Annamalaiyar Temple

Annamalaiyar temple is located in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Lord Shiva is the main deity of this temple and this temple is one among the pancha bootha temples. This temple symbolizes fire form. Lord Shiva is in form of lingam and commonly known as Annamalaiyar/ Arunachaleswarar. Lord Shiva’s wife Parvati can see in the form of Unnamulai amman in the temple. This temple is one among Paadal Petra sthalam. Karthigai Deepam festival is one of the important festivals celebrated in this temple between the month of November / December. At the top of the hill devotees carry large amount of ghee to lit the lamp during this festival and the fire in the lamp will last for weeks and can be seen miles around the hill. Another form of worship can be done on each full moon day by walking around the hills during the evening. Many say that Rishi / saints will appear on full moon day and bless every devotee in the girivalam. Chitra pournami is one of the most auspicious day for carrying girivalam. This temple has four gopurams and the tallest gopuram is situated in the eastern side of the temple.