தமழர பணபடடல தரவணணமல மலவலமம மககள நமபகககளம / Thiruvannamalai Hills in Tamil Culture and Beliefs of the People

Annamalaiyar Thiruthalam is a shrine worshipped by Brahma and Vishnu. This place is located in Thiruvannamalai. It is considered a fireplace among the Panchaboodha Thalams. People worship the mountain as Shiva. A circumambulation around the temple takes place every month on the full moon day. Many lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country participate in it. Mahadeepam is lit on Krithikai Nakshatra in the month of Karthikai and special worship has been performed. It is a ten-day festival. In former times, many kings who ruled the region at different times have paid homage to this temple. This mountain is said to be older than the Himalayas. The Arunachal Purana mentions that there were three hundred and sixty-five holy water bodies here. Myths and legends describe Annamalai as the centre of the earth. This is the shrine where Arunagirinathar was blessed by Lord Muruga. The sacred tree of Thiruvannamalai Temples is the 'Makizha Maram'. This tree is located in the southern part of the third prakaram in the temple. It consists of six prakaras, nine gopurams, many mandapas and many udsannanidhis. Annamalaiyar Sanctum Sanctorum begins in the eastern direction. Along the fourteen-kilometre mountain trail, there are various places of worship, holy water ponds, ashrams and mandapams. Indra, Agni, Eman, Nruti, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera and Isanyan are the eight guardian deities who guard the eight directions. The temple of Durvasa Maharishi is situated on the left side of the mountain passing towards the east. Idukkupillayar Temple is situated on the northern side of the mountain pass near Kubera Lingam Temple. Durgaiyamman Temple is located near Annamalaiyar Temple. Therefore, there are many holy places to see and get blessings around the temple. Thus, this research has planned to do an extensive study on the Annamalaiyar temple and the shrines and other holy places around the temple. It studies the various features of Annamalaiyar Hill and the temple that have a deep impact on the minds of the Tamil people.