Arunachalam Temple, also called Tiruvannamalai Temple, is in Tiruvannamalai of Tamilnadu. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Amongst five panchabhoota stalam, one is this Temple, and Agni is the panchabhoota present here. The temple timings are from 9 am to 5 pm. Karthigai Deepam is a significant celebration here. The entire Temple was decorated with lighting that day.
History of Arunachalam Temple
Contents
- 1 History of Arunachalam Temple
- 2 What is the speciality of Arunachalam Temple?
- 3 Who is the god of Arunachalam Temple?
- 4 Where is Arunachalam located?
- 5 Which station is near Arunachalam?
Sri Krishna Devaraya, the King of the Vijayanagara dynasty, built a 41-meter tall and 30-meter-wide temple tower from 1509 A.D – 1529 A.D. The Eastern gateway gopuram, Vallala gopuram, is named after King Ballala of Hoysala. King Ballala made Thiruvannamalai his capital city. The Temple consists of 5 prakarams, built at different periods.
The first and second prakarams are unavailable—the third prakaram was built in the 12th century, and the fourth and fifth were constructed in the 16th century. Hoysala and Vijayanagara culture resembles the Temple’s architecture, paintings, and carvings. The kings of Nayak also contributed to the Temple’s renovation, which the Kings of Nayak also contributed.
Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma
Vishnu takes the boar avatar and digs deep into the earth to find the origin of the flames and fails. Brahma takes the avatar of the swan and tries to reach the top. He meets a mobile and a cow on his way and asks them to support him in his lies. He then lies to Lord Shiva and says he has reached the top.
Displeased with this act of Brahma, Shiva curses him that there will be no idols for him. Lord Shiva also curses Mogili, saying that it is unfit to be used in prayers and that seeing a cow in the early morning should be considered wrong. Upon the request of Vishnu and Brahma, take the form of Arunachala hill to benefit humankind.
Legend of the Arunachalam Temple
According to the legend, once the goddess Parvati was in a playful mood and closed Lord Shiva’s eyes as soon as she closed eyes, the entire universe fell into darkness. Goddess Parvati asks for his forgiveness and expiates.
As per the orders of Lord Shiva, she went to Kanchipuram and worked on her amendment. From there, she goes to the Iruvannamalai hills near Tiruvannamalai. Over there, she kills the demon Mahishasura and organizes a grand festival on Karthigai.
Impressed with her act, Lord Shiva is a cosmic flame on the hill. Shiva wants to prove his supremacy, so he seems like a substantial, blazing cosmic pillar. He also challenges Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma to discover the fire’s start and end.
Deities of Temple
- Shiva as Annamalaiar
- Parvati Devi
Arunachalam Temple Timings
Here are the Arunachalam Temple Timings.
| Days | Timings |
| Monday | 9 am to 5 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am to 5 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am to 5 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am to 5 pm |
| Friday | 9 am to 5 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am to 5 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am to 5 pm |
Darshan Timings
These are Darshan’s timings.
| Rituals | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Darshan | 5:00 am | 12:30 pm |
| Evening Darshan | 3:30 pm | 9:30 pm |
| Gomatha Pooja | 5:30 am | 6:00 am |
| Afternoon Pooja | 11:00 am | 11:30 am |
| Arthajama Pooja | 9:00 pm | 9:30 pm |
Daily Poojas
These are Daily Pooja Timings.
| Timings | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Gomatha Pooja | 5:30 am | 6:30 am |
| Ushakala Pooja | 6 am | 6:30 am |
| Early Sathi Pooja | 8:30 am | 9 am |
| Noon Pooja | 11 am | 11:30 am |
| Sayaratchai Pooja | 6 pm | 6:30 pm |
| 2nd Kalam Pooja | 7:30 pm | 8:00 pm |
| Arthajama Pooja | 9 pm | 9:30 pm |
Services Details of Tiruvannamalai Temple
These are services provided by the Temple.
