Spirtual walk: Thiruvannamalai (Arunachalam)

A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.

- John Steinbeck



Thiruvannamalai temple view (Source from Internet)

Thiruvannamalai (sanskrit name for Thiruvannaamalai – Arunachala) is a pilgrimage town in Thiruvannamalai district in Tamil Nadu. Tiruvannamalai the home of Annamalayaar or Arunachaleswarar (Shiva worshipped as a Shiva Lingam) and Unnamulaiyaal (Apitakuchambaal - Parvati), is one of the largest temples in India.

Thiruvannamalai is home to the Annamalaiyar temple located at the foot of the Annamalai hill (also known as Aruna Giri) and amongst one of the great lord Shiva temples of Tamilnadu. Thiruvannamalai has long been associated with many yogis and siddhars.

Thiruvannamalai is one of the Pancha Boota Sthalangal. The Pancha Boota stalangal’s are…

1. Sri Kalahasti, Andrha Pradesh representing the Air.
2. Thiruvanaikoil, Tamil Nadu representing the Water.
3. Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu representing the Fire.
4. Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu representing the Sky.
5. Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu representing the Earth respectively.

Four Brahmotsavams are celebrated every year, the most famous of which is the one celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthikai (November/December). The ten day event culminates on the day of Karthigai Deepam. On that evening, a huge lamp is lit in a cauldron with three tons of ghee at the top of the Annamalai hill.

Advaita Vedanta guru Ramana Maharshi lived in Thiruvannamalai for fifty three years until his death in 1950. His ashram, Ramanasramam, is located at the foot of the Arunachala hill, to the west of the town. Seshadri Swamigal and Yogi RamSurat Kumar are examples of two other gurus who lived in this city.

Suneel Gudipati in Thiruvannamali temple

ETYMOLOGY:

Legend has it that Shiva manifested himself in the form of a massive column of fire, whose crown and feet, Bhramma and Vishnu attempted in vain to reach. A celebration of this manifestation (Lingodbhavar) is seen today in the age old traditions observed in the Shivaratri and the Kartikai Deepam Utsavams held here.

ARCHITECTURE:

The origin of this temple dates way back in time, although much of the temple structure as seen today, is a result of building activity over the last one thousand years.

The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built between the 16th and the 17th centuries by the kings of the Vijayanagara empire. The temple is famous for its massive gopurams.

The 11 tiered East Raja gopuram towers to a height of 217 feet, while the fortified walls pierced with 4 gopura entrances offer a formidable look to this vast temple complex. The Pei gopuram, Tirumanjana gopuram and Ammanaiammal gopuram are the other three. The 1000 pillared hall and the temple tank were built by Sri Krishna Deva Raya of Vijayanagar king. Each of the prakarams has a huge Nandi (Bull) and several towers such as the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram and Kili Gopuram.

GIRI PRADHAKSHANA:

Every full moon night, thousands of pilgrims worship Shiva by Giri Pradhakshana (circumambulating the Arunachala hill) barefoot. The circumambulation covers a distance of about 14 km. On the yearly Chitra Powrnami (full moon) night in the Tamil calendar year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from across the world visit the town.

PLACES NEAR THIRUVANNAMALI:

• Kanchi is located 20km, is one the ancient and religious town dedicated to lord Shiva.

HOW TO REACH?

By Road:

• Thiruvannamalai is well connected to many cities and towns in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by road. This town lies on the junction of the Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh - Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu state highway and the Puduchery(Pondichery) - Bengaluru national highway (NH 66) . The TNSTC operates many bus services.

By Rail:

• A railway line between Vellore and Villupuram passes through Thiruvannamalai, where passengers can board a passenger train to Vellore (up) or Villupuram (down). The nearest major railway station is at Tindivanam, which is 63 km to Thiruvannamalai.

By Air:

• The nearest airport is at Chennai 180 km and Bengaluru is at 210 km.

MY TRAVEL ITINERARY:

Suneel Gudipati along with Sai

• I plan to go with my neice Sai and my friend Ramarao from Bengaluru. We started at 9:30 am after taking breakfast. We got bus from Madiwala, Bengaluru to Hosur. Its Rs 15/- fare. We reach Hosur after 1 hour. We catch another Tamil Nadu state bus to Thiruvannamali from Hosur. Its Rs 45/- After (approximately) 4 hours journey we reach Thiruvannamalai. On the way we take lunch at a hotel. Its nice food.
• The temple is very big and good architect. Some of Ramu’s friends came from Chennai. We meet them and we all take dharshina lord Arunachala. Because of full moon night, thousands of pilgrims worship Shiva, so our dharshina takes 2 hours.
• Then we start Giri Pradhakshana (circumambulating the Arunachala hill) around 7: 00 pm. It covers a distance of about 14 km. On the way take visit lot of temples and Ramanasramam. Some of devotees offer prasadas. We complete around 12:30 am.
• Then Ramu’s friends went to Chennai and we start to Bengaluru. We take an auto to reach bus stand for Rs 30/- (Bengalur & Chennai bus stands are situated in different locations).  It is too far, it takes 15 minutes to reach bus stand. We got Bengaluru bus. The fare is Rs 90/- We return Madiwala by morning 6:00 am.