My Thiruvannamalai Trip - Girivalam

I realized my long time dream of going for a Thiruvannamalai Girivalam (Circumambulation of the Annamalai mountain) on Sep 20, 2008. I went with Vikram (V) and Chandrakanth (CD). Off we went directly from office on Sep 19, Friday afternoon. It was a 4 hour journey and we reached Thiruvannamalai by 8 in the evening. We had booked a room in Hotel Arunachala (right in front of the Rajagopuram). We enjoyed the tiffin that night and V bought a dhoti but CD was sceptical for obvious reasons :).

On Sep 20 (Saturday), we started Girivalam from the RajaGopuram at 05:30. The total distance to cover was 14 km and there were 8 lingams (one in each direction) to worship. The first one was the Indhra Lingam (East), which is hardly 50 m from the start. Then comes Agni Lingam (SE), roughly 1.5 km from the start. This is the only Lingam that comes on the right side of the Girivalam path. One needs to go in from the main road a bit to worship this. Yama Lingam (S) is the 3rd, aptly situated in front of burial ground and crematorium, 3 km from the start :). Nruthi Lingam (SW) is the 4th followed by Varuna Lingam (W), 8 km from the Raja Gopuram. Vaayu Lingam (NW) is the 6th. Then comes the most improtant at least for professionals - Kubera Lingam (N); Kubera is the lord of wealth, in case someone doesn't know :). The last in the row is Esanya Lingam (NE) roughly 1 km from the Raja Gopuram. The Girivalam ends once we reach the starting point (from the other side of course :)).

In addition to the lingams, there are other special places/temples on the Girivalam path. Firstly, there are Ramanashram and Seshadri Swamigal Ashram after Agni Lingam. Ner Annamalai Darshan after Nruthi Lingam, is the place from where the hill can be viewed straight. After Varuna Lingam, comes the Manickavachagar (one of the Nayanmars) temple and Adi Arunachala temple - This was the temple of Swayambhu (formed by itself) Arunachala Lingam, a must visit temple. Nandhi Mukha Darshan, after Kubera Lingam is the place from where a hillock appears like Nandhi. Then comes Idukku Pillayar temple - a small crevice kind of structure, where one has to pass through and it is believed that this place is a cure for migraine, aches and black magic. Lastly we have the Pancha mukha Darshan, where the 5 faces of Annamalai is visible. Temples of Rajarajeshwari, Subramanya, Soorya Linga, Vasudeva perumal etc. are also worth seeing.

Grandma Gyan: We met an old lady in a tea shop, who literally scolded me for missing the Adi Arunachala temple and guided us to the same. She also conveyed a great philosophy in the simplest possible way - "The Annamalai (hill) will always appear to be coming along with us from anywhere in the Girivalam path (remember we are making a circle). This actually depicts Lord Arunachala coming along with us throughout!!!". Thanks to the patti :)
We also got to see lot of wanderers (Siddhas??!!) throughout. Believe me, they are not some simple beggars or poor people without home. When I offered a biscuit packet to one such person there, he said that he has eaten for the day and asked me to give the biscuit to someone else who is hungry. These people speak English too :).

Some tips and facts:

1. Thiruvannamalai is the Agni (fire) sthalam of lord Shiva - one of the Pancha bhootha sthalas. Thiruvanaikoil (water), Chidambaram (sky), Kalahasthi (air) and Kanchipuram (earth) are the other four.

2. Girivalam should be done bare footed. So better start early in the morning or late evening.

3. The place is divine - please avoid small talk during the Girivalam.

4. Have lots of change and food materials to distribiute to the people around.

5. It is a great experience. Do it when you have a chance or create a chance if you don't :)

After the Girivalam, we went to the temple and had a great darshan of Annamalai and Unnamulai amman and returned to the hotel by noon. We were back in Bangalore by 8 in the evening.
Hope I get many more chances, create many more rather :)
Cheers!!