the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

It is believed that 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. It is also believed that 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 Nandhis are seen facing opposite directions. 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. Another version of this story mentions that Thirugnanasambanthar was unable to visit Thiruvannamalai. Instead, he installed a lingam for Sri Annamalaiyar at this place and worshiped the lord here itself. 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. It is believed that 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. Rishi Prasanda, Poet Kabilar, Rishi Neelakandar are believed to have worshiped the lord of this temple. It is believed that as a young boy, before going to Thiruvannamalai, Sri Ramana Maharishi meditated at this temple. 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. There is an idol of Sri Ramana Maharishi as a young boy in a meditative posture and the temple is visited by many of his followers.

TThis is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 12th Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). The west facing temple has three corridors and its huge (160 feet high) main tower (Rajagopuram) has 7-tiers. 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 are 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.

10 day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June), Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-March) and Tirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec) are the important festivals observed in the temple. Pradosham is observed regularly.