Annamalaiyar Temple – Greatness of Temple
Thiruvannamalai
– Annamalaiannal:
The Saiva cult is a world phenomenon. Thiruvannamalai is
the capital of Saivism. The South Indian deity Siva is the God of all
countries. Annamalaiannal is the most sacred of the names of the manifestation
of Lord Siva.
Saint Poets:
Saint poets Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukarasar,
Sundarar have visited Thiruvannamalai, prayed to the Lord and have composed
divine poems. Saint Manickavasagar had lived at Thiruvannamalai for long period
and had composed "Tiruvembavai - 20" and "Thiruvammanai".
Even today there is a temple for Saint Manickavasagar on the Girivalam path at
Adi-Annamalai.
Thirumurai
Thalam:
There are 275 sacred places (Lord Siva Temples) which
were praised by the hymns of Thevaram and were called "Thirumurai
Thalangal". Of these places, 22 are found in Nadu Naadu (a part of Tamil Nadu).
Thiruvannamalai is the most sacred of these twenty two.
Place of
Salvation:
Siva Puranam identifies four sacred places for obtaining
salvation. Thiruvannamalai is one among them. The significance of this place is
that by mere remembrance of Lord Arunachaleswarar at this place gives salvation
to all souls (Ninaithale Mukthi Tharum Thiruthalam).
Pancha
Bootha Sthalam:
The earth is formed by five basic elements namely land,
water, fire, air and ether. Our ancestors called them "Pancha Bhoothas"
and associated them with five sacred places for worshipping Lord Siva. The
center of these five elements fire is identified with Thiruvannamalai.
Athara
Sthalams:
Thiruvannamalai is the "Manipooraga Sthalam",
which is one among six Athara Sthalams. Thiruvannamalai is so sacred that even Gods
and celestials offered their prayers. Tradition has it that Sun, Moon, Eight
Vasus, Brahma, Vishnu have worshipped here.
Saints
and Scholars:
Thiruvannamalai has been the abode of Siddhars. Idaikkattu Siddhar, one of the eighteen Siddhars, belongs to this sacred soil. Thiruvannamalai has the honour of providing an abode for saints such as Arunagirinathar, Vitpatchathevar, Gugai Namachivayar, Guru Namachivayar, Deivasigamani, Arunachala Desikar, Mahan Seshadri Swamigal, Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi, Sri Yogi Ram Surathkumar and the likes.
Thiruvannamalai has been the abode of Siddhars. Idaikkattu Siddhar, one of the eighteen Siddhars, belongs to this sacred soil. Thiruvannamalai has the honour of providing an abode for saints such as Arunagirinathar, Vitpatchathevar, Gugai Namachivayar, Guru Namachivayar, Deivasigamani, Arunachala Desikar, Mahan Seshadri Swamigal, Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi, Sri Yogi Ram Surathkumar and the likes.