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Arunachaleswarar Temple
அருணாசலேசுவரர் கோயில்
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
Chola and Vijayanagara dynastiesDravidaHindu (Shaiva)state-protectedAI Compiled
Thiruvannamalai temple hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy — alamy.comAll copyright belongs to the original artist.
About
The Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai is one of the largest Hindu temples in the world, covering over 10 hectares and housing a towering eastern gopuram of 66 metres. It is one of the Pancha Bhuta Stalas, representing the element of fire (Agni).
The temple is dedicated to Shiva in the form of Annamalaiyar and his consort Apeetakuchamba. According to legend, Shiva manifested as an infinite column of fire (jyoti) on the hill of Arunachala to resolve a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu about supremacy.
The Karthigai Deepam festival is particularly spectacular — a massive beacon of fire lit atop Arunachala Hill is visible for miles and draws millions of pilgrims.