Tiruvannamalai
The Element of Nature - Fire...
This city is famous for the great magnificent Shiva temple and the temple is situated at the foothills of the Tiruvannamalai. In general, Shiva exists in the form of five elements. This temple is meant for the representation of Shiva in the form of lingam which signifies the element of fire. This temple is very ancient belongs to the 7th century. This temple architecture is the mix of the Cholas, Pandyas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara. There are nine towers surrounding the temple area. The tower rises to a height of 66 m. The thousand pillared hall and the temple tank are the finest examples for the splendid architecture of the Nayaka dynasty. The circumambulation of the foot hills is very famous among the pilgrims and they do very often by holding the incense sticks in their hand in the festival occasions. Every year in the month of November, there exists a grand festival "Karthigai Deepam", the priest will lights the fire in the top of the hill. The Hindu people will decorate their houses with small oil lights and offer special prayers to Lord Shiva.
Quick Glimpses:
Timings: 05:00 am to 12:30 pm and 03:30 pm to 09:30 pm
Dress code: For men is dhoti and shirt & For women is saree or salwar with shawl.