Annamalaiyar Temple – Temple Speciality
The hill itself is Shiva Linga. This is a temple of
great significance in South India. The very thought of this temple ensures
total salvation to the soul. This is the place that would destroy the “I”
arrogance. Mother Uma performed penance here going round the hill to claim the
left part of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva granted his darshan to mother in the form
of Light-Jyothi.
This is the birth place of Saint Arunagiriar. Frustrated
in life, when the Saint attempted to end himself, Lord Muruga protected him from
death. Lord Muruga also made him a poet whose Thirupugazh hymns stand unmatched
till today in the meter forms, syllables, melody and spiritual content singing
the glory of Lord Muruga.
Thiruvannamalai is the sacred place where Lingodhbava
came into being first and followed in other Shiva Temples. The temple covers an
area of 25 acres with 9 towers and 7 corridors-prakarams. The tower of the
temple is the second tallest – 217 feet. The temple is always crowded with
devotees as in Tirupathi. The temple was built in the 6th Century. The
renovations of this ancient temple were done by Chera, Chola, Pandya and Hoysala
kings at various periods. Thiruvannamalai was home to number of Siddhas in the
past whose lineage continues even today. Their Holinesses Sri Seshadri
Swamigal, Ramana Maharishi and Visiri Samiyar attained salvation on this sacred
soil.
Girivalam:
Lord Shiva gave his half to Mother Parvathi on the
Kruthika star day in the month of Karthikai-November-December. Therefore,
Girivalam – going round the hill – is taken up by the devotees this day. It is
said that great Rishis and enlightened souls were following this as a penance
on Pradosha days and on the first day each Tamil month. This is followed by
devotees now-a-days. It is said that Moon absorbs all energies from Sun on
Poornima days and therefore, this day is considered important for Girivalam.
Of the five Shaktis on which Earth stands – Space,
Water, Air, Earth and Fire the Agni, Thiruvannamalai belongs to Agni. Tuesday
is attributed to Agni. Girivalam is undertaken on this day. There will be
special pujas in the temple. Worshipping the Lord on Sundays bring high
positions to the devotee equal to a posting in his court, Mondays elevate the
devotee to a position equal to Indira, Tuesdays ensure relief from debt burdens
and poverty and continued prosperity in the births following, Wednesdays for
academic excellence and final salvation, Thursdays wisdom equal to Maharshis,
Fridays grace of Lord Vishnu and a place in his abode and Saturdays the benefit
of worshipping all the 9 planets. Worshipping on New Moon day brings total
mental peace. Observing a fasting for 48 days and performing the Girivalam
blesses the couple with child boon.