Kailasa Paramparagatha Arunagiri Yogishwara Adi Arunachala Sarvajnapeetha Samrajyam

Spiritual History of Tiruvannamalai

Paramasiva’s promise to humanity in Tiruvannamalai

The Paramaśiva lineage represents the tradition of Gurus (enlightened masters) in Tiruvannamalai (also called Arunachala) starting from Paramaśiva Himself. The lineage of Paramaśiva prevails to fulfill Paramaśiva’s promise to humanity to be an eternal guiding force through an unbroken lineage of living Gurus hailing from Tiruvannamalai to sustain the enlightenment ecosystem.

Hindu History reveals the appearance of Śrī Paramaśiva as an infinite effulgence of light (called ‘lingodbhava’ depicted as a deity in the picture) in Tiruvannamalai to bless humanity with the promise to be available in the three-fold form: 1) form of the sacred Hill Arunachala that continuously radiates the energy of Enlightenment 2) form of the worshipful Śiva Liṅga deity in the Arunachaleshwara temple in Tiruvannamalai and 3) As a living incarnation to continuously guide the people in the path of Enlightenment.

Paramasiva’s promise to humanity to manifest as 1) Mountain, 2) Shiva linga and 3) Living incarnation in Tiruvannamalai…

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1. Sacred Arunachala hill, 2. Shiva Linga in the Arunachaleshwara temple (worshippable form) 3. Living incarnation of Paramasiva (photograph of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism, current living incarnation of Paramasiva at approximately age 11).

Scriptural reference - for Paramasiva’s three-fold promise to humanity

In tHe Arunachala Purana, it is mentioned thus as the devotees asking Paramashiva as to how one can worship His mountain-form, and pray to Him to grace them with a Linga form that they can worship : Sri Arunachala who is in the form of hill, other than rain from the sky as Abhisheka, who will perform abhishekam by bringing water? Other than groups of stars who can offer pearl garland for you? Other than the rays of sun who can offer you Deepa? So, they requested Him to appear in the form of Linga under the hill to enable them to offer puja by doing abhishekam and other rituals. Original verse in Tamil below:

(reference: https://sriramanamaharishi.com/arunachala-stuti/arunachala-mahatmyam/?fbclid=IwAR3wkZWk9CqDBVhpZ6Vx0F2agDZ9hwTfUs2uU605KGyF9sPV8N3bw_Zr2pIb)

Shastra Pramana - Scriptural reference - for Paramasiva’s promise to humanity to be in the worshippable form of Shiva linga.

In the ancient Hindu text “Arunachala Purāṇa” in Tamil, reveals the words of Paramaśiva, "as responding to prayers, Arunachala took form of liṅga"

Translation: To fulfill His own promise, Paramaśiva also took the deity form of a Śiva liṅga for people to worship (seen in picture on right)

THE ENLIGHTENMENT ECOSYSTEM ESTABLISHED BY PARAMASIVA AT THE FOOTHILL OF THE SACRED ARUNACHALA HILL

The lineage of Paramasiva in Tiruvannamalai

From Arunagiri Yogisvara, in the lineage of Paramasiva in Tiruvannamalai, the following great enlightened beings are recorded in the history of Tiruvannamalai. These great ‘Siddhars’ (mystical beings) are reported to be still wandering in this “Hill of Light”. Siddhars are enlightened masters indulging in continuous practice. They have developed, among other branches of a vast enlightened-based knowledge-system, what is now known as the Siddha medicine system of healing through herbs. Rare herbs grow in this hill known only to the Siddhars. They also developed the ancient healing system of Pulse reading-Ayurveda and the system of self defence called Verma art. The Siddhars are said to be continuously wandering inside the hill performing penance and other fire rituals for world peace.

Known lineage of Siddhars of Tiruvannamalai:

1. Idaikadar Siddhar
2. Tavatiru Veera Vairakiya Gurumoorthy Swamigal
3. Sivatiru Irai Swamigal
4. Sivatiru Panakku Swamigal
5. Sevi Vazhi Seithi Siddhargal
6. Sivatiru Shiva Swamigal
7. Sivatiru Mangaiyarkarasi Ammaiyaar
8. Deivatiru Deivasigamani Jnanadesigar
9. Deivatiru Paanipathira Swamigal
10. Sivatiru Jnanaprakasha Swamigal
11. Deivatiru Shri Arunagiri Natha Swamigal
12. Deivatiru Guhainamashivayarum Gurunamashivaayarum
13. Sivatiru Azhiyavirathankonda Tambhiran Swamigal
14. Sivatiru Appaiya Deekshathar
15. Sivatiru Saiva Vellappa Naavalar
16. Sivatiru Kumaaraswami Pandaaraathaar
17. Sivatiru Shivaprakaasha Swamigal
18. Tavatiru Sonaachala Thevar
19. Sivatiru Ammani Ammaiyaar
20. Tavatiru Dakshinamoorthy Swamigal
21. Sivatiru Jnana Desika Swamigal
22. Tavatiru Satguru Swamigal
23. Sivatiru Gnaniyaar adigalar
24. Tavatiru V. C. Dandapani Swamigal
25. Sivatiru Palani Swamigal
26. Tavatiru Adi Mudi Sidhar
27. Tavatiru Shri Sheshadri Swamigal
28. Tavatiru Shri Ramana Maharshi
29. Tavatiru Shri Azhaghaananda Swamigal
30. Tavatiru Natesa Gnana Desika Swamigal
31. Sivatiru Sonachala Bharatiyaar
32. Sivatiru Sadaichi Ammaiyaar
33. Sivatiru Issaki Swamigal
34. Sivatiru A.P. Annamalai Swamigal
35. Tavatiru Yogiram Swamigal
36. Sivatiru Moopanaar Swamigal
37. Tavatiru Narayanaguru Swamigal
38. Tavatiru Gyanathaai Umadevi Ammaiyaar
39. Tarkaalathu Siddargal
40. Arunai Maha Munivar

A brief history of a few Siddhars in the lineage:

1. Idaikadar Siddhar

Out of the many the Siddhars who lived on this hill, eighteen Siddhars are considered to be very important. ‘Idaikadar’ is considered to be the first of these and he is also known as Tiruvannamalai Siddhar. Siddhars used to wander in pursuit of the Truth and their history is not recorded. Idaikadar is believed to be from a remote village called ‘Idayanthittu’ in Tiruvannamalai. He was born to Thandha Konar and Yasodharai who earned their livelihood from dairy farming.

He was the disciple of Konganavar. He is also known as the student of the renowned Bhogar Siddhar. Idaikadar learnt astrology from him and prepared an Almanac based on his own scientific calculations. Using his intelligence, he was able to help counter famine and help the people. He has written many books on Siddha medicine and cured many diseases with herbs.

His Jīva Samādhi (final resting place of mortal remains) is in Tiruvannamalai and it is very difficult to reach it as it is protected by wild animals and insects. That part of the hill is very green and blessed with several herbs. All the Tiruvannamalai masters have their samadhi in the foothills, but only Idaikadar’s samadhi is on the hill itself.

2. Thavatiru Veeravairakkiya Guru Moorthy Swamigal

Swamigal belongs to Polur of Tiruvannamalai which is also known as Paruvathamalai. There is a 1400 year-old Monastery called the Athisivalingacharya Gurumagan peetam in this village. After Shrilashri Sadhashivam Niraishivam, the 7th Pontiff of this Peetam, Thavathiru Veeravairaakkiya Swamigal took charge of it as the next pontiff. He had wide knowledge of the Agamas and literature. He attained the highest state in spirituality by doing Shivalinga pooja three times a day. At the time in Tiruvannamalai, Hindu pontiffs of various mutts would solve all major issues related to the main temple in the town. The Muslim kings in the South would threaten to shut down the temple if the pontiffs did not prove their authenticity to the kings. Once, one such a king butchered the temple cow into two pieces and challenged the temple priests to give it life. They couldn’t, despite using all the mantras that they knew and when they prayed to Arunachala, He answered them. He said that if they called Veeravairakkiya Swamigal, it would be possible to give the cow life. He was called and once he arrived, he used his Yogic powers to give the cow life. However, the King didn’t trust him and demanded that a lump of meat be offered as prasadha (sacred food offering to the temple deities) to the temple deity. Veeravairaakkiya Swamigal agreed and offered a cloth-covered plate in front of the deity. Upon removing the cloth, the King was shocked to see that the lump of meat had turned into flowers. Then, the cruel King demanded that Veeravaikkiya Swamigal make the Nandi deity (Hindu deity found in Shiva temples which is in the form of a sitting bull) get up from its sitting position. Veeravaikkiya Swamigal replied, “If you wish so, let it happen by God’s grace”, and the King was shocked to see that the deity stood up. Thus the temple was saved, and Veeravaikkiya Swamigal served the people of Tiruvannamalai with all the yogic powers and abilities that he had, until he attained liberation and left his body. From that day on, Guru puja for him is done in a grand manner in the month of Vaigasi (May).

3. Sivathiru Yirai Swamigal

His birth place is unknown. He used to serve in the Annamalaiyar temple. He would chant the Shiva mantra and circumambulate around the sacred hill in Tiruvannamalai called Arunachala on foot. Arunachala hill is considered to be the body of Paramashiva Himself, where he descended as a shaft of light, as per Hindu history. Sivathiru Yirai Swamigal was determined to go around the hill in remembrance of Paramashiva. Knowing there are 1008 shiva lingas at every step on the path around the hill, he chanted the Shiva mantra 1008 times each time he took one step forward. Seeing his determination, he began to be worshipped by the people of Tiruvannamalai. He used to beg and eat. A few devotees from a nearby place called Avalurpettai took care of him and ensured that he was fed and took care of his health. At any given moment, he would only chant the Shiva mantra as his life breath. Finally, when it was time for him to leave his body, he informed a few of his loved ones and while chanting Paramashiva’s name, left his body. His Samadhi (final resting place of enlightened beings) is still there in Avalurpettai.

4. Punnaaku Siddhar

Punnaaku Siddhar lived 300 years ago in total devotion to Annamalaiyaar (presiding deity of the Arunachaleshwara temple in Tiruvannamalai). His birthplace is not known. During meditation, he heard a divine voice asking him to go towards the South of India and the spot where he feels hungry will be the place of his enlightenment. He had walked for a 100 kms and didn’t get tired. When he reached Bagavathimalai near Vellore, he suddenly felt hungry. He asked for some hay to eat instead of food. Those nearby laughed at his behavior and asked him to work a grinding machine to earn the food. Using his yogic powers, he had the grinding machine operate itself. On seeing this, everyone fell at his feet and he was given a comfortable place to stay, and the owner served him. He trained young children of the village to develop these powers, and they all became his disciples. When the time came for him to leave body, he asked these children to cover him with cloth and he disappeared. He was also worshipped by the name Amirthalinga Swamigal. A unique 9-leaf stemmed Bilva tree at his final resting place is worshipped by the nearby village people even today.

5. Sidhars who were known by word of mouth communication:

• Jatamudi Sidhar:

This Sidhar had long Jataas (dreadlocks) like Lord Paramashiva and rudrakshas around his neck. He erected an ashram at Thirukovilur near the Thenpennai river. He used to walk from to Tiruvannamalai to have a glimpse of the temple deity and it was said that he attained liberation there.

• Sivaperuvalar Sidhar:

This Sidhar used to treat people with medications for their diseases on the sacred path around the Arunachala hill. To test him, Lord Arunachala came in disguise and asked to cure his wild hunger. After examining him, the Sidhar said that once he eats food from a person who has offered Annadaan (distribution of free food to the public) to many people his hunger will disappear, which pleased Lord Arunachala. It is said that he attained liberation at Tiruvannamalai.

• Konippai Kovana Sidhar:

This Sidhar used to cover his body using a sack and hence he got the name as konippai (which means sack in Tamil) Sidhar. He also attained liberation on the hills of Thiruvannamalai on the path around Arunachala Hill.

• Sabtha Kantha Linga Sithar:

This Sidhar circumambulated around the Arunachala hill 7 times. This Sidhar ate only 7 times in a month and fasted for the remaining days. His body radiated divine fragrance. Few of his hair strands would be gold in color and wherever those fell, a Shiva linga would emerge. Totally 7 lingas appeared in a day as he walked around the Arunachala hill, where they are still worshipped.

• Shivarathiri Sidhar:

Once, a king had arranged for annadaan (free distribution of food to the public) during Shivaratri at Tiruvannamalai. During the event an injured deer appeared, fighting for its life. The king was worried that he may have to stop the annadaan if the animal dies. A Sidhar, on witnessing this, left his body and entered into the deer, and ran off from the place. Thus, the event continued. Once he re-entered his own body, the deer’s body fell to the ground. As this miracle occured on Shivaratri, he is known as Shivarathiri Sidhar. After his liberation on Shivaratri day, it is said that he visits the hill every Shivaratri in his subtle body, which only a few blessed people can see.

6. Sivathiru Siva Swamigal

Siva Swamigal’s ashram is on the sacred path around the Arunachala hill in Tiruvannamalai. He was known as an ardent devotee of Paramashiva, with a graceful face. He would always add the word “Siva” at the end of his sentences, and thus came to be known as Siva Swamigal. After that, at the beginning of the 20th century, he disappeared without a trace.

