Thiruvannamalai

Thiruvannamalai or Tiruvannamalai is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Thiruvannamalai is named after the central deity of the Annamalaiyar Temple, Annamalaiyar. Roadways are the major mode of transport in Thiruvannamalai. Chennai International Airport is the nearest domestic and international airport to the town.

It is one of the holy town that finds a place in the poems written by reputed Tamil saivaite poets. Several important facts are found in the stone inscriptions in the walls of temple prakarams. Also many details were available through inscriptions found on the copper plates.

The town is considered as one among the five ‘PanchaBoothaSthalangal’ or ‘Five Element temples’ of Lord Shiva denoting the fire element. The other four elements, space, wind, water and earth are represented by Chidambaram, Sri Kalahasti, Thiruvanaikaval and Kanchipuram respectively.

Thiruvannamalai deepam is very special occasion for Hindus.There are four ‘Brhamaotsavams’ that are celebrated every year in the town. The most popular among these is the one that is celebrated in the month of November/December. These months are considered as Karthikai in the Tamil calendar.

The celebrations go on for ten days and on the last day is celebrated the Thiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam where a giant cauldron with a huge wick and is filled with tons of ghee is lit in order to commemorate the significance of Lord Shiva assuming a the form of a huge pillar of fire to remove the delusion of Brahma and Vishnu. Lakhs of people gather to witness the flame atop the hill.

Arunachaleswara Temple, Ramana Ashram, Virupaksha Cave and Seshadri Swamigal Ashram are some of the places that hold a lot of religious as well as spiritual significance for not only the Hindus of south India but for the world at large. One can spot a lot of foreigners who have traversed from far to realise the quintessence of Indian spiritualism. Padavedu Renukambal temple and Nedungunam Ramar temple are also temples which lure a lot of travellers who visit Thiruvannamalai.

Places to visit in Thiruvannamalai

• Sathanur dam
• Gingee Melmalayanur
• Javada hills
• Ramana Ashram
• Annamalaiyar Temple