Temple

Thousand Pillar Hall:

On entering the temple through the east tower the big structure one faces on the right is the thousand pillared hall. There are indications that it was built by Krishnadevaraya. The thousand pillared hall sports exactly 1000 pillars. the pillars are carved , with sculptures of Naik periods and some divine images. Sages, Vishnu's incarations too find a place with floral designs.

Siddhi Vinayagar:

The prime God Lord Ganesha also resides near the Sivaganga Theertha (tank) in the name of "Siddhi Vinayaga" and also called "Sivagangai Vinayagar".

Annamalai sthala has a special place in the history of our Culture and Religious life. The hill Annamalai has been responsible for the blossoming of several Saints and Ghanis. Many saints have attained liberation here.

A divine retreat for weary souls:

Temple is an externalized aspect of faith, and it is a place to restore peace and harmony. What great seers have visualized has been made outwardly real in a temple. This temple is safely edifice consecrated to the Lord of Light and other deities, built centuries ago at the foot of the hill to form the seat of worship. The main entrance to the sanctum sanctorum is in the eastern tower, the tallest structure in proportion to the other dimensions of this largest temple forming part of it. The tower rising heavenward is marvelously massive and magnificently majestic one with its imposing structural elegance and inviting architectural excellence and awes people at a distance.

Temple is the world's only social hope and the sole promise of peace and harmony; It purifies the society, and looks at the world with the intention of serving it, and strengthening society spiritually uniting people. The temple stands for the eternal, and the great glory of god where people praise the name of god and sing his glory. The temple offers you something you simply cannot get else where.
 

Raja Gopuram :

the city Thiruvannamalai, the Rajagopuram standing majestically, soaring a height of 217 feet comes to view first. It has 11 stories. This tower is a standing testimony to the artistic genius of the Vijayanagar Dynasty.

The Paathala (underground) Linga which is inside the temple in the south west corner of thousand pillared hall is one where Ramana Maharishi worshipped and secured liberation. Next comes Kambath Illayanar Sannadhi where Arunagiri Swami, the author of Thirupugazh was granted Mukthi.

The temple has Six enclosures which includes 9 gopurams(Towers).

In the West - Pey Gopuram
In the North - Ammani Ammal Gopuram
In the South - Thirumanjana Gopuram.

Among the Gopurams Raja Gopuram is the big tower in the east and it was built by the King Vallala. And also the Entrance to the temple.

Arunagirinathar Mandapam :

Arunagirinathar Mandapam consists a spacious Hall. The hymns of Arunagirinathar are engraved on marble stones of the walls.

At the inner side of the Mandapam is a shrine for Lord Subramaniyar wherein Arunagirinathar is seen praying the Lord with folded hands. This is also known as Gopurathilayanar sannathi.

Sri Pathala Lingam :

Descending stone steps from Thousand pillared Mandapam lead devotees to the shrine of Sri Pathala Lingam. The sculptured vimanam of this shrine is at the floor level of the mandapam. The stone Lingam found in this shrine stands there undisturbed several hundreds of years.

This was the shrine where Saint Ramana Maharishi used to meditate during his early days. The meditation was so deep and wonderful that he could not feel pain even though his body was covered with insects and was eaten by vermin. It was at this stage Mahan Sheshadri Swami noticed Ramana Maharishi and arranged assistance to him.

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