Arunachaleswarar Temple

Arunachaleswarar Temple, also known as Annamalaiyar Temple, is a major Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at the base of Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Spread over 25 acres, it is one of the largest temple complexes in India and one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams representing fire. Notable for its four towering gopurams, Dravidian architecture, and association with the Karthigai Deepam festival, it attracts pilgrims and visitors year-round.

Visitors can expect a vast Dravidian temple complex with four gateway towers (gopurams), the tallest eastern Rajagopuram at 66 metres, pillared halls, large courtyards and shrines to Arunachaleswarar (Shiva) and Unnamulai Amman (Parvati). The temple is set at the foot of Arunachala Hill with bustling streets and shops around it. Inside, visitors can see ornate sculptures, the thousand-pillared hall, temple tanks, and participate in darshan and rituals. The outer prakarams are spacious for circumambulation.

The temple's origins trace to the 9th century Chola period with later extensive expansions by Vijayanagara rulers, including Krishnadevaraya in the 16th century, and subsequent contributions by Cholas, Pallavas and other dynasties. Inscriptions from Chola, Vijayanagara and other periods are found in the complex. The present structure reflects layered Dravidian architectural development over several centuries, with the eastern gopuram completed under Vijayanagara patronage.

Revered as one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams where Shiva is worshipped as Agni Lingam, and as a Paadal Petra Sthalam praised in Tevaram hymns. The temple is inseparable from Arunachala Hill, considered sacred as Shiva himself. It is the centre for the 14 km Girivalam circumambulation performed especially on full moon days, and for the 10-day Karthigai Deepam festival when a large lamp is lit atop the hill, drawing large numbers of devotees.