15,December 2014
It was a long wish to do Girivalam on day time and enjoy the
beauty of the hill and visit some of the caves where Sri Ramana maharishi had
done meditation. This came to true on 13th December 2014. The
details and experiences of the temple and Sri Ramana Maharishi’s caves visit
were written in separate posts. After reaching Thiruvannamalai kept my back bag
in the cloak room and tried to get the blessing of Lord Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar
before Girivalam. Since the crowd was too large, planned to do the Girivalam
first. Started from the temple at 12.30 Hrs and returned back to the temple by
17.30 Hrs. It took 5 Hrs to do the Girivalam. As per the saints and siddhars we
should walk like pregnant ladies. Sri Ramana maharishi took more days for
making one round and staying on the girivalam route during night.
The Girivalam of Thiruvannamalai Sri Arunachaleswarar is in
the form of hill is an unique. There are many herbs on the hill, the breeze
that blows over them is good our body. Hence it is advised to go around the
hills with bare body. Also early morning 05.00 AM or evening 05.00
PM are said to be the ideal times for circumambulation of the hill and the same
is called as GIRIVALAM. Also it is believed that Siddhars and great
souls go around the hill, they may not be visible to the human eyes.
It is advised to circumambulate on the left side of the road with out
making any noise, except chanting of “ OM Namasivaya “. It is also believed
that when we do the Girivalam siddhars blesses us. One thing is sure that
without Sri Arnachaleswarar’s grace we cannot do the Girivalam. I am
proud that I am also one of the blessed soul to do this girivalam with bare
foot ( It is believed that the stones on the path are Shiva Lingas and there
are lot of Shiva Lingas in the earth ).
On the Girivalam route apart from Ashta Dik Shiva Lingas
there are Pancha bootha Nandhis are installed. It is believed that the Darshan
of Sri Arunachaleswara Hill through the horns of Nandis is good for us. The
Hill changes its shape through out the girivalam route. When I did the
Girivalam I am not able to see the clear view of the hills due to smoke came
out of the Deepam, rain and black rain clouds.
Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple
view from Sri Skandashram
The details and experience
of my Girivalam are as follows.
GIRI VALAM
MAP
INDIRA LINGAM
After praying Lord Sri Arunachaleswara from the
east Rajagopuram started my Girivalam towards Indira lingam. The sannadhi is in
the bazaar, between shops. Some people says we have to start Girivalam from
Brahma Lingam and through South
Rajagopuram proceed to Indira Lingam and finish at Sri Bootha Narayana Perumal
sannidhi. And some people say we should start from Rettai Pillayar and finish
at the same place.
Entrance to the sannadhi from main road
Indira Lingam Sannadhi
From Indira Lingam reached the junction of South
Rajagopuram road took the right side path at the signal on the Chengam Road.
The view of the Hill from South rajagopuram is called as Eka Munikal Koombu
Muka Darshan.
AGNI
LINGAM
After crossing Simha Theertham and Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, comes the Agni
lingam on the right side of the main road. There is an arch which guides us to
the sannadhi. The sannadhi is in between the houses. The sannadhi is very small
with out gopuram or arches.
Agni Lingam Sannadhi
The view of the hills is not clear due to smoke
comes out of the Deepam, rain and black rain clouds. On the right of main road
Indira Theertham with Indira mandapam. The view of the hill is called as Thejo
Mukha Linga Darshan.
Then comes Sri Seshadri and Sri Ramana Maharishi ashrams. From Sri Ramana
maharishi’s Ashram the hill darshan is
called as Eru Pancha Mukha Darshan. Near Ramanashram, there is an ashram and
from there the hill darshan is called as Dida Muka Darshan.
Sri Seshadri Swamigal Ashram
Sri Ramana maharishi Ashram
Vada Mukha Darshan
When we proceed further There is a mandapam built
on a rock and darshan from there is called as Bringi Muni Mayana Darshan. The
next one is the Prithvi nandhi and this is the first of Pancha Bootha nandhi.
The Darshan through the horns of nandhi is called as Prithvi bangaaru Muka
Darshan.
SIMHA THEERTHAM
One of the theertham without water and maintenance
YAMA LINGAM
This is the 3rd of the Ashta Dik Lingams.
Yema Lingam
Yama lingam Sannadhi
Appu nandi deity is in a small mandapam. This is
the second of Panchabootha Nandi. The dharshan through the horns of this nandhi
is called as Mitra Chaaru Darshan. This darshan gives us strength to retrieve the
lost money, property, etc,.
Maha nandi Mandapam
An old kal / stone mandapam
Iyaswareswarar Temple
One of the theertha pond with a stucco Nandhi
Vinayagar Temple in front of Sudhai nandhi
NIRUTHI LINGAM
This is the 4th of the Ashta Dik Lingams.
Niruthi Lingam Sannadhi
Niruthi Lingam Sannadhi
Then comes Sri Seshadri and Sri Ramana Maharishi
ashrams. From Sri Ramana maharishi’s Ashram the hill darshan is called as
Eru Pancha Mukha Darshan. Near Ramanashram, there is an ashram and from there
the hill darshan is called as Dida Muka Darshan.