7. Sivathiru Mangaiyarkarasiyar

It is known from sculptures, that in 1202 BC, Tiruvannamalai was known as Annathur. A female devotee named Mangaiyarkarasiyar was known for her compassion and devotion to Paramashiva. Hailing from a rich family, she spent all her wealth in serving Him, and in social service. She spread the principles and teachings of Paramashiva, especially to females.During a severe drought she developed a water saving mechanism at the time of heavy rains. She sacrificed even her personal jewels for building a dam for the people. Huge quantities of drinking water were stored there for many days. Sculptures describe that she and her brothers, along with 48,000 devotees, donated their properties just for this social cause. Today the Sathanur Dam in Tamil Nadu stands tall, as a symbol of her care for her people. She has also built the Panchamurthy Dharshan Mandapam at the Arunachaleshwara Temple.

8. Daivasikhamani Desikar

Daivasikhamani Desikar was the founder of Thiruvannamalai Aadeenam. He.was born in 1250. He was a Saiva saint, fortunate to have performed worship by touching the body of the Saint of Annamalai. He took birth among the Aadi Saivas. He went to the Thiruvannamalai temple along with his father in the year 1266.

He forgot himself there and with great surrender and weeping eyes sang songs; Annamalayaar appeared and he got enlightenment.

There he got the divine command, and went to Nandideva for instructions. Nandideva came to him in a dream, it is believed.

By the year 1290 he had acquired all the divine powers; he was forty then. He prayed for the Lord to manifest as Swayambhu. “Come to Kaalathee” commanded the Lord. He went; found a Siva Linga amidst an anthill. That Linga, known as Kaalathee Appan, is still there in the temple, as a separate entity.

Between 1291 and 1342, the king came to Bhavanai. His horse died and the king was terrified. Daiva Sikhaamanni Desikar sprinkled water on the horse and uttered the words “THEERUVAITEZHUTTHU”. The snake that bit the horse appeared and sucked the venom back out of the horse, bringing the horse back to life.

It was the year 1310, and the sage was sixty, when the Aadeenam was founded. He was the first pontiff of the Aadeenam. He had enormous spiritual powers; a tiger and cow could interact with each other together in his presence.

He stayed at the junction of the streets on the west and the north of the temple, at the foot of the hill. It was here that the devotees saw him, and were overwhelmed with devotion.When he was seventy five he handed over the charge of the Mutt to one Thandavaraaya Desikar.

On the day Pururattaadi star, in the month of Aavani, in the year 1325, Daivasikhaamani Desikar, the first pontiff of the Mutt, attained “Jeeva Samaadhi”.

9. Thavathiru Panipathira Swamigal

Few mutts at Thiruvannamalai has no proper maintenance and few other mutts are being taken care of the concerned people who are living there . Few of such mutts which followed the great Saiva tradition is Panipathira Devar mutt, Jalikantha Gurudevar mutt, Nedumara mudi devar mutt, Sithiramammutti Devar mutt. Swamigal belongs to Kannada Sivacharya aarathiya tradition. His guru belonged to Gumlapuram, place near Krishnagiri. In 1259 BC, One Giri Devar belonging to Gumlapuram mutt tradition came to be known later as Panipathira swamigal. He used to chant Shiva mantra all time and do Siva linga pooja. He blessed people with basma ash and blessed them with shiva mantra. He used to bring items for shiva pooja after taking bath. One day he dint have jug to fetch water and worried since it was time for pooja. At that time lord Annamalai voice was heard saying that the water wil become vessel and items wil be there in it. On fetching water in hand the water itself became vessel and hence he got that name. Once he prayed to Lord Annamalaiyar, that he want to serve food to his devotes who visit him. He used to keep that vessel in Pooja room and asked his wife to count the number of heads who are there. On knowing he would go and ask the lord. And the gold coins required to serve the devotees who have arrived on that day would just appear on that vessel. On handing over it to his wife for buying the food items, the vessel would disappear. Similarly daily he would come with new vessels with pooja items(thirumanjan). Like this after living many years he attained liberation one day. His birth and death is not known. Shiva linga which he had worshipped is kept at the back of Kumarar temple even today.

10. Sivathiru Jnanaprakasha Swamigal

Sivathiru Arumuga Navalar – Swami Vibulanantha Adigal were the key divine beings who imparted Saivam and Tamil language among Yarzhpanai tamilians of Yeezha Desam. Before their period, Jnyanaprakasar, a divine poet was well known at Tirunelveli, a small town of Yazhpanai city. He was adept in Tamil grammar and literature at his young age itself. On his arrival to Tamil Nadu, he got initiated into Shiva Deeksha from Annamalai Sivachariyar, a temple priest. Then he went to Thillai, sang songs on Lord Natrajar and got His blessings. Then he took sanyas from Gurumurthy of Thiruvannamalai Adheenam and learnt Siva agamas. He lived in a small hut in Thiruvannamalai and had many experiences by moving and learning from other shiva saints. Then he travelled to Chidambaram in his middle age and translated many shastra books to north languages. From the wealth he got from the treasure under the mutt he lived, he established a water pool and Jnyanaprakasam mutt. He gave commentaries on Shivajnyana Sithiyar. He was also known as Thiruvannamalai Jnyanaprakasar. His birth and death is not known. He spent his last days in Chidambaram and attained liberation.

11. Arunagirinathar

Arunagirinathar is an important Saint who has authored the famous ‘Tiruppugazh’. He was born in 1397 AD in the Devadasi (ancient temple dancers) community of Sengunthar tradition. His mother Muthammai was a famous devadasi and his father Chandramouli was from Mullanpuram near Arani in South India. He was a rich trader. He learnt all the arts and was well supported by his mother. His house was in East street, now called as Kosa mutt street lane. He lost his grandmother and mother early in life and was brought up by his sister. In his youth, he spent his time and money on prostitutes and lost everything, including his health. He was frustrated at the age of 38 and decided to commit suicide from the Vallala Gopuram. However, he was protected by Lord Muruga and also gained his health. In his previous birth, he was a dacoit but worshiped Murugan. Lord Muruga assured him that He would save him in his next birth. Then, Muruga asked him to go to Vayalur. He visited 139 temples and recited the Thiruppugazh from 1425-48 AD. Out of 16000 hymns only 1367 are available. These are available in Bangalore museum and in Germany.

In another incident, there was a poet named Villiputhurar from Tamil Nadu who was known to be highly egoistic. He would often challenge other poets and if they lost in the competition he would cut their ears off. It was Arunagirinathar’s turn and Villiputhurar sung ‘Azhagarandadhi’. Arunagirinathar gave the song’s meaning beautifully and won the competition. Now, it was Arunagiri’s turn and he sung ‘Sundarandadhi’. When he sung 54th hymn which was very difficult, Villiputhurar lost the competition and Arunagiri was revered ever since.

Sambandhandan was the court poet of the king Prabuda Devarayan. The poet was jealous of Arunagirinathar and he convinced the king to hold a competition. He was to bring the Goddess Ambal to the King’s court and Arunagirinathar was to bring Lord Murugan to the court by singing songs. When Sambandhandan sang, Amba appeared to him only. When Arunagirinathar’s turn came, Sambandhandan asked Ambal to keep Murugan in her lap. Listening to the song, a peacock danced and Murugan appeared and blessed all those in court, winning Arunagirinathar the competition.

After some time the king was suffering from a severe disease which could only be cured by the divine flower ‘Manonmaniam’. Sambandhandan planned to take revenge on Arunagirinathar. At the request of the king, Arunagirinathar left his body in the Gopurathuilayanar temple and entered the body of parrot and brought the flower, saving the king. However, before he could re-enter his own body, Sambandhan burnt it. In parrot form, Arunagirinathar sang ‘Kandar anuboothi’ and merged in Oneness with Paramashiva at the age of 61 in the year 1448 AD.

Even now, his sannidhi (shrine) is in the Annamalai temple.

12. Guhai Namashivayar (Sage Namassivaayar of the cave.)

Was born Sreesailam region, was the disciple of Sivaananda Desikar. He was a Kannadiga, and belonged to the Veerasaivas.

Annamalayaar came to Namassivaayar in a dream, and gave him sermons. When he was coming to Thiruvannamalai on horse, enroute there was a wedding at a house. After giving sacred ashes to everybody, he started on his journey. Suddenly the house caught fire and turned into cinders. Terrified Namassivaayar revived the whole thing. The people called him Lord Siva.

It was here that he took the vow not to stay in anybody’s house. He came to Tiruvannamalai, but did not stay at any house, but sat at a public place; performed Ashtalinga Pooja and went into meditation. Every day he used to stand before the temple of Annamalaayaar, but would never bow to the deity; he would ask, by gesture, “are you okay?”. This was a sign of complete devotion and love. A yogi, Sivaagraha Yogi by name, saw this, and hit him with a cane. Namassivaayar changed and the Yogi repented for what he had done.

Sivaanana Desikar was his Guru. Aannamayalaar appeared in the form of Sivaanandan Yogi. The Yogi took Namassivaayar into the temple along with his other disciples.Namassivaayar bowed down to the deity and the yogi disappeared. From that day onwards Namassivaayar offered flower garlands to the deity and sang songs in praise of the Lord. All this was the result of the blessings of Annamayalar.

Then he stayed in the temple entrance, at Nandavanam on the circumambulation route of the hill. Annamalayaar invited him to the cave at the foot of the hill. He stayed in the cave and became the Namassivaayar of the cave.

There was a Peepal tree of stone near the cave, and he did penance on a swing tied to that tree.He stayed there as the personification of spiritual knowledge. He had two disciples, who were his personal attendants. The disciple saw, by inner vision, the curtains of the inner temple catching fire. Immediately he took his hands off the Guru’s leg, which he was massaging, and crushed his clothes with his hands, as if putting out the fire.

Once a shepherd came to Namassivaayar with his dead goat, and the sage revived the goat by sprinkling sacred ashes on it. Some people who saw this, made one of their own, act like dead, and brought the “dead” one to the sage with request to revive him. The sage told them the truth, that the dead cannot come back to life. That person was indeed dead. There are umpteen instances connected with Guhai Namassivaayar.

He wrote a hymn in praise of Annamalayaar; performed many ‘Siddhis’; initiated many families; had vision of Annamalayaar on many occasions.

When Guhai Namassivaayar wanted to take Jeeva samaadhi, Annamalayaar forbade him and granted him two hundred years more. After living for two centuries, on the day of Pooraatam, in the month of Kaartikai, one day prior to Kaarthikai Deepam celebrations,Guhai Namassivaayar took Jeeva samaadhi.

18. Thavathiru Sonachala Thevar

Sonachala Thevar was from the Veera Saiva tradition and a disciple of Chidambara Swamy who built Thiruporur Murugan temple. In the Chidambarasamy Varalaru it is mentioned that Sonachala Thevar stayed in Tiruvannamalai and had the vigour to walk around the Arunachala Hill till the age of 90.

A man named Tiripurandaha Mudaliar Of Poonamallee near Chennai was a rich, but after his marriage he did not have a child for a long time. By the grace of Lord Murugan, he had a child but the child was born dumb. His name was Sivasankaran and his father took him to Chidambara swamy of Thiruporur and by the grace of Murugan he started speaking. They stayed there for some time and performed pujas and aradhana to Murugan.

Some time later, Chidambara swamy was not well and Annamalaiyar (Paramashiva) appeared as a Sivachariar before Sonachala Thevar and informed him about his Guru. Immediately he left to Thiruporur and met Chidambara Swamy. During worship to Lord Murugan, Chidambaraswamy disappeared in the Sanctum. Sonachala Thevar convinced Tiripurandaha Mudaliar and initiated his son Sivasankaran as the next pontiff, even though he was the first disciple of Chidamaraswamy. Then, he left for Tiruvannamalai and continued circumambulating around the hill till the age of 90 and finally left his body there.

19. Sivatiru Ammani Ammaiyaar

Ammani Amman was born in 1735, in Arasangamani, to the west of Tiruvannamalai. She was the reincarnation of Goddess Chennammaal (a form of Devi, the divine consort of Paramashiva), of Chennasamudram. She was a true seeker, and despite marrying, she stayed celibate her whole life. One day, Paramashiva appeared to her in a dream and said, “The work on the northern Gopuram (tower) of my temple has stopped; come.”

Ammani Amman began the work and sought donationsfor it. She would approach every household and say, “Ammani Amman has come. The work on the Gopuram should be done. Give me one thirtieth portion of the money you have kept in the sixth mud-pot of your house”. People were surprised. For collecting funds, she went to the king of Mysore. The sentry at the gate refused her entry. Through her yogic abilities and powers, she appeared before the king and pleaded for funds. The king was astonished, and gives her pearl necklaces, money, silken clothes, elephants, horses etc.

The work on the Gopuram continued. When the eighth stage was being constructed, there came an issue - there were no materials, no donations.

