Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi - Mamara cave / Mango Tree Cave, Virupaksha Cave and Skandashram at Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

                                                                           18, December 2014.

After collecting the details of Sri Arunachala temple on 14^th December 2014 During my Sri Arunachaleswara temple visit, thought of visiting a temple on the hill and taking a photograph of the temple from the hill temple. Initially, I did not know I was proceeding toward the Caves which are associated with  Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi. When I inquired the locals about the temple they guided me to go up.  It was scary since I trekked the hill alone. There was nobody in the front or back. After climbing half the distance near  Mamara cave, two visitors are climbing down.

MAMARA CAVE ( MANGO TREE CAVE )

This cave is situated before Virupaksha cave. Once there was a big mango tree near the cave that had fallen down and there is no mango tree now. There is a Shiva shrine called Sri Maheswarar and a Sri Kasi Annapoorani shrine.  Inside the cave, we have to kneel down and go. Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi stayed for a while in this cave.

LOCATION OF THE CAVE: CLICK HERE

 Sri Maheswarar Sannidhi at Mamara Cave 

 Sri Kasi Annapoorani Amman sannadhi through which we have to go into the cave 

MULAIPAL THEERTHAM

I trekked further and reached Mulaipal Theertham, where the water from the hill is collected in the pond and well. There is a board not to take bath and wash clothes. But the locals did not mind. Above the theertham, there is an ashram called  Sri Annamalaisamy Sri Guru Ram Yogi Lahari with an Amman temple.  One the way plastic bags were strewn on the side of the path ( Spoiling nature ).

 Mulai Paal Theertham 

 CAUTION BOARD

 

 Amman temple 

 Sri Annamalai Swamigal Ashram 

VIRUPAKSHA CAVE

The trek stretches like Hanuman’s tail. Finally reached   Virupaksha cave with ASI caution board. The cave is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) and maintained by Sri Ramanashram.  Sri Ramana Maharishi’s disciples visit throughout the year from foreign countries too. The cave is like “OM”.  Sri Ramana Maharishi stayed in this cave from 1899 to 1916. It is believed that  Sage Virupaksha’s jeeva Samadhi is in this cave. When I went inside the cave absolutely there was no sound and very very dark. Only one oil lamp was burning at the center. I could not see anything. Sat for a while and meditated. When my eyes got accustomed to the dark, I could see a lot of people sitting in two tiers and meditating. Really it was a wonderful experience.

LOCATION OF THE CAVE: CLICK HERE

 Virupaksha cave 

I  trekked further.  There was a long steep stretch. At the end of the stretch, there was a fall and a pool of water. After crossing the falls the trek became easier. 

  The path leading to Skandashram

Water  Falls

A long snake was playing in the pool of water and must be at least 8 feet in length.  On seeing me the snake ran into the forest.  While climbing down also I saw the same snake playing in the pool of water. ( The snake can be seen like a stick in the water )

SKANDASHRAM.

The Skandashram is also controlled by ASI and maintained by Sri Ramanashram.  The cave is not as big as the Virupaksha cave. There are three rooms for meditation adjoining the cave.  Meditated for a while and enjoyed the beauty of the ashram, plants, trees, and hill. I noticed there are a lot of foreigners visiting this cave also. They become the ardent disciples of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi. Sri Ramana Maharishi lived in the cave between 1916 to 1922 with his mother. After his mother attained mukti he stayed in the base ashram itself. Here only he found out “who am I”

LOCATION OF THE CAVE:  CLICK HERE

 Sri Skandashram

 Sri Skandashram 

 Sri Skandashram 

Water  will fall on Shiva lingam during the rain

On the way back to Sri Arunachaleswara, I found this panoramic view of the temple.   I clicked Sri Arunachaleswara Temple view. It was completely overcast throughout the day, and I could not take a clear picture.

From Skandashram there is a path leading to Sri Ramashram also. But I returned on the same route.  But  I missed the route halfway and diverted to Sadai Swamigal Ashram and they guided me to the base of the hill. Hence it is advisable to trek with some people instead of going alone.

It was said that once the maha deepam is placed on the 10th day it will continue to burn. If the same get off within a short period some bad things will happen. But this is not correct. These 4 people carry the gee and wick to light up the maha deepam everyday evening by 18.00 Hrs for 11 days after the mahadeeppam festival.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple / அருள்மிகு அருணாசலேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

 17, December 2014.

