Tiruvannamalai- The Mountain of Divine Grace

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The importance of Tiruvannamalai is beautifully I encapsulated in the words of the Arunachala Mahatmya "The supreme knowledge (Self-knowledge), the import of Vedanta, which cannot be attained without great difficulty, can easily be attained by anyone who sees the form of this hill from wherever it is visible or who even thinks of it with the mind from afar." This profound statement underscores the spiritual significance of Arunachala, a place that Sri Bhagavan Ramana held dear. Every verse of his Sri Arunachala Aksharamanamalai ends with the name Arunachala, reflecting his deep reverence and the powerful spiritual presence of this holy hill.<)P> Arunachala is truly the heart of the world, a secret kshetra where Lord Shiva himself abides. Unlike other holy places such as Kailasha, Kashi, and Chidambaram, which are sacred as the abodes of Lord Shiva, Arunachala is revered as Shiva himself. This hill of light stands as a living manifestation of divine energy, drawing devotees from all corners of the globe.

It gives me great pleasure to write the foreword to this wonderful pictorial book, authored by Dr. Ketu Raachandrasekhar and Vijay Sundararaman lyer, and published by Universal Publishing, on Tiruvannamalai, a divine kshetra that holds a special place in the hearts of devotees worldwide. This book is a visual and informational treasure trove, meticulously compiled to capture the essence of Arunachala, the sacred hill that is revered as a manifestation of Lord Shiva himself.

The captivating visuals in this book bring to life the rich culture of fire worship and the divine manifestation of Shiva as the Agni Linga, one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalas. Each image is accompanied by comprehensive information that details the history of the temple, its intricate layout, the various important festivals celebrated throughout the year, and several other details not known to all.

A significant highlight of this book is the role of the Nagarathar Chettiar Community, who have been instrumental in the renovation and upkeep of the temple traditions for several hundred years. Their dedication and contributions continue to preserve the sanctity and heritage of this sacred site.

We hope this book serves as a source of inspiration and devotion, allowing readers to experience the divine presence of Arunachala through its pages. May the sacred hill of Arunachala continue to illuminate the path of spiritual seekers.

Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai is one of the most ancient temples in South India. It is also one of the biggest temples in Tamil Nadu. Tiruvannamalai has been an important place of pilgrimage since time immemorial. Arunachala is the sacred mountain par excellence. It has a high place in the sacred traditions of Tamil Nadu. Many bands like Nakkirat, Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manikkavasakar have sung the greatness of Lord Siva. The popular Tamil name Annamalai is a combination of two words Anna and Malai. Anna means 'unattainable or inaccessible and Malai means Hence Annamalai is an unreachable hull. The Tamil name has been derived from the legend of Lord Sivan supremacy over Vishnu and Brahma. Arunachala is also the combination of two Sanskrit words, Aruna and Achala Aruna means 'red and Achala means immovable mount Arunachala is thereby known as Red Mount.

Lord Siva has manifested Himself in the form of a holy hill bestowing grace to all who approach it or even think of it. This ancient rock formation has been there since the continental drift. The Arunachala Hill is considered to be the Adi Lingam or primeval form of Lord Siva. Hence the hill itself has been worshipped as Lord Siva. The temple with its massive walls and majestic gopurams in the vast area of 25 acres of land in extent looks like a fortified citadel of a king. It is indeed the Theyu (Agni) Lingam, one of the five great l'ancha Bootha Lingams. This vast temple complex which has grown around a small shrine over the self-formed Lingam, has been altered, extended, and developed by many ancient rulers and chiefs of Southern India for nearly a thousand years. This magnificent edifice stands today as a great symbol of Dravidian art and architecture.

This holy place brings out a great social phenomenon drawing a large number of devotees from far and near to circumambulate the hill crossing over a million on the day of Pournami. The history of the temple at Tiruvannamalai forms a part of the history of Tamil Nadu focussing on the social, political economic and religious aspects of the society in the region. The festivals of Tiruvannamalai reveal the socio-cultural aspects of the tradition and heritage of Tamil Nadu. The mighty structure of this vast Saiva sacred complex of South India clearly exhibits the sculptural beauty and architectural splendour of India. Though there are many big temples at Chidambaram, Kancheepuram, Thanjavut Srirangam, Madurai and Rameswaram, Sn Arunachaleswarar Temple is very significant spiritually and socially. The temple has wider scope for research in the fields of history, archaeology, sociology, economics, architecture, administration, art, sculpture and literature.