Annamalaiyar Temple – Third Prakaram – Bhimeshwarar
Shrine
This is the very ancient shrine situated at the extreme
south – west corner of the Thiruchutrumalikaipatti. The Mahabharata explains
the life and exploits of Bhima, whose name adorns the Sivalingam of this
shrine. Bhima was the son of Kunti Devi and Vayu Deva and one of the five sons
of Pandu through the incarnation that the sage Durvasa taught to Kunthi. He was
born on the same day as Dhuryodhana, the eldest son Gandhari and king Yudhishtra.
Bhima was gifted from the birth with the strength of
over fifty thousand elephants and lightning speed of his father. It is said
that the entire Kurukshetra battle for the destruction of the evil depended on Bhima’s
strength and on Arjuna, and their uncle Lord Krishna. The Bhimeshwara shrine
has been there for centuries. Some devotee’s generally accept the belief that
Bhima worshipped Lord Siva on this sacred spot.
This is located inside the Kalyana Mandapam. The ancient
Bhimeshwarar Lingam Shrine has been at Arunachaleswarar Temple for centuries.
Some say that Lord Bheema (who represents knowledge—jnana) worshipped Lord Siva
at this sacred spot.