अण्णामलैयार (अरुणाचलेश्वर)
Annamalaiyar (Arunachaleswara) Temple
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
- Deity
- Lord Shiva as Annamalaiyar / Arunachaleswara and Goddess Parvati as Unnamulai Amman / Apeethakuchambal
- Location
- Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
- Region
- South
- Era
- 9th Century CE (Chola Dynasty expansions; later Vijayanagara and Nayaka additions)
Arunachaleswarar Temple, situated at the base of the sacred Arunachala hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, is one of the largest and most venerated temple complexes dedicated to Lord Shiva. Revered as one of the sacred Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, it represents the primordial element of Agni (Fire). Spanning over 25 acres with four magnificent Rajagopurams—including the massive eastern tower commissioned by the Vijayanagara monarch Krishnadevaraya—the shrine stands as a monumental masterpiece of traditional Chola and Vijayanagara temple architecture, with Agamic rituals and Shaivite worship.
Presiding Deities
Darshan Timings
05:30 AM – 08:00 PM (Continuous Darshan)
Major Festivals
महत्त्व
SignificanceRevered across Tamil Shaivite tradition as "the sacred place that grants liberation merely by being remembered," Arunachala holds a supreme position among Mukti Kshetras—where Thiruvarur bestows salvation by birth, Kashi by death, and Chidambaram by darshana. The temple embodies the manifestation of Lord Shiva as an infinite column of cosmic fire (Agni Lingam) to dissolve the ego of Lord Brahma and Vishnu. The sacred Annamalai (Arunachala) hill itself is worshipped as the physical incarnation of Shiva (Linga Svaroopa). Circumambulating the hill on foot (a 14-kilometre spiritual walk known as Giri Pradakshina) especially on full moon nights is believed to eradicate bad karma and lead to spiritual liberation.
Highlights
- Pancha Bhoota Sthalam – Manifestation of the Agni (Fire) Element
- Sacred Arunachala Hill Worshipped as Shiva Svaroopa
- Eastern Rajagopuram (11 storeys, 217 feet tall)
- Thousand-Pillared Hall
- Sacred 14 km Giri Pradakshina Pathway
Your notes
Private reflections you can revisit anytime.
Questions & Discussions
Ask a question or start a discussion about this page.
- No questions or discussions yet — be the first.