On the 13^th & 14^th, of Dec 2014, I had Thiruvannamalai Sri Arunachaleswarar Darshan. It was a 1 ½ day visit to Thiruvannamalai. I want to cover the temple extensively.  Started from Chennai around 07.00 Hrs from Koyambedu and reached Thiruvannamalai around 12.30 Hrs. My plan was to have the darshan of Sri Arunachaleswara first and then do the Girivalam. Since it was Saturday, there was a lot of rush and Melmaruvathur & Ayyappa devotees also increased the crowd. So kept my backbag in the cloakroom and carried only the food and water for the Girivalam. Started the Girivalam by 12.30 hrs and returned back to the temple around 17.30  Hrs.  (Girivalam's experience and details were uploaded in the previous post ). Joined in the 20 rupees Q, It took almost 2 hours for the darshan. When I was in the Q the drizzling started and later it was raining heavily, but the whole day it was overcast and cloudy. Had the peaceful darshan of Sri Arunachaleswara and Sri Unnamulai Ammai. After darshan, I was very lucky to have the darshan of Maha deepam on the Arunachala Hill with heavy rain.

Stayed in the lodge on 13^th Dec 2014, night. Around 07.00 Hrs on 14^th Dec 2014, once again went into the temple and started for the darshan of all the other sannadhis.  It took almost 2 hours to find out Hoysala’s “Anda Perandam“, a bird no, an animal, no it is a combination of both.  It took another hour to locate King Vallala’s relief on the Nandhi mandapam. But I couldn’t trace King Vallala’s wife’s relief. After collecting the details went to Virupaksha and Skandashram caves, where Sri Ramana Maharishi lived and meditated. The details will be posted in the next post.   

22. ARULMIGU ARUNACHALESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVANNAMALAI

This Post was updated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions, Legends etc,. For the updated details please click this link 

This is the 22^nd  and last Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam in Nadu Nadu. Nalvar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Moolavar  : Sri Arunachaleswarar, Sri Mahadevar,

  Sri Aalwar Anna Nattudayar. Sri Annamalaiyar.

Consort    : Sri Abeethakusambal, Sri Unnamulai Ammai,

Sri Unnamalai, Sri Thiru Kamakottamudaya Nam Piratiyar, Sri Ulakudaya Perumal Nam Piratiyar.

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple was built in an area of 24 acres. The temple was built with 9 Gopurams and 6 praharas. The 6^th praharam compound wall is 700 feet on the south-north, the South wall is 1479 feet and the North wall is 1590 feet. The East Rajagopuram is 217 feet with 11 tiers, the highest of all. The base of the east Rajagopuram is  135 feet x 98 feet. This Rajagopuram was built by Krishnadevaraya. The names of the other Rajagoprams are Thirumanjana Gopuram in the south, Vallala maharaja Gopuram, Kili gopuram between 3^rd and 4^th praharam, Ammani ammal gopuram ( She only collected the money and constructed ) on the north, Pey gopuram on the west and three kattai gopurams of shorter than Rajagopurams.

After East Rajagopuram in the 6^th and 5^th prakaram important places / sannadhis are Arunagirinathar Annadhana mandapam, Sivagangai theertham, Kambathu ilayanar sannadhi, Sarvasakthi sannadhi ( Iraivan’s various forms were painted on the ceiling ), Thirukalyana mandapam, Kalyana Sundareswarar, 16 pillar/ kal mandapam, 4 pillar mandapam, vahana storage rooms, 1000 pillar mandapam, Pathala Lingam, Gopurathu Ilayanar sannadhi, Periya nandhi under a mandapam. On the west side kattai gopuram Sannadhi for Ammaiappar and Annamalaiyar thirupatham. Kosalai is on the south side. Guest house is on the north side of 6^th corridor.

After climbing few steps through Vallala maharaja's gopuram we can enter in the fourth prakaram. Sannadhi/ important places are Brahma theertham, Sri Kala Bhairava (big in size), 4 Pillar mandapam, Mandapam with shops, Brahma lingam (with four faces – via  fire, Vayu, earth water, and top Aakayam – Chathur mukha lingam or we can call as pancha mukha lingam), Vidyatheswarar, Naleswarar, Yanai thirai konda Vinayagar, Kambathu Ilayanar Sannadhi, Kalaiarangam and 6 feet Nandhi. In the right side pillar of the Nandhi mandapam a relief of King Vallalan with hand in worshipping posture and on the left pillar relief of hoysalas, Anda Peranndam (a mixture of bird and an animal). Another relief of Vallala Maharaja’s image (Seems to be aged) is available in the Vallala Maharaja’s Gopuram passage.