After crossing Simha Theertahm
and Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, comes the Agni lingam on the right side of
the main road. There is an arch which guides us to the sannadhi. The sannadhi
is in between the houses. The sannadhi is very small with out gopuram or
arches.
Next is the Siva Raja Singa Theertham. On the banks is a nandhi deity. After
this the route becomes shrubbery on the right side and obstructs the view
of the hill. This shrubbery is called as Kaama Kadu, ie the forest of desire.
The Theyu nandhi is the third of the Pancha Bootha Nandhi.
The dharshan through the horns of the nandhi is called as Chathur Mukha
Darshan. Lord Brahma attains the proficiency of the Vedas after having
this darshan.
On the left comes the Gayatri Darshan. We may
get the grace of Mother Gayathri, Lakshmi and Saraswati by worship. Next is the
Sakthi Siva Darshan. This dharshan gives the solace to King Nala and his wife
Dhamayanthi to reunite with their kids.
Vallalar sannadhi
Partial Arunachaleswara vision with shrubbery ( Kaama Kadu )
Palani Andavar Thirukoil
Sri Rajarajeswari Thirukoil
abandoned theertha kulam
Sri Adimudi Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi
Inside view of Sri Adi mudi siddhar jeeva samadhi
SURIYA LINGAM.
Suriya Lingam
Inside mandapam sannidhi
VARUNA LINGAM.
This is the 5th of
the eight Ashta Dik Lingams on the Girivalam route.
Varuna Lingam sannadhi
Varuna Lingam
Next on the left Sri Unnamulai mandapam &
Unnamulai Amman with Theertham pond. Mother Unnamulai Amman had done many years
severe penance at this place. The darshan from this mandapam is called the
Somaskand Darshan.
Sri Unnamulai Amman sannadhi
ADI
ARUNACHALA.
The darshan from here is called as Siva Yoga Muka Darshan. Thirumoolar also had the darshan
from here.
The 5 tier Rajagopuram
Manickavasagar mandapam and his temple is near Adi
Arunachaleswarar. The Thiruvasaga Pathigam Thiruvempavai was sung from this
place.
Manickavasagar Sannadhi
Manickavasagar sannadhi
Sri Arunachala darshan
VAYU
LINGAM
This is the 6th of eight Ashta Dik Lingams. The
darshan from here is called as Kanda Neeru Muka Darshan. This will cure the
problems related to Vayu.
Vayu Lingam Sannadhi ( see the entrance
opposite to moolavar - so small )
Next is a small nandhi. The dharshan through the
horns of the nandhi is known as Janma sabalya Muka Darshan. This offers the
salvation from the curses received in many births.
Abhaya Mandapam. The darshan from here is called as Dasamukha Darshan.
Ravanan got rid of the problems due to the sins through this darshan.
Nama Shivaya Ashram
CHANDRA LINGAM
Chandra Lingam Sannadhi
Sri la Sri
Lobha Matha Agasthiar Ashram. This was established by GurunMangala
Gandharva Venkatraman, the 1001st teacher in the Agasthiyar divine teacher
lineage. The darshan from here is called
as the Siva and Sakthi Aikiya Shivaroopa Darshan. In this Siva and Sakthi are
in perfect alignment. This darshan helps marriage to the unmarried persons.
Sri La Sri Loba Matha Agasthiyar Ashram
Then comes the Adhikara nandi shrine.
KUBERA LINGAM
This is the 7th of
eight Ashta Dik Lingams. Mother Lakshmi worshiped herself here.
Sri Kubera lingam
IDUKKU
PILLAYAR.
This shrine will remove karmas of millions of
births. People used to come through the narrow gap. It is believed that this will remove the fear of death.
Also it signifies that how we came to this world through our mother's womb.
This is very much similar to the Yama dwar
in Kailash Parikrama route starting point.
Idukku Pillayar Sannidhi
Then comes the Pancha mukha darshan. This darshan
will blesses devotees to enhance their
carrier development.
Pancha Mukha Darshan ( Smoke covered two peaks
at the Centre hill is from Deepam )
Then comes the darshan of Kona Linga Muka darshan
while we are passing the cemetery. The souls does not want anything except Lord
Shiva will have this darshan.
Kona Linga Muka Darshan before cemetery
ESANYA LINGAM.
This is the 8th of eight of Ashta Dik Lingams.
Esanya lingam
Esanya lingam sannadhi
Next is the Mother Durga Temple.The darshan from
here on the full moon day is called as Arunachala Maya Kuzhi Vadu Linga Muka
Darshan. This will removes the maya arises due to desire.
Then comes the Pavazha Kundru Darshan in Arunachala
or Palani Murugan Darshan.
Arunachala Pashupati Darshan, Rettai Pillayar and
Sri Bhootha Narayan Temple is on the way
to East Rajagopuram, which is the end
point of our Girivalam. Bootha Narayana Perumal and Rettai Pillayar temples are
very near.
Rettai Pillayar Sannadhi
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA
---