Ammani Amman was distressed, and prayed to Paramashiva, who said that all would be well. Work started. The accountant questioned her as to how they would manage. Finally, workers lined up for wages. Ammani Amman give each of them sacred ashes. To the amazement of every one the ashes had turned into money, and that too equal to their respective wages! Those who worked honestly got plenty, and those who cheated, got fake money. Work having been completed, Ammani Amman performed the Kumbhaabhishekam – the first to be performed by a woman.

To supervise the work she stayed nearby. A Siva Linga was also installed there, which is worshipped till date. At Sengam, the rock, on which Ammani Amman did penance, is known as Ammani Ammian-rock.

The North Gopuram of the temple in Tiruvannamalai is called Ammani Amman Gopuram. At the age of fifty, on the day Thai Poosam, in the year 1785, Amani Amman attained Jeeva Samaadhi.

20. Thavathiru Dhatchinamurthy Swamigal

Siva Chidambaram pillai and Meenatchi Ammal of Keezhalathur near Tiruchirapalli had a son many years after their marriage by the grace of Annamalaiyar. He was named Arunachalam who became Datchinamurthy Swamigal subsequently. After two years he had a brother named Namachivayam. Till his age of five Arunachalam was not speaking and the parents were worried much thinking that he is dumb. One day Arunachala came to their house in disguise as a sadhu. The parents expressed their difficulties to the sadhu. Sadhu wanted to see the boy. He was in meditation and the sadhu said that he is born tol make his house and country great. The sadhu asked him why he is not speaking and the boy replied that he is keeping quiet. Then the sadhu asked him “who are you?” He replied,” You are me-Me is you” and the sadhu said,”This is Truth-Truth” and disappeared. The parents who have witnessed this understood that Arunachala himself has come and graced them and they took care of this Divine child with care.

The boy had ‘Wak sakthi’ and whatever he said became reality and made precise predictions. Both the boys were admitted in school and they were good in studies. Arunachalam was very fast understanding the lesson and he also did many precise predictions in the school. So the teachers got fear and they gave respect to him. So Arunachalam did not wanted to disturb the teachers and stopped going to the school. Namachivayam also discontinued his studies and serving his parents.

One day Namachivayam went to the garden to fetch flowers. He saw a mango fruit on the garden sand and ate it despite remembering his elder brother’s advice against doing so. Arunachalam instructed him not to fetch flowers for puja and to atone his sin asked him to go on pilgrimage. Namachivayam went for Kasi Yatra without informing others. When the parents were worried, he informed them that he is on pilgrimage to Kasi and even after return he will not marry and it will do only good for them. As he said, on return from Kasi Yatra, Namachivayam went to Keezh velur, served Nilabadi Gnaniar and as per his fate took sanyas. Like this he made several predictions and miracles and healed people directly and also fro distance.

After his parents passed away, Swami performed his final rites and then during wandering reached Vaitheeswaran koil and caused a miracle in the temple administration. Those who have caused problem to Swami have faced many problems in their life.When he was in Viralimalai he was hungry and Murugan gave him food. He ate the food and gave the balance to a Tahsildar to eat. His Tuberculosis disease disappeared. These are all few examples only. In one such miracle Thillai Thirukoothan asked a devotee to go to Thiruvarur and get healed by Dakshinamurthy. Again he appeared in his dream to go to Arunachalasamy and he gave him some food from his plate and the disease was healed. Thereafter he was called as Dakshinamurthy Swami.

As per records Esana Desikar aka Kandappar went to Tiruvarur and got initiated by Dakshinamurthy Swami. Since Esana Desikar lived in 18th century it can be safely assumed that he belongs to 18th century.

22. Thavathiru Sadguru Swamigal :

He was born in the year 1808 in a beautiful village, Villapuram in Ernakulam district and his original name was Anantha Narayanan. He was initiated by Kannanur Mouna Guru. He led a married life and reported to have taken sanyas in his middle age. Then he went on a pilgrimage to Servarayan hills and Kalladi in Salem district and meditated there. He later went to Himalayas and did penance in places like Kedarnath and Badrinath and then worshipped Kasi, Gaya and Thriveni and finally chose Tiruvannamalai. After worshipping Annamalaiyar he went to the Banyan tree cave in the hills and sat in meditation. His disciple Yogiswara Swami served him. One day he blessed Bala Ramana. When Yogiswara swami went for begging in a midnight on the advise of his guru a miracle happened. Shanmugam pillai of nearby Kanalapadi village started visiting this cave and they developed friendship. He used to take him to Kanalapadi and host him. He became popular in Tamilnadu and finally he settled in Kanalapadi in the year 2004 at the request of Shanmugam pillai.

There was no rain continuously for 12 years and the villagers requested him for rain. Then he sang about Annamalai and there was heavy rain filling the lakes and tanks. Swamigal who was staying in the top of the hill wanted a cottage on the foot of the hill. When they were searching for a place he suggested a place near the Narayana Desikar madalayam. He stayed in that cottage with his disciple and blessed the people and in the year 1923 at the age of 115 he merged into the lotus feet of Annamalaiyar. Then Yogiswarar with other devotees constructed a big samadhi temple and it was renovated in the year 1981. Now samadhi of his disciples are also there and it is being maintained. Those who visit Annamalai can also visit Kanalapadi and worship the Swamigal.

23. Sivathiru Gnaniyar Adigalar

He was born on 17.05.1873 In Thirunageswaram near Kumbakonam to Annamalaiyar and Parvathi Ammaiyar . His original name was Palaniyandi and his father was guru to Veera Saivar community. On the instruction of Tirupadiripuliyur Mutt’s fourth Gurumurthy Thavathiru Sivashanmuga Paramasiva Meignana Sivachariya Swamigal Palaniyandi was handed over to him as a six months old child. With the Guru’s brought up he was well educated and excelled in character. He became scholar in Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit. At the age of 17 he was given Mantra Deeksha and Achariar Abhishekam by his Guru and and nominated him as the 5th guru And Madathipathi of the Mutt and his name was changed to Sivathiru Sivashanmuga Meignana Sivacharya Swamigal. Shortly he was called as Gnaniyar Swamigal/Gnaniar Adigal.

After the demise of his Guru, he learnt Tamil literature and Grammar from Chidambaram Swaminatha Iyer and mastered it. In the year 1900 when Palanatham Jamindar Pandithurai Thevar met him, Adigalar asked him to bring back the glory of Tamil language. Thevar asked his brother Bhaskara Sethupathi to establish Tamil Sangam in Madurai and the Sangam was established on 24.05.1901. Adigalar was a Tamil scholar and a great orator. He have Tamil discourses all over Tamilnadu in the programs organised by the Madurai Tamil Sangam and the language started growing. He has established “Vani Vilasa Sabha” and Tamil and Saivam started growing. He has joined with other scholars of Tamil and Saivam and established several organisations and Tamil Schools and colleges. Due to his efforts many Tamil pandits became Tamil teachers and were working in Schools and colleges.

He was attracted by Annamalaiyar and used to visit Annamalai regularly and he was associated with ‘Sakthi Vilasa Mandapam’ and gave lectures on Deepam festivals. He had a fracure in his leg and at the age of 68 He performed Girivalam on a Deepam festival day with Devara group and then he wanted to worship Palani Andavar and reached there. On 31.01.1942 on Thai Poosam day he merged with Palaniyandi.

25. Sivatiru Palani Swamigal

He was born in the year 1851 in Panaiyur village near Madurai in a Pandithar family who were devotees of Siva. He lost his parents in his early life and no one supported him. So he went to Palani and helped his community people in their profession. With the grace of Palani Murugan he wanted to go to Tiruvannamalai at the age of 13. He reached Tiruvannamalai by walk and he cleaned the temple in sadhu dress. Reddiar Swamy of Ilayanar koil in the temple admired him because of his brisk service in the temple. Reddiar Swamy had a plan to organise the sadhus who were lazy, by providing food and utilise their service to renovate the temple premises and maintain it beautifully. He handed over the savings to Palaniyandi and asked him to fulfill his vision and passed away.

With the blessings of Annamalaiyar he digged a well with the help of devotees and with the copious supply of water he developed the temple garden - Nandavanam. They got plenty of flowers and decorated the deities with flower garlands. Everybody admired Palaniyandi for his organising capacity and he become very popular in the temple. Devotees from nearby village temples sought his help and he organised people there and renovated many temples. He spent his life in renovating and constructing many temples in the surrounding places. After he became old he returned to Annamalaiyar temple and one day he saw Bala Ramana in the Padhala linga temple and noticed that he was tired. With the help of some devotees he brought him out gave bath, new dress and food and saved him. He also predicted that the Bala Ramana is the future Mahan of Tiruvannamalai.

In the year 1929 at the age of 78 he reached the lotus feet Shiva and his samadhi is located by the side of Avalurpettai Santhai Medu Mottai pillaiyar temple which was renovated by him at the request of the villagers. At his request Palaniandavar deity is erected on his samadhi and worshipped. Panditha community people of this place have built Palanisamy Thirumadam and they worship him and continue temple service.

26. Adimudi Siddhar

He was born in a village near Chennai in the year 1835. Till the age of 40, he was living with his wife and children as a householder. By the grace of Lord Annamalaiyar, and in the year 1875, he came to Tiruvannamalai.

Gowthama Munivar, who was responsible for the formation of the river Godavari in Maharashtra, was instructed by Paramashiva to come to Tiruvannamalai. Adimudi Siddhar was fortunate to perform puja in his Ashram. He was helped maintain this ashram. He was majestic, with 108 long dreadlocks like Paramashiva. He never accepted any food from others, and survived on fruits and roots that he collected from the forest.

He was responsible for the formation of a sacred path around Arunachala hill. Even though his original name was Ramasamy, he earned the name of ‘Adimudi Siddhar’. He also performed many miracles. Finally, in the year 1904, on Chitra pournami day he announced that he would be leaving his body and entered Jeevasamadhi. His Jeeva samadhi is in Gowthamar ashram.

27. Tavatiru Shri Sheshadri Swamigal

Seshadri Swami was born in Vazhur, on the 22nd January, 1870. He lived in Kancheepuram, and held miraculous powers at a young age. Perched on his mother’s hip, Seshaadri went to see the festival celebration of ‘Vaikaasi Vishaakha’. There, he bought a doll of baby Krishna (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu), after which the seller of that doll was able to sell his entire stock of dolls on the same day. From that day on, he was called Seshadri of Golden Hand.

He would spend much of his time in cremation grounds, immersed in the remembrance of Arunachala. Sheshadri Swami came to Thiruvannamalai in the year 1889, where he realised himself and settled for the remainder of his life.

Once he was walking as part of a funeral procession. Suddenly, he entered a house where a wedding was taking place, to the chagrin of the wedding party. He went to the kitchen, and broke the vessel in which Sambar was being prepared, and took out a dead snake out of it, and walked away.

28. Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi.

Bhagavan Ramana Maharshiwas a well-known enlightened Guru, who raised the question, “who am I?” He tied the world, at a time where information, connectivity and means were in short supply.

Venkataraman, as he was first called, was born on 29th December 1887. His father died when he was twelve. This was the turning point in his life. He spent months in penance, and was guided by Seshadri Swamigal. The famous Kaavyakanda Ganapathi Muni, praised him. It was he who first called him Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.

On Friday, April 14, 1950, the Bhagavan merged with the Ultimate.

29. Tavatiru Shri Azhaghaananda Swamigal

He was born in the year 1882 in Karaiyavur village near Salem to Nallan and Maraiammal. He was devoted to God from his childhood and at the age of 36 in the year 1918, he renounced society and became an ascetic. He became a disciple of Guruvanandar of Indra Peetam and was initiated by him.

He walked continuously for ten years, visiting holy sites such as Thillai and Tiruvannamalai. Due to his dedication, many devotees joined him. He spread the lifestyle of vegetarianism in the Salem and Dharmapuri districts, and he was called Dark Vivekananda. His devotees were guided to form mutts (monasteries), which are still functioning as important Shaivite monasteries, which contribute to society through free distribution of food and other activities. He meditated on many hill tops and established a monastery in Tiruvannamala. On 20th August, 1984, at the age of 103, he merged in Oneness with Paramashiva. His samadhi (final resting place) is in Thammanampatti Manickavasagar Madalayam near Dharmapuri and the Siva devotees can worship him and earn his grace.

29. Tavatiru Shri Azhaghaananda Swamigal

He was born on 28.09.1898 in Chithirapatnam village near Thuraiyur in Trichy district to Sabapathy Udayar and Vishalatchi ammal. From his early childhood he was devoted to God and possessed good character. Even before he was 16 he learnt literature and grammar from a learned teacher. As per his family tradition he led his cows to a land for grazing and he was engrossed in Thiruvasagam. The cows damaged the crops of neighbour and they reported this to his father. His father got angry and scolded him. He apologized for his mistake. In the year 1944 at the age of 16 he renounced everything and left the house with a few books and by foot he reached Thiruvannamalai.

He was supported by an elderly person and he also helped him make flower garlands for deities. Thiruvannamalai Esanya Mutt sadhus were attracted by his service to Divine and his good qualities and introduced Natesar to their guru who was the seventh Madathipathi of Esanya Mutt. He accepted him as his disciple. Here he learnt literature, grammar,shastras etc.. and also learnt Sanskrit and became a great scholar. He became a poet and also translated many Sanskrit books into Tamil. At the age of 23 he was coronated as the 8th Madathipathi. He was blessed by Ramana Mahan and Kanchi periyava Chandrasekara Saraswathi Swamigal when he was managing the mutt with grace and lead the Sadhu sangha effectively for a long period.

