Thiruvannamalai (Annamaliayar) #Mandir was built before 1100 years & #architecture of the mandir has its contribution frm various KINGDOM from Cholas, Pandias, Sambuvarayars Posalas, Vijayanagara, Nayaks, Nagarathargal, Cheftains & Zamindars. The mandir
#LongThread @LostTemple7
possesses more than 1000 statues & 450 stone inscriptions. The mandir has more than 100 sannidhis. Various moorthies, bronze vigrahas, paintings, 1000 pillar mahal & gopurams are the specialties of the mandir. Mandir is very enormous with an area covers around 25 acres.
East Gopuram built by King Krishnadevaraya with a height of 217 ft (11 storeys) is one of the largest Gopuram in India. Mandir also consists of vallala Maharaja Gopuram, kili Gopuram. The main deity of Mandir is Annamalaiyar & Unnamalai Devi.
Ezhuthu Mandap situated in #Girivalam path is an excellent #art gallery. Skanthashram, Sri Ramana Ashram & Ashtalingas around the Girivalam path are few notable spots. Mandir is Built in the #traditional Dravidian style of #architecture ,
the mandir is believed to be the 8th largest #Hindu mandir in the #world. This mandir is believed to one of the Pancha Bootha in South India, where elements of #nature (fire, air, water, earth, ether) are worshiped. In this mountain-temple town, situate at the foothills of
Mount Arunachala, Mahadev Shiva is worshiped in his #fire (agni) avatar. The town is sprawled around the iconic Arunachaleswarar Mandir, a spectacular structure boasting 4 huge Gopurams. On full moon nights, the town sees a sea of bhaktas
arriving to perform the 14-km walk of Girivalam, around the #Annamalai hill. It is a mesmeric sight to see barefoot bhaktas gazing at the mandir atop the hill & walking while chanting “Om Arunachala". Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated on
full moon day in the Tamil month of Karthigai (Nov/Dec) & draws huge footfalls. #Girivalam is a popular religious practice in TN, bhaktas does Pradakshina around #annamalai Hill on the occasion of full moon every month Giri+Valam (means Doing #Pradakshina around the hill).
The practice is said to bring peace to one's mental & physical health. The Mandir has 8 lingams known as Ashtalingam which are positioned at different locations facing different directions. These lingams are named as :
Indralingam(East), Agnilingam(SouthEast), Yamalingam(South), Niruthilingam(southwest), Varunalingam(West), Vayulingam(northwest), Kuberlingam(North) & Esanyalingam(NorthEast). Each lingam signifies different directions of the Earth & is believed to bless the bhaktas who undertake
Girivalam, with various benefits. Girivalam is usually practiced barefoot & chant Om Arunachala mantra. The best time to undertake the 14 km journey around the hill is during the early morning hours, starting frm 4.30AM. It usually takes 3-4 hrs to complete the round
at an average pace. This practice is akin to the #Govardhan Parikrama taken by bhaktas in #mathura #UttarPradesh
#Tiruvannamalai #Girivalam #TamilNadu #SanatanaDharma #SanatanaSanskriti #Sattology
Pic Credit: @arunprasadnag
@SiddharthMural6 & Google
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