Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple
* Location: Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
* Deity: Lord Shiva
* Architecture: Dravidian style
* History: The temple is believed to have been built in the 9th century CE by the Pallava king, Nandivarman II.
* Significance: The temple is one of the most important Shiva temples in India. It is also one of the six Shiva temples known as the Pancha Bootha Sthalams, each of which is dedicated to one of the five elements. The temple is located at the base of the sacred mountain, Arunachala, which is considered to be the physical manifestation of Shiva.
* Highlights: The temple complex is home to a number of important shrines, including the main shrine of Lord Shiva, the shrine of Goddess Parvati, and the shrine of Lord Ganesha. The temple also features a number of unique features, such as the 1,000 pillared hall and the Chandrasekara Mandapam.
* Festivals: The temple hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, the most important of which is the Maha Shivaratri festival, which is celebrated in February or March.
* Visiting Information: The temple is open to the public from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Admission is free.
References:
* [Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiruvannamalai_Arunachaleswarar_Temple)
Architecture
Architecture of Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple
The Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the town of Tiruvannamalai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. It is also one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalams, or five temples dedicated to the five elements.
The temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture and is surrounded by a 7-foot-high (2.1 m) wall. The main entrance is on the east side and leads to a 100-foot-long (30 m) hallway. The hallway is lined with 108 Shiva lingams. At the end of the hallway is the sanctum sanctorum, which houses the main Shiva lingam. The lingam is made of black stone and is 18 feet (5.5 m) high.
The temple also has a number of other shrines dedicated to other Hindu deities, including Vishnu, Ganesha, and Murugan. There are also a number of tanks and ponds on the temple grounds.
Key features of the architecture
The Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple is one of the most impressive examples of Dravidian architecture. The temple is built on a raised platform and has a number of features that are characteristic of Dravidian temples. These features include:
* A large gateway tower (gopuram) at the entrance
* A pillared hall (mandapa) leading to the sanctum sanctorum
* A roof that is supported by a series of columns
* A series of shrines dedicated to other Hindu deities
* A number of tanks and ponds on the temple grounds
Significance of the temple
The Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. The temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. It is also one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalams, or five temples dedicated to the five elements.
The temple is also associated with the Tamil saint, Arunagirinathar. Arunagirinathar was a poet and devotee of Shiva. He wrote a number of hymns about Shiva, including the Tiruvannamalai Padal, which is a collection of 100 poems about the temple.
The temple is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus from all over India. The temple is also a popular tourist destination.