Annamalaiyar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva and is located at the base of Annamalai hill in the town of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. It is associated with one of the five elements – Fire or Agni. Shiva is worshiped as Agni Lingam under the name Annamalaiyar Unnamulai Amman is His consort Parvati .
During the day of the full moon between November and December, The Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated with a huge light that symbolizes the Shiva lingam of fire joining the sky. It is lit on the top the hill which can be seen from very long distance. Nearly three million gatherings has been recorded.
LOCATION:-
The temple is located in between Villupuram (65 kms) and Katpadi(90 kms) Railroad. The town has established connection with the metro city Chennai and has uninterrupted bus services are frequently available via Chengleput -Madurantakam and Gingee while the other bus route is through Sri Perumbudur – Vellore and Polur.
Check The Temple In Google Maps- Click Here.
HISTORY:-
We have to go back to 9th century to get a vivid understanding of its vast history. An inscription depicts that the structure was made by the Chola kings. The author of the Periyapuranam – the great Sekkizhar wrote in his text that Appar as well as Sambandar worshiped Annamalaiyar in this temple on a regular basis.
There are a total of
1. forty eight inscriptions of Sangama Dynasty,
2. 2 inscriptions from Saluva Dynasty, and
3. 55 inscriptions from Tuluva Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire
4. Inscriptions from Krishnadeva Raya, the most powerful Vijayanagara king.
There are a total of
1. forty eight inscriptions of Sangama Dynasty,
2. 2 inscriptions from Saluva Dynasty, and
3. 55 inscriptions from Tuluva Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire
4. Inscriptions from Krishnadeva Raya, the most powerful Vijayanagara king.
Inscriptions were written in Kannada, Tamil and Sanskrit.
ARCHITECTURE:-
Complex and towers:
At the very foot the famous Annamalai hills lies the temple, and stretches over 25 acres. It has four gateway skyline in the four sides around the main temple. The first tower called the Rajagopuram is the tallest of them all. It is made of granite and covers an area of 135 ft X 98 ft. The south tower is called Thirumanjangopuram lies in the south and Pei Gopuram in the west. Lies in the north is Ammani Ammala lies which is named after a Sanyasini. The temple has a five precincts and carries a sacred bull of Shiva at its opening.
Halls:
Deepa Darshana Mandapam is the third precinct and has 16 large pillars. Magizha is the temple tree and childless couples pray to its tie small cradles to overcome the curse which they believe. It is believe that the mast of this sacred temple separated the earth and the sky during creation of the planet.There is a marriage hall in the south-west direction. A protective railing in the form a stone trident is there in the outer shrine. The Vasantha Mandapam is the second precinct and it houses Kalahateeswarar shrine. The fourth precinct has Nandi, Brahma, a beautiful tank, the Yanai shrine, and a hall with a very big statue of the sacred bull Nandiin it.
DEITY:-
The main shrine Annamalaiyar lies in the eastern direct and is the oldest structure in the entire temple. There is an image of Venugopalaswamy one form of an incarnation of Vishnu which lies behind the walls of the sanctum. Around the sanctum, there are portrait of
1. Somaskandar,
2. Durga,
3. Chandekeswarar,
4. Gajalakshmi,
5. Arumugaswami,
6. Dakshinamoorthy,
7. Swarnabairavar,
8. Nataraja, and
9. Lingodbhavar— Shiva emanating from lingam.
2. Durga,
3. Chandekeswarar,
4. Gajalakshmi,
5. Arumugaswami,
6. Dakshinamoorthy,
7. Swarnabairavar,
8. Nataraja, and
9. Lingodbhavar— Shiva emanating from lingam.
The divine room referred to as Palliyarai used for the purpose of resting of the deities is located at the first precinct. The shrine of consort – Unnamulai Amman lies in the second precinct. Sambantha Vinayagar is the famous elephant god shrine and it is located to the north of the platform for sacrifice and offering. Pathala Lingam is the underground lingam and it is closely placed where Ramana Maharshi took his penance. The shrine of Sivagangai Vinayagar is located in the north bank of the Sivanganga tank.
WORSHIP TIME:-
5.30 a.m. Ukshakala Pooja
8.00 a.m. Kala santhi Pooja
11.30 a.m. Uchikala Pooja
5.30 p.m. Sayaratchai Pooja
7.30 p.m. Irandam Kala Pooja
9.00 p.m. Arthajama Pooja
NEARBY PLACES:-
Sri Ramana Temple
Arunachaleswara temple
Tamarai Lake
HOTELS:-
Boarding places are arranged by the authorities at a very minimal cost ranging from 150 to 200 INR per day.
Commercial :-
Hotel Arunachala of Tiruvannamalai
No.5, Vada Sannathi Street Opposite of Rajagopuram Temple
0.85 km from arunachaleswara temple
Hotel Ganesh International
111 A, Big Street Opposite of Kalyan jewelers
1.30 km from annamalaiyar temple
DELUXE :-
Sparsa Resort, Tiruvannamalai
Athiyanthal Village Near Chengam Road
5.1 km from annamalaiyar temple
Hotel Arpanaa in Tiruvannamalai
No. 7, Sriram Nagar Near Polur Road
2.5 km from annamalaiyar temple
For More Click Here.
RESTAURANTS:-
Hotel Star Biryani & Fast Food
Kottai Mullai, Kancheepuram Road near Vandavasi in Tiruvannamalai
Aakash Restaurant
Aakash Restaurant
No 7, Sriram Nagar Inside Arpanaa Hotel Near Polur Road in Tiruvannamalai
A F star biryani hotel
A F star biryani hotel
A F Star Biryani Hotel Near Bus Stand of Gandhi Road, Cheyyar in Tiruvannamalai
For More Click Here.
For More Click Here.
Sourse : http://www.hindutav.com/one-of-the-finest-shiva-temple-representing-fire-annamalaiyar-temple-tamil-nadu/
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