Thiruvannamalai

Thiruvannamalai

Thiruvannamalai

Area Attractions

Arunachaleswara Temple

Arunachalesvara Temple (also called Annamalaiyar Temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located at the base of Arunachala hill in the town of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu, India. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Shaivism as one of the temples associated with the five elements, the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, and specifically the element of fire, or Agni.

Sri Ramanashramam

Sri Ramana Ashram, also known as Sri Ramanasramam, is the ashram which was home to modern sage and Advaita Vedanta master Ramana Maharshi from 1922 until his death in 1950. It is situated at the foot of the Arunachala hill, to the west of Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, where thousands of seekers flocked to be in his presence. His samadhi shrine continues to attract devotees from all over the world.

Parvathamalai Mountain

Parvathamalai is a powerful place where a Shiva temple is located on the top of a steep mountain. Parvathamalai is one of the most sacred places in south India where a temple for Lord Shiva was set up by Siddhars to meditate and attain enlightenment. (Siddhars are people with great spiritual powers called siddhi). The lord here is Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy who is believed to bestow the prayers of his devotees and help in attaining greater knowledge ans hence mukthi-salvation.

Sathanur Dam

Sathanur Dam which forms the Sathanur reservoir, is one of the major dams in Tamil Nadu. It is constructed across the Thenpennai River also called as Pennaiyar River in Thandarampet taluk among Chennakesava Hills. The dam can be reached by road 30 km (19 mi) from Tiruvannamalai City. It was constructed in 1958. There is also a large crocodile farm and a fish grotto. Parks are maintained inside the dam for tourists to visit and the gardens have been used by the film industry.

Sathanur Dam Park

This place has small gardens and fountains spread over with children parks and a boating place.  Parks are maintained inside the dam for tourists to visit and the gardens have been used by the film industry on various occasions. There is a crocodile farm where hundreds of crocs are housed as well.  Other attractions near to the Dam region are the ancient temple of Thirnkoilur with carved pillars and gopurams.

Virupaksha Cave

Virupaksha cave is one of the ancient caves in India with its history dating back to the 13th century. The cave is located on the eastern slopes of the Arunachala Hill. The history of the cave dates back to the time when it was the abode of Sage Virupaksha Deva. It later gained importance after Sri Ramana Maharshi stayed in the cave for 16 years.

Javadu Hills

The Javadhu Hills are an extension of the Eastern Ghats spread across parts of Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai districts in the northern part of the state of Tamil Nadu in southeastern India. This range separates Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai districts. Tirupattur district lies on the north-western side and Tiruvannamalai district lies on the south-eastern side of this range. The towns of Tirupattur, Vaniyambadi and Ambur of Tirupattur district are located on the north western side and the towns of Chengam and Polur of Tiruvannamalai district are located on the south eastern side.

Gingee Fort

Gingee Fort or Senji Fort in Tamil Nadu, India is one of the surviving forts in Tamil Nadu, India. It lies in Villupuram District, 160 kilometres (99 mi) from the state capital, Chennai, and is close to the Union Territory of Puducherry. The site is so fortified that Shivaji, the Maratha king, ranked it as the “most impregnable fortress in India”, and it was called the “Troy of the East” by the British. The nearest town with a railway station is Tindivanam and the nearest airport is Chennai (Madras), located 150 kilometres (93 mi) away.