Tiruvannamalai

Places of Interest

Annamalaiyar Temple

Annamalaiyar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located at the base of Annamalai hills in the town of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu, India. Annamalaiyar Temple is the Third-Tallest Gopuram (216.5 ft) in the world. Address: Pavazhakundur, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu 606601 Architectural style: Dravidian Architecture Phone: 04175 252 438

Sathanur Dam

Sathanur Dam is formed by Sathanur Reservoir, one of the major dams in Tamil Nadu. It is constructed across the Thenpennai River also called as Pennaiyar River in Thandarampet taluk among Chennakesava Hills. The dam can be reached by road 30 km (19 mi) from Tiruvannamalai City. It was constructed in 1958. There is also a large crcodile farm and a fish grotto. Parks are maintained inside the dam for tourists to visit and the gardens have been used by the film industry.

Jawadhu Hills

The Javadhu Hills (also Jawadhi, Jawadhu Hills) are an extension of the Eastern Ghats spread across parts of Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts in the northern part of the state of Tamil Nadu in southeastern India.This range separates Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts. Vellore district lies on the north western side and Tiruvannamalai district lies on the south eastern side of this range. About 50 miles (80 km) wide and 20 miles (32 km) long, they are bisected into eastern and western sections by the Cheyyar and Agaram rivers, tributaries of the Palar. They consist of bluish gray granites, with peaks averaging 3,600–3,800 feet (1,100–1,150 m). The hills are sparsely populated; the majority of the inhabitants are Malayali tribespeople, though other castes are also present. There are many tourist places near Javadhu Hills, e.g., the Beemanmadavu waterfalls.

Lord Arulmigu Annamalaiyar Temple – Tiruvannamalai

Tiruvannamalai is very famous place both spiritually and historically. The temple is very unique as it is one among pancha bhooda stalam and sung by saiva kuravargal.The annamaliayar kovil was built before 1100 years and the architecture of the temple has its contribution from various kingdom from Cholas, Pandias, Sambuvarayars Posalas, Vijayanagar kings, Nayaks, Nagarathargal, Cheftains and Zamindars. The temple posseses more than 1000 statues and 450 stone inscriptions. The temple has more than 100 sannidhis. Various idols, bronze statues, paintings, thirusutrugal, thirtakulangal, 1000 pillar mahal and towering gopurams are the specialites of the temple. The temple is very enormous with an area covers around 25 acres and the East gopuram built by King Krishnadevarayar with a height of 217 ft which is the second tallest gopuram in Tamilnadu. Other than this, the temple consists of vallala Maharaja gopuram, kili gopuram and ammani amman gopuram which are of historic important. The main deity of the temple is Annamalaiyar and Unnamalai Amman. The Ezhuthu Mandapam situated in Girivalam path is an excellent art gallery. Kanthashram. Pavazhakundru. Ramanashram and Astalingas around the Girivala path are few notable tourist spots.

Lord Arulmigu Renugambal Temple – Padaivedu

Villages with many temples are known as Padavedu @ Padaivedu Village. The temple is situated at a distance of 55 Km from Tiruvannamalai, 40 Km from Vellore and 20 Km from Arni. After the fall of Chola dynasty in 10th and 11th Century, the Sambuvarayars, one of the minor kingdom of Chola dynasty declared their independence and established their rule in Padaivedu. Even today the remains of their fort can be seen at this place. Arulmigu Renugambal temple is one of the famous Sakthi stalas. The amman idol in Garbha griha is self-existing and the presence of Lord Brahma, Thirumal and shiva beside her proves that Lady Sakthi is predominant in the universe. Amman as suthai thirumeni is present at the backside along with Banalingam and Janakarshana chakaram established by Adhisankarar.

Lord Arulmigu Pandurangan Thirukovil, Thennakoor

Arulmigu Raghumayi Sammetha pandurangan temple in Thennakoor Village is an example of nagara style of architecture in North India. As per hindu puranas it is a place where Goddess Lakshmi Devi live and they maintain the gardens well. The enterance gopuram is very tall and the vimanam present inside are in nagara style of architecture and it has a huge mandapam with a lots of paintings and we can seek blessings of the 10.5 ft tall Pandurangan and 8.5 ft tall Raghumayi idols from here. The deities are adorned by different styles of clothes and ornaments in 6 days a week. The place is located in Vandavasi to Kanchipuram highway, 5 Km from Vandavasi.

