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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Annamalaiyar Temple – Fifth Prakaram – Vannimarathu Vinayaka Shrine

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.