Arunachalam Temple in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, is located at the base of Arunachala Hill. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is known as Arunachaleshwara or Annamalaiyar. Mata Parvati is known as Annamalai Amman. Let’s get the details on the second-largest temple in the world of Lord Shiva, the Arunachalam Temple timings, puja, darshan, parikrama, festivals and more.
This temple is one of the Pancha Bhootsthalas, representing the fire (Agni) element. There are four other temples in Tamil Nadu representing the other elements: earth, water, air and sky. Arunachaleshwara Temple is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Arunachalam Temple Timings
Arunachaleshwara Temple Timings
| Morning Time | Evening Time |
|---|---|
| 5:30 AM to 3:00 PM | 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM |
Arunachalam Temple Timings
This table includes Arunachalam temple opening time, Arunachalam temple closing time, Arunachalam temple darshan time and Arunachalam temple devotees’ entry time for darshan.
| Temple Opening Time | Nadai Closing Time | Arunachalam Temple Darshan Timings | Arunachalam Temple Devotees’ Entry for Darshan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:30 AM to 3:00 PM | 9:30 PM to 9:30 PM | 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM | 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM |
| 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM | – | 7:30 PM (Saturdays, Sundays, Full Moon Day, Holidays & High Devotee Days) | (Through East Rajagopuram & North Gopuram) |
You can check timing, puja details and other facts on Temple’s official website.
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Arunachalam Temple Pooja Timings
The table shows the Arunachalam temple puja with its name and time.
| Pooja Name | Pooja Time |
|---|---|
| Ko Pooja | 5:00 AM to 5:15 AM |
| Ushakala Poojai | 5:30 AM to 7:00 AM |
| Kalasandhi Pooja | 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM |
| Uchikkala Pooja | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM |
| Sayaraksha Pooja (Evening) | 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM |
| Irandamkala Pooja | 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| Ardhajama Pooja | 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
Arunachalam Temple Pooja Services & Price
The table shows Arunachalam temple puja services and the price of that.
| Pooja Service | Amount Rs. |
|---|---|
| Swami Amman Special Abishekam | 2500 |
| Milk Abiseham | 1000 |
| Ruthrabishegam | 5000 |
| Vinayagar, Swami, Amman Special Abishekam | 3000 |
| Panchamoorthigal Abishekam (Vinayagar, Swami, Amman, Subramaniar and Chandikeswarar) | 4500 |
| Parivara Moorthi Sannathi Milk Abishekam (Each Sannadhi) | 1000 |
| 1008 Sangu Pooja Special Abishekam | 10000 |
| Thirukkalyana Utsavam Special Abishekam Pooja | 8500 |
| Annadhanam (Food throughout the day) | 105000 |
History of the Arunachaleshwara Temple
The Largest Shiva Temple in The World
Arunachaleshwara Temple is spread over an area of almost 25 acres of land, making it the largest Shiva temple in the world. The temple is an architectural splendour with four magnificent gopurams (towers) on each side.
The tallest of them is the Rajagopuram on the eastern side, rising to 217 feet. The first mention of the temple can be found in 7th-century CE texts, indicating it was built before that. In later centuries, the temple was enlarged and renovated regularly by the Cholas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara kings.
The Main Shrine & The Magnificent Halls
The main shrine with the sanctum is the oldest structure in the complex. Enshrined here is the Lingodbhava (Shivling). Several Trishuls can also be seen in the complex, some enclosed by protective wire.
Around the sanctum, images of Lord Shiva appearing from the Shivling, Lord Vishnu, Somaskanda, Durga Mata, Chandikeswarar, Gajalakshmi, Nataraja and others can be seen. Five statues of Lord Shiva’s beloved Nandi can be seen in the temple complex.
The Arunachaleshwara Temple is particularly noted for its awe-inspiring Mandapams (Halls). The first is a 16-pillared Deepa Darshanam Mandapam (Hall of Lights). The Kalyana Mandapam (Marriage Hall) and Vasantha Mandapam (Hall of Spring) are magnificent examples of Vijayanagara architecture.
However, the most impressive is the 1000-pillared Arunagirinathar Mandapam, constructed by Vijayanagara kings. The pillars are carved with images of ‘Yali’, a beast with a lion’s body and an elephant’s head. Later on, Krishnadevaraya constructed the sacred kund of the temple opposite this hall.
Story of the Lingodbhava
In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is enshrined a Shivling known as ‘Lingodbhava’. There is an exciting story about how it appeared on the spot where the present Arunachaleshwara Temple is located.
There was once a disagreement about who was superior – Lord Brahma or Vishnu? Lord Shiva created a pillar of fiery light and asked them to reach the end of the pillar and report back. Lord Brahma went upwards to get to the end. Lord Vishnu went downward. They kept going and going but could not reach the end of the pillar.
Lord Brahma encountered a flower that had fallen from Lord Shiva’s crown and asked it to say that Lord Brahma had reached the top. Both Lord Vishnu and Brahma returned. Lord Vishnu conceded defeat and said he was not able to get to the end. Lord Brahma lied and said he had reached the top.
Lord Shiva knew the truth and cursed Lord Brahma never to be worshipped on Earth. (This curse was later reduced) Lord Brahma asked for forgiveness and requested Lord Shiva to remain in this place forever to bless mankind. The fiery pillar of light turned into what is now known as the Lingodbhava Shivling. It is also known as ‘Agni Lingam’ The place where Lord Shiva was standing is now the location of the Arunachaleshwara Temple.
Patala Lingam in the temple
In the basement of a raised hall is enshrined a Shivling known as ‘Patala Lingam’. This basement extends to a cave on the side of the hill. This was the cave where Ramana Maharishi meditated and achieved Moksha while his body was consumed by ants. This cave is also known as Mukti Sthalam. Ramana Maharishi’s ashram is a little distance down the hill.
Pradakshina
All devotees go around the hill; this is called Pradakshina, which is done around the temple. About five lakh devotees go around this Annamalai hill every full moon day, around 13 km in distance.
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How to Reach Arunachalam Temple?
By Road
Thiruvannamalai is connected to other cities by road to Banglore, Chennai, Puducherry, Viluppuram and Mangalore. So, one can reach here by bus, car, cab, or auto which are easily available.
Vellore – 86.5 km, Pudducherry – 109 km, Chennai – 196 km, Bangalore – 207 km, Kanchipuram – 116 km
By Train
The Tiruvannamalai Railway Station is about 1.8 km from the temple. There are trains from almost all the big cities in the southern regions. So one can easily choose the available train route. To reach here, one can prefer a car, cab or auto, which are easily available.
By Air
Pondicherry Airport is about 107 km from the temple, whereas Chennai International Airport is 176km from the temple. One can choose as per the frequency. Cars, cabs & autos are available to reach here.
Where to Stay in Tiruvannamalai?
There are several comfortable hotels and guest houses in Tiruvannamalai. You can easily find Accommodation in Tiruvannamalai.
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Hope you like this information on Arunachalam Temple, located in Tiruvannamalai. It’s timing for darshan and pooja, pooja prices, history, how one can reach there and places to stay near the Arunachalam Temple. If you have any questions regarding this, feel free to share them with us.
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