Lord Arulmigu Periyanayagi Thirukovil, Devikapuram

It is the next biggest temple next to Tiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar temple and a best example for Vijayanagar architecture. Periyanayagi Amman temple located at the foot hill and Ponmalainathar temple is located at the hilltop. It has more than 10000 statues and 60 stone inscriptions. It was a famous trading point and spiritual place during Vijayanagar reign and the temple was administrative centre in ancient time. The compound walls of Periyanayagi ammman, marriage hall, Garbha griha were inscribed with the stories of saivisam and vaishnavism. Devara statues, avatars of Lord Vishnu and sthalapurana statues are few notable ones. Thirukameshwarar Sammeda Kokilambal temple is located at the backside and Ponmalainathar temple situated at a distant of 500 feet are known for their architectural beauty.

Enthira Sanishvara Temple, Erikkuppam

Enthira Sanishvara temple is located at Erikkuppam Villagein Arni-Padavedu road. It is one of the navagraha stalas dedicated to sanishvara, who blesses in Linga form. It is very famous during sanipeyarchi which occurs once in every two and half year. The 5 feet tall and 2 feet width Lord Sri Sanishvarar in open Garbha griha yandra has hexagonal structure at the centre and has thirusulam at its 6 edges and has Mahalakshmi and Lord Hanuman at the bottom, it also has Surya and Chandra structures in the forehead and a crow inbetween. There is a statue on Sanibhagavam in a chariot ridden by crows at the entrance. There is also a painting depicting all the navagrahas with their vehicles at the front mahal.

Arulmigu Vedapurishvar Temple, Cheyyar

Tiruvothaur temple is sung by Thirugnanasambanthar, one of the savaikuravargal. The miracle of transformation of the male palm tree into female palm tree by the songs of Thirugnanasambanthar occurred in this place. This place is currently known as Cheyyar. The Rajagopuram in Veedpureeshwarar temple faces east direction with 6 levels is full of sudai structures. The temple has wedding hall on right, temple pond on left and garden next to it. New structures of murugan, Vinayagar, Natarajar, Gnanasambanthar and palm tree are seen in the front mandapam. Right side of the temple has Ambal sanidhi and her lion straight opposite to her along with kodimaram, palm tree, Gnanasambanther & Sivalinga statue are present next to it.

Ramachandra Perumal Temple

The famous Yoga Ramachandra temple is present here. Statues of perumal has his left hand over his heart and Hanuman reading vadas opposite to him can be seen here. Very artistic Dwarabalagars statues can be present next to it. The front mandapam has Ramayanan, Dasaavathars of Vishnu, Gishnalelai, Krishnadevarayar statues special Structure of Krishnadevarayar is notable are seen.

Lord Vallisvarar temple Kronkinalmootam

It is 6th among the songs sung in Thondainadu. as valli as monkey Indran as squirrel, yeman as muttam (Crow) workshipped the lord, hence the place is called kuranganilmuttam. The front entrance of the temple has statues of squirrel & crow. God – Valleshwarar, Koyamalai nadir, Goddess – Vallaiyamman, Sthalaviritcham – Elandai,Theertham – Kakkaitheertham and has small garbbha griha facing west and Ambal sanidhi faces south. The temple also has sanidhis for Vijayagar, Murugar, Vishvanathar, Visaalatchi durai, bramman navagraha, Thirumal, Bairavar Nalvar Sandeshvarar and Sapda Mathars. cave temple of pallava period is present next to this temple.

Pachaiyamman Sameda Mannarsamy Temple Munugapattu

Munugapattu pachaiyamman Manarsami temple is one of the oldest temple. It functions as family temple for thousands of families thousands of devotees gave their offerings from first 10 Mondays from Tamil month of Aadi. The east facing goddess Pachiyamman blesses her devotees with a graceful face and in standing posture. Sudai structure in sitting posture can be seen at the backside. The Mahamandapam has the Goddess along with her friends and angels. Kaval Deivangal are seen at the entrance.

Parvathamalai

As per the opinions of the historians, the place ruled by the king Nanan Sei nanan during ancient period is Navira hills, presently called as Parvathamalai. It is present in the foothill of javadi hills and Abidagujambal – Maligarjunar temple is locaed in the hill top. The temple is a boon for mountain treckkers with natural scenaries and gentle breeze. This hill is known as Thenkailayam and workshipped by many saints. This place can be reached either from Thenmadhimangalam or from kadaladi. It is at a distance of 25 km from Polur and 30 Km from Tiruvannamalai.

