The
Significance of Girivalam (Circumambulation)
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In
most of the holy places the Deity is found atop the
hill. But here the Holy hill itself is the Deity (Lord
Annamalaiyar) and is worshipped. "Arunam"
means sun and denotes the red colour of fire. "Asalam"
means "Giri" or "malai" (mountain).
Thus "Arunachalam" means the HOly hill which
is rd in colour. The Holy hill is 2668 fi. high. The
Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Kirthayugam,
was Manikkam (Emerad) during Threthayugam, was Pon
(Gold) during Dwaparayugam and rock during Kaliyugam.
There are eight lingams located at the eight directions
and provides an octagonal structure to Thiruvannamalai
Town. The eight lingams are: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam,
Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam,
Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. The Adi Annamalai
Temple glorified in Dhevaram is located on this path.
The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres. History
has it that even today a number of siddhars are living
on the hill. It is auspicious to perform "Girilvalam"
during every Full moon day which would do immense
good. It is because during Full Moon Day siddhars
movement would be there and the whole atmosphere would
be filled with perfumes of herbal plants. This will
provide peace of mind and good health to body. It
is a proven fact that on every Full moon day lakhs
of devotees circumambulate the Hill and get all benefits
by praying to Lord Annamalaiyar . |
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Asta
Lingams in Girivalam
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Indra
Lingam:(East)
This is the first lingam while the hill circumambulation,
worshipping this lingam yields healthy and wealthy
life.
Dominant Navagraha : Sun and Sukiran . |
| Agni
Lingam:(South East)
This
is the second lingam, It placed near The Lotus
tank, This is the only lingam placed on right
side of the circumambulation path, all other lingams
are placed on left side, It occupies the South
East direction, worshipping here retrieves us
from all diseases and to face challenges of life.
Dominant Navagraha : Chandran (Moon) |
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Yema
Lingam : (South)
This
is the third lingam, and next to Agni lingam and
3 kilometer away from the Rajagopuram, and it
occupies the South direction, it also has a holy
tank called "Simma Theertha", it is
believed that, worship of this solves economical
problems
.
Dominant
Navagraha : Sevvai |
Niruthi
Lingam : (South West)
This is the fourth lingam, while we see the peak
of the holy hill Arunachala, it views accompanying
of two parts of mountain and shows 'Sivan' and
'Sakthi' together. It placed in south west of
Arunachala. It also has a holy tank nearby, called
"Sani Theertha", worshipping here relieves
us from our difficulties.
Dominant
Navagraha : Raghu
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Varuna
Lingam : (West)
This
temple placed West of the hill Arunachala, this
is the fifth lingam. It is 8 kilometers away from
the Rajagopuram. One of the holy tank called "Varuna
theertha" is here. Workship of this temple
retrieves from crucial diseases and promotes ones
social status.
Dominant
Navagraha : Sani (Saturn) |
Vayu
Lingam : (North West)
The
whole world is made up of Earth, Water, Fire,
Air and Sky. no living creature can survive without
Air. While reaching this temple we feel the pleasantness
of spring and get peace of mind. it is placed
in Northwest direction. Worshipping here is of
confers boon on ladies and children.
Dominant
Navagraha : Kedhu |
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Kubera
Lingam : (North)
This
is the seventh lingam. Almost all of the devotees
, who comes for circumambulation, worship here
by soaring coins and currencies on this lingam.
Worship of this lingam grants economical growth,
and promotes peace of mind. It is placed in North
direction.
Dominant
Navagraha : Guru |
Esanya
Lingam : (North East)
This
is the eighth and last lingam. Here gets peace
of mind ability to concentrate mind on God works
out his way to heaven.
Dominant
Navagraha : Budhan |
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