| Thiruvannamalai Districts |
| About: |
| Thiruvannamalai District is surrounded by Vellore District in the north and west, Viluppuram District in the south, Dharmapuri District in the southwest and Kanchipuram District in the east. Thiruvannamalai is one of the most sacred pilgrimages of Hindus. The district was known as `Thondai Mandalam` since the ancient days and the temples of Tiruvannamalai district reflect the history of the region. Thiruvannamalai and the Arunachaleswara temple located in Thiruvannamalai bear almost a long history from 750 AD.Tiruvannamalai is one of the most venerated places in Tamil Nadu. In ancient times, the term “Annamalai” meant an inaccessible mountain. The word “Thiru” was prefixed to signify its greatness, and coupled with the two terms, it is called Tiruvannamalai.There are many temples of Tiruvannamalai district; however there are few temples that are of national importance. Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple, located on a hilltop, stands on the southern side of Arulmigu Renugambal Temple at A K Padavedu village in Thiruvannamalai District. Lord Muruga with his consorts` goddesses Valli and Devayani happen to be the presiding deities of the temple. The main deity, Lord Muruga is standing with his vehicle, the peacock. Kavadi and milk abhishek are the major offerings at this shrine during auspicious days. Devotees take a flight of 300 stairs to reach this holy temple and enjoy the magnificent glimpses of the sunset and expanses of green from top of the hill. The temple town of Tiruvannamalai is one of the most ancient heritage sites of India and is a centre of the Saiva religion. The Arunachala hill and its environs have been held in great regard by the Tamils for centuries. The temple is grand in conception and architecture and is rich in tradition, history and festivals. The main Deepam festival attracts devotees from far and wide throughout South India. It has historic places besides Tiruvannamalai, Arni, Vandavasi, Devigapuram connected to East India and French companies. In the late Chola period this district was ruled by the Cholan of Sambuvarayar having Padavedu near Arni as HQ. We can now find the fort and note along with a Shiva temple namely Kailasanathar in Arni town. |
| Thiruvannamalai is a famous holy town perched on a hill (malai) in the district of Thiruvannamalai of Tamil Nadu state of India and is the most scared pilgrim center of Hindus in the region. The region was known as ‘Thondai Mandalam’ in the ancient period. This holy town is the home of highly revered ashram of the mystic saint Sri Ramana Maharshi and the famous Arunachala temple. The city has about 100 temples. The city and the Arunachaleswara temple had long history beginning from 750 AD. It is one of the five Panchabhoota (five elements wind, water, fire, earth and space) Stalams. This is the abode of the fire, one of the five elements constituting the whole life as per Hindu mythology. This temple has imposing Gopurams and inviting architectural beauty. |
| Location info: |
| Thiruvannamalai Districts ,Tamil Nadu,India |
| Climate/Weather of Thiruvannamalai Districts: |
| Summers: (March to May) are hot with temperature hovering around 28°C to 39°C. Tourists prefer to keep off from visiting during the hot summer days in April and May months. Monsoons:(June to September) offer medium to heavy rainfalls bringing comfort from hot summer days. Winters: (December to February)are pleasant during with the temperature in the band of 20°C to 26°C. |
| History of Thiruvannamalai Districts: |
| In ancient times, the term “Annamalai” meant an inaccessible mountain. The word “Thiru” was prefixed to signify its greatness, and coupled with the two terms, it is called Tiruvannamalai.The history of this town dates from the early Chola period i.e. the period of Aditya I and Parantaka I (A.D. 871-955) when the Chola empire had expanded northwards to include practically the wholes of Tondaimandalam. After Parantaka I till the reign of Rajendra I, Chola rule over this region is not attested by the Tiruvannamalai inscriptions, possibly on account of the Rashtrakuta invasions and occupation of this area by Krishna III. This is perhaps indicated by a single inscription of Kannaradeva (Krishna III) found in this temple. The