Jain Temple, Thirumalai

It is a famous Jain temple. The 18 feet statue of Neminadhar, 23rd theerthangarar is present in the hilltop. The thirupathangal and Kundavi nachiyar inscription are present here. The Mahavir temple located at the foot hill has 5 feet sudhai statue, statues of theerthangarar’s, cave paintings, stone inscription. The temple is present at a peaceful and proper ventilated place. This temple can be reached from vadamathimangalam Via Polur, Arni or from Mattapiraiyur or Kommanandhal Via Devikapuram.

Mamamdur Cave Temple

This temple is one of the biggest cave temples of Tamilnadu. There are 4 Cave temples located in Narasamangalam – Mamandur Village hill. These temples were constructed by the king Magendiravarma and his successors. The 1st and 2nd cave present at the extreme right are for Vishnu and Shivan, respectively and there is no idol in the third cave at the hill top. The 4th cave present at the southern end is an incomplete one. The pallva grantha inscription which says about the special names of King Mahendiravarma and the 10th century stone inscription which says about the chitramega thadagam which is present at the back of the hill are historical treasures. Valeeswarar and Bairava temples are situated at the hill top.

Seeyamangalam cave temple

The cave temples like Avagibagana palavaneshwaram, Simha Vishnu are just cave temples during Pallava period. Later kings extended these into artha mandapam, Muga mandapam, kopurams The name of the idol is Thunandar. The historians mentioned that the natarajar statue in the pillar is the first natarjar statue. More than 30 stone inscriptions present here contains rare and important historical news. The hill present at the opposite to the temple has jain bed and various statues. This temple located at a distance of 2 km west to Desur .

MADAM Temple

This temple was constructed during the chola period, the main deity is Thadakapurishwar. The place was mentioned as Jeyankonda Cholamandalathu palkundrakottathu thennattur nattu kulathur in the temple stone inscription. The main deity eas mentioned as Agneeshwaramudaiyar during Kulothunga I (1072 cen CE), as mudal kulanthai Aandar during Rajarajan II (1166 cen CE) and currently as Thadakapuriswar. The stone inscriptions in Rajakkal rock and Sarukum rocks mentions about administration and details about the land donations and few more. The raja gopuram eas erected as a remembrance of the victory of Vijayanagar emperor over Sambuvarayars. The temple is a unique one which contains sagaskara lingam which has more than 1000 lingams on it, marriage hall, statues, stone inscription which is located at the centre of the place Madam. It is located at a distance of 5 km from Enthal junction in Chetpet – Vandavasi road.

Gangaikonda Choleeswarar tample, kuzhamandal

This is a stone temple built by Eesana Siva pandithar, guru of the King Rajendra chola during his period. The place was mentioned as Jeyankonda chola mandalathu kaliyur kottathu Aakkur oor adutha Bagur nattu nagaram vikrama chola mandalathu choleeswaram. The east facing temple is with two storey vimanam and artha mandapam next to it followed by muga mandapam. The name of the Lord Shiva is Gangaikonda Sozheeswarar. The stone built temple is a classic example for Chola’s architecture. It is maintaind by Tamilnadu archialogocal department. The temple is located in vandavasi – Kanchipuram highway, 500 km east to Kuzhamandal village.

Chandramoulishwarar temple, Brahmadesam

The 3 storey Chandramoulishwarar temple was built using sandstone during later pallava kings in Brahmadesam, Vembakkam taluk. The stone inscription mentions this place as Rajamala sathurvedi mangalam. It is also known as Karaikoodu Bhrammatheyam and the name of God called as Thirupoondai Aandar. Poondai means palm tree and Bharammandhasam is known as the land donated to well educate Brahmins.A peple sabha known as Perunguri mahasabha and it was used to take important decisions like donations of land. The temple has more than 90 stone inscriptions which has details like establishment “thaneer pandal” remembrance of Queen Veeramahadevi W/o. Rajendra Chola I, who underwent sati after the death of the king, functions of math, celebrations. Rudra Koteeshwarar temple is another temple present here. The temple stone inscription gives us details about the land donated by Kulothungam II. This temple is situated in Brhmadesam, natteri village in Kanchipuram – Arcot highway, Vembakkam taluk.