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Thursday, February 18, 2016

Annamalaiyar Temple – Third Prakaram – Sambanda Vinayagar Sannathi

Annamalaiyar Temple – Third Prakaram – Sambanda Vinayagar Sannathi 
Sambanda Vinayakar Sannathi is located at the front side of Arunachaleswarar Sannathi facing east. Similarly on the northern side is Palani Andavar Sannathi. In front of Arunachaleswarar Sannathi facing the Lord Arunachaleswarar is Golden Flag staff with Pali Peetam.

The Sambanda Vinayagar Shrine is located south of the Flagstaff and Bali Peeta. It is told that Vinayagar killed a demon and smeared his body with the demon’s blood—hence this Vinayagar appears red and is thus called Sennira Vinayagar (Red Vinayagar). The large idol, which is in sitting pose, is considered to be one of the biggest images of Ganapati in Tamil Nadu.

At this place can be found an inscription dated 1340 A.D. of the region of Veera Vallala Deva. From this epigraphy we learn that one Sambandan lived in Thiruvannamalai and was President of a popular Mutt. It was he that built the shrine for Vinayagar; hence it is called Sambandan Vinayagar.