recovery of this region by the Cholas was a slow process and reached its successful conclusion only towards the close of Rajaraja I’s region i.e. AD 1014, for even Rajaraja is conspicuously absent in the inscriptions of Tiruvannamalai.While the rule of Rajendra I and Rajadhiraja I over this area is attested by their inscriptions, once again a fairly long gap of over a hundred years is indicated by the absence of any Chola inscriptions till the beginning of Kulottunga III’s region (AD 1183).Large scales activities in the period of Kulottunga III and Rajaraja III are indicated by a number of records in the temple. Further, the frequent references to a number of Chola feudatories of this period would also show a gradual ascendancy in their power and importance till the final establishment of independence by the Kadavaraya chieftains in the second quarter of the 13th century A.D. In this connection mention may be made of an interesting inscription at Tiruvannamalai, which records the agreement entered into by a number of feudatory chieftains to support one another and swearing allegiance to the ruling Chola king (Kulottunga III-A.D. 1210), pointing to a period of great political tension under the late Cholas.The inscriptions of Kopperunjinga clearly show that by the second quarter of the 13th century, the Kadavarayas had established complete mastery over this region leading to the final decline of Chola power.Medieval History : A brief period of Pandya supremacy over this region is indicated by the inscriptions of the Pandyas of the second empire such as Jatavaraman Srivallabha and Tribhuvanachakravartin Kulasekhara in the 13th century AD.The Hoysalas under Vira Vallaladeva (Ballala III) also exercised sway over this area (around AD 1340) indication that the Hoysala power continued to influence Tamil politics even after the Muslim invasions of Malik kafur.After the Hoysalas, Tiruvannamalai passed into the hands of the Vijayanagar rulers, whose southern invasions under kampana are well known and led to the establishment of Vijayanagar authority over practically the whole of Tamil Nadu. Vijayanagar inscriptions in this temple are fairly large in number and range from the period of Harihara II to the late Vijayanagar ruler Venkatapatideva Maharaya i.e. late 14th to the 17 th centuries AD Following them, their Nayak feudatories of Tanjur, established their independent sway over this region and under the famous Sevvappa Nayaka, carried out large scale renovation and building activities in the temple. Modern History: Mr. Dupleix succeeded Dumas as Governor of Pondicherry. Then, in 1748, British reinforcements, intended for the recovery of Madras, arrived with a new fleet under Boscawin. Pondicherry in its turn was besieged, but once more French enterprise was aided by British ineptitude in securing a French success. Due to the war between Dupleix and La Bourdannais in 1748, Madras was restored to the English and maintained the statuesque. But the restoration revealed a profound change in the politics of South India. Three taluks adjoining Pondicherry viz., Valudavur, Villianur and Bahur were handed over to Dupleix as reward for his kind assistance, during the Ambur battle in 1749.Mr. Dupleix refused to admit defeat and with infinite resource continued the struggle. He even besieged Trichinopoly a second time in 1753. The triumph of Arcot was followed by more victories at Arni, Kaveripakkam and Valikandapuram over the forces of Chanda Sahib and the French. So the campaigns continued throughout the year 1753. But early in 1754, Dupleix was forced to open negotiations with the British. Meanwhile the French company had decided upon his recall. Due to the hostilities between the English and the French in 1756, neither Madras nor Pondy was properly garrisoned.D’ Auteuil, one of the officers of Dupleix captured Elavanasur. The French then took Tiruvannamalai and other forts, threatened Thyaga Drug, attacked Fort David, in spite of the fact that their fleet was defeated by the English fleet in an action off Nagapattinam.After Nayak rule, this region seems to have gradually passed into British hands except for a brief period of subordination to the Mysore Odeyars (AD 1816). |
| Educational Institutions of Thiruvannamalai Districts: |
