Thread by @narayanagl

#Thread
#Thiruvannamalai (Annamaliayar) #Temple was built before 1100 years & #architecture of the temple has its contribution frm various #KINGDOM from Cholas, Pandias, Sambuvarayars Posalas, Vijayanagara, Nayaks, Nagarathargal, Cheftains & Zamindars. The Temple
@sattology

2. possesses more than 1000 statues & 450 stone inscriptions. The temple has more than 100 sannidhis. Various idols, bronze statues, paintings, 1000 pillar mahal & gopurams are the specialties of the temple. Temple is very enormous with an area
@IndiaTales7 @Maha_periyava_

3.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. Temple also consists of vallala Maharaja Gopuram, kili Gopuram. The main deity of Temple is @harshasherni @Itishree001 @pujari_anup

4.Annamalaiyar & Unnamalai Devi. Ezhuthu Mandap situated in #Girivalam path is an excellent #art gallery. Skanthashram, Sri Ramana Ashram & Ashtalingas around the Girivala path are few notable spots. Temple is Built in the #traditional Dravidian @VipashaRanjan @almightykarthik

5. style of #architecture , the temple is believed to be the 8th largest Hindu temple in the world. This Temple 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

6. at the foothills of Mt Arunachala, Mahadev Shiva is worshiped in his #fire avatar. The town is sprawled around the iconic Arunachaleswarar Temple, a spectacular structure boasting 4 huge Gopurams. On full moon nights, the town sees a sea of devotees
@Nidhi7007 @Tejsingh123456

7. arriving to perform the 14-km walk of Girivalam, around the Annamalai hill. It is a mesmeric sight to see barefoot devotees gazing at the temple atop the hill & walking while chanting “Om Arunachala". Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated on
@rightwingchora @Man_Banarasiya

8. full moon day in the Tamil month of Karthigai (Nov/Dec) & draws huge footfalls. #Girivalam is a popular religious practice in TN, devotees does Pradakshina around the #annamalai Hill on the occasion of full moon every month
@RajiIndustani @Vaidyvoice @sfeksk @chittukuruvi4

9. Giri+Valam (means Doing #Pradakshina around the hill). The practice is said to bring peace to one's mental & physical health.
@InfoVedic @AnkitaBnsl @ramapriya1989

10. The Temple has 8 lingams known as Ashtalingam which are positioned at different locations facing different directions. These lingams are named as :
@BharatTemples_ @LostTemple7 @artist_rama @desi_thug1 @DetheEsha @GampaSD @Vaidyvoice

11. 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

12. devotees 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

13. complete the round at an average pace. This practice is akin to the #Govardhan Parikrama taken by devotees in #Mathura , #UttarPradesh
#Tiruvannamalai #Girivalam #TamilNadu #SanatanaDharma #SanatanaSanskriti #Sattology
Pic Credit: @arunprasad72 @Proud2BSangiSid & Google