We have to pass through 6 tires Kili (parrot) Gopuram to reach 3^rd prakaram. Lot of parrots are there in this gopuram. From this gopuram Arunagirinathar left his body to get Parijata flower in the form of parrot. Since his body was cremated before his arrival, he remained as parrot. The important sannadis/ places are 16 pillar and 4 pillar mandapams, office room, Ekambareswarar, Chidambara nathar, Pidari Amman ( with a stone soolam at the front ), Kalatheeswarar, Golden chariot mandapam.  Unnamulai amman sannadhi, Balipeedam. There is sudhai sirpam on the right side passage of Kili gopuram ( Parrot gopuram ).

At the entrance of Moolavar sannadhi mandapam on the left Sri Sampantha Vinayagar and Dhandayuthapani on the right. In the front mandapam  Barani deepam ( out side the mandapam ), Balipeedam , Dwajasthambam, Adhikara Nandhi.

In the second prakaram, Sannadhi for Devara Thirumurai parayana mandapam, Nalvar, 63var in stone, Sabtha mathaakkal, Lingangal, Iyappan, Gautama maharishi, Durvasa maharishi, Shethra Kanni Ganapathy, Somaskandar urchavar, Arthanareeswarar, Urchava moorthangal, Sri Sridevi, Bhudevi sametha Venugopala, Gajalakshmi, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar, 63var in cheppu moorthangal, Sorna Kala bairavar, Palliyarai, Theertha well, Saba mandapam.

In Koshtam, Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

Moolavar is in normal size with golden nagabaranam. Ambal is small in size.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

The temple has a long history. The temple was constructed by the Pallava, Chozha, Pandya, and Hoysala kings in stages. Each one of them had left their stamps. The original structures were changed in some areas during construction and renovation/thiruppani. Nattukottai Nagarathars had done a lot of thirupani to this temple.

 

There are more than 100 inscriptions available on the temple walls. They were between 849 CE to 1582 CE. These inscriptions mainly record the donations given to this temple. Apart from Tamil inscriptions, some Telugu inscriptions are also found on the 3^rd  prahara wall. Some of the inscriptions were lost during renovations.

FESTIVALS

Even though festivals are celebrated throughout the year the Thirukarthigai deepam is being celebrated in a grand manner for 17 days. 10^th day  maha deepam is placed / burnt in a large deepam pot at the top hill. 11 days after maha deepam every evening at 18.00 Hrs deepam is  placed on the top of the hill for which 2 cans of gee and wick bundle is being carried by the  people from the temple.

ARUNACHALESWARAR TEMPLE TIMING.

Morning 05,00 Hrs to 12.30 Hrs

Evening 15.30 Hrs to 21.30 Hrs

Morning

5:00 Hrs Temple Opens for first session pooja 

5:30 Hrs Gomatha Pooja 

6:00 Hrs Oudshakala Pooja 

8:30 Hrs Kaalai Shanthi Pooja   

Noon

11:00 Hrs Uchi kala pooja 

12:30 Hrs Temple close 

15.30 Hrs Temple open for Second session pooja  

18.00 Hrs Sayaratchai kala pooja    

Night

19.30 Hrs 2^nd Kala Pooja 

21.00 Hrs Artha jama pooja

21.30 Hrs Temple Close  

CONTACT DETAILS

Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer

Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple 

Thiruvannamalai-606601

Phone: 04175- 252438.

E-Mail- arunachaleswarartempletvm@gmail.com 

Temple's official website

http://www.arunachaleswarartemple.tnhrce.in/

HOW TO REACH :

Frequent bus facilities are available from Chennai, Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Tindivanam, Bangalore etc,.

