Thiruvannamalai

Annamalai Temple Arunachala Hill Annamalai Temple the famous shrine of Tamilnadu, home of Lord Siva called "Arunachaleswar ". The Goddess (termed by us as 'Ambaal') here is "UNNAMULAI AMMAN".
Annamalai Temple is an living symbol of ancient Tamil architecture. The 11 tiered East Rajagopuram towers to a height of 217 feet, while the fortified walls pierced with 4 tower entrances offer a formidable look to this vast temple complex . The Pei Gopuram, Tirumanjana Gopuram and Ammanaiammal gopuram are the other three. The 1000 pillared hall and the temple tank were built by Krishna Deva Rayarar of Vijayanagar. Each of the prakarams has a huge Nandi and several towers such as the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram and Kili Gopuram.
Annamalai Shadus Flock of saffron-robed sadhus (saints who perceive nothing) hovering along a wall in the temple of Arunachaleswar at Tiruvannamalai. Some were smeared with ash as a sign of their abandonment of the material world. Others had confined themselves to elaborate tika (the one you can see on Siva lingam) marks on their foreheads. Many of those sadhus are bald, polished head, long white beard, a tiny bag that contains all of their worldly possessions, and the kind of giggly sense of humor that seems obligatory for Indians of a philosophical bent. Many of them took sanyasam (leaving all the possessions and belongings) in search of enlightenment and alms to understand the phallus of GOD.
Every full moon day (Girivalam day) this shrine becomes very busy and crowded by convergence of devotees from all all over south India to worship the Annamalai. On top of arunachala mountain a pillar of flame has been constructed to represent the flame penetrating the dark sky.
Hall of Pillars at Annamalai Temple The cavernous and crumbling edifice thousand Pillars hall is a wonder of Dravidian architecture filled with statues and paintings like an ancient Egyptian temple. The wall and each pillar of the hall are swarmed with relief of dancing girls, rearing horsemen, teeth-gnashing guardians, images of Ganesh, the chubby elephant god, and rampant lions with penises. The entourage of Parvathi is headed towards the statue of Shiva at the far end of the temple escorted by band of musicians, she is carried aloft by four priests. Other Prominence of Tiruvannamalai Temple Like the Sacrosanct City Madurai, there is 1000 pillared hall here also built by Krishnadeva Rayar of Vijayanagar. Every Prakaaram of the temple consists of a very huge Nandi. There is a beautiful temple of Goddess Kaliamman called Mathura Kaaliamman Temple, which is a must-see for the tourists. Ramana Maharshi (Saint) Ashram, Raaghavendra Swamy Shrine, the Seshadri Swamigal’s holy Ashram are some of the prehistoric places and a requirement for the tourists to see when take up the GiriValam Path.Location of the Annamalai Temple The temple is located on the Villupuram - Katpadi Railroad and is about 65 kilometers from Villupuram and is about 90 - kilometres form Katpadi. The town is well connected from Chennai and frequent bus services are available, one through Chengleput, Madurantakam, Tindivanam and Gingee, and the other through Sri Perumbudur, Kancheepuram, Vellore and Polur. The town is about 90 kms from Vellore, 60 kms from Tindivanam, 60 kms from Villupuram and 100 kms from Krishnagiri. The town also has a helipad so as to enbale devotees to reach it from Chennai and other cities. The temple authorities have provided accommodation at nominal cost for the benefit of the devotees. The rent for Rest Houses is Rs.200 and Rs.150 per day. The rent for rooms at Appar Illam is Rs.100 per day. The rent for rooms at Unnamalai Amman Rest House is Rs.100/-(Double room) and Rs.50/- (Single room) per day. Apart from this, private accommodation is available in and around the temple.