Annamalaiyar Temple – Girivalam
The Annamalaiyar temple at Thiruvannamalai is a very
ancient temple in Tamilnadu. It is said to be around thousand years old and patronized
by the great saints and poets of Tamil Nadu. The prominent among them are
Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar and Arunagirinathar. This has
great reputation among all Shiva devotees since Annamalaiyar is prayed here in
the form of fire, fire being one of the five elements that composed this
universe. The other four elements of the Panchaboodhas are Vayu, akash, jalam
and earth. This beautiful temple is located at the foot of the Annamalai hills
that falls under the Thiruvannamalai district about eighty kilometers away from
Vellore town by road.
This temple city can also be reached from Chennai the
capital of Tamil Nadu that is around 185 kilometres by road. It is believed
that Shiva is also in the form of a hill and hence it is called as Annamalai
hill. Anna means all powerful in Tamil and malai means hills. Since this god is
considered very powerful thus it is compared to the mountain that cannot be
moved and strong. This god being believed to be part of the hill, hence it is
also called as Annamalaiyaar among its devotees.
Annamalaiyar temple has six prakarams around the temple
excluding the Girivalam Path. Every full moon day of the month Girivalam is
undertaken by the pilgrims. Lakhs of devotees participate every month in this
healthy ritual. This word Girivalam is the origin of the Tamil word Giri
meaning hill and Valam means coming around. Hence coming around the hill is
called as Girivalam in Tamil.
To come one full round (Girivalam) the road
round the hill, it is around 14 kilometres. And people both young and old
religiously go round on the full moon day. It is said to bring in abundant
peace or calmness for the mental well being and also refreshing for the
physical fitness.
"Arunam" means sun and denotes the red colour
of fire. "Asalam" means "Giri" or "malai"
(mountain). Thus "Arunachalam" means the Holy hill which is red in
colour. The Holy hill is 2668 feet High.
The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres. History has
it that even today a number of Siddhars are living on the hill. It is
auspicious to perform "Girivalam" during every Full moon day which
would do immense good. It is because during Full Moon Day Siddhars movement
would be there and the whole atmosphere would be filled with perfumes of herbal
plants. This will provide peace of mind and good health to body. It is a proven
fact that on every Full moon day lakhs of devotees circumambulate the Hill and
get all benefits by praying to Lord Annamalaiyar.
This abode of Annamalaiyar, the Annamalai hills at Thiruvannamalai
has varied interpretations over the years. It is believed these hills took
different forms at different period of time and age. During the Krithayugam it
was in the form of fire. The next Threthayugam it took the form of emerald,
known as Manikkam in Tamil. In the course of Dwaparayugam it existed in the form
of gold. Now in Kaliyugam it has taken the state of rocky hill.
Ashtalingams:
At Annamalaiyar temple there are eight lingams known as
Ashtalingam. They are positioned at different locations and facing various
directions. Each lingam signifies different directions of the earth. These
lingams are named as Indralingam, Agnilingam, Yamalingam, Niruthilingam,
Varunalingam, Vayulingam, Kuberalingam and Isanyalingam.
Each lingam addresses different aspects of man’s life
and they bless the devotees with different types of benefits. It is believed to
be installed by various gods. Also these lingams have a dominant navagraha and
praying to each lingam brings forth various benefits that are being bestowed by
that navagraha on the devotees who prays to that particular lingam to achieve
the desired results.
For brief details, please refer below link;
Facilities:
The circumambulation path has been provided with sodium
lamps at the expense of 12 lakhs donated by Rajinikanth. This benefits pilgrims
who perform circumambulation during night times. On behalf of Town
administration bore well pumps are erected to supply drinking water to
pilgrims. Moreover for the benefit of the devotees during special occasions
Annadhanam is performed by Sri Agasthiar Ashram, and so many donors. Milk is
distributed by certain well wishers.
To enable the devotees to worship Lord Annamalaiyar and
Goddess Unnamulai Amman quickly and comfortably ceiling fans are provided and
the queue lines using GI pipes have been installed at the expense of temple
administration. Exhaust fans have also been provided to send out hot air.
For the benefit of devotees roofed queue lines around
Swamy Sannathi have been formed with the contribution from donors. In addition
to this, in prakarams water tanks have been provided to ensure continuous water
supply.
Accommodation:
The temple authorities have provided accommodation at
nominal cost for the benefit of the devotees.
The rent for the rest houses is Rs. 400 and Rs. 300 per
day.
The rent for the rooms at Appar Illam is Rs. 250 per
day.
The rent for rooms at Unnamulai Amman Rest House is
Rs.250 (Double room) and Rs.100 (Single room) per day.
Apart from this private accommodation is available in
and around the temple.
