Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 44th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Nadu Naadu |
Nadu Naadu | 12th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
The
temple is on the southern bank of the river Pennai. It is believed to have been
constructed during the 7th century by the Pallava kings. This temple is built
on top of a rock (Paarai). The rock and the nearby river bring out the beauty
of this temple.There is two entrances - one through the main road and the other
through the river-side which is very scenic.
In
Tamil, “Arai (Paarai)” means rock and “Ani” means beauty. Hence, the lord here
is named as “Araiani Nathar” – the Lord who is beautifully seated on top of a
rock. This place was earlier called “Arayaninallur” and its name has since been
changed to Arakandanallur.
Lord Shiva himself opened door for
saint thirugnanasambanthar:
The
doors of the sanctum sanctorum of this temple had been locked by the Jains
(Samanars). The door was opened by Lord Shiva himself for
Thirugnanasambanthar's song. Also, in order to prevent Sambanthar from entering
this temple, it is believed that people from other faiths had blocked the
entrance to this temple’s shrine by placing huge rocks and boulders. The power
of Sambanthar’s hymn is believed to have miraculously moved those rocks.
Nandhi’s are seen facing opposite
directions;
Both
Pradosha Nandhi and Adhikara Nandhi leaned to the right and left sides
respectively in order to facilitate easy dharisanam of the Lord to the Saint
Thirugnanasambanthar. Even now both Nandhi’s are seen facing opposite
directions.
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
worshipped the Lord Annamalayar:
Version 1:
Saint
Thirugnanasambanthar worshipped the Lord Annamalayar of Thiruvannamalai from
this temple itself. Annamalayar hill can be seen from this temple.There is a
stone imprint of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar’s feet in the outer corridor from
where it is believed that he worshipped Lord Annamalaiyar and rendered a
Pathigam.
Version 2:
Saint
thirugnanasambanthar was unable to visit Thiruvannamalai. Instead, he installed
a lingam for Sri Annamalaiyar at this place and worshiped the lord here itself.
Pandavas visited Arankandanallur:
Another
legend is that the Pandavas visited Arankandanallur and stayed here for some
days during their exile. There are five cave rooms under the temple’s main
tower which were used by them. There is also a water tank near this tower,
which is believed to have been created by Bhima with his mace. It is also
believed that after the war (Mahabharat) which was lasted for 18 days, the
Pandavas regain their kingdom and visited this temple again to offer their
prayers.
Lord Mahavishnu worshipped Lord
shiva here:
Lord
Mahavishnu took the form of Vamana and destroyed King Mahabali at Thirukovilur,
where he is worshipped as “Sri Ulagalandha Perumal”. To absolve himself from
this sin, he prayed to Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Mahavishnu and
absolved him from his sins. Goddess Sridevi, consort of Lord Mahavishnu, also
got the blessings of Lord Shiva here.
Sri Ramana Maharishi meditated:
It
is believed that as a young boy, before going to Thiruvannamalai, Sri Ramana
Maharishi meditated at this temple.
People Worshipped
lord shiva here:
Rishi
Prasanda, Poet Kabilar, Rishi Neelakandar are believed to have worshiped the
lord of this temple.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
The main tower
(Rajagopuram) has 7-tiers.
·
The sanctum
sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil).
·
Goddess
Vishnudurgai is facing the south. This is very rare.
·
The navagraham
contains a unique idol of Lord Saneeswaran with one leg placed on top of his
mount (crow).
·
Another unique
feature here is that Lord Bhairavar is found without his mount which is a very
rare occurrence.
·
Nearby temples
of Sri Ulagalantha Perumal and Sri Veerateeswarar can be seen from this top of
this hill.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Athulyanatheswarar, Sri Oppilaa Maneeswarar,
Sri Arayani Nathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Soundarya Kanakambigai, Sri Arul Nayagi,
Sri Azhakiya Ponnazhagi |
|
Theertham |
Thenpennai river, Pandava Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vilva Tree |
BELIEF:
The
Pandavas worshiped the lord here and got back their kingdom, it is believed
that by worshiping the lord here, devotees can regain their lost positions and
wealth.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Vaikasi |
May-June |
10-day
Vaikasi Brahmotsavam |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Karthigai |
Nov-Dec |
Thiru
Karthikai |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiru
Arayaninallur temple is located at a distance of about 3 kms from Thirukkovilur
on the Villupuram route. It is about 38 kms from Thiruvannamalai and 36 kms
from Villupuram. This temple is opposite to the Thirukkoyilur railway station
at a distance of about one kilometre from it.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Athulyanatheswarar
Temple
Arakandanallur Post
Thirukovilur,
Villupuram,
Tamil Nadu - 605 752.
LOCATION:
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