From 1927 to 1947, he led the Mutt in a grand way and then he left it and on 28.01.1949

arrived at Kariyanur village in Perambalur district. Udayar community saiva devotees of the village provided a Thabovanam on the banks of Vellar river and requested him to do penance there. Swamiji stayed in that naturally beautiful Thabovanam and named it as Shanthi Ashram and blessed the devotees with grace. He taught the people of the place and freed them from quarrel and jealousy and also healed them from many diseases. On 23.02.1960, Swamiji attained Videha Mukti.Every year Jayanthi and Guru puja are conducted by the villagers with love and affection.

31. Sivatiru Sonachala Bharatiyaar

He was born in the year 1858 AD in Puthalipulivai village near Kanchi town to Arunagirinatha Mudaliar and Amirtham ammal. His family was devoted to Annamalaiyar and as per the family tradition all the children were named after Annamalaiyar and Unnamalai Amman. Arunagirinatha Mudaliar and his predecessors were learned and poets. He renounced his family and reached Thiruvannamalai. He wrote many books and poems on Annamalaiyar.

Sonachalam was brought up by his grandparents and became a great scholar and poet. He married Rasambal - daughter of Saidapet Shanmuga Mudaliar. Sona chalam was a great orator and he earned many titles like “Sonachala Kavirayar”, “Bharathi” etc.. He became very popular because of his oration and books. He earned lot of money and spent it on renovating temples. He has written fourteen books singing the glory of Annamalaiyar and Unnamalai Amman and in the year 1925 attained the lotus feet of Annamalaiyar in Kanchi. His samadhi (final resting place) is in agni theertham area of the temple.

32. Sivathiru Sadachi Ammaiyar

Shanmugam Ammal was born in Sivagiri village in Pandiya kingdom in Thondai mandala Saiva vellala family in the early part of 20th century. She was not interested in married life and one night Shiva appeared in her dream and instructed her to come to Tiruvannamalai. She immediately woke up and found that her long hair had become dreadlocks. She started her pilgrimage towards Tiruvannamalai and visited many temples before she reached Tiruvannamalai. She stayed in a mutt (monastery) and did seva (offering service) to Shiva by offering flower garlands to him daily and also performed Girivalam. Because of her appearance, people called her Sadachi Ammaiyar. She eventually merged with Annamalaiyar.

33. Tavatiru Isakki Swamigal

He was born in Vittilapuram village in Tuticorin District on 02.05.1917 to his parents Sellaperumal and Muthammal. Even when he was studying in school he had divine powers and at the age of 13 he came to Tiruvannamalai with his parents to see Karthigai Deepam. While performing Girivalam with his parents, he worshiped Niruddhi Lingam and sat in deep meditation. When they continued the Girivalam, he was in ecstasy after worshipping Pancha mugam. He was attached to the place till his last day. Subsequently, he was called ‘Pancha muga Samiar’. After worshiping Karthigai Deepam they went on pilgrimage by foot and train for three months and visited several temples. After this pilgrimage he visited Tiruvannamalai frequently and stayed in Apparswamy mutt and went around the hill and meditated in Panchamuga.

Even though he was married he always remembered Annamalai and so he returned to the place with his wife. He was a Siddha doctor and earned well and had two children. But he wanted to lead an ascetic life and went on the Girivalam and performed Angapradakshinam every day. He later renounced family life and lead an ascetic life. He became very popular and many devotees approached him for mental and physical health issues. To devotees asked them to perform Girivalam for a number of days. He himself performed 1008 Girivalams. Those who trusted his words and performed Girivalam saw their wishes fulfilled. He installed five lingas in Panchamuga and sat in deep meditation.At the age of 74 on 09.01.1991 , he merged into the lotus feet of Annamalaiyar. His Jeeva Samadhi is in Panchamuga area and worshiped by his devotees.

Let the devotees be benefited by performing Girivalam and get the grace of Annamalaiyar.

34. Sivatiru Anga Pradakshina Annamalai Swamigal

He lived in the early 20th century and his service is of the higher order. He performed Angapradakshinam in the old days when the roads were rough. This would inflict severe wounds on his body but he persisted in performing with the wounds. He used to chant ‘Shivaya nama ,Ohm Namah Shivaya’. He was devoted to 63 Nayanmars and he was always thinking about them and offered free food to the devotees.

35. Tavatiru Yogiramsuratkumar Swamigal

He was born on 1st December, 1918 in Nardherar village, Ballial District, Uttar Pradesh on the banks of holy river Ganges to Kunvargu Sumalini and Devi Nardara. He was not interested in academics and liked to converse with saints. At the age of 16, he left the house and reached Kasi and was meditating at the viswanathar temple. He was in search of a master but got married to satisfy his parents desires. Even though he had two children, his mind was always fixed on spirituality. Every year in November he visited Aurobindo and sought his blessings. Based on the suggestion of a saint in the ashram, he went to Annamalai and met Ramana Maharishi, a great enlightened master from Tiruvannamalai, in the year 1948. He understood that he is a great master and has more knowledge than Ramadoss swamigal of Karnataka.He stayed there for some time and when Ramana’s eye fell on him he understood its power. That was the turning point in his Ascetic life. He went to Rishikesh and stayed there for some years and then returned to Tamilnadu. As both Aravinder and Ramanar had left their bodies, he went to Karnataka in 1950 and got initiated by Ramadoss Swamigal.

From 1952 to 1960 he was wandering like a vagabond from Himalayas to Cape Komarin. Finally he has decided that Tiruvannamalai is the best place for his enlightenment and settled there in 1960. He was seen everywhere in Tiruvannamalai and nearby villages. He always held a coconut shell in one hand and palm leaf fan in the other. Hence he was called as ‘Visiri Samiyar’. He stayed in a house in Sannadhi street donated by a wealthy person man and fulfilled the wishes of his devotees. Devotees from all over the Tamilnadu came to see him and get his blessings. He was a chain smoker of cigarettes and the devotees offered him cigarettes, fruits and tea. He used to drink the tea from the coconut shell. From the funds offered by an industrialist from Coimbatore and other devotees he built a big ashram on a 10 acre plot in Tiruvannamalai. Due to the effect of past lives karma he fell ill and due to chain smoking he contracted cancer and left his body on 20.02.2001.

36. Sivatiru Moopanaar Swamigal

He was born in Seithunganallur village near Tirunelveli to his parents Villu Muthu Moopanar and Ayyanammal on 16.03.1922. His name was S.V.Arunachalam. He was not interested in going to school and so he joined his father in doing agriculture. He was interested in doing service and admired Gandhiji for fighting for the freedom of the country. He gave free food to 32 students of his village school. Chief Minister Kamaraj visited the school, tasted the food and appreciated him for his service. This was the beginning of the Mid day meal scheme for school children in Tamil Nadu State.

His community was devoted to Annamalaiyar and they followed the tradition of Kungiliya kalaya nayanar and he offered Kungiliya seva to Siva temples. In the year 1968 he went to Annamalai and started serving there. While doing Girivalam he observed that Ashta linga temples are not well maintained and that the temple lands were illegally encroached. In the year 1972 , he fought for the legal rights of the temple lands and brought them back. Swami along with a few devotees formed a ‘Ashta linga trust’ and continued the service. He renovated the temples, built Mandapam, appointed Brahmacharis (Thuravi) to perform daily puja as a service to devotees. Swami began to be addressed as Ashta Linga Siddhar. On 10.04.1999 at the age of 77 he merged with Shiva. All the devotees who visit the Asta Lingam Temples can worship his photos.

37. Tavatiru Narayana Guru Swamigal

Sri Manikam was born in Palkulam near Kanimadam Yogi Ramsuratkumar Mantralayam. His wife’s name was Bhagyalakshmi and their daughter’s name was Krishnamani . He is reported to have been born in the year 1936. He was a devotee of Yogi Ramsuratkumar and was working as a labourer in Tuticorin port. He always wore red colour ‘Namam’ on his forehead and chest. He left home in the year 1985 and after wandering many places he reached Annamalai in 1988. He was in silence and settled in Thirumanjana temple gate side. As lots of devotees were attracted by him he left the place and went to the top of the hill.

Some devotees were offering fruits and milk to him. He was always in silence and very rarely replied to some devotees. He was unaffected by the sun, rain, storm and cold. As he always wore a big red ‘Namam’ on his forehead, he was addressed as Narayana Guru.It is reported that only after he reached the top of the hills he attained yogic power . After he achieved this power, word about Annamalaiyar power started spreading all over the world and started attracting more devotees and wealth. Tiruvannamalai has developed well and the devotees requests are fulfilled. He was seen blessing devotees till 2002 and thereafter his location wasn't known.

38. Tavatiru Gyanathaai Umadevi Ammaiyaar

Wealthy and influential Shiva devotee, Sri Shanmuga Mudaliar lived with his wife Gnanambal in Tondiarpet in Chennai. As they did not have a child even after eight years of married life they went on a pilgrimage and worshiped Nagore Andavar. Pirmohamed swamigal took a lemon floating in the sea and gave it to her and also blessed her. He also looked at a small boy who was related to them and smiled and left. They went to Tiruvannamalai and stayed overnight in their relatives house not knowing that the child in the womb was blessed by Annamalaiyar. On 12 th May, 1942 she gave birth to a female child in CMC hospital, Vellore. They named her Umadevi. Even though Umadevi was studying in a english medium school she learnt all spiritual songs. She also learnt singing and dancing and married Muhukumarasami of Thiruvannamalai on 09.09.0964. He was a lawyer and born to a wealthy man Ramu mudaliar ( from the tradition of Arunagirinathar) and Viruthambigai. The boy was blessed by Pirmohamed in Nagore. She gave birth to two girls and thereafter she started living an ascetic life and used to subtly converse with many Masters.

When the husband and wife were on a pilgrimage, a saint asked her to go back to Tiruvannamalai and blessed her that Annamalaiyar will bless her spiritual life. One day she met Isakki swamiyar and as per his blessing she was initiated on a Sivarathri day. Then she did penance for 48 days before ‘Panchamukha linga form’ . Isakkiyar said that she is born for penance and she has the capacity to talk to many enlightened masters and cause many miracles. Then she talked to Sri Sadguru Seshadri swamigal in a subtle way and achieved ‘Vaksiddhi’ and blessed many people with this power. Then the Seshadri ashram became busy and famous. Seshadri devotees called her ‘ Gnana thai ‘. On 11th January, 2004 she attained Mahasamadhi and her temple is in the Seshadri ashram. Even now devotees are blessed by her and their problems are solved.

40. Arunai Mahamunivar

Arunai mamuni, vidwan A.Pandurangan was born in Tiruvannamalai to his parents Arunadri and Thayammal in the year 05.06.0916. He was a Tamil scholar and a devotee of Shiva from his boyhood. He studied vidwan course in Annamalai University and came first in college. He worked in Danish mission school, Tiruvannamalai as a teacher and also he was visiting the Annamalaiyar Temple daily and started ‘Thirumurai kazhagam’ in the temple. He involved himself in the Tamil festivals and ‘Saiva samaya’ festivals and became a ‘Arunai mamunivar’.

He was a great Tamil orator and gave lectures during temple festivals and also encouraged many Tamil and saiva scholars to participate in the functions. He has organised many scholars in Saiva scriptures like ‘Devaram’ , Thirukkural etc and the hymns were sung by them in the temple. He has also organised service groups and performed ‘ Uzhavara pani in the temple.

He has also published many saiva literature books and was bedridden at the ripe age of 93 and finally merged with Shiva on 19.09.2009.

41. Azhukku Sidhar

Many siddhas are living in the hill and some of them appear in the hill and temple and some walk around the hill and bless the devotees. One such Siddha was seen by many devotees in the temple. He was dark in complexion and he never takes bath and so he was called ‘ Azhukku siddhar’. He used to walk in the limited portion of the temple only but he would walk very fast. He used to walk at least 40 kilometers in the temple. But he never went beyond the ‘Kili gopuram’.

Except for exceptional cases, he never spoke or accepted anything from others. He had dread locked hair and sometimes after repeated requests would tonsure his head. But he never took bath and always wore a dirty towel on his waist. He used to accept offering from some people and buy some food and eat. But he used to throw away the excess.

A devotee once introduced the Siddhar to a person in the year 1990 and asked him to offer some money to the siddha and whenever possible offer food and dress to him.Further he said by doing so his family problems will be solved . Thereafter he used to offer one or two rupees to him. If he forgets to give some days, the siddha will come and stand before him till he gave money. Sometimes he used to offer new cloth and food and he used to wear it for three days. On some occasions the Siddhar would refuse to accept his offerings and on that day there would be some problems in his house. This devotee has recorded seeing some miracles done by the Siddhar like appearing in two places at a time. For sixteen years he has accepted offerings from him. Then he was in a position to offer Rs 5 or Rs 10 a day. But the Siddhar was not accepting the money but there was no problem in his home. But he was disturbed and on that night his Guru appeared in his dream and said that his account with the Siddhar is settled. Thereafter he was not offering any thing to him and just used to bow down before him and the Siddhar used to smile and leave. On 7th December, 2009 he fell down when he was going around the hill and merged with Shiva.

