Arunachaleshwar Temple, Thiruvannamalai
Why this is the Fire (Agni / Tejas) sthalam
Brahma and Vishnu argued over supremacy; Shiva appeared as a pillar of infinite fire (Linga Purana). Vishnu went down as Varaha, Brahma flew up as a swan — neither could find the ends. Shiva manifested as Arunachala hill. The hill is the cosmic fire-lingam.
The Lingam
Agni Lingam — the entire Arunachala hill itself is the lingam (swayambhu)
Signature ritual
Girivalam — barefoot pradakshina of the 14 km Arunachala hill on every full moon night (1 lakh+ pilgrims). Karthikai Deepam — massive flame lit atop the hill seen for 35 km.
Major festival
Karthikai Deepam (Nov-Dec, Krittika nakshatra of Karthika month), Maha Shivaratri, Pankuni Uthiram
Significance
Ramana Maharshi spent 54 years at this hill (1896-1950). Karthikai Deepam attracts 3 million+ pilgrims annually. Arunachala considered the most spiritually powerful hill in South India per Skanda Purana.
About Arunachaleshwar Temple, Thiruvannamalai
At Thiruvannamalai the object of worship is not an image inside a hall but a whole mountain. Arunachala is regarded as the fire lingam of the Pancha Bhoota scheme, the place where Shiva is said to have taken the form of a column of flame. The temple at its foot is dedicated to Arunachaleshwar, with Unnamulai Amman as the goddess, and the hill itself is held to be the true sacred form that the shrine serves.
The legend as the Puranas tell it, including the Linga Purana, describes Brahma and Vishnu arguing over who was greater. Shiva appeared as an endless pillar of light, and the two set out to find its ends: Vishnu as a boar digging downward, Brahma as a swan flying upward. Neither succeeded, and the pillar is remembered in the hill. The festival of Karthikai Deepam keeps this story in view each year, when a great lamp is lit on the summit. The sthala vriksha is the magizham tree, and several theerthams, including Brahma Theertham and Indra Theertham, are named in connection with the place.
The practice of walking round the hill, called girivalam, is the best known form of devotion here, and it is done on foot by many pilgrims. The sage Ramana Maharshi made the hill his home for most of his life, and the place is also associated with Seshadri Swamigal. For those studying the five elements, this shrine shows how fire stands for light and knowledge as much as for heat.
Common questions
- Why is the hill itself called a lingam?
- Tradition says Shiva appeared as a column of fire that no one could measure, and he then settled as the hill Arunachala. The hill is therefore treated as the fire lingam.
- What is girivalam?
- It is the devotional circuit made around Arunachala on foot. Many people undertake it as an act of reverence, and it is a long walk best planned with local advice.
Have a puja performed for Arunachaleshwar Temple, Thiruvannamalai
No ritual named on this page is bookable on Darshya yet. Browse the catalogue — every listing there has a pandit, a confirmed price and video proof of the ceremony.