Tiruvannamalai Railway station is on the Villupuram to Katpadi and the temple is 2 Km from the station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Chariot for Urchavam

 East side RajaGopuram is 217 feet high with 11 tiers 

Inner view of east Rajagopuram

 Gopurathilayanar sannadhi, Sri Murugan gave darshan to Arunagirinathar

 Sarva Sakthi Temple 

 1000 pillar mandapam with Rishabam mandapam 

  Rishabam mandapam in 5& 6 prakaram

 Vallala Maharaja Gopuram 

 Brahma Theertham with south side Rajagopuram and Kattai Gopuram

Kili ( Parrot ) Gopuram 

 Moolavar sannadhi 

 Moolavar sannadhi with hill view 

  Rishabam in 4th praharam with Ammani Ammal Rajagopuram

 Ekapatha Moorthy on the dwajasthambam base - Vishnu on the left and Brhama on the right 

 Adhikara / Rishabam near Dwajasthambam 

 Night view 

 Night view 

 Pathala Lingam on the left and east sides of Rajagopuram 

 A Pichadanar relief on the pillar of a mandapam 

Vallala Maharaja on the Rishaba Mandapam Pillar

Vallala Maharaja on the passage wall of Vallala Maharaja Gopuram 

Gandabherunda - Combinations of bird and animal - Hoysala's symbol

 View from Pidari Amman Temple 

 Saba mandapam 

 Sri Unnamalai Amman sannadhi 

 Back side of moolavar sannadhi - a Stucco yazhi's face on the  wall  for rain water outlet

Pey gopuram on the west side 

Sarva Sakthi Temple

 Paintings on the ceiling of Sarva Sakthi temple 

 Paintings on the ceiling of Sarva Sakthi temple

 Paintings on the ceiling of Sarva Sakthi temple

 Paintings on the ceiling of Sarva Sakthi temple

 Paintings on the ceiling of Sarva Sakthi temple

 Paintings on the ceiling of Sarva Sakthi temple

Paintings on the ceiling of Sarva Sakthi temple

 Barani Deepam and balipeedam

 ARULMIGU ARUNACHALESWARA TEMPLE COMPLEX

1. East Rajagopuram

2. Sivagangai Theertham

3. Murugan sannadhi

4. 16 Pillar mandapam

5. Sarvasakthi Vinayagar Temple

6. 1000 Pillar mandapam

7. Paathala lingam

8. 4 Pillar mandapam

9. Peria Nandhi

10. Thirukkalyana Mandapam with Kalyana Sundareswarar sannadhi

10. Kopurathuilayanar sannadhi

11. Vallala maharaja Gopuram

12. Sri Kala Bhairavar

13. Brahma Theertham

14. 4 Pillar mandapam

15. Shops, Temple architect sample in a mandapam

16. Kalai Arangam

17. 6 Feet Nandhi

18. Kili Gopuram

19. North Kattai Gopuram

20. Ammani Ammal Gopuram

21. South side kattai Gopuram

22. Thirumanjana Gopuram

23. Brahma lingam

24. Vidhyatheswarar

25. Naleswarar, Vinayagar Sannadhi on the back side 

26. Yanai Thirai konda Vinayagar

27. Kaarthigai Deepa mandapam 16 Pillar

28. Office Room

29. Ekambareswarar

30. Pidari Amman

31. Chidambareswarar

32. Kalatheeswarar

33. Vahana mandapam

34. 4 Pillar Mandapam

35. Sthala Viruksham

36. 4 Pillar mandapam

37. Sri Arunachaleswarar Sannadhi

38. Sri Abeethakusambigai, Sri Unnamulai Ammai sannadhi

39. Annamalayar Thirupatham

40. Ammaiyappar

41. Kosalai

42. West side Kattai Gopuram

43. Pey ( பேய்  ) Gopuram

44. Arunagirinathar Annadhana mandapam

45. Vahana mandapam

46. Guest Houses

SANCTUM SANCTORUM LAYOUT

1. Sanctum Sanctorum with Pradhosha Nandhi

2. Devara Parayana mandapam

3. Nalvar

4. 63 var

5. Sapthamathas

6. Lingas

7. Iyappan

8. Gowthamar and Durvasa Maharishi\

9. Kshethra Vinayagar

10. Somaskandar

11. Arthanareeswarar

12. Sridevi & Bhudevi sametha Perumal sannadhi

13. Lingas

14. Gajalakshmi

15. Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar

16. Lingas,Urchavarkal

17. 63var

18. Lingangas

19. Sorna kala Bhairavar

20. Palliyarai

21. Theertha Kinaru

22. Saba mandapam

23. Urchavas

24. Sampantha Ganapahi

25. Dhandayuthapani

26. Adikara Nandhi

27. Dwajasthambam

28. Balipeedam

29. Barani deepam

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---