THIRUVANNAMALAI

I have heard a lot about ARUNACHALESWAR TEMPLE in the temple town, Thiruvannamalai, in Tamilnadu. However, I did not get a chance to visit this famous temple. After my retirement I started visiting temples and places of worships not only in India but also in Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia and the United States. Of all the temples I visited, the temple at Thiruvannamalai attracted me a lot. People from all over the world visit this temple throughout the year. This town which lies on the state highway between Bangalore and Pondicherry, is built around the Annamalai hill. A montain raising some 4000 meters from the ground.

Spiritual gurus Yogi Ramsuratkumar, Ramana Maharishi, Arabindo, Seshadri Swamigal, Muniyandi Swamigal and many more saints and sadhus lived and attained eternity in this place.

The ancient and vast Arunachaleswar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the result of several centuries of building, alterations and additions. The temple spreads over twenty four acres. The temple has four gopurams, Rajagopuram in the east is 217 feet high. A thousand pillared hall and the temple pond were built by Sri Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagar. Every full moon day people walk around the Annamalai hill and offer special prayers called 'Girivalam', a 14 kilometers walk on a neatly laid and well lit road. Ashtalingams namely Indiralingam, Agnilingam, Yamalingam, Niruthilingam, Varunalingam, Kuberalingam and Esanialingam greet the pilgrims on their girivalam route.

'Karthigai Deepam' in the month of November - December is the main festival which marks the end of ten days Brahmotsavam. To mark the occasion a lamp is lit on top of Annamalai hill using a couldron. Sarees and dothis are used as wick to light the lamp. On that particular day, it is estimated that around ten million people witness the lighting of the lamp. The whole town wears a festive look. Everyone irrespective of their religion decorate their houses with mango leaves and colourful rangolis. Most of the people in and around the town fast from dawn to dusk. The town will remain silent from five to six in the evening. Public transport buses would be stopped at the outskirts of the town and start moving after the deepam. One can feel the town coming to a grinding halt. Exactly at six in the evening the lamp on top of the hill will be lit amid chants of "Annamalaiku Arogarah". The lamp will be visible from a distance of thirty kilometers and will be kept burning for ten days. During these days the temple remains open from early morning till late night without a break. Devotees continue to visit till the last day in great numbers.

(This was published in Deccan Chronicle - Sunday on 13-09-2009)