Traditional
stories tell us that there was an unsettled dispute between Lord
Vishnu and Lord Brahma as to who was superior. They sought the help
of Lord Siva to judge who was really superior; Lord Siva grew into
a long flaming light stretching between earth and heaClick ...!ven,
and asked them to find root and crown.
Brahma
agreeing to reach the crown took the form a swan and flew,
and flew to an extending height and could not reach the crown.
In his upward flight he caught hold of a flower of Pandavas
falling from Siva's crown and requested the flower to bear
a false witness that he collected it from Siva's crown . Knowing
this Lord Siva cursed Brahma that he would never be worshipped
in the temple, and banished Pandavas flower from his adornment. |
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Lord Vishnu took the form of pig and kept digging down to reach
Siva's foot; Siva was really pleased with the humility of Vishnu
and took him his heart.
The
Saiva cult is a world phenomenon. Thiruvannamalai is the capital
of Saivism. The South Indian deity Siva is the God of all countries.
Annamalaiannal is the most sacred of the names of the manifestation
of Lord Siva.
Saint
poets Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and so on
have visited Thiruvannamalai, prayed to the Lord and have composed
divine poems. Saint Manickavasagar had lived at Thiruvannamalai
for long period and had composed "Thiruvempavai - 20"
and "Thiruvammanai". Even today there is a temple for
Saint Manickavasagar on the Girivalam path at Adi-Annamalai.
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There
are 275 sacred places (Lord Siva Temples) which were praised
by the hymns of Thevaram and were called "Thirumurai
Thalangal". Of these places twenty two are found in Nadu
Naadu (a part of Tamil Nadu ). Thiruvannamalai is the most
sacred of these twenty two.
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SivaPuranam identifies four sacred places for obtaining salvation.
Thiruvannamalai is one among them. The significance of this place
is that by mere remembrance of Lord Arunachaleswarar at this place
gives salvation to all souls (Ninaithale Mukthi Tharum Thiruthalam).
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The
earth is formed by five basic elements namely land, water,
fire, air and ether. Our ancestors called them "Pancha
Boothas" and associated them with five sacred places
for worshipping Lord Siva. The center of these five elements
fire is identified with Thiruvannamalai. |
Thiruvannamalai
is the "Manipooraga Sthalam", which is one among six athara
sthalams. Thiruvannamalai is so sacred that even Gods, and celestials
offered their prayers. Tradition has it that Sun, Moon, Eight Vasus,
Brahma, Vishnu and so on have worshipped here.
Thiruvannamalai
has been the abode of Siddhars. Idaikkattu Siddhar, one of
the eighteen Siddhars, belongs to this sacred soil. Thiruvannamalai
has the honour of providing an abode for saints such as Arunagirinathar,
Vitpatchathevar, Gugai Namachivayar, Guru Namachivayar, Deivasigamani,
Arunachala Desikar, Mahan Seshadri Swamigal, Bagawan Ramana
Maharishi, Sri Yogi Ram Surathkumar and the like. |
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Sathanur
Dam is one of the Major Dam Constructed across Pennaiyar River.
The dam can be reached by road 30 km from Thiruvannamalai
Town.
This Dam was constructed during the year 1958. Sathanur Dam
is the oldest hero in Cinema Industry. All the films in midst
of 1960-1980 was shouted here. Beautiful parks were maintained
here with lawns and parks. A mini zoo is maintained inside
the park area to enjoy the Children.
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One
swimming pool is maintained inside the dam to enjoy the tourist
during the visit to dam. A large Crocodile farm and a fish
grotta is maintained here to know the life of Crocodile and
fish culture.
A visit to Sathanur Dam is a useful one to the Engineering
students who want to know about the irrigation structures,
Sathanur Dam is one of the oldest and beautiful dam here to
be visited.
Sathanur Dam is constructed across the Thenpennai River in
Chengam Taluk among Chennakesava Hills. It has a capacity
of 7321 million cubic feet (Full level 119 feet). An area
of 7183 hec. of Land is benefited by the left bank canal and
905 hec. of land is benefited by the right bank canal in Thandrampet
and Thiruvannamalai Blocks. This is one of the best picnic
place in our District. The Beautiful Garden with colorful
statues are also available in it. This Garden is one of the
Famous Cine Shooting Spot in South India. |
Gingee
Fort |
Gingee
also pronounced,as "Shingee" is 37-km east of Thiruvannamalai.
Gingee is famous for a fort complex dating back to 13th century,located
on the 3 different hill summit covering 3-km boundary area.
The Chola Dynasty built Gingee fort. The indomitable courage
and valour of its erstwhile rulers made Father Pinments,a
priest to call the Gingee Fort the "Troy of the East".
The
Vijayanagar emperors,Marathas and the Mughals occupied it
after the Cholas and it was in the hands of the French and
British rulers also for sometime.
In
1638,Gingee went under control of Bijapur Sultanate from the
hold of the Vijayanagar emperors. Then it went to Maratha
hero Shivaji in 1677,to Mughal in 1690,to French in 1750 and
to British in 1762. Vekataramana Temple is the largest temple
in Gingee,which was built by Muthiah Nayaka in 1550 AD. |
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Melmalayanur |
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The
temple of Angila Parameswari is situated here. In the inner
sanctum there is a snake pit which is being worshipped. There
is a congregation of devotees on every new moon day.
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