Aadhi Annamalai Temple, Thiruvannamalai – History
Aadhi Annamalai is the oldest
temple around Arunachala. This Temple was built few centuries before the famous
Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple. The earliest known record of the temple is
in the works of the poet Nakkeerar of
the third Tamil Sangam period. At that time, the temple might have been a
simple wooden structure. The present masonry structure and gopurams (temple
towers) date back approximately 1200 years. In spite of its illustrious
history, the Aadhi Annamalai Temple was sadly neglected in the 20th Century.
The month of Margazhi
(December-January) is considered the pre-dawn hour of the gods (Brahma
Muhurta). Saint Manikkavasakar sang his immortal ‘Thiruvembavai’ at Adi
Annamalai. This song of bridal mysticism is sung all over Tamil Nadu every
morning of Margazhi month. There is a Temple and pond
dedicated to this saint at Adi Annamalai.
The last time Adi Annamalai
Temple was renovated was during the years 1903-1918 when work was financed by a
group of Chettiyar devotees. A subsequent Kumbabhishekam was celebrated in
1967; but the puja was neither proper nor performed in the correct way. Since
that time no substantial renovation or maintenance work occurred at the Aadhi
Annamalai Temple.
Swami Ramananda (well known in
this area) would meditate at Aadhi Annamalai Temple from between 1988-1992 for
up to 4 hours a day. While at the Temple, he noticed that the temple was in a
bad condition; there was only meagre lighting as the entire electrical wiring
was in a damaged state. Even though, the Aadhi Annamalai Temple was under the control
of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, at that time, it was not
properly maintained.
As a result of the near
electrocution of an innocent visitor, Swami Ramananda became inspired to act.
He discovered that the necessary electrical work for the Temple would cost
Rs.75,000/-, so went about utilizing contacts to raise the amount. Within 6
months money was raised and the work of installing new electrical wiring
throughout the Temple completed.
At the electrical
inauguration, the Temple Board Deputy Commissioner coincidentally visited Aadhi
Annamalai and spoke to Swami saying, "Swami you should now do the full
renovation of this Temple and also arrange a subsequent Maha
Kumbabhishekam". Swami was perplexed as he had raised Rs.115,000/- for the
electrical work and attendant ceremonies but soon discovered that the estimate
for a full Temple renovation and lavish Maha Kumbabhishekam would come to 30
Lakhs and there was only Rs.25,000 remaining from the electrical work
collection.
However, Swami became
convinced that he had the blessings of Sri Ramana Maharshi to undertake the
work, so went about raising funds and overseeing all renovation and rebuilding
work at Adi Annamalai Temple. Ganesha Puja was performed on January 26th,
1993 and in February 7th, 1994, temple work officially started. The
entire work took over two years to complete and cost approximately the 30 Lakhs
that was originally estimated. Previously few pilgrims visited Adi Annamalai
Temple, however nowadays during Poornima (when 5 Lakhs visit Tiruvannamalai)
about 50,000 pilgrims come to take darshan at Adi Annamalai Temple.