Visit to
Tiruvennamalai- Annamalai Temple
It just happened that my friend called up one morning and
asked whether I will accompany her to Tiruvannamalai. On questioning what is
there did she tell that there is a famous Shiv Linga , and one has to go around
it which is 14 km in distance. That aroused my curiosity as I had never heard
of it and I really wanted to see which this place. And hence the journey began
to this place.
At most holy places located on hills, the
Deity is found at the top. On reaching the place did I find out that in
Tiruvannamalai, the Hill itself is considered the Annamalai and considered the
biggest lingam.
This is believed to be the largest temple in the world
dedicated to Shiva. Shiva is worshiped as Annamalai or Arunachaleswarar, and is
represented by the lingam, with his idol referred to as Agni lingam. His
consort Parvathi is depicted as Unnamulai Amman. It was built around 700 A.D,
rich in history, tradition and architectural splendour. And one of the ways in
which it is worshipped is by its circumambulation/Girivellam/Giripradakskina .
The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres. Before starting the walk , one can pray and ask for a wish by tying a sacred thread at the base from where the walk starts. The base has a Ganesha temple where once can get the thread to tie. They say if wish is fulfilled then you have to come again to thank the Lord.
History has it that even today a number of saints living on the
hill. It is auspicious to perform " Girivellam " during every Full
moon day which would do immense good. It is because during Full Moon Day saints
movement would be there and the whole atmosphere would be filled with perfumes
of herbal plants. This will provide peace of mind and good health to body. One
can witness on every Full moon day, lakhs of devotees circumambulate the Hill
and get all benefits by praying to Lord Annamalai. On route during Girivellam
one can see the eight lingams: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi
Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. There are small
temples for all the different gods which one can pray while doing Girivellam
After completing Girivellam one should enter the temple which
faces East. It has got four stately towers on all the four sides and four high
stone walls just like the rampart walls of a fort. The Eastern Tower called the
Rajagopuram is the Highest. They say one should enter from the East. Inside
there was a huge queque as the previous night was a full moon and lakhs of
people were standing in a queque to witness the God. And the crowd too moved
slowly in one lane only. We must have been there in the que for more than an
hour. I thought it might take hours because of the crowd and my legs and back
too were paining because of the previous night walk. But in that one instance,
the security inside removed the barricade and made 2- 3 lanes and we were able
to witness Shiva in just a couple of minutes. The same happened in the case of
Parvathi. It was if God really wanted me to see him.
Successfully completing the 14 km walk barefoot around the
hill , on a full moon night and felt had a purpose in coming to the place
without planning for it. The temperature in the morning is really HOT. As we
did the darshan the next morning, one really will find it difficult to walk barefoot
as the floor will burn due to the heat.
Though the walk was Very tiring but felt Truly blessed going
there. Shall definitely visit again.
