Welcome to the Sanctuary
Welcome to the digital home of Arunachala Shiva. Explore the history, schedules, and significance of the holy hill.
Spiritual Significance
The temple is an externalized aspect of faith, a place to restore peace and harmony. What great seers have visualized has been made outwardly real in a temple.
This temple is a sacred edifice consecrated to the Lord of Light and other deities, built centuries ago at the foot of the hill to form the seat of worship. The temple is the world’s only social hope and the sole promise of peace and harmony; it purifies society and strengthens it spiritually by uniting people.
The Endless Echo
An incantation of ecstatic import echoes endlessly throughout the city. This verified phrase of wisdom which glorifies the Lord is a holy utterance having the stamp and dignity of divinity.
Power of the Mantra: When this Manthram is intoned with a prayerful attitude, it:
- Refreshes the mind and makes truth flow clearly.
- Nurses the spirit and wakes the soul.
- Revives one’s being and touches the root of matter.
- Composes thought and delights the ear.
- Recreates the mind and exhilarates the soul.
The Fire Element (Agni)
Lord Annamalai appears to visionary souls in the form of a conflagration attended with light and heat, but to an ordinary observer, there is a rocky hill in this place.
The Earth is composed of five elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and Ether. Arunachala is one of the sacred Pancha Bootha Sthalas representing Agni (Fire).
| Element | Temple Location |
|---|---|
| Earth (Prithivi) పృథివి (భూమి) | Thiruvarur (తిరువారూర్) |
| Water (Appu) అప్పు (జలం/నీరు) | Thiruvanaikkal (తిరువానైకావల్ (జంబుకేశ్వరం)) |
| Fire (Agni) అగ్ని (నిప్పు) | Thiruvannamalai (తిరువణ్ణామలై (అరుణాచలం)) |
| Air (Vayu) వాయువు (గాలి) | Thirukkalasthi / Srikalahasti (శ్రీకాళహస్తి) |
| Ether (Akasa) ఆకాశం | Chidambaram (చిదంబరం) |
Temple Architecture
The Gopurams (Towers)
As one enters the city of Thiruvannamalai, the Rajagopuram stands majestically, soaring to a height of 217 feet. It has 11 stories and is a standing testimony to the artistic genius of the Vijayanagar Dynasty.
- East: Raja Gopuram (Main Entrance built by King Vallala)
- West: Pey Gopuram
- North: Ammani Ammal Gopuram
- South: Thirumanjana Gopuram
The Sacred Enclosures
The temple has six enclosures (Prakarams):
- 1st & 2nd Enclosures: The oldest structures. The 2nd enclosure houses the idols of the 63 Nayanmars, Isanya Lingam, and Indra Lingam.
- 3rd Enclosure: Structured by King Kulothunga, it includes the 16-pillar Mandapam and the shrine of Unnamalai Amman (Parvathi).
- 4th & 5th Enclosures: Constructed in the 16th Century, containing the big Nandi, Sivaganga Theertha (Tank), and the Katchi Mandapam (Hall of Darshan).
Holy Halls & Shrines
Thousand Pillar Hall
On entering the temple through the east tower, the big structure on the right is the Thousand Pillared Hall. Built by Krishnadevaraya, it sports exactly 1000 carved pillars with sculptures of the Naik period, sages, and floral designs.
Siddhi Vinayagar
The prime God Lord Ganesha resides near the Sivaganga Theertha (tank) in the name of “Siddhi Vinayaga” (also called Sivagangai Vinayagar).
Paathala Lingam
The underground Linga in the southwest corner of the Thousand Pillared Hall is where Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi worshipped and secured liberation.
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