Annamalaiyar Temple / Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 2 km from Thiruvannamalai Bus Station, the Arunachaleswara Temple is a sacred Hindu shrine situated at Thiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu. It is one of the prominent Shaiva temples in South India and among the must-include places in Tiruvannamalai tour packages.

The Arunachala Temple, also known as Annamalaiyar Temple, is a magnificent temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. It holds great importance for the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the pancha bhoota sthalams, symbolizing the 5 elements of nature - land, water, air, sky, and fire. Legend has it that Lord Shiva has manifested as the element of fire or Agni in this temple. This temple is considered the eighth-largest Hindu temple globally and is a must-visit destination in Kanchi tour packages.

During the 9th century, the Chola dynasty constructed this temple, with subsequent expansions being credited to the Vijayanagara rulers of the Sangama dynasty (1336-1485 CE), the Saluva dynasty, and the Tuluva dynasty (1491-1570 CE). The temple is currently managed and supervised by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Recognizing its historical significance, the Archaeological Survey of India designated the temple as a national heritage monument in 2002 and assumed responsibility for its preservation. However, due to widespread protests and legal disputes with the Supreme Court of India, the Archaeological Survey ultimately returned the temple to the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board.

According to myth, the temple's establishment is connected to a divine quarrel between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu concerning their superiority. Lord Shiva appeared as a towering column of fire, challenging them to discover his origin. Brahma transformed into a swan and ascended to the sky in an attempt to reach the top of the flame, while Vishnu changed into a boar and dug deep into the earth. Both were unsuccessful, ultimately recognizing Shiva's supremacy. This episode, referred to as Lingodbhava, is portrayed on the western wall inside the sanctum of numerous Shiva temples.

Among the top places to visit in Tiruvannamalai, Arunachaleswarar Temple, spanning across 25 acres, stands as an impressive structure constructed in the traditional Dravidian architectural style. It showcases four gopurams, or gateway towers, adorned with intricately carved sculptures and pillars. Among them, the eastern tower, soaring to a height of 66 m with its 11 stories, is one of India's tallest temple towers. Shiva, worshipped as Arunachalesvara or Annamalaiyar, is symbolized by the lingam, while his idol is known as Agni lingam. Parvati, his consort, is depicted as Unnamalai Amman. The temple's presiding deity is highly revered and is mentioned in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, authored by the nayanars, a group of Tamil saint poets. This sacred site is also classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. Within the temple complex, numerous halls can be found, with the most notable being the thousand-pillared hall, which was constructed during the Vijayanagara period.

Brahmotsavam, a significant festival celebrated in the Tamil months of Karthikai, holds great importance here. This festival, which takes place between November and December, is marked by the lighting of a massive beacon on top of the hill. This beacon serves as a symbol of the Shiva lingam of fire merging with the sky and can be seen from miles away. Additionally, Tiruvoodal, a prominent festival occurring in mid-January each year, is celebrated with immense enthusiasm. During this festival, Nandi, Shiva, and Parvati are worshipped, and the deities are taken out of the temple in the evening to reenact a love tiff, also known as oodai.

Timings: 5.30 AM to 9.30 PM

Entry: Free