TIRUVANNAMALAI

THE TEMPLE

This holy temple lies at the foot of Arunachala and occupies a vast area of 25 acres of land. It owes its grandeur to four lofty towers - the eastern one called Rajagopuram is the tallest and measures 217 feet; the western goes by the name Pey gopuram, the southern, Tirumanjuna gopuram and Northern, Ammani Amma gopuram. It has five prakaras, and the walls are broad and high, resembling the rampart walls of fort. In each of the prakara, there are tanks and many minishrines. Entering through the Rajagopuram, devotees greet Gopura Ganapathi, whom they worship with rituals due. 

In this prakara, called the fifth, lies the thousand pillared mandapam and an underground temple enshrining Patala Linga. And it is here Bhagawan Ramana did penance in his Purvasram. Then they enter the fourth prakara passing through Vallaha Maharaja Tower. It is here the famous tank - Brahma thirtham is situated and normally ardent devotees take bath in it, for the prevalent belief that bath purges one of his sins committed since birth onwards. There is an interesting story about this tower, connected with the life of Arunagirinathar.

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