Arunachala Kshetra (Thiruvannamalai) - Abode of Lord Shiva (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam)

• Meditation:

► Shiva: I meditate on Lord Arunachaleshwarar abiding in Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai).
► Kamakshi: I meditate on Devi Kamakshi performing penance in Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai).
(Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu)

• Greatness:

• Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai) is a Shiva Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Shiva) which is a Pancha Bhoota Sthalam (Place representing a prime Element of Nature) [Kanchipuram (Prithivi), Thiruvanaikaval (Jala), Thiruvannamalai (Agni), Srikalahasti (Vayu), Chidambaram (Akasha)] representing the element of Agni (Fire)

-- Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai) is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam (Glorified by Nayanmars) [Thiru Annamalai]

-- Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai) is the place where Lord Shiva manifested as an infinite Taijasa Lingam (Column of Fire)

-- Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai) is the place where Lord Shiva later manifested in a smaller form as the Arunachala Mountain

• Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai) is also a Devi Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Devi). Devi Parvati performed penance at Arunachala after performing penance at Kanchipuram.

• Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai) is also a Sant Sthalam (Place of Saints):
- Sri Ramana Maharshi (1879 - 1950 CE) spent most of his life here and has an ashram in Thiruvannamalai. (Ramana Ashram)

• Sacred Geography:

☗ Arunachala Mountain

• Puranic Events:

1. Presence of Lord Shiva in Arunachala: (Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya)
• Lord Shiva manifested as an infinite Taijasha Linga (Column of Fire) at Arunachala whose ends could not be found by Brahma and Vishnu. On the request of the Devas, Lord Shiva then manifested in a smaller form as the Arunachala Mountain for their worship.

2. Presence of Devi in Arunachala: (Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya)
• Devi Parvati performed penance at Arunachala after performing penance at Kanchipuram.

• Temples (Summary):

• Shiva:
- Lord Arunachaleshwarar

• Devi:
- Devi Unnamulai (or Apitakuchambigai)

• Places to See (Puranic Places mapping):

Presence of Lord Shiva in Arunachala:
• Lord Shiva manifested as an infinite Taijasha Linga (Column of Fire) at Arunachala whose ends could not be found by Brahma and Vishnu. On the request of the Devas, Lord Shiva then manifested in a smaller form as the Arunachala Mountain for their worship. (Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya - 1 to 2)
► Thiruvannamalai - Arunachala Mountain and Temple (Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu) The Arunachaleshwarar Temple of Thiruvannamalai is a famous temple of Lord Shiva. Thiruvannamalai is a Pancha Bhoota Sthalam associated with the element of Agni (Fire). Lord Shiva manifested here as an infinite Taijasha Lingam and later in smaller form of Arunachala Mountain for the worship of the Devas. Arunachaleshwarar Temple is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam (Thiru Annamalai) whose glory was sung by the Nayanmars.

Presence of Lord Shiva in Arunachala:

• Lord Shiva manifested as an infinite Taijasha Linga (Column of Fire) at Arunachala whose ends could not be found by Brahma and Vishnu. On the request of the Devas, Lord Shiva then manifested in a smaller form as the Arunachala Mountain for their worship.

(Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya - 1 to 2)

► Thiruvannamalai - Arunachala Mountain and Temple
(Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu)

The Arunachaleshwarar Temple of Thiruvannamalai is a famous temple of Lord Shiva. Thiruvannamalai is a Pancha Bhoota Sthalam associated with the element of Agni (Fire). Lord Shiva manifested here as an infinite Taijasha Lingam and later in smaller form of Arunachala Mountain for the worship of the Devas. Arunachaleshwarar Temple is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam (Thiru Annamalai) whose glory was sung by the Nayanmars.

• Puranic References:

• Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya (About Arunachala)

• Location:

Arunachaleshwarar Temple is located in the Thiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu. The temple can be visited from Thiruvannamalai (within city).

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