Arunachalam Temple or Arunachaleswarar Temple or Tiruvannamalai Shiva Temple is located in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Here Arunachaleswarar (Lord Shiva) is in the form of Agni Lingam (fire element). The presiding deities are Lord shiva Arunachalesvara and his consort Parvathi as Unnamalai Amman. Arunachalam Temple is one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams. The present masonry structure was Constructed during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, later by Vijayanagara rulers of the Sangama Dynasty, the Saluva Dynasty and the Tuluva Dynasty.
Amavasya, Kiruthigai, Pournami and Sathurthi are the Monthly Rituals. The best time to Visit the Arunachaleswarar temple is from October to March. some of the important Festivals are Shravan, Shivratri and Karthigai Deepam. Other Pancha Bhoota temples are Jambukeswarar Temple at Tiruchirapalli, Ekambareswarar Temple at Kanchipuram, Thillai Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram and Srikalahasteeswara Temple at Srikalahasti. The entry is Free and Darshan is from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Tiruvannamalai Temple Darshan Timings:
| Timings | Details |
|---|---|
| 5:00 am | Temple Opening Hours |
| 5:15 am | Gomatha Pooja |
| 5:30 am | Palli Ezhuchi Pooja |
| 6:00 am | Ushakala Pooja |
| 8:30 am | Kalasanthi Pooja |
| 11:00 am | Uchi Kala Pooja |
| 12:30 pm | Temple closing Hours |
| 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm | Temple remains closed |
| 3:30 pm | Temple reopens |
| 5:30 pm | Sayaratchai Pooja |
| 7:30 pm | 2nd Kala Pooja |
| 9:00 pm | Arthajama Pooja |
| 9:15 pm | Palliarai Pooja |
| 9:30 pm | Temple closing Hours |
Note: All the above-mentioned timings may change on Festivals, Holidays and on special days.
Arunachaleswarar Temple History:
According to the story, the goddess Parvati once closed Lord Shiva’s eyes and the universe plunged into darkness. Realizing her mistake, she did penance and Lord Shiva manifested himself as a pillar of fire on top of a hill. The pillar became Agni Lingam and the hill was Tiruvannamalai.
Another legend says that Sri Vishnu and Lord Brahma once clashed to decide who is greater. Then they asked Lord Shiva to be the judge. Lord Shiva set the challenge: whoever reaches his crown and feet first will be the winner. Then it took the form of a long pillar of fire or the Agni Lingam.
Sri Vishnu immediately transformed into Varaha, the boar and began to dig deep into the earth to reach the feet of Lord Shiva. During this time, Lord Brahma transformed into a swan and flew into the sky to attain the crown of Lord Shiva.
During the ascent, he saw a flower, the Thazhampu, fall from the crown. Then he asked the flower how long it would take to fly to reach the crown. The flower replied that it had been falling for thousands of years and had not yet reached the ground.
In addition, Lord Brahma conspires and manipulates the flower and brings it to Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma then claims that he obtained the crown flower from Lord Shiva. But Lord Shiva sees through the lie and curses both Lord Brahma and the flower. Since then Lord Brahma does not have temples dedicated to him, and people do not use Thazhampu for worship. This story is found in the wall paintings at Lingothbhava and Tiruvannamalai Arunachalam temples.
The construction of the Tiruvannamalai Arunachalam Temple dates back thousands of years. The Chola kings built the temple in the 9th century according to the inscriptions.
Arunachaleswarar Temple Pooja Timing:
Ukshakala – 05:30 A.M
Kala santhi – 08:00 A.M
Uchikala – 11:30 A.M
Sayaratchai – 05:30 P.M
Irandam Kala – 07:30 P.M
Arthajama – 09:00 P.M
How to reach Arunachalam Temple?
By Air:
Puducherry Airport is the nearest airport which is 105 km.
Chennai Meenambakkam Airport is the second nearest airport which is 172 km away.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is at Tiruvannamalai around 7 km.
By Road:
Government and Private run busses are available from all important towns and cities in South India.
Arunachalam Temple Address:
Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple
Thiruvannamalai – 606601.
Phone: 04175- 252438.
E-Mail – arunachaleswarar@tnhrce.com