Tiruvannamalai Arunachalesvara

Timings

5:30 AM to 12:30 PM

3:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Puja timings:
05:30 A.M Ukshakala
08:00 A.M Kala santhi
11:30 A.M Uchikala
05:30 P.M Sayaratchai
07:30 P.M Irandam Kala
09:00 P.M Arthajama

Architecture

The temple is mentioned in ancient Thevaram poems, the most famous of them sung by Appar Sambandar. It also finds a significant place in the Periyapurānam aka Thirurhondar purānam composed by Sekkizhar. The temple was constructed by the Chola dynasty with continuous additions and patronage from various later kingdoms such as the Hoysala, Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva & Vijayanagara. The temple stands at the center of the city, urbanized hundreds of years before the advent of western influence and rule in India.

Legend -

Once Brahma & Vishnu started quarreling among themselves on an ignorant subject – who is superior? Brahma asserted his supremacy because he created the existence while Vishnu declared himself superior because he sustained the existence. The fight was going on for a long period, suddenly a pillar of fire appeared near them. The pillar was huge, with neither beginning nor end. It was none other than Shiva himself who manifested as the cosmic pillar of fire. A voice came forward and challenged Brahma and Vishnu to find the endpoints of this pillar. Whoever found the end, would be declared superior. Instantly, Brahma assumed the form of a divine swan & Vishnu did his Varāha Avatāra. The swan flew up while the boar dug deep.

Neither could find the endpoints and be humbled. They returned and apologized in front of the endless pillar. Then, Shiva came forward from the fire & told them that none of them are superior. After this incident, both Brahma & Vishnu worshipped Shiva in his cosmic form. The pillar of fire then cooled down into a mountain – that is the Arunāchala hill at Thiruvannamalai today. The hill itself is a huge lingam. At the foot of the mountain, Shiva is worshipped in his cosmic form, just like Brahma and Vishnu worshipped Him.