42. Eesaanyajnaana Desikar

Neelakanta and his wife Uma, of Velur, had no children . They prayed to Lord Murugan and they had a child in the year 1750. He was named Kanthappan. He was a master of Saiva songs, from childhood; he would sing even before being taught, and immediately immerse himself in meditation. When he was seven, he was anointed as Acharya (a teacher), and he came to be called Kandappa Desikar.

He travelled in the Eesanya direction (North-East), and meditated under a Banyan tree. His matted hair grew long. He was sixty. Lord Annamalayaar (Paramashiva) Himself came in the form of a tiger and stood guard for him. Desikar patted the tiger, calling it “Annamalai, my Lord.” He was now addressed as Eesaanya Desikar. Seeing the tiger, other tigers began to gather there as well.

When approached, he miraculously cured the district collector of his Asthma. After that incident, the collector addressed him as grandfather. Soon after this, the River Pennar was overflowing, and the Collector who had come on a horse thought of the Desikar and asked his horse to cross the river. The water parted ways and the horse walked across.

When Desikar’s end was near, he wrote on a palm leaf the date of his death. This is what he wrote: merging with the Lord, Kaliyuga 4930, equal to Chalihaasana Sakaabdham1751, 26 of Markazhi month, Mrugasheersha star, on Thursday, in year 1751.

He sat in Padmaasana (a yogic pose with legs crossed), facing north, with a smiling face and hands folded, and merged himself with the Ultimate. That year was 1829. He attained Jeeva Samadhi at the age of seventy nine.

43. Sivathiru Badrasala Swamigal

He was seen in Tiruvannamalai theradi street in the early part of 20th century. He always carried a bundle of dirty clothes in one hand and wearing a copper bangle on his one leg. He was always drawing some lines on the floor. He was always in silence and unknown to all. He never accepted any offering from anyone. He wandered the streets of Tiruvannamalai for many years and was never seen eating any food. This Sivayogi disappeared suddenly and after many years re appeared in Agni theertha area. He was wandering there for some time and left his body. His samadhi is located beside Seshadri ashram.

The lineages of regent Kings of Tiruvannamalai and their Architectural contributions to the Arunachaleshwara temple - brief overview

The more than 100 stone inscriptions of Tiruvannamalai reveal that Cholas were the early regent kings of Tiruvannamalai who built the smaller shrines of the Arunachaleshwara temple. They were followed by the Kadavarayas, the Hoysalas, the Pandyas, the Vijayanagara kings and the Nayaks, who progressively developed the temple architecture to its full fledged state as seen today.

The Kadavarayas were feudatories of the Chola kings in the 13th century but later defied their authority. One of them - Kadavan Kopperunjingan - even imprisoned king Rajaraja Chola III. It was then that the Hoysala Kings who were ruling over the Dwara-Samudra in Mysore intervened and re-established the Chola reign briefly. The Hoysala chieftains were in de facto power under the Cholas until the Pandya kings expanded their territory and assumed power in this region (13th - 14th century). Later, the Muslim kings invaded from the North (A.D. 1310 - 1327). At that time, the Hoysala King Ballala III became active and countered the Muslim attacks (A.D. 1318 to 1343). In 1338, he assumed the title ‘emperor of the South’. His stone inscriptions (499 and 509 dated A.D. 1340) in the walls of the first prakara (circumambulation path of the temple) call him Pratapachakravartin - Vira Vallaladeva. The region was later ruled by the Vijayanagara kings (14th century). From them the power went to the Nayak kings (15th century). In the 10th century, the region came under the rule of the Rashtrakuta king Kannaradeva.

The central Sanctum Sanctorum of the Arunachaleshwara temple was built during the reign of King Aditya Chola I (A.D 871-955) as indicated in the stone inscriptions (469 - 76; 50 - 65) and it has taken nearly 1000 years to complete the configuration of the Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple. The inscriptions are in Tamil Sanskrit and Kannada languages and reveal important data on the social, political and economical happenings of the early pre-historic years.

The first prakara (circumambulation path around the temple) has been built during the period of King Rajendra Chola I and Rajadhiraja Chola I (A.D. 1012 - 1054) as per inscriptions (478, 489, 492; 67, 68, 82). The Vimana (tower) of the central shrine of Annamalayar, the presiding deity, was gilded, gilded by a Bana dynasty chieftain Rajarajan Ponparappinan also called Vanakovaraiyas of Arkalur (Inscription No. 557) . The Bana dynasty served the Chola dynasty and was therefore involved in its architectural works.

To name a few important architectural works, succeeding the Cholas, the Hoysalas built the Vallala-gopura (tower) named after the Hoysala king Veera Vallala Maharaja (Stone inscription 498), the Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya built the 100-pillared and 1000-pillared mandapam (hall), the tank near it and the eleven-storey gopura (Stone inscription 574, 165), while the Nayak King Sevappa of Thanjavur built the main and tallest Eastern Gopura (tower) called the Raja Gopura.

The Raja Gopuram (main temple tower facing East) built by the Nayak King Sevappa.

Stone Inscriptions on the Tiruvannamalai temple walls that depict as evidence, the ecosystem and lifestyle of the Kings and their subjects.

Endowments to the Arunachaleshwara temple - miniscule enumerations

The stone inscriptions in the temple also record the lavish gifts of the patron regent kings to the Arunachaleshwara temple. The powerful deity, Paramasiva Himself, drew as showered with silver, gold, diamonds, gold thrones, gold canopies for the deity called tiruvachigai, lands and much more.

A few examples of the recorded endowments:

• The Chola reign apart from gold, vessels, money and ornaments, saw vast lands endowed as gifts to the temple. In the reign of Rajendra I (A.D.1030), land was bought in various places around Tiruvannamalai for 260 gold kalunjus and gifted to the temple (478; 67). During the reign of Rajaraja III, five thousand kulis of land was bought for 2000 kasu and gifted to the temple (A.D 1248, Inscription: 503; 98). Land along with gold was given by the merchant nagaram (cooperation) for food offerings to the deity on ceremonious occasions (Inscription: 479;68). One of the stone inscriptions in the central shrine of the temple of the Chola King Parakesari Aditya II reveals that his Chera dynasty queen Kilandigal gifted gold to the temple (Ep. report 1902). The subjects of the Chola King Kullottunga III who gave endowments to the temple have been inscribed in the stone inscriptions as follows: Adiyaman, the chieftain of Tagadur in Ganganadu (535), Karikala Chola - Adaiyur - nadalvan (539), Rajagambhira Chedirayan (534), Cholendra Simhan Pridhvi Ganga (558), Vikramachola Sambuvaraya (553).

• A stone inscription (480) records the gifts during the Kadavaraya rule: Several gold ornaments such as a gold necklace, a gold throne, a gold canopy called tiruvachigai, deities of Subramanya and his Divine consorts and his peacock vehicle by Kadavaraya King Kadavan Kopperunjingan, several mandapas, and a complete treasury by his son, ornaments, silver vessels, golden cup and spoon by his queen Sadum Perumal (488 and 508) and ornamental gifts by Virasekhara Kadavaraya (Inscription: 532)and ornaments and vessels to the Goddess Unnamulai Nachchiyar by his daughter (Inscription: 508; 98). The king also gave a padakkamaalai (necklace) (513; 103).

• The Hoysalas gifted tax-free lands to the brahmins (Inscriptions: 499, 509; 97, 134)

• The Pandya kings gifted lamps and cows for producing milk for performing the abhisheka (consecratory bath) to the deity (Inscription: 481, 482, 484; 70, 71, 73)

• During the Vijayanagara reign, gifts of lands were made to the brahmins for reciting Vedas (Stone inscriptions 572, 573; 162, 163) on the Vellala Gopura wall. Land for kudaimanyam (rent-free land for maintenance of the umbrella of the king) and land for special occasions was given (Inscription: 563; 154). A stone inscription (562) reveals gift of paddy and money to maintain the temple watchman at this gopura. Such was the meticulousness with which the temples were showered.

• It is also known that Nayak King - Sevappa Nayak gifted several villages to the temple and also made tax exemptions (inscription: 421 and 427). King Sevappa placed gold pinnacles on the Raja Gopura - main temple tower in A.D. 1572 (Stone inscriptions: 419, 422, 425, 428 of 1928 - 29).

The Arunachaleshwara temple thrived as an enlightenment ecosystem through huge benefactions from the kings, their officers, chieftains and other subjects.

Glory of the Kingdom of Paramasiva sung by enlightened Saints and Seers

The history and glory of the Kingdom of Tiruvannamalai and the Arunachaleshwara temple is embedded and understood in the numerous hymns sung by the awakened Saints and Seers of the early centuries. Saint Manickavasagar (9th century), Sekkilar (14th century) and Arunagirinathar (15th century) amongst other Saints have sung about the sacredness of this place.

Festivals of Tiruvannamalai

http://templenet.com/Tamilnadu/Tiruvannamalai/festivals.html

Every day is celebration in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai. The main festivals of the kingdom in the Vedic calendar starting from the month of Chithirai (corresponding to April) goes thus. With the festivals, the lifestyle becomes a temple-based lifestyle and the central thought is kept on the Divine whatever one may be doing.

http://www.arunachaleswarartemple.tnhrce.in/festival.html

Sl.No	Tamil Month	Festival Details
1	Chithirai (April - May)	Chittirai Vasanta Utsavam - 10 days
2	Vaikasi (May - June)	Vaikasi Utsavam - 1 day
3	Ani (June - July)	Ani Brahmotsavam - 10 days Ani Tirumanjanam (Lord Nataraja Utsavam) - 1 day)
4	Adi (July - August)	Adi Pooram Brahmotsavam - 10 days
5	Avani (August - Sept.)	Avani Moolam Utsavam - 1 day
6	Puratasi (Sept. - Oct.)	Navarathri Utsavam - 9 days
7	Aippasi (Oct. - Nov.)	Annabisheka Utsavam - 1 day Kanda Sashti Utsavam - 6 days
8	Karthigai (Nov. - Dec.)	Karthigai Deepa Brahmotsavam - 17 days
9	Margazhi (Dec. - Jan.)	Vaikunda Ekadasi Utsavam - 1 day Arudra Darisanam (Lord Nataraja Utsavam) 1 day
10	Thai (Jan. - Feb.)	Uthrayana Punyakala Brahmotsavam - 10 days Thiruvoodal Utsavam - 1 day Manalurpettai Theerthavari Utsavam - 1 day Kalasapakkam (Rathasapthami) Theerthavari Utsavam - 1 day
11	Masi (Feb. - March	Maha Sivarathri festival Masi Magam - Pallikondpattu Teerthavari festival (The main Annamalayar deity is crowned as the King in the absence of a royal heir to King Ballala of the Hoysala dynasty (an early 14th century ruler) whose statue adorns the Vallala Gopuram (temple tower) of the temple. Therefore Annamalayar or Paramasiva rules spiritually and politically in Tiruvannamalai.)
12	Panguni (March - April)	Panguni Uthiram - Tirukalyana Utsavam - 6 day
		Every Full moon night called Pournami is celebrated most grandly when 3 million seekers gather and circumambulate the sacred Arunachala hill.

Description and significance of a few festivals

The Tiruvoodal festival

http://www.arunachalasamudra.org/festival_thiruvoodal.html

Tiruvoodal’ is the Divine quarrel between Paramasiva and His Divine Consort Parvati and it is celebrated in Tiruvannamalai during the month of January, the second day after the festival of Pongal. There is an entire street close to the temple called ‘Tiruvoodal street’ where the main part of the festival, the divine quarrel or the ‘Tiruvoodal’ is enacted by the chief priests of the Arunachaleshwara temple.

The Divine quarrel revolves around the time when one day Parvathi playfully closes the eyes of her august husband, Lord Shiva, with her hands. Utter chaos ensued. The whole universe was plunged in darkness and what was just a moment of play to Parvathi causes countless years of darkness and misery on the universe. Lord Shiva, enraged by this act of folly, punishes Parvathi which sends Her to Kanchipuram to do Tapas where She receives the assurance that after she kills the buffalo-demon Mahishasura on the slopes of Arunachala, She would subsequently regain the favour of her Lord and be united with Him in the left half of His body (Ardhanarishwara) and this is what is realised on the day of Karthigai Deepam.

It would seem that the Tiruvoodal festival is celebrated in Tiruvannamalai in order to commemorate the time when Shiva and Parvathi were in discordance. Nevertheless, it finishes with the divine union and brings them both back together in harmony. On the first day, there are three processions of the deities starting from the big temple and going on the four streets around the temple. The Utsava Murthis are Sri Mula Nayakar (Shiva in the form of Somaskanda), Tani Ambal (the independent goddess) and Sundaramurthi Nayanar (one of the main tamil Shaivaite saints).

