In most of the holy places the Deity is found atop the hill. But here the Holy hill itself is the Deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and is worshipped. "Arunam" means sun and denotes the red colour of fire. "Asalam" means "Giri" or "malai" (mountain). Thus "Arunachalam" means the HOly hill which is rd in colour. The Holy hill is 2668 fi. high.
The Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Kirthayugam, was Manikkam (Emerad) during Threthayugam, was Pon (Gold) during Dwaparayugam and rock during Kaliyugam.
There are eight lingams located at the eight directions and provides an octagonal structure to Thiruvannamalai Town. The eight lingams are: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. The Adi Annamalai Temple glorified in Dhevaram is located on this path.
The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres. History has it that even today a number of siddhars are living on the hill. It is auspicious to perform "Girilvalam" during every Full moon day which would do immense good. It is because during Full Moon Day siddhars 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. It is a proven fact that on every Full moon day lakhs of devotees circumambulate the Hill and get all benefits by praying to Lord Annamalaiyar .
The circumambulation path has been provided with sodium lamps at the expense of 12 lakhs donated by cine artist Thiru Rajinikanth. This benefits pilgrims who perform circumambulation during night times. On behalf of Town administration bore well pumps are erected to supply drinking water to pilgrims. Moreover for the benefit of the devotees during special occasions annadhanam is performed by Sri Agasthiar Ashram,and so many donors. Milk is distributed by certain well wishers.
Indra Lingam:(East)
This is the first lingam while the hill circumambulation, worshipping this lingam yields healthy and wealthy life.
Agni Lingam:(South East)
This is the second lingam, It placed near The Lotus tank, This is the only lingam placed on right side of the circumambulation path, all other lingams are placed on left side, It occupies the South East direction, worshipping here retrieves us from all diseases and to face challenges of life.
Yema Lingam : (South)
This is the third lingam, and next to Agni lingam and 3 kilometer away from the Rajagopuram, and it occupies the South direction, it also has a holy tank called "Simma Theertha", it is believed that, worship of this solves economical problems.
Niruthi Lingam : (South West)
This is the fourth lingam, while we see the peak of the holy hill Arunachala, it views accompanying of two parts of mountain and shows 'Sivan' and 'Sakthi' together. It placed in south west of Arunachala. It also has a holy tank nearby, called "Sani Theertha", worshipping here relieves us from our difficulties.
Varuna Lingam : (West)
This temple placed West of the hill Arunachala, this is the fifth lingam. It is 8 kilometers away from the Rajagopuram. One of the holy tank called "Varuna theertha" is here. Workship of this temple retrieves from crucial diseases and promotes ones social status.
Vayu Lingam : (North West)
The whole world is made up of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Sky. no living creature can survive without Air. While reaching this temple we feel the pleasantness of spring and get peace of mind. it is placed in Northwest direction. Worshipping here is of confers boon on ladies and children.
Kubera Lingam : (North)
This is the seventh lingam. Almost all of the devotees , who comes for circumambulation, worship here by soaring coins and currencies on this lingam. Worship of this lingam grants economical growth, and promotes peace of mind. It is placed in North direction.
Esanya Lingam : (North East)
This is the eighth and last lingam. Here gets peace of mind ability to concentrate mind on God works out his way to heaven.
The Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Kirthayugam, was Manikkam (Emerad) during Threthayugam, was Pon (Gold) during Dwaparayugam and rock during Kaliyugam.
There are eight lingams located at the eight directions and provides an octagonal structure to Thiruvannamalai Town. The eight lingams are: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. The Adi Annamalai Temple glorified in Dhevaram is located on this path.
The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres. History has it that even today a number of siddhars are living on the hill. It is auspicious to perform "Girilvalam" during every Full moon day which would do immense good. It is because during Full Moon Day siddhars 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. It is a proven fact that on every Full moon day lakhs of devotees circumambulate the Hill and get all benefits by praying to Lord Annamalaiyar .
The circumambulation path has been provided with sodium lamps at the expense of 12 lakhs donated by cine artist Thiru Rajinikanth. This benefits pilgrims who perform circumambulation during night times. On behalf of Town administration bore well pumps are erected to supply drinking water to pilgrims. Moreover for the benefit of the devotees during special occasions annadhanam is performed by Sri Agasthiar Ashram,and so many donors. Milk is distributed by certain well wishers.
Indra Lingam:(East)
This is the first lingam while the hill circumambulation, worshipping this lingam yields healthy and wealthy life.
Agni Lingam:(South East)
This is the second lingam, It placed near The Lotus tank, This is the only lingam placed on right side of the circumambulation path, all other lingams are placed on left side, It occupies the South East direction, worshipping here retrieves us from all diseases and to face challenges of life.
Yema Lingam : (South)
This is the third lingam, and next to Agni lingam and 3 kilometer away from the Rajagopuram, and it occupies the South direction, it also has a holy tank called "Simma Theertha", it is believed that, worship of this solves economical problems.
Niruthi Lingam : (South West)
This is the fourth lingam, while we see the peak of the holy hill Arunachala, it views accompanying of two parts of mountain and shows 'Sivan' and 'Sakthi' together. It placed in south west of Arunachala. It also has a holy tank nearby, called "Sani Theertha", worshipping here relieves us from our difficulties.
Varuna Lingam : (West)
This temple placed West of the hill Arunachala, this is the fifth lingam. It is 8 kilometers away from the Rajagopuram. One of the holy tank called "Varuna theertha" is here. Workship of this temple retrieves from crucial diseases and promotes ones social status.
Vayu Lingam : (North West)
The whole world is made up of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Sky. no living creature can survive without Air. While reaching this temple we feel the pleasantness of spring and get peace of mind. it is placed in Northwest direction. Worshipping here is of confers boon on ladies and children.
Kubera Lingam : (North)
This is the seventh lingam. Almost all of the devotees , who comes for circumambulation, worship here by soaring coins and currencies on this lingam. Worship of this lingam grants economical growth, and promotes peace of mind. It is placed in North direction.
Esanya Lingam : (North East)
This is the eighth and last lingam. Here gets peace of mind ability to concentrate mind on God works out his way to heaven.
Table on Significance of Worshipping Asta Lingams in Girivalam
| Name | Direction | Installed By | Dominant Navagraha | Benefits of Worship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indra Lingam | East | Lord Indiran, the king of Celestials | Sun and Sukiran | Long life and fame |
| Agni Lingam | South East | Lord Agni (God of Fire) | Chandran (Moon) | Relief from diseases and fear |
| Yama Lingam | South | Yama, God of Death | Sevvai | Longevity of life span |
| Niruthilingam | South West | Niruthi, the king of giants | Raghu | Health, Wealth and Fame. Issueless can get children. |
| Varunalingam | West | Varuna, the God of Rain | Sani (Saturn) | Relief from illness Especially water related diseases |
| Vayulingam | North West | Vayu the God of air | Kedhu | Relief from illness especially the heart diseases, breathing and stomach problems |
| Kubera Lingam | North | Kuberan, the God of Wealth | Guru | Wealth and improvement in life status |
| Easanya Lingam | North East | Easanyan | Budhan | Peace of mind |
Excellent article. I'm going through several these difficulties.
ReplyDelete