| Arts & Science:Kamban College Arts and Science for Women, Kanchipuram Arignar Anna Govt. Arts College, Cheyyar, Tiruvannamalai Govt. Arts College, Thiruvannamalai Arun Krishna College of Arts and Science, Tiruvannamalai Dr. M.G.R. Chockalingam Arts College, Tiruvannamalai Idaya College of Arts and Science for Women, Pudupalayam Indian Arts and Science College, Naidumangalam Indo-American College, Tiruvannamalai King Nandivarman College of Arts and Science, Tiruvannamalai S.B.A. College of Science and Management, Arani Shunmuga Industries Arts and Science College, Tirvuvannamalai Sri Akilandeswari Women’s College, Vandavasi Sri Bharathi Women’s Arts and Science College, Arni TalukHotel Management:Sri Akilandeswari Women’s College, VandavasiEngineering:Kamban Engineering College, Tiruvannamalai Taluk Annamalaiar College of Engineering, Polur Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman College of Engineering, Cheyyar Taluk Arunai Engineering College, Tiruvannamalai S.K.P. Engineering College, Tiruvannamalai S.K.P. Institute of Technology, Tiruvannamalai Sri Balaji Chockalingam Engineering College, Arni Taluk Thiruvalluvar College of Engineering and Technology, Vandavasi University College of Engineering, ArniNursing:Al-Ameen College of Nursing, Somasipadi Vignesh Nursing College, TiruvannamalaiManagement:Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman College of Engineering, Cheyyar Taluk Arunai Engineering College, Tiruvannamalai Shanmuga Industries Arts and Science College, Nallavanapalayam PO Thiruvalluvar College of Engineering and Technology, VandavasiPharmacy:Adhi Bhagawan College of Pharmacy, Cheyyar Taluk Kamalakshi Pandurangan College of Pharmacy, TiruvannamalaiPolytechnic:Kumaran Polytechnic College, Thiruvannamalai Dr. M.G.R. Polytechnic College, Thiruvannamalai Cheyyar Polytechnic College, Cheyyar Dusi Polytechnic College, Thiruvannamalai Rajalakshmi Polytechnic College, Tiruvannamalai S.R.I. Polytechnic College, Vandavasi Sri Venkateswara Polytechnic College, Cheyyar Swamy Abedhananda Polytechnic College, Tiruvannamalai Vignesh Polytechnic College, Thiruvannamalai |
| Langauge |
| Three languages namely Tamil, Telugu and Kannada are predominantly spoken in this district. |
| Culture: |
| Festival: Karthigai Deepam festival; Hindus seek God in the form of idol. But according to their strong beliefs God can also be worshipped in the form of light and flame. On the 10th day of the festival a big flame is lit atop the Thiruvannamalai hills in a cauldron with 3 tons of ghee and draws a huge crowd of devotees. The festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthikai in the months of November- DecemberChitra Powrani which is a full moon night in Tamil calendar has many pilgrims from around the world visiting the town. |
| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:The Thiruvannamalai Railway station lies on the Vellore- Villipuram rail line. |
| Nearest Airport:Chennai Airport is the closest domestic and international airport to Thiruvannamalai. |
| Road Transport:Thiruvannamalai lies at the junction of the Chitoor – Cuddalore State Highway and the Puducherry – Bangalore NH-66. The road network connects Thiruvannamalai to all major towns and cities in Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. |
| Tourist Attraction of Thiruvannamalai Districts: |
| Lakshmi Narayana Temple: Lakshmi Narayana Temple is one of the popular temples of Tiruvannamalai district and lies about 20 km from Kanchipuram on the way to Vandavasi. The temple was constructed about 700 years back and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In the Garbhagriha the east facing presiding deity is in a seated position along with Goddess Lakshmi. The idol of Lord Krishna in the Kalinga Nardhana pose is also seen here. Devotees believe that worshiping at this temple is equivalent to visiting Shri Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati. Ambujavalli Nayikaa Samedha Lakshmi Narayana Temple is situated in Akkur village, Thiruvannamalai District.Periyanayaki Amman Temple: Periyanayaki Amman Temple is one of the temples of Tiruvannamalai district that is famous for its architectural excellence. Located at Devikapuram town in Thiruvannamalai District, this temple is dedicated to Devi Parvati, divine consort