Thiruvannamalai Aadhi Annamalai (Aadhi Annamala) Temple Thiruvannamalai

Address

Thiruvannamalai Aadhi Annamalai (Aadhi Annamala) Temple Thiruvannamalai District- 606604

Diety

Aadhi Arunachaleswarar Amman: Abitha Kujalambal

Introduction

Aadhi Annamalai Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thiruvannamalai, pilgrimage town in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Aadhi Annamalai / Aadhi Arunachaleswarar and Mother is called as Abitha Kujalambal / Unnamulai Amman. The name of this Temple, Aadhi Annamalai means ‘first’ or ‘ancient’ Annamalai (Arunachaleswarar). The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. This Temple was built few centuries before the famous Thiruvannamalai AnnamalaiyarTemple. The Temple is situated on the on the west side of Thiruvannamalai Town. The Temple is under the control of Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple.

Puranic Significance

Aadhi Annamalai is the oldest temple around Arunachala. This Temple was built few centuries before the famous Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple. The earliest known record of the temple is in the works of the poet Nakkeerar of the third Tamil Sangam period. At that time, the temple might have been a simple wooden structure. The present masonry structure and gopurams (temple towers) date back approximately 1200 years. In spite of its illustrious history, the Aadhi Annamalai Temple was sadly neglected in the 20th Century. According to Śiva Mahapurana, once Lord Brahma (the god of creation) and Lord Vishnu (the form of god of protection) had an argument over supremacy of creation. To settle the debate, Supreme God Shiva pierced the three worlds appearing as a huge Infinite Pillar of Light, the Jyotirlinga and asked them to find his upper and lower limits and he who found either of these is the superior one. Both gods stopped fighting and decided to explore the ends. Brahma took the form of a swan and flew up to reach the top of the column of light, whereas Vishnu became a boar and started digging into the earth to find its base. A thousand years passed as Vishnu dug deep into the nether worlds and the journey seemed endless.With all this power he could not discover the base. He soon realized and recognized that his true strength was derived from this Supreme Light that is Lord Shiva. He prayed to Shiva seeking his pardon and then returned to earth. Brahma who flew up as a swan was mounting the sky and the higher, he soared, the column of light rose higher before him. He was growing despondent and was about to return when he saw a fragrant flower called Ketaki (screw-pine) falling towards the earth. On asking from where it had come, the flower revealed that it had come from the crest of the fire column that was none other than Shiva himself and that it had been descending for thousands of four-fold Yugas. Bramha, realizing that he would not be able to reach the crown asked the flower to act as a false witness. The Ketaki flower acting as a false witness declared that Brahma had seen the crown. Siva became angry at the deception and cursed that Bramha should have no temple on earth and Ketaki flower should not be used while praying to Lord Siva. This huge Infinite Pillar of Light, the Jyotirlinga. which later cooled into the Holy Mountain Annamalai (on which the Temple of Arunachaleshvara is located).

Special Features

The Temple is very small compared to the famous Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple and it occupies only 1/2 acre. Presiding Deity is called as Aadhi Annamalai / Aadhi Arunachaleswarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Mother is called as Aadhi Abitha Kujalambal / Aadhi Unnamulai Amman. She is housed in a separate shrine. There are shrines for Vinayaga and Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai in the outer prakaram. There is a Theertham called Unnamalai in the Temple premises. Idols of Karaikal Ammaiyar, Vinayaga, Sundarar, Appar, Manikkavasakar, Tilakavathy, Bala Ganapathy, Three Shiva Lingams and many more idols can be found next to the Vahana Mandapam. There is a Temple and pond dedicated to this saint Manikkavasakar at Adi Annamalai. It is reported that the vision of Arunachala from this Temple is known as Siva Yoga Muka Darshan and the great Siddha Thirumoolar saw this aspect.