The most interesting part of the festival takes place in the evening on Tiruvoodal street. During this part, the quarrel between Shiva and His consort, Parvathi, is enacted in public on the streets and witnessed by a large gathering of devotees who are assembled there eagerly to watch the divine drama. The God and the Goddess are brought on palanquins from opposite ends of the street and then borne down to face each other. The narrative of the quarrel is chanted by an Oduvar (temple singer) in tamil lyrics. After this ensues a dramatic dancing procession. Six times the God and the Goddess are borne down at a great speed and then meet in the centre and have their quarrel. This is played out by the palanquin bearers jumping and shaking the palanquin up and down, which makes it appear as if the deity inside is jumping up and down in a fit of rage. The temple musicians play their drums in fitting accompaniment, adding to the frenzied rantings of the gods as they are shouting at each other. After each quarrel-dance, the deities change sides and each goes off in the opposite direction from which he or she came initially. The crowds of devotees are hysterical with excitement and after each dance-quarrel, the tension mounts and so do the loud cries of fervor and devotion which increase in volume and fury.

The next day, Shiva is up at dawn and leaves on Giripradakshina during which he makes a halt at the Vedarpari mandapam where his jewels are supposedly stolen and later on he also grants salvation to his ardent devotee Kannappa. This is the reason for the Kannappa temple on that location. Shiva also grants darshan to another of his devotees the great rishi ‘Bhringi’ during this trip. Shiva eventually completes his giri pradakshina and returns to the temple.

Now a ritual called ‘maruvoodal’ takes place in the southern area of the temple which covers directly the sanctum sanctorum. Sundaramurthi Nayanar first goes to warn the Goddess about the return of Shiva. She refuses to open the door for her Lord, accusing Him of

circumambulating the hill and blessing people without her by His side and losing all the jewels. She tells him to the retrieve the jewels and also perform his extraordinary cosmic one-legged dance. Paramasiva starts performing the dance and she becomes so dazzled by her Lord’s beauty and splendour and submits to Him and wishes to be reunited. Thus the reconciliation and reunion of the gods take place and to celebrate this, both the deities are brought together and placed on the same pedestal and the priests perform an Arathi puja waving and encircling one single flame around both of the deities to signify the restoration of harmony.

The significance of the festival is to teach humanity that amidst all quarrels and incompletions, even there is huge financial losses (signified by the loss of jewels in the story), there should be only reunion and completion at the end.

Kartikai Deepam festival - the Oldest Hindu festival

The 10-day Karthikai Deepam festival happens in the month of December in Tiruvannamalai. It is a celebration that demonstrates the Truth of ‘One becoming many’ meaning the Lord manifesting Himself as the five elements or life represented by earth, water, fire, air and ether and then ‘many becoming One’ where all beings realise they are nothing but Oneness with the Lord. It is also the day when Devi, the Universal Cosmic Mother and Divine Consort of Paramasiva realises herself as Ardhanareeshwara or Oneness with the Lord.

Panchamurtigal (5 deities) in procession

The festival starts off with each of the ten days, the Panchamurthigal comprising the five deities; Lord Ganapathi, Lord Murugan, Lord Chandikeshwarar, Lord Arunachaleswara and Goddess Parvati being carried in procession on the streets in different vehicles after the ceremonious Deeparadhana (offering of arati) to them in the kalyana mandapam. The deities bless the ocean of devotees congregated in the streets. While the remaining four deities

On the tenth day, a Great Flame is lit inside the Arunachaleshwara temple at 2’o clock in the morning. After puja (ritualistic worship), Arati is done by the temple priests by lighting a huge chunk of camphor on a golden plate and waving it around the Lord. The temple bells start clanging and the musicians beat on their drums. The temple walls resound with loud cries of devotion. The Arathi is brought outside and shown to the five lamps lit on earthen plates for which a Yagna (grand fire ritual offering) is already in progression. This is called Bharani Deepam, the prelude to the Kartikai Deepam that is lit later the same day atop the Arunachala hill. Its significance is that the universal Lord manifests as the five elements during the day and in the evening He again becomes the One Absolute Being and shines as Tejolinga when the Deepam is lit on the Hill. (Bharani is one of the 27 stellar constellations through which the moon is believed to pass through successively each day and according to the hindu almanac, Bharani precedes Krithika which is the constellation of Karthigai Deepam).

The earthenware lamps of Bharani Deepam are taken in procession around the temple.

In the evening, on the Arunachala hill summit, there is a huge copper cauldron filled with ghee (poured in by devotees) and a wick made from many metres of cotton cloth rubbed with camphor after being steeped in the ghee. Millions of people arrive from worldover start circumambulating the Arunachala Hill. The roads are packed with an ocean of people.

Around sunset, at 6 p.m. to be exact, the deity of Lord Ardhanaareeswara is brought out ceremoniously and installed in the Deepa Mantapam in the big temple, facing the Hill. After Arathi is shown to the Lord, a thundering blast of fire crackers gives the signal to the men on the summit of the Hill to light the Flame. A fire torch is lit from the fire of the five earthenware lamps and taken to the Arunachala Hill top to light the Flame. It is a Full Moon night and as the Sun sets in the western sky and the beautiful full moon rises in the east, the flames of the Maha Karthigai Deepam spring forth into the sky on top of Arunachala, creating a wave of ecstatic devotion among the people. A tremendous roar of “Annaamalaiyurukku Haro Haraa” meaning “Glory to Annamalayar!” is heard from all directions. The Deepam burns brightly and fills our hearts with the powerful and vibrant presence of the Lord. Everyone stands awe-stricken in front of this splendid sight and thousands fall down on their hands and knees doing prostrating to the Great Lord. And thus the great festival of Deepam is completed.

The Lighting of the Flame on the Hill is a symbolic projection of the lighting of the Flame of Jnana (enlightenment or completion) in the inner space of each being.

PICTURES OF THE KARTIKAI 10-day festival

DAY 1 - Lord Panchamurtigal comes on Adhikari Nandi (The sacred bull vehicle of Paramasiva in standing posture, as the chieftain of Paramasiva).

DAY 2 - The Lord Panchamurthigal on the silver Indira Vimanam - the silver chariot of Lord Indira

DAY 3 - The Lord Panchamurthigal in procession majestically on the Simha vahana, the lion vehicle.

DAY 4 - The Lord Panchamurthigal in the procession on the kamadhenu vahanam - sacred cow vehicle and alongwith the Kalpa Vriksha - boon giving tree.

DAY 5 - The Lord Panchamurthigal on the Rajita Rishabha vahana - silver sacred bull vehicle

DAY 6 - The Lord Panchamurthigal on the silver chariot that is beautifully crafted

DAY 7 - The Lord Panchamurthigal in procession on the Maha ratham - the temple car that occupies the full width of the road. It is made of pure strong and rugged wood.

DAY 8 - Lord Panchamurthigal in procession on the huge Ashwa vahana - horse vehicle.

DAY 9 - Lord Panchamurthigal in procession on the Kailasa Vahana - Mount Kailash.

DAY 10 - Bharani Deepam in the early morning hours

DAY 10 - Kartikai Deepam at sunset. Mammoth gathering to witness the event

Vasanta Utsavam

The Vasanta Utsav is celebrated to commemorate the momentous events that took place one fateful spring morning thousands of years ago, when Kama, the God of Love, decided to wield his Cupid´s bow and fire a flowery arrow into the heart of Lord Paramasiva Himself who sat in deep meditation. Paramasiva aroused in anger burns poor Kama to ashes with the flames of wrath leaping out of His Third Eye. Much later, Rathi the celestial consort of Kama appeals to Paramasiva in tearful agony and He, moved by her distress resurrects Kama out of the ashes. This festival symbolises the destruction of ignorance and blossoming of enlightenment.

This festival is celebrated inside the big temple of Arunachaleswara across ten days, when the presiding deities of Paramasiva and Devi are led in procession ten times each day around the Mahila maram (the sacred Mahila tree as seen in the picture) enacting various scenes of the story. In the town it is celebrated in 5 or 6 minor shrines dedicated to Devi or Subramanya. It is notable that the 10th and final day of the festival coincides with the full moon of the Vedic month of Chittirai.

Magudabhishekam - Crowning of Annamalayar - presiding deity of Tiruvannamalai - as King

During the Vedic month of Masi, during the occurrence of the Vedic star Magam, the Hoysala empire King Ballalla III dies without a heir. The presiding Lord of Tiruvannamalai Annamalayar Himself does the last rites for the king. This is performed as a ritual on this day every year on the banks of the river where the deity is taken out in procession to perform the last rites for the King. Following this ritual, the deity that is Annamalayar Himself is crowned as the ruler of Tiruvannamalai in the absence of a royal heir to the king. Therefore Annamalayar or Paramasiva rules spiritually and politically in Tiruvannamalai.

The sacred Mountain Path or Girivala

http://www.arunachalasamudra.org/astalingams.html

At most holy places located on hills, the deity is found atop the hill. But here at Tiruvannamalai, the Arunachala Hill itself is the deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and one of the ways in which it is propiated and worshipped is by its circumambulation.

The true significance of circumambulating Arunachala is said to be as effective as a circuit around the world. That means that the whole world is condensed into this Hill. The circuit round the temple of Arunachala is equally good;

The Arunachala Puranam (Scripture revealing the history of Arunachala) declares: 'the holy Arunachala is the primal, Adi linga. The path around its base is the sacred Yoni or base of the Shivalinga. Circumambulating the Hill is therefore circumambulating the source of all lingas! So one goes round keeping to the left-edge of the path. A mere step taken, confers the benefit of a Yaga - powerful fire ritual; two steps, the fruit of Rajasuya Yaga (the fire ritual performed by great kings who are accepted as the Supreme Emperor by all other kings) and three that of Asvamedha Yaga (A horse sacrifice performed by a king declaring his paramountcy). Going round the hill one gains in health and vigour. The hill abounds in rare herbs sought by traditional herbalists and the breeze carries the salubrious wafts from these siddha herbs to the one doing the holy round. The dust from the feet of such a person, carried and deposited in towns far away effects immeasurable purification.'

The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres (8½ miles).

There are two pathways around the Hill: the outer pathway which is the most commonly travelled and which contains temples, the eight Lingas and the sacred water tanks called Tirthas, and the inner forest pathway right at the feet of Arunachala.

The eight lingas or Ashta Lingams:

"Arunachala is surrounded by eight lingas (Asta Lingas) each residing in one of the eight directions of the four cardinal points (South – Yama linga, West – Varuna linga, North – Kubera linga, and East – Indra linga) and four intercardinal points (South East – Agni linga, South West – Niruthi linga, North West – Vayu linga and North East – Esanya linga)

"The arrangement of the Asta Lingas around the octagonal perimeter of Arunachala reflect the

geometry of a Cosmogram as shown in the picture. The eight small circles represent the eight lingas. At each of these eight points, is a temple dedicated to the Shiva linga.

Indra Linga (East) - Associated with the celestial Lord Indra. This Linga is situated on Car Street close to the eastern tower of Arunachaleswarar Temple. Devotees are blessed with long life and with prosperity, on worshipping Indra lingam.

Agni Linga (South East) - The Agni Linga has south-east as its direction. It is situated close to Seshadri Ashram on Chengam road and is the only Lingam located on the right side of the Girivalam Path. Worshipping this Lingam helps devotees get relief from disease, to maintain good health and also helps them face problems and difficulties in their lives.

Yama Linga (South) - This linga is associated with Yama the God of death. It is situated beside the cremation grounds on Chengam road. Devotees get rid of their financial constraints on worshipping the Yama lingam. This Lingam is also conducive for longevity of life span

Niruthi Linga (South West) - The Niruthi Linga is situated on the Girivalam pathway near the Shantimalai Compound. It is associated with Lord Rahu. This Linga is specially renowned to help people recover from the bad effects of black magic and other negative energies. Health, wealth and fame are the beneficial aspects of this lingam. It is also beneficial for couples to worship at this Lingam if they wish to have a child. Worshipping this Linga is believed to help devotees achieve detachment to worldly desire.

Varuna Lingam (West) - This lingam is situated on the outer girivalam pathway about one kilometre before the village of Adi Annamalai. Devotees are protected from illness, particularly water related diseases.

Vayu Lingam (North West) - It is situated on the girivalam pathway, about one kilometer after the village of Adi Annamalai. Vayu is the Hindu god of wind and he is often associated with Indra. He provides creatures with vital life-giving breath thus sustaining the entire Universe. Relief from heart diseases, stomach problems, lung problems and general illness are conferred to the devotees on worshipping this Lingam.

Kubera Lingam (North) - Kubera Lingam has the North as its direction. It is located on the girivalam pathway before entering the town and a few hundred metres before the Panchamukham. The Kubera Lingam has Lord Brihaspati (Guru or Jupiter) as its dominant graham. Kubera is the God of wealth and material possessions. He does not create wealth, but he is believed to be the one who distributes wealth amongst his devotees.

Esanya Lingam (North East) - It is located on the old girivalam road to town, beside the main cremation grounds.

