MERAFACTS

ANCIENT TEMPLES OF INDIA – LEGEND, HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE 

STATE - TAMILNADU

ANNAMALAIYAR TEMPLE

 Annamalaiyar Temple also called Arunachaleshvara Temple is a oldest Hindu temple in India of God Shiva as Arunachaleshvara in Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu. God shiva worshipped in the form of an ancient Lingam which is svayambhu means not made by man. This is a ninth century temple in the area of 25 acres of at the base of Annamalai hill.

The Arunachala temple is one of the five famous siva temple of south india. Each Lingam is manifestation of natural element such as land,air,water,sky and fire. The Arunachala temple represent Agni tattva means self sacrifice and ascetic life.

                                                     

 LEGEND

 The Tiruvannamalai mentioned in many ancient text and hyms. All the tamil Saivite sant khown as Nayanmars have sung for shiva’s Glory. The seventh and eight century saints praised and composed for the temple known as Tiruvembavai,today  it is recited in thousand home during Dec-Jan peiod.

                                                    

 According to religious text, there was argument between Lord Brahma and Lord Thirumal (Vishnu) for superiority. Lord Shiva Had to decide their supreamacy. So Lord Shiva become pillar of fire touching heaven and earth and asked both of them to find his crown and feet. Lord Vishnu become wild boar to go deeply in to the earth to find fire piller’s feet but of no use. 

Lord Brahma made flower thazhambu that adorned lord Shiva Crown and a cow witness to Lord Brahma false findings. Lord Shiva became angry over Lord Brahma and cursed him that there will be no temple on the earth to worshipped him. And cursed flower by abonding its use in his worshipped and seeing of cow face first thing in the morning will be equal to bad omen. 

As Lord Shiva requested by the Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma to change appearance of cosmic pillar of fire for the humans. So the Lord Shiva on their prayer transformed into Shivlingam situated at the foot of the hill where Arulmigu Annamalaiyar Temple is. 

                                            

And the torch formed at the top of the hill.This Hill is lingaswarupa means it is god itself and so full of light. Every year in the Kartik month (Nov-Dec) light is lit atop the hill. In the Skanda Puran, Ved Vyasa written in details about the Arunachala. 

                                   

                                    

HISTORY 

The Temple has Gopurams(Towers) visible away from the town. The outermost tower has height of approx 220 feet, tallest of all Temple towers in India. Its construction done between 1509 A.D. to 1529 A.D. by then rulers Krishnadeva Raya and Sevappa Nayaka. The middle tower in the direction of east called Vallala Gopuram named after Hoysala king Ballala. The Kili gopuram one of the innermost of three east facing gopurams belonged to the Chola dynasty period around 1063 A.D. (Veer Rajendra Chola).  

There is sthalavriksha tree whose flowers used in the mecication. People said someone who sit under the tree for meditation after worshiping Arunachala get spirituality and free from physical pains. 

                                        

 ARCHITECTURE

 The details about its construction also inscribed on it in the Sanskrit language. There is also different uncountable sculptures of Hindu god and goddess, specially of Shiv. All the four towers have carving of dancers performing different steps of Natya Shastra. The thousand pillared mandapam built by Krishnadeva Raya of vijay Nagar empire used till date on important occasions. Around the Arunachala hill, there are eight lingams each in one direction. 

                                   

    

Indra Lingam (East) – First lingam in the girivalam path (Parikrima) worshipped for health and wealth. 

Agni Lingam (South East) - worshipped for to get release from all diseases and to face challenges of one destiny. 

Yama Lingam (South) – It is next to Agni lingam. Worshipped for economic problem. 

 Niruti Lingam (South west)– It is situated at the place from where two peaks of hill can be seen which is called is shiv and Shakti.

 Varuna Lingam (West) – Worship relieve from critical disease and promote social status. 

Vayu (North west) - Peace of mind and good feeling especially for women and children. 

Kubera Lingam(North) – Worshipping of lingam by coins provide wealth and peace of mind.

 Isanya Lingam(North East) – Worshipped for peace of mind and meditation.

                                   
                               

The Maharishi used to say that other holy places like Manasarover, Kashi and Chidambaram are sacred because they are the abode of Lord Shiva, whereas Arunachala is siva himself.