Arunachalesvara Temple - अरुणाचलेश्वर मंदिर

Arunachalesvara Temple also known as Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple or Arunachalam Temple and locally called Annamalai Temple is located in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva. It is important to the Hindu sect of Shaivism as one of the temples associated with the five elements, the Panchabhuta Sthalam, and especially the fire element. The Arunachalesvara temple is a manifestation of the natural elements: earth, water, air, sky and fire.

Mythology and History of Arunachalesvara Temple
Bhagwan Shiva is worshiped in the form of fire in Tiruvannamalai. It is one of the Panch Booth sites in Tamil Nadu and the Bhagwan is also called Agni Lingam. In Tamil, Aruna means red and Achalam means hill. Hence Arunachalam is red (fire) hill and hence Bhagwan Shiva is worshiped as Agni Lingam. It is a huge temple with many gods and goddesses inside it. The place is known for people visiting Girivalam or circumambulating the mountain with 8 Shiva Linga temples around the hill. Each Shiva Linga represents a Navagraha. The present temple structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century.

In Hindu mythology, Mata Parvati, the wife of Bhagwan Shiva, once closed her husband's eyes while playing in the flower garden at her abode atop Mount Kailash. Although only for a moment for the gods, all light was snatched from the universe, and the Earth, in turn, was plunged into darkness for years. Parvati performed penance along with other devotees of Shiva. Then her husband appeared as a huge pillar of fire on the top of the Annamalai hills, returning light to the world. He then merged with Parvati and became Ardhanarishvara, the half-female, half-male form of Shiva. Arunachala, or Red Mountain, is located behind the Arunachalesvara Temple, and is attached to the temple of its name. The hill itself is sacred and is considered a Lingam or an iconic representation of Shiva.

According to another legend associated with the temple, there was a dispute between the creator Brahma and the preserver Vishnu as to who among them was superior. It is said that to settle this argument Bhagwan Shiva first appeared as a light pillar and then as Arunachala.

Arunachalesvara Temple Darshan Timings
Arunachalesvara Temple welcomes devotees from 5:30 am to 12:30 pm and again from 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The temple holds six daily rituals at varying times from 5:30 am to 10 pm, and twelve annual festivals in its calendar. Morning aarti is performed at 6:00 am, while evening aarti is performed at 9:00 pm.

Major festivals of Arunachalesvara Temple
Shivaratri, Karthika Deepam are the major festivals of Arunachalesvara Temple.

The Deepam festival in Karthikai is celebrated on the full moon day between November and December, and a huge lighthouse is lit atop the hill. It can be seen from miles away, and symbolizes the Shivalinga of fire contained in the sky. The day before each full moon, pilgrims circumambulate the temple grounds and the Arunachala hills in a puja called Girivalam, a practice performed by one million pilgrims annually.

How to reach Arunachalesvara Temple?
Tiruvannamalai city is very well connected by road and the city also has its own railway station, which is well connected to major cities of South India and the station is 2 km from the temple. Regular buses and trains make it a convenient mode of travel for visitors.