| 1 | Ruthrabishegam | 5000.00 |
| 2 | Milk Abiseham | 1000.00 |
| 3 | Swami Amman Special Abishekam | 2500.00 |
| 4 | Vinayagar, Swami, Amman Special Abishekam | 3000.00 |
| 5 | Panchamoorthigal Abishekam (Vinayagar, Swami, Amman, Subramaniar and Chandikeswarar) | 4500.00 |
| 6 | Parivara Moorthi Sannathi Milk Abishekam (Each Sannadhi) | 1000.00 |
| 7 | Thirukkalyana Utsavam Special Abishekam Pooja | 8500.00 |
| 8 | 1008 Sangu Pooja Special Abishekam | 10000.00 |
| 9 | Annadhanam (Food throughout the day) | 105000.00 |
Monthly Rituals
- Amavasya (new moon day)
- Kiruthigai
- Pournami (full moon day): Performing Girivalam on Pournami day is highly beneficial. Thousands of devotees perform Girivalam right from early morning to midnight.
- Sathurthi
Festivals
Tai Poosam
The festival, which occurs in Tai (Jan 15 through Feb 15), is also significant.
Arudra Darisanam
the month of Margazhi (Dec 15 through Jan 15) is a celebration of the cosmic dance of Shiva.
Tiruvoodal
A mock quarrel between Annamalaiyaar and Unnamulai Amman is enacted in the presence of Sundaramoorthy Nayanaar in Tiruvoodal Street. This street has been earmarked for this annual event.
Karthigai Deepam
Karthigai Deepam, or Karthikai Vilakkidu, is a festival of lights observed by Hindus of Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and Kerala. It falls in the month of Karttikai, as per the Tamil calendar.
Facilities for Devotees at the Arunachalam Temple
- Golden Chariot
- Tonsure Facility
- Thulabharam Facility
- Library Facility
- Wheel Chair
- Hospital
- Battery Car
- Drinking Water R.O.
- Information Centre
Tourist’s Places near the Temple
- Shri Nirudhi Lingam
- Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple
- Varuna Lingam
- Indira Lingam
- Vellore Fort, Tamil Nadu
- Talakona Waterfall
- Jalakandeswarar Temple, Vellore
- Gingee Fort
- Ammani Amman Gopuram (Vadakku)
- Sri Ramanasramam
- Virupaksha Cave
- Thirunallar Temple
Hotels near the Temple
- Aakash inn
- Hotel Comfort Inn
- Sarvesha Residency
- SDD Residency
- Sri Ramana Bhavanam
- Hotel Arunachala
- Arpanaa Hotels
- SwathiSri Residency
- Aakash Temple View Hotel
Arunachalam Temple Contact Details
- Address: Sannathi Stree, Pavazhakundur, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu 606601
- Phone Number: 04175 252 438
- Website
How to reach the Temple
Travelling Instructions:
- You can go from Chennai and Villupuram to Tiruvannamalai temple. Villupuram is just 61 km away from Thiruvannamalai.
- Daily trains will be available. Special trains are also available from Chennai to Tiruvannamalai and connected to Tamilnadu.
- You can also go by vehicle; it is 207 km from Chennai and takes 3 hours and 45 mins to reach Tiruvannamalai. By minibus, it takes 4 hours and 30 minutes.
By Air:
The Airport is near Pondicherry, about 89 km away. Chennai is also close to the Airport and the Temple.
By Train:
The Thomas Mount station is near the Temple. Tiruvannamalai railway station is also near.
By Bus:
Thiruvannamalai is well connected by bus service to neighbouring cities.
FAQs
What is the speciality of Arunachalam Temple?
It is significant to the Hindu sect of Shaivism as one of the temples associated with the five elements, the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, and precisely the element of fire, or Agni.
Who is the god of Arunachalam Temple?
Lord Arunachaleeshwarar.
Where is Arunachalam located?
Tiruvannamalai district.
Which station is near Arunachalam?
Thomas Mount station is near the Temple.
