The temple of Lord Shiva (Annamalaiyar) is located at Thiruannamalai in Tamilnadu. As one of the Athara sthalam, it represents Manipura chakra. As one of the Panchabhoota Sthala it represents the element Fire. It is also one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Nayanmars in their sacred hymns. At this place the Shiva linga is the mountain itself. This place is also known as Shonachalam, Shonagiri and Arunachal. As stated, the mountain forms the linga and the surrounding broad portion is the temple. It is stated in puran that the Lord exists at this place in the form of Jyoti (Flame).
Mulavar: Annamalaiyar
Devi: Parvati, Unnamali amman (Devi), Apitha Kuchambal
Sacred teertha: Agni teertha
Important festival: Lamp festival in the Tamil month of Karthik known as Karthigai deepam.
Other deities in the shrine:
Nandi, Surya. Behind the walls of sanctum sanctorum, idol of Venugopalswami (Vishnu or Lord Krishna) is found. The idols of Somaskandha, Durga, Chandikeshwar, Gajalaxmi, Arumugaswami (Sankmukha), Dakshinamurthi and Lingodbhavar are found around this sanctum. The shrine of Parvati (Unnamali amman) is depicted in the 2nd enclosure. To the north of flag staff (Kodimaram) we find Sambandha Vinayaka. There is a 1000 pillar hall and to its South, shrine of Subramanya is located. There is an underground lingam known as Patal-lingam where Raman Maharshi did penance.
The tantrik chakras personified in Shiva temples are known as Aadhar sthala. The Annamalaiyar temple represents Manipura sthalam and is associated with Manipura chakra. Following legends are associated with this place according to Puran.
Once Brahma and Vishnu had an argument regarding their superiority. They approached Lord Shiva to settle the dispute. Shiva appeared as a column of Fire and asked them to find top and bottom of the flame. Vishnu became a boar (Varaha) and sought to find the bottom while Brahma became a swan and searched for the top. With the help of the Ketaki flower, Brahma stated (lied) that he had seen the top whereas Vishnu conceded his defeat and he could not see the bottom. As punishment for lying, Brahma was cursed so that he could never be worshipped in any temple on the Earth.
In another reference in the puran, Parvati once closed the eyes of Lord Shiva in a playful manner in a garden in mount Kailash. Due to this, the whole world came to standstill. As atonement for this act, She performed penance along with the other devotees of Shiva at this place. Lord Shiva appeared as a column of Fire at the top of Annamalai mountain and blessed Her. Hence Annamalai mountain (Red mountain) which lies behind Annamalai temple is sacred and is considered as a lingam.
Festivals:
There are 4 major festivals at this place and are known as Brahmotsav.
Kartigai deepam (Light festival), Chaitra pournima, Tiruvoodal in the first week of Tamil month Thai (i.e. around Sankrant on January 15-16th). Nandi is decorated with fruits, vegetables and sweets. This day is celebrated in Tamilnadu as the festival of bullock (Mattu-pongal). Besides this, every full moon day, 10s of 1000s of pilgrims perform Girivallam i.e. circumambulate Arunachal hills. There are 8 small shrines of Lingam located along the Girivallam. Each one of them is associated with the 12 moon signs.
The day on which Lord Shiva manifested first in the form of Linga i.e. column of Fire is celebrated as Mahashivaratri. In Maheshwar khanda of Skanda Puran, Sage Vyasa has described the greatness of Arunachala. A quote from Raman Maharshi on the sanctity of Arunachala is as follows –
“Holy places such as Kashi, Varanasi and Hrishikesh are sacred as they are abodes of Lord Shiva. Whereas Arunachala is Lord Shiva Himself. Arunachala is a secret kshetra. It is the place that bestows Gyana. In that place, Lord ever abides the hill of light named Arunachala.
According to Arunachala mahima, one will certainly attain liberation by seeing Chidambaram, by being born in Tiruvarur, by dying in Kashi and by merely thinking of Arunachala.
The great Saint Raman Maharshi meditated on the slopes on Annamalai hills. His ashram is located in the foothills of Annamalai hills. Saints like Sheshadri Swamigal and Yogi Ramsurat Kumar have been associated with this place.
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