of Lord Shiva. The temple, situated at the foot of a hill, occupies a vast area with a 150 feet high Rajagopuram and nine kalashams. Aathonda Cholan built the temple with beautiful carvings at the entrance. The deity is in standing posture with her four arms in abhaya, varadhakolam. The goddess is also known by the name Sribrugathambal. The devotees can see the sacred feet of Periyanayaki in the sanctum, which is believed to be the place where she performed penance.Vedappar Swamy Temple: Arulmigu Mathurakali Amman and Vedappar Swamy Temple are the two prominent temples of Tiruvannamalai district. They are situated on the Thirukovilur-Thiruvannamalai Road at Shanthi Nagar in one complex is managed by Vedappar Swamy Trust. Arulmigu Mathurakali Amman Temple is dedicated to Mathurakali Amman, a unique manifestation of goddess Kali. The other temple has the shrines of Lord Muruga in the form of Vedappar Swamy with Valli and Theivanai as the presiding deities.Sathanur dam: Sathanur dam was a famous cine location in Tamil Nadu for many years. It is located a few kilometers away from Tiruvannamalai.Gingee Fort: This very old fort belongs to the 13th century period. It has an area of 3 kilometre. This fort was built by Chola dynasty on top of the hill summit.Melmalayanur: elamalayanur is the abode of goddess Angalaparameswari. On the new moon day many pilgrims visit this temple to offer their prayers.Skandashramam: Skandashramam in Thiruvannamalai town is located on the north side of the Arunachala hill where the famous Arunachaleswara temple exists. This ashram is also near to the renowned Ramana Ashram. This is one of the caves where the saint Ramana spent his period of stay in Thiruvannamalai.Thiruvannamalai: Thiruvannamalai is a famous holy town perched on a hill (malai) in the district of Thiruvannamalai of Tamil Nadu state of India and is the most scared pilgrim center of Hindus in the region. The region was known as ‘Thondai Mandalam’ in the ancient period. This holy town is the home of highly revered ashram of the mystic saint Sri Ramana Maharshi and the famous Arunachala temple. The city has about 100 temples. The city and the Arunachaleswara temple had long history beginning from 750 AD. It is one of the five Panchabhoota (five elements wind, water, fire, earth and space) Stalams. This is the abode of the fire, one of the five elements constituting the whole life as per Hindu mythology. This temple has imposing Gopurams and inviting architectural beauty.Ramana Ashram: The Ramana Ashram in Thiruvannamalai is a calm and inviting ashram offering tranquility and secluded meditation options. This ashram displays the life, philosophies and teachings of Bhagwan Ramana Maharishi, the revered mystic saint who attained Samadhi at this place.The legends say that Saint Ramana Maharishi had received his vision of the Supreme Truth at Arakandanallur, a place nearby to Thiruvannamalai. This place has an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses caves carved by Pallavas. This ashram is visited by Hindu pilgrims admiring the Maharshi Ramana. The ashram carries out many social services for the upliftment of spirituality.Other Places:Panduranga Rukumayi Temple Ponmalainathar Temple Mundeeswarar Temple Arulmigu Venugopala Swamy Temple Idaiyattrunathar Temple Araiyaninayagar Temple Arulmigu Vel Murugan Temple |
| Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Thiruvannamalai Districts: |
| Arpanaa Hotels:7, Sriram Nagar Polur Road, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil NaduPh:04175 254755Trishul Hotel:6, Kanakaraya Mudali Street, Near Gopal Pillaiyar Koil, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil NaduPh:04175 222219Sparsa Resort:National Highway-5, Athiyanthal Village, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil NaduPh:04175 236911Arunai Anantha Resort Hotel:Tiruvannamalai, Tamil NaduPh:04175 237275Sparsa Resort:Tiruvannamalai, Tamil NaduVenninaa Hotel:NH 45, Tindivanam, Villupuram, Tamil NaduSenthil Hotel:NH 45, Tindivanam, Villupuram, Tamil NaduHotel Ariya’s:NH 45, Tindivanam, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu |
| Links: |
| http://www.tiruvannamalai.tn.nic.in/http://www.indianetzone.com/39/temples_tiruvannamalai_district.html |
Image Gallery of Thiruvannamalai Districts
