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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Annamalaiyar Temple – Third Prakaram – Arunagiri Yogiswarar Shrine

Annamalaiyar Temple – Third Prakaram – Arunagiri Yogiswarar Shrine
This shrine is situated in the western part of the second prakara in between the Peigopuram and the western enclosure wall of the first prakara. A four pillared mandapa adorns this small shrine. It is erroneously construed to be the tomb of Saint Arunagirinathar. It is actually Lord Siva who has assumed the Yogic form here. A Vinayaka and an image of Yogiswarar are also found in this shrine facing east.

This mandapam or seat is dedicated to Arunagiri Yogi, who is represented by a figure on a stone slab facing east. This seat is dedicated to the Siddha Purusha on Arunachala Hill. 

Tradition has it that from underneath this mandapam, there is an underground passage leading to the other side of Arunachala Hill and to Adi Annamalai Temple.