INVASIONS OF TIRUVANNAMALAI

Tiruvannamalai Temple attacked in 1342 or 1348

King Vallala III was taken to Madurai, killed and skinned in 1348. Mughal King Giazuddin turned his attention towards Tiruvannamalai, as he visualised enormous wealth would be hoarded in the Temple. As King Vallala reportedly engaged in massive Temple construction with collected tax revenues, Giazuddin sent his army to loot the Temple. But, there were only devotees safeguarding the Temple per the directions of Deivasaigamani Desikar, an Adi Shaivite who was a protector of the South Indian temples and who worked in conjunction with King Vallala. As the Hoysala sculptures are found in damaged condition and located at different parts of the Temple, it is evident the Mohammedan army would have indulged in iconoclasm. As devotees offered resistance, probably, under Desikar, they would have been killed. As otherwise the year of 1348 would not have coincided for both Vallala and Desikar. However, his body must have been buried with honour, as later hagiographic records assert that he attained “jivan-samadhi”. Within 100 years, the surroundings of the “Gurumurtham” changed completely with encroachments and urbanisation.

How could both have died in 1348?

The dates of Deivasigamani Desikar (1291-1348) and Vira Vallala Deva (1268-1348) are intriguing as both died in the same year. It could not be an accidental or an incidental occurrence. When they died, they would have been 80 and 57 years old respectively. When Vallala was 23 years old, Desikar would have just been born. As Vallala constructed Tiruvannamalai Temple,

Desikar would have supported his efforts. When Malikafur invaded in 1311, they would have been 43 and 20 years old—thus they would have realised the iconoclastic and devastating nature of the Mohammedan army. The cruel killing of Vallala by Giazuddhin has been recorded by Ibn Batuta himself. However, how Desikar also died in the same year is not known. Perhaps, in protecting Tiruvannamalai Temple, he might have sacrificed his life—and it is that which is hagiographed later as “attaining Jiva samadhi”. In other words, mythologisation of history and historicisation of myth have been common feature in Indian historiography circumventing the principles of myth-history.

Why Vallala and Desikar were targeted?:

Vallala was a convert from the Jain religion when he started co-operating with Desikar. As Vallala was moving to different places, he could observe the activities of Mohammedan groups known variously as; Arabs, Turks, Pathana, Persians and so on. Soldiers of the Delhi Sultan were stationed at Dwarasamudra as a part of the pact. In fact, he himself engaged many Mohammedan soldiers in his army. As both opposed the Mohammedan intrusion into South India, strategically encountering and effectively combating, they took cognisance of them and decided to eliminate them at any cost. The Mohammedan pattern of raid, battle and war never followed any code of conduct or ethics, while Hindus unwittingly followed specified codes and were regularly defeated.

The horse trade made it necessary to induct Mohammedans into his army as trainers, breeders and keepers of horses and cavalry. As some researchers point out the horse trade was of political importance and a source of tension between the Delhi Sultanate and horse traders who dealt with South India States, their enemies. Nur al-ma’arif testifies that Yemen horses were also sold in Malabar, particularly in both Fakanur and Manjalur seaports linked with the Hoysala State which was regularly opposed to its neighbouring Pandyas. Actually, horse exports from Aden were directed to the Hindu States of the western and eastern coast. Delhi Sultans played double game in horse trade, as they pretended to forbid traders from conducting business inside their territory. Therefore, the act of seizure and carrying of horses from South Indian Kings was blatant land-piracy, which India had previously never heard of or witnessed. Hence, Vallala and Desikar were against breeding horses. Thus the sculptures succinctly prove the fact that Desikar “was raising a dead horse”. However, the Mohammedans of Vallala’s army reacted as “Mohammedans”, as could be seen from the Kannanur episode. In the same way Desikar might have been finished off during the attack on Tiruvannamalai in 1348.

Desikar’s Jiva-samadhi – mystified hagiographed or historical?:

Had Tiruvannamalai been attacked by the army of the Madurai Sultan, the protectors of the Temple would have been killed. The mutilated and damaged sculptures of the Temple point to such an encounter. As Desikar developed, “Vira-Saiva” protectors they would have fought with the Mohammedans, have been over-powered and killed. In such a bloody encounter, Desikar might have also been killed. However, his body must have been taken away and buried at a place, now known as “Gurumurtham”. Thus now his “Jiva-samadhi” is at Kizhnathur, 1.5 kms away from Tiruvannamalai Temple. A Temple has been constructed on it and is known as “Gurumurtham”. About 60 years previously, it was a natural surrounding with mango groves. It is under the control of Kundarkkudi Mutt.

Horse factor and ruining of economy:

Malikafur looted wealth and also elephants and horses. The taking away of 20,000 horses inflicted a great loss on the treasury. Moreover, the Mohammedans were using horses for their swift raids, speedy runaways and quick-loots. At one side, they were supplying the horses to the Indian Kings and on the other side they were carrying on with tactics to rob the Indian treasury. Above all, during the raids, wealth in kind was also plundered. Taking a clue from Marco Polo, historians like Romila Thapar opined that “Imported horses became an expensive commodity because horse breeding was never successful in India, perhaps due to the different climatic, soil and pastoral conditions”. But, during the Hoysala period, imported horses were mated with local horses to produce cross breeds. In fact, scholars have pointed out that Hoysala sculptures depict such features. Therefore, the concern of Desikar for horses as depicted in the sculpture of “raising a dead horse” is implied in such horse breeding and economy.

Inference based on the historical interpretation:

The role of Vallala III encountering and restricting Mohammedans in South India has been significant. In such an extraordinary and prodigious task, he sacrificed two capitals, Dwarasamudra and Kannanur, and of course his life at 80. Incidentally, Deivasigamani Desikar co-operated, collaborated and strategically worked with him. He might have been instrumental in bringing Vira-Saivas to Tiruvannamalai to protect the Temple. As both confronted Mohammedans in all possible ways, they were mercilessly eliminated (as found in historical documents and other circumstantial evidence). His fall coincided with the rise of the Viyayanagara Empire. Incidentally, Harihara-Bukka the founders of the Empire were reportedly reconverted back to the Hindu-fold. Thus, both played a crucial role in the betterment of the Saiva religion, development of Saiva-philosophy and construction of Tiruvannamalai Temple.

Birth of Bhagavan Nithyananda Paramashivam Year 1978 Until Year 2000

By the time The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism assumed the human body in 1978, much of the enlightenment ecosystems of KAILASA was destroyed by the persecutors. The soul of Hinduism however, continued to exist. From 1978, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism mastered the great Sciences of Sanatana Hindu Dharma until the year 2000, and embarked thereafter to revive KAILASA - the original enlightenment ecosystem established by Paramasiva. He is reviving not only the ancient indigenous aboriginal kingdoms (ecosystems) of KAILASA but also rapidly establishing new ecosystems around the world.

Immediate Predecessors of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism in the Lineage Of Incarnations of Paramashiva

After Arunagiri Yogishvara, the lineage of Incarnations spans thousands of years to the present day.

Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi (1879-1950), Seshadri Swamigal (1870-1929)

Yogi Ramsuratkumar (1918-2001), Bhagavan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam (1978-Present)

Arunagiri Yogiśvara’s Jīva Samādhi

Paramaśiva Himself, came as Śrī Arunagiri Yogiśvara, several thousand years ago. His direct disciple The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism, is the current living Incarnation representing and embodying Paramaśiva. It is Arunagiri Yogiśvara’s Jīva Samādhi (final resting place shown in picture) around which the Arunachaleshwara temple and the Tiruvannamalai township and city settlement has grown.

Jīva Samādhi means the enlightened final resting place of enlightened ones or Avatārs, who having the power to leave the physical body at will, at a particular point of time, day, sit in their meditation in oneness with the existence, enter into their final Samādhi or super-conscious state in absolute restful awareness. The Jīva Samādhi having the actual physical body is a powerful energy field. Many temples are built around

the body of the Saint, which not only remains without deterioration for thousands of years, but also becomes a living breathing Energy Presence of that Saint or Avatār. (Reference: http://jeevasamadhi.com/). It is to Arunagiri Yogiśvara, that the first worship is offered in the main sanctum sanctorum of the Arunachaleshwara temple everyday till date.

Paramasiva comes back to restore the enlightenment ecosystem. Birth of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism...

Sacred Arunachala Hill that pulls incarnations to assume the human form

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism speaks on His birth in His own words:

“It was neither dark nor light-filled; an indeterminate color covered planet Earth. Suddenly, a bright light appeared from a region, which I now see as Southern India. I entered into that light in the form of a brilliant meteor.”

Paramasiva comes back to restore the enlightenment ecosystem. Birth of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism...

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism assumed the human body in January 1978, on the occurrence of the Vedic star “Chitra” during the Vedic month “Margazhi”, in the enlightenment ecosystem of Tiruvannamalai, South India, established by Paramasiva Himself, in the foothill of the sacred Arunachala hill. His parents (seen below) are Arunachalam and Lokanayaki.

Below is the temple town of Tiruvannamalai at the feet of the sacred Arunachala Hill, that His inner space beheld as the “first glimpse” of the mortal world, on assuming the human body

The spiritual leaders of Tiruvannamalai recognized and tested His incarnationhood

At barely age 3, He was recognized as The Avatar (Incarnation as per Hinduism) of Paramasiva, and was raised by a group of spiritual leaders of Tiruvannamalai, belonging to the Hindu ethnic minority group of Adi Shaiva. His accession to the throne of several ancient religious monasteries of the community was pre-decided by the leaders.

(below) Spiritual leaders - Isakki Swamigal, Yogi Yogananda Puri, Yogi Ramsuratkumar, Annamalai Swamigal, Mata Vibhutananda Puri

The spiritual leaders of Tiruvannamalai recognized and tested His incarnationhood

(left to right) Narayanasamy thatha, Mouna Sami Narayanasamy and many more....

The methods to test and recognize Avatars or Incarnations are many in Hinduism. The rare qualities of an incarnation do not remain hidden for long. Yet, it is those with divine insights from ancient knowledge that ‘see’ and precisely identify them.

By means of their birth circumstances, by means of evolved and enlightened spiritual masters, by means of astrological divinations from Hindu Cosmology, by means of extraordinary occurrences, by means of body symbols, body language and characteristics, the Avatar is recognised.

He picked the sacred Rudraksh bead from a treasure trove...

The spiritual leaders would perform various tests on the identified children to ascertain the . In one such test, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism was barely two years of age, when He was shown His grandmother’s jewel box. He reached out and picked the highly spiritual sacred energy bead rudraksha, amongst the other sparkling precious stones.

MASTERING WORSHIP, DEVOTION and INTEGRITY with Maternal Grandfather

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism’s maternal grandfather Raju Mudaliar was His first Guru who taught Him dedicated Worship, Devotion and Integrity in life.

He filled Him with powerful cognitions from the life stories of Hindu child-saints such as Markandeya and Bhakta Prahlad. They were embodiments of Advaita bhakti (devotion and Oneness with the Divine). Their stories were depicted on the carved, stone pillars (picture on right) of the Arunachaleshwara temple in Tiruvannamalai. He would take Him to the temple everyday and narrate the stories.

FEEDING GANESHA through SAMPRAJNATHA SAMADHI

The first deity worshipped by The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism at age 3, is this very Ganesha, who is the Remover of all obstacles.

When The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism was 3 years old, He heard the famous story from Hindu History of Nambiandar Nambi feeding his Ganesha deity and the deity actually eating the food that was served. He hurried back home determined to make His own Ganesha deity eat the food He would serve. Through will persistence and a powerful experience of Samprajnata Samadhi (experiencing Oneness with the Divine through worship of a chosen deity) He was blessed with the darshan (Vision of a Divine happening) of Ganesha emerging and eating the served food.

MASTERING THE SCIENCE OF YOGA with Yogi Yogananda Puri

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism mastered the Science of Yoga from the age of 3 with a great Yogi - Yogi Yogananda Puri, in Tiruvannamalai.

MASTERING THE SCIENCE OF VEDANTA AND TANTRA with Mata Vibhutananda Puri

With Mata Vibhutananda Puri and her Guru Isakki Swamigal, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism mastered the Science of Vedānta and Tantra as a child.

Isakki Swamigal (top left), was a great Yogi and Siddha (mystic expressing Superconscious powers) who lived as an Avadhootha - with no food, water or clothes. He initiated Mata Vibhutananda Puri (top right) as His only disciple. And Mata Vibhutananda Puri in turn, initiated The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism (bottom) as her only disciple.

On 24 May 1994, Mātā Vibhutananda Puri coronated The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism officially as Successor King to the Guru Peetha (Seat of the Guru) of her lineage when he was 16.

(left) Coronation letter in Tamil. (right) The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism with His Guru Mata Vibhutananda Puri soon after the coronation. He is holding the symbolic staff of the lineage held by the ruler in the Order of Succession.

Deepak, Mata Vibhutananda Puri’s maternal grandson is a childhood friend of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism and eyewitness to the intense Guru-disciple relationship.

MASTERING THE SCIENCE OF VEDANTA AND TANTRA with Mata Vibhutananda Puri

• Atma Upanishad - containing three primary sacred source scriptures of Hinduism namely the Isa, Keno and Katha Upanishad, His first book on scriptures from which He learnt the alphabet..
• A palm leaf manuscript
• A conch
• A pair of wooden sandals

These are the traditional items handed from the Guru to disciple who is next in the lineage. Mata Vibhutananda Puri handed over these sacred items to The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism soon after releasing the official coronation letter.

