is one among 275 Shiva Sthalams
Shiva
is worshiped as Annamalaiyar or Arunachaleswara, and is represented by
the lingam, with his idol referred to asAgni lingam. The heart of the
temple has the image of Lord Shiva enshrined asLord Annamalai and also
his spouse as Unnamalai.
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.
Describing the graceful appearance of the Lord with Mother on the
Annamalai Hills with its water falls 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 birth place of Saint Arunagiriar.
Shiva
is worshiped as Annamalaiyar or Arunachaleswara, and is represented by
the lingam, with his idol referred to as Agni lingam. The heart of the
temple has the image of Lord Shiva enshrined as Lord Annamalai and also
his spouse as Unnamalai.
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Do
Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple
information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and
accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes
before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the
temple.
Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your
Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and
traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do
deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.