Thread by @narayanagl

#Thread
Thiruvannamalai (Annamaliayar) Kovil was built before 1100 years & architecture of the Kovil has its contribution from various KINGDOM from Cholas, Pandias, Sambuvarayars Posalas, Vijayanagara, Nayaks, Nagarathargal, Cheftains & Zamindars. The Mandir
@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 (means parrot) 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 avatar. The town is sprawled around the iconic Arunachaleswarar Kovil, 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 the #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 follows :

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 from 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 #TamilNaduTemples #architecture #SanatanaDharma #SanatanaSanskriti #Sattology #HarHarMahadevॐ

Pic Credit: @arunprasadnag @SiddharthMural6 @sr6229 & Google. Thank you to respective owners 🙏