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The Grandeur of Arunachala Grand Architecture of 18 Dramas and 60 Poems

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The Grandeur of Arunachala Grand Architecture of 18 Dramas and 60 Poems TATTVÃLOKAThe MAY 2014Grandeur of Arunachala Dr. CHITHRA MADHAVAN One of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas, this pilgrim centre is well known for its temple architecture. ne of the largest and one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas oldest temples in India is (five famous Siva temples in Odedicated to Lord Siva South India), each lingam being a as Arunachalesvara in Tiruvan- manifestation of a natural element: namalai, Tamil Nadu. The Lord Land, water, air, sky and fire. is worshipped in the form of an The Arunachala temple ancient lingam, which is regarded represents the Agni tattva, the as svayambhu (not man-made). virtues of self-sacrifice and The huge temple, dating back to liberation through an ascetic life. the ninth century and extending The temple for Nataraja at over 25 acres, is at the base of the Chidambaram signifies the Akasa majestic Annamalai hill that rises up (ether), while that at Kalahasti to about 2,600 ft. (close to Tirupati) represents Vayu Pancha Bhoota Sthala (air), Thiruvanaikoil (water) and The Arunachala temple is Kanchipuram (land). 40 TATTVÃLOKA MAY 2014 The Grandeur of Arunachala Grand Architecture of 18 dramas and 60 poems. This The grand towers (gopurams), architectural wonder is studded with visible far away from the town, are innumerable sculptures of various testimony to the architectural gran- deities, especially the various mani- deur of Arunachala temple. The out- festations of Siva. ermost eastern tower consisting of Vallala Gopuram 11 tiers soaring to a height of nearly The gopuram in the middle in 220 feet is one of the tallest temple the eastern side is known as Vallala towers in India. It was constructed in Gopuram named after the Hoysala the reign of the illustrious monarch king, Ballala III, a sculpture identi- Krishnadeva Raya (1509-1529 A.D.) fied as this king being found on and completed by a king named the base of the tower.There are Sevappa Nayaka. interesting episodes connected Some details of the construc- with this gopuram. tion of this gopuram are found in One is the subduing of the pride a Sanskrit epigraph inscribed on of the king Ballala who became very it, which also mentions the name proud after completing the gopuram. of Srinivasa Dikshita, a renowned During a procession of the deity, Sanskrit scholar who was the author the palanquin carrying the deity just resisted going through the gopuram for unknown reason. It was only after Ballala repented for his ego, the procession pro- ceeded through the entrance. The other famous episode is of Arunagirinathar who at- tempted to jump off this tower and was saved by Kartikeya at the nick of the moment. The Kili (parrot) gopuram, which is the innermost of the three east-facing gopurams, was constructed in the Chola times in the reign of Veera Ra- jendra Chola around 1063 AD. All the four outermost 41 TATTVÃLOKA MAY 2014 gopurams have well-carved panels of gatherings, such as the one for the dancers in various dance movements worship of the murti of Nataraja on conforming to the famous treatise, important dates. the Natya Sastra. An inscription about the temple The temple has five circumam- states that the vimanam (the struc- bulatory passages (prakarams), each ture over the main sanctum) of the having been added from time to temple was covered with gold during time. The exquisite thousand-pillared the reign of Rajarajadevan, a vassal of mandapam built during the reign of the Chola king Kulottunga III (1178- Krishnadeva Raya of the Vijayanagar 1218 AD). dynasty is used even today for large There are several sacred tanks 42 TATTVÃLOKA MAY 2014 Lingams on Girivalam Path There are eight lingams around the Arunachala hill, one in each direction. Indra Lingam (East): Is the first lingam in the girivalam (circum-ambula- tion) path starting from Ramana Ashramam; worship of this lingam yields health and wealth. Agni Lingam (South East): This lingam, near the lotus tank, is the only one on the right side of the circumambulation path. It is in the the south- east direction, and relieves worshippers from all diseases and helps them to face challenges of life. Yama Lingam (South): Is next to Agni lingam and three km. away from the Rajagopuram. It occupies the south direction and has a holy tank called "Simma Tirtha." It relieves worshippers of economical problems. Niruti Lingam (South West): Is so located that from here we see two peaks of the holy Arunachala hill, said to represent 'Siva' and 'Sakti.' It also has a holy tank nearby, called "Sani Tirtha." Varuna Lingam (West): Is the fifth lingam and is eight km. from the Rajagopuram. A holy tank, Varuna Tirtha, is located here. Worship at this temple relieves one from critical diseases and promotes social status. Vayu Lingam (North West): The very approach to this site gives a pleasant feeling and peace of mind, especially for women and children. Kubera Lingam (North): Most devotees shower coins on this seventh lingam along the Girivalam path. Worship of this lingam with coins grants wealth and peace of mind. It is placed in the north direction. Isanya Lingam (North East): Is the eighth lingam along the girivalam. By worshipping it one gets peace of mind and an inclination towards deeper worship. 43 TATTVÃLOKA MAY 2014 in this temple, of which the Siva- Jnanasambandhar described this ganga tank, dug around 1517 AD hill as being jnana-tiral, a dense on the orders of Krishnadeva Raya, mass of jnana. is the best-known. Sri Ramana Maharshi has stated Sacred Tree that there is an aitikya (tradition) The sthalavriksha is Mahizham that this hill is lingasvarupa, that is (Bakula in Sanskrit) tree, whose to say, that this hill itself is God. flowers have many medicinal uses. That is the cause of the glory of According to local belief, those who this place. The tradition of this sit under the tree for meditation place is that this hill is the form of after worshipping Arunachala God and that in its real nature it is stand to gain immensely in terms full of light.” of spiritual elevation and end of “Arunachala is pure wisdom physical sufferings. (jnana) in the form of a hill. It is out Steeped in History of compassion to those who seek Tiruvannamalai has been him that he has chosen to reveal venerated in several ancient himself in the form of a hill visible texts and hymns. All the Tamil to the eye. The seeker will obtain Saivite saints, called Nayanmars, guidance and solace by staying have sung on the glory of Siva, near this hill.” adorning the temple. The seventh The Maharshi used to say century Nayanmars, Appar that other holy places, such and Jnanasambandar, have sung as Manasarovar, Varanasi and in praise of the temple. The Chidambaram, are sacred because celebrated eighth century Manicka they are the abodes of Lord Siva, Vachakar had composed the whereas Arunachala is Siva himself. celebrated work Tiruvembavai in the temple. It is sung during Dr. Chithra Madhavan has December-January with devotional a Ph.D in Ancient History fervour in thousands of homes even today. and Archaeology. She is The Nayanmars refer to both the receipient of two post- the pillar of fire concept with doctoral fellowships and Brahma and Vishnu searching is the author of six books. for either end and also of Parvati She can be contacted at being part of Siva. In one verse, [email protected] 44.
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