Annamalaiyar Temple – Fifth Prakaram – Vannimarathu
Vinayaka Shrine
There is a small door in the right wall of the
Arunagirinathar mandapa which leads one through an enclosed small hall, and out
passing the gardens and into the area of Vanni trees and the Vannimarathu
Vinayakar shrine. Though a small modern shrine, it contains a number of
deities. The garden and Shrine are reached through an opening in the right wall
of the Gopurathu Ilayanar Temple.
Vinayaka Shrine is resplendent in the center of the
group with Goddess Lakshmi on her left and Saraswathi above. In front, there is
Shanmuka and to the left of the latter there is Linga and Sakti, and to the
right Vishnu reclines. A Mooshikha the vehicle of Vinayaka, sits facing the
shrine.
Nagalinga stones and Muruga’s weapon Vel repose under
the tall Vanni tree. Vanni tree is said to be not only very old, probably the
oldest in Thiruvannamalai. This Vanni Maram tree is ancient and very rare.
Legend states that when the ancient Pallavas were in retreat from the region,
they lay down their weapons and buried them for safekeeping under the Vanni
Maram, where supposedly they lay undisturbed for centuries.
Pallavas were once in retreat from that place, they laid
down their arms, burying them for safe keeping under the Vanni tree. Looking
like snakes the arms remained untouched for centuries.
There are three small Nagalinga shrines near the Vannimarathu
Vinayaka shrine. Two are under the Peepal trees; one to the south and another
to the east of Vinayaka shrine. The third one is under a neem tree. The
Nagalinga shrine situated at the east of the Vinayaka shrine contains four or
five hooded Naga statues.
