Tiruvannamalai Facts

“Tiruvannamalai is ‘agni kshetra’ (representing fire – the five elements water, earth, fire, space and wind are each represented by five Siva temples in various places). Here, Lord Siva appears as ‘Agni Swaroopa’ (form of fire).
The hill in this town itself is said to be the form of Lord Siva and hence came into vogue the famous tradition of ‘Girivalam’ (or circumambulating the hill) on full moon days.
Also known as ‘Arunaachalam’, this town has housed innumerable Mahans and Jivan Muktas, Bhagavan Sri Ramana, Seshadri Swamigal, Yogiramsuratkumar to mention a few. Arunagirinathar and other Siva devotees have been associated with this holy ‘kshetra’.
During the Tamizh month of ‘Kaarthikai’, a huge ‘deepa’ (lamp) is lit atop the hill, popularly known as ‘Tiruvannamalai Deepam’.
Every year, on ‘Adi Pooram’ (Tamizh month of ‘Adi’ when the star ‘Pooram’ is on the ascent) ‘teemidhi’ utsav takes place in the precincts of the Abhithakuchambal (consort of Lord Arunachaleswara) ‘sannidhi’ (sanctum sanctorum).
The festival called ‘Kaaman Pandigai’ or ‘Manmatha Dahanam’ [Burning down of the God of Love, Manmatha, by Lord Siva] is celebrated inside the Arunachaleswara temple.
Since Tiruvannamalai is ‘agni kshetra’, the above mentioned festivals take place here.