TIRUVANNAMALAI

When he desired to end his earthly sojourn by jumping from the high tower, Lord Muruga appearing at the nick of moment saved him
for the benefit of devotees. Hence he is called Gopurathilayanar, and he is worshipped in a separate shrine. There are many shrines here dedicated to Kesevar, Kalyaneswarar, Viranmandir etc. in addition to shrines dedicated to the Panchasthalas. Next,  they cross Kiligopuram to step into third prakara. This gopuram has another fantastic story relating to Arunagirinathar. It is told that Arunagirinathar utilising the powers of Parakayapravesa vidya entered the body of a parrot to fetch Parijatha flower, but to his misfortune his enemy Sambandan burnt his body in the mean time. In the absence of his body Arunagirinathar settled in the temple tower itself as parrot and sang his famous Kantharanbhuti. 

There is a form of parrot in one of the Stupas on this tower to testify to this story. In this prakaram there are temples dedicated to Bhimeswar and Vigneswar besides the Mahila trees, held sacred. In the second prakaram the temples of
Ganapati and Muruga lie at the entrance on either side. After worshipping them, they enter first prakaram by the east which encloses the garbha griha of Sri Arunachaleswar - the presiding deity of this glorious temple. 

This Tejolinga feasts them with its huge size and bends their heads in veneration. Offering prayers and uttering Harhar Mahadev, they make a retreat, offering prayers to Tayar too, souls filled, with the form of Omni merciful Siva Sankar. This deity is adored by several awe-inspiring names such as Sonachaleswara, Arunagiriswarar, Vedamurthi, Annamalaiya Bhaktavashankar, etc.   And each name has a story fantastic that brings out the mufti-faceted glory of this all adorable Lord who blesses the bhaktas, regardless of their place, time and nature. He Is there where genuine devotion sprouts and rises like fountain.

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