MASTERING THE SCIENCE OF AUSHADHA with Narayanasamy Thatha

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism mastered the Science of Aushadha (energising sacred herbs for healing and enlightenment) with a great spiritual adept Narayanasamy Thatha in Tiruvannamalai.

Parthiban, grandson of Narayanasamy thatha is a keen eyewitness to the long hours his grandfather would spend with The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism.

DARSHAN of PARASHAKTI

This Deity of Parashakti - Universal Cosmic Mother - is personally carved in soap stone by The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism when He was 11, after having a darshan (Divine Vision) of Her inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Arunachaleshwara temple in Tiruvannamalai.

His Yoga Guru Yogi Yogananda Puri checked the subtle energy flow in His hand through a yogic technique, to determine whether the body had been exposed to a super-high frequency vibration.

When he realized that He was telling the truth, he simply prostrated at His feet and cried, “I am blessed, my boy! It takes a lifetime of spiritual practice to have a vision of Devi. You are indeed a siddha Puruṣa (realized being). Hereafter, Devi will be your ishta Devatā, your favored deity!”

DARSHAN of SRI CHAKRA and MASTERING SRI VIDYA

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism manifested for Himself, a darshan (Divine Vision) of the sacred Sri Chakra - the two-dimensional geometrical form of the Cosmos - when He was barely 12 twelve years of age. Not knowing what it was, He replicated His Vision by carving it on this very copper foil.

His Vedanta and Tantra Guru, Mata Vibhutananda Puri who was a worshipper of the Sri Chakra, shocked at what He had etched, explained to Him that it was a sacred and complex geometry that is not replicated so casually that too upon just one glimpse!. It was after this that The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism mastered the Science of Sri Vidya (worship of Sri Chakra) with Mata Vibhutananda Puri.

MASTERING THE SCIENCE OF “ONENESS” with Arunagiri Yogisvara

Arunagiri Yogiśhvara who is Paramasiva Himself, assumed the form of an ascetic from his Jīva Samādhi (final resting place) inside the Arunachaleshwara temple, and befriended The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism when he was a 11-year-old child.

He guided Him for a period of nine months as His Guru, initiating Him as his disciple and into monkhood (Sanyāsa), adorning Him with the sacred saffron robe (seen in picture).

With Arunagiri Yogisvara, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism beheld the profound experience of Advaita or Oneness.

Today, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism initiates millions of people into the space of Oneness (with the Cosmos) from which they manifest extraordinary spiritual powers in all walks of life

ENLIGHTENMENT EXPERIENCE through listening to Annamalai Swamigal

Annamalai Swamigal was an enlightened disciple of Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi in Tiruvannamalai. The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism would listen to his spiritual talks as a child, . Listening to one of his talks on existing beyond body and pain, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism experimented cutting His right thigh with a knife. When excruciating pain followed, He received the technique of “introspecting on the source of thoughts” from Annamalai Swamigal which He practised playfully and which led him to the ultimate experience of enlightenment at age 12.

ENLIGHTENMENT EXPERIENCE: On 20 May 1989, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism was seated on a rock atop the hill called Pavala Kundru in Tiruvannamalai, playfully introspecting the source of his thoughts as told by Annamalai Swamigal. On that auspicious full moon night, during the Vedic month Vaikasi, on the occurrence of the Vedic star Vishakha, on the very day Lord Subramanya, son of Paramasiva was manifested by Paramasiva into the world, and in the very place where Devi, Paramasiva’s Divine Consort realised herself to be the Divine union of both male and female energies, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism manifested His own enlightenment experience, He had a complete 360-degree vision all around Him, experiencing Himself in every animate and inanimate object in the vicinity. The rock on which He sat is worshipped today by millions of His followers as “Paramasiva Shila” (Shila meaning rock).

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism in Tiruvannamalai, as an intense spiritual aspirant

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism in meditation at various times and locations in Tiruvannamalai, His birthplace around the years 1992-95..

His Gurus and mentors of Tiruvanamalai who recognised His incarnationhood, organised and arranged for such photographs to be taken from time to time as records in history and posterity.

MONKHOOD in Ramakrishna Mutt

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism pursued His seeking at Sri Ramakrishna Mutt, Chennai and Ramakrishna Mutt, Belur, Kolkata between 1995 and 1999. He is remembered fondly even today for His intense spiritual practices, extraordinary contribution in various areas, and selfless seva (service) to senior sadhus (monks). He is seen here (encircled) with Swamis and Brahmacharis (monks) of the monastic Order during those years.

Austere Spiritual Wandering

In the Hindu tradition, enlightenment seekers discard homely life to wander throughout India, called Parivrajaka, seeking the Ultimate Truth. To demonstrate the spirit of this tradition, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism wandered the length and breadth of India by foot, blessing souls, and fulfilling their janmas (multiple births) of yearning for the Divine touch. He says of His spiritual wandering, “When I came as Vishnu, I travelled over Mother earth on My Garuda (eagle) vehicle. When I came as Muruga, I travelled over her on My peacock vehicle. This time, responding to her ardent prayers, I travelled barefoot over her, blessing her.”

DARSHAN OF MAHAVTAR BABAJI in Gaurikund

In the Himalayas (mountain range in North India), while walking from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism had darshan (divine vision) of Mahavatar Babaji, the eternally living Himalayan saint. Babaji beheld Him, uttering the words “Paramahamsa Nithyananda” and merged into Him. Years later, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism received the very same name from an aged sadhu (monk) Hamsananda Puri, who desired to give Him the ochre robe along with a new spiritual name.

SHANKAR BABA takes care in Haridwar The Avatar had darshan of Paramasiva in Haridwar, North India, in the form of a mysterious sadhu named ‘Shankar Baba’, who served Him food and medicines and nursed Him back to health when he lay under a bridge with a serious illness, expecting death to consume Him any moment. Here He is seen several years later at the same spot sitting on the very bench where he lay ill.

(left bottom) and visiting the Shankar Baba temple from where emerged Paramasiva as a sadhu (right bottom).

DEATH EXPERIENCE in Manikarnika

Amongst the smoke of the burning bodies of Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism sat in penance, determined to conquer death itself. Succeeding in His will persistence, He had a conscious experience of death, He realized His existence beyond Death. This very experience, He gifts to millions today through a powerful guided Death Meditation process.

REALISING THE AVATARIC MISSION in Omkareshwar

After long years of tapas (penance), in a moment of extreme ferociousness, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism entered the sacred Narmada river at Omkareshwar, determined to either experience the Ultimate or end His very life.

When He finally opened His eyes, He found Himself lying safe on the opposite banks of Narmada. When He saw, Mother Narmada was laughing at Him! At that moment, His grand Avataric Mission on planet Earth revealed itself to Him.

RE-ENTERING TIRUVANNAMALAI before start of mission in 2000

After Omkareshwar, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism travelled Southward and re-entered Tiruvannamalai, His Birthplace in the year 2000, to offer His gratitude to the presiding deity Arunachaleshwara.

In this picture taken in Tiruvannamalai, He is seated in the blessing posture of Lord Dakshinamurthy (Primordial Guru and embodiment of Paramasiva) at the tip of the very land that was to later become His own Aadheenam (temple monastery complex) in Tiruvannamalai. The land was donated and inaugurated in 2008.

When entering Tiruvannamalai, He stumbled on what He saw was a Shiva linga, a gift from Paramasiva Himself. (bottom right: Shivalinga preserved till date)

After Isakki Swamigal and Mātā Vibhutananda Puri passed away, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism became the inspiration and ruled over all the followers of the lineage.

The Jīva Samādhi, final resting place of Isakki Swamigal, at pañchamukha point, Tiruvannamalai (reference: About Issaki Swamigal http://www.arunachalasamudra.org/isakkiswamigal.html )

A new monastery is established in Tiruvannamalai

A monastery established under the Kailasa Paramparagatha Ādi Arunachala Sarvajnapeetham Samrajyam is the Tiruvannamalai Aadheenam located in the mountain path encircling the sacred Arunachala Hill, inaugurated on 19 Apr 2008 by The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism. This monastery holds a special spiritual significance:

Devī (Embodiment of the Universal Divine Feminine Energy), wedded Her Divine Consort Paramaśiva in Kanchipuram, South India and requested Him to bestow upon her the spiritual experience of Oneness (Non-duality or Advaita). Paramaśiva blessed her to seek Gautama Ashrama in Tiruvannamalai and immerse herself in penance there. The Tiruvannamalai Aadheenam is exactly opposite the Gautama ashrama where Devī lived, following the word of Paramaśiva. While Devī was performing penance, Paramaśiva Himself came disguised as a hunter and revealed His true self and gave her the experience of Oneness and she realised herself as Ardhanārīśvar - the Divinity embodying the union of the Divine male and female energies in one. This realisation occurred at the temple adjoining the Tiruvannamalai Aadheenam in its South-Eastern corner.

Entrance to the Tiruvannamalai Aadheenam

Annadāna - Besides the everyday free meals offering, lakhs of people are freely fed with nutritious organic meals every month on the occasion of the auspicious Pournami - Full Moon Night at the Tiruvannamalai Aadheenam.

The Sādhus (wandering ascetics) and residents of Tiruvannamalai are fed three times a day at the Tiruvannamalai Aadheenam with organic meals

Thronging crowd for free meals on Pournami - Full moon night celebrations - in Tiruvannamalai Aadheenam

Visits of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism to the Kingdom of Tiruvannamalai

On 19 November 2002 at the age of 24, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism was back in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai at the very spot of His enlightenment experience which happened at the age of 12. He explained to His people, the heritage value and spiritual significance of the sacred spot in Hindu history. It is the very place where the Universal Cosmic mother Devī Parāśakti realised the Cosmic Union of male and female divine energies within Her.

The day of the visit was Karthikai Deepam, the Festival of Lights, a world-famous celebration of the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai. The festival happens at night time. It is on Karthikai Deepam day that Paramaśiva appeared as a Light effulgence as described in the earlier pages. During Karthikai Deepam, the sacred flame is lit atop the sacred Arunachala Hill as well as in the whole town by the people. It represents the inner Light of Enlightenment of each individual soul. Just being in the energy field of Arunachala during this time aids in Conscious growth of the individual towards Enlightenment. The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism prefers His yearly schedule to accommodate being present in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai on this auspicious day for the benefit of His people.

In December 2003, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism visited Pavala Kundru in Tiruvannamalai and is seen seated on the sacred rock (below picture) - now worshipped as Paramaśiva Shila - on which He had the Enlightenment Experience at age 12, the occasion being the celebration of the Hindu festival of lights - Karthikai Deepam, the highlight festival in Tiruvannamalai during which the flame of enlightenment is lit atop the sacred Arunachala Hill as well as in the entire town. It is the yearly visit of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism along with His subjects.

On 24 December 2005, the subjects of the Tiruvannamalai Kingdom celebrated the occurrence of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism’s Vedic Birth Star on which He took birth in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai in 1978. Celebrations happened at Pavala Kundru, where the Enlightenment experience happened at age 12. The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism was led to Pavala Kundru in a ceremonious procession with all the traditional instruments and all the respects accorded to a King and a great Seer.

24 September 2006 - Invitation to install the Pandal Kāl at the Arunachaleshwara temple

On 24 September 2006, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism upon invitation from the Temple of Arunachaleshwara in Tiruvannamalai, installed the Pandal Kāl inside the temple. The Pandal Kāl is a symbolic structure customarily installed to mark the beginning of preparations for a ceremony. It is installed to symbolically convey about the upcoming ceremony and also as a symbol of prayer to avoid obstructions during the ceremony.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism was invited as the ruling and spiritual Head, to install the Pandal Kāl. The upcoming ceremony was the Mahā Karthikai Deepam festival - a grand festival of lights that happens once a year in Tiruvannamalai.

24 September 2006 - Ceremonious procession - Kodikkan Ratha Yatra

24 September 2006 witnessed a historic flagging off of the procession of the deities of Lord Nithyanandeshwara and His Divine Consort Goddess Nithyanandeshwari at Tiruvannamalai. The deities were flagged off in a ratha (chariot), by The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism, amidst a grand celebration. They were later led in the streets of Tamilnadu and parts of Karnataka, blessing the subjects for Enlightenment and bringing them abundance in health, wealth and overall prosperity. They were then consecrated in the sanctum sanctorum of Adi Peetham, the spiritual seat in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

The deities are made of the traditional 5-metal composition called Panchaloha. They are 7 feet tall and 2 ½ tonnes in weight. Below are pictures from the event.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism is seen inside the ratha (chariot) along with the deities of Nithyanandeshwara and Nithyanandeshwari prior to flagging off the procession.

It is the tradition of Hinduism that deities travel by road blessing the Subjects of the Kingdom on the way literally at their doorstep or just a few meters away.

The Subjects of the Kingdom of Tiruvannamalai gathered in large numbers on the streets of Tiruvannamalai to catch a glimpse of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism and witness the historic flagging off ceremony by Him.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism blesses the Subