Arunachala Temple – Tiruvannamalai, Near Kanchipuram

Travel to 83 Kms from Vellore to reach the famous city of Tiruvannamalai, where Arunachala Temple is located. This city of mountain and temples holds a great religious value among the Shiva devotees. The temple also holds the prestige of being among one of the greatest Shiva temples in South India. The temple worships Lord Shiva as his fire incarnation named Arunachaleshwar. The temple is thought to be built by Vijayanagara kings in 16th and the 17th centuries and miraculously spreads across 25 acres of the holy land. The temple sees prestige for holding huge & massive gopurams on the four sides of the temple. The main of all, Rajagopuram, located on East Gateway has 11 stories to be counted and raises to 217 feet. It stands over a base of 135 feet by 98 feet. The other attraction of the temple is its Thousand Pillared Mantapam and a sacred tank. The temple is enclosed within a huge wall. Also, there are huge Nandi statues in the prakarams. Festivals- The temple commences large gathering on KARTHIGAI DEEPAM FESTIVAL. Places nearby- Sri Ramana Maharishi Ashramam can also be visited in the Tiruvannamalai town. If you are a spiritual-minded traveller then this place is surely a must-visit place for you.