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The Arunachaleswarar temple has a
unique structure with a 66 metre high tower consisting of
thirteen storey tier. The temple has seven prakaras and nine
towers. The tallest tower was built by King Krishnadevarayar of
the Vijayanagaram kingdom in the fifteenth century and it is
believed to be the second tallest tower in the South India. This
tower is called as Rajagopuram located on the eastern side.
Arunachaleswarar temple is spread over 25 acres of land.
This temple is also considered unique since fire being one of
the five elements of Panchabootham is attributed to this
Arunachalaeswarar temple and Lord Shiva is worshipped in the
form of fire.
The other elements that falls under the Panchaboothas are space
(Akash), water (Jalam), wind (Vayu), and earth (Bhoomi) Each of
these five elements of Panchaboothas are associated to different
places of worship in Tamil Nadu and Andhra. Water is associated
with a temple in Thiruvanaikaval, Space is attributed to a
temple at Chidambaram, Earth at Kanchipuram and Wind at Sri
Kalahasthi in Andhra nearer to Tirupathi.
Every year during the Tamil month of Karthikai, the flame is lit
on the hill top and this ritual is witnessed by millions of
devotees who gather here from all corners of the world. This
festival is widely called as Karthikai Deepam in Tamil. Devotees
consider greatly auspicious to witness this fire every year
since Shiva or Arunachalaeswar is prayed as Agni at
Tiruvannamalai. |
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Arunachaleswarar Temple
