|
Among Tamil Nadu's
holy places, Thiruvannamalai is increasingly becoming a pilgrim destination.
 For
long the abode of saints and seers, from Sri Ramana Maharishi to Yogi
Ramsuratkumar, the
main feature of the town is the 1000-year-old Sri Arunachaleswarar temple, dedicated to
Lord Shiva, also known as 'Jyotirlingam'. Each full moon day, huge crowds come to worship
and circumambulate the hillock on which the temple is situated. The full moon observances
climax with the annual Karthigai Deepam festival, which draws lakhs of pilgrims from the
length and breadth of the country.  Through the years, kings of the Chola,
Vijayanagar, Hoysala and Thanjavur Nayak dynasties have ranked among the devotees and
protectors of the temple. Despite its age, its architecture and stonework have retained
their visual appeal. A high boundary wall encloses the 18 hectare site, with a tower on
each side, dominated by a 39 metre high Rajagopuram. The temple is also associated with
the life of saint poet Arungirinathar, whose Thiruppugazh sings the praises of Lord
Muruga.
The Karthigai Deepam festival is marked by impressive
ritual. As the moon passes from the constellation Bharani to Krittika, a nightlong puja to
the linga is performed, with a fire sacrifice before the statue of Surya in the hall
before the main shrine. At dawn, a small bowl of ghee lit at this fire is used to light
five other lamps. A portion of this fire is placed in a container of baked earth and
placed on the summit of the hill. As night falls, the masses of pilgrims crowding the foot
of the hill with bated breath hail the hill-top fire with ecstatic
fervour. The fire,
which burns all-night and even on subsequent nights if the ghee offerings of the pilgrims
are abundant, can be seen from miles away.
As part of the ritual, the doors of the main shirne are closed and all worship
ceases while Lord Shiva, accompanied by this consort, is taken round
|
the hill. Many visit
the nearby ashram of the mystic Ramana Maharishi.
 The ashram has a Siva temple, a
meditation hall and 'goshala' (cow shelter). The silence prevailing there adds to the
atmosphere of devotion and sanctity. The Seshadri Maharishi ashram and Yogi Ramsuratkumar
ashram (Visiriswamy) are also nearby.
Excursions:
 Sathanur Dam, 32 km from Thiruvannamalai, has a good park; with swimming and
boating, a well laid out garden and hotel facilities.- Padaveedu, just one kilometre west of Pushpagiri on the
Thiruvannamalai -Vellore road, is famous for the Renuka Parameshwari Amman Temple, located
on the on bank of the river Kamandala Naga. Nearby, at Kottamalai, is the Venugopalaswami
temple consturcted by the famous Sambuvarayar kings.
- Chengam, 30 km from Thiruvannamalai and not far from
Sattanur, almost at the base of the Javadu hills, is famous for the hero stones that
perpetuate the valour of those who lost their lives in the wars of the Sangam age. The
remnants of an old fort can also be seen here.
- Thoosi Mamandoor, on the road to Kancheepuram from
Vandavasi, has historic rock- hewn monuments as important and artistic as those at
Mamallapuram
Accommodation
| NAME |
ADDRESS |
PH. NO |
| Rajarajam
Lodge |
69,
Sannadhi Street |
22479 |
| Aruna
Lodge |
82,
Kosamadi Street |
23291 |
| Thirumagal
Lodge |
112 A
Chinna Kadai Street |
22208 |
| M.
Prakasam Lodge |
75,
Chinna Kadai Street |
22050 |
| Hotel
Akash |
9H,
Polar Road |
22151 |
|
