TiruvanamalaiTemples
| Arunachaleswarar Temple: | |
| In India there are three major categories of pilgrimage temples dedicated to the god Shiva: the Jyotir Lingams; the Svayambhu Lingams, and the Bhuta Lingams. Located in five south Indian temples, the Bhuta Lingams are said to be places where Shiva manifested himself as the natural elements. |  |
| An interesting legend, told in the excellent book Pilgrimage in the Hindu Tradition by Alan Morinis, tells how the sacred hill of Arunachala came to be associated with the fire Lingam of Shiva. Mourning the loss of his wife Sati, Shiva was wandering nude in the forests of Daruvana and was seen by the wives of certain sages. The women were aroused at the sight and desired to unite with him. The jealous sages cursed the god's linga (phallus) to fall off. As it touched the earth it grew to immense size like a great shining column. | |
| The gods Brahma and Vishnu saw it when its top had reached upwards beyond the clouds and its lower end was buried deep in the earth. They decided to investigate. Taking the form of a boar Vishnu dived into the depths of the primeval ocean to reach the base of the column, and Brahma taking the form of a swan flew up to its top. When they returned Vishnu honestly confessed that he could not find the foundations, while Brahma boasted that he had reached the summit. | |
| At this moment Shiva appeared, denounced Brahma as a liar, praised Vishnu for his honesty, and declared that the column could not be measured because it was his Linga. At the request of Vishnu, Shiva left part of his Linga in its 'tejas', or fire form, on the Arunachala hill. | |
Kubara Perumal Temple: |
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| The Kubara Perumal Temple located at Tiruvannamalai is an architectural marvel. This temple is a unique creation of Rajarshi Siddhar Peedam and Padmaathi Thayar Trust. It is located 1,000 meters north to the Girivalam Path and had been constructed in the year 2002. |  |
| Mainly dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Kubara Perumal Temple also has the idol of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma. But the main Lord at the Kubara Perumal Temple is Lord Arunachaleshwar. Lakhs of devotee visit the temple each year. They are required to circumbulate the temple n order to get the blessings of the Lord Vishnu.The most important aspect of the temple is the 64 feet idol of Lord Vishnu with Srdevi and Bhumadevi. Originally erected in the style of the Tirupati Temple in Tamil Nadu, the Kubara Perumal Temple is just a marvel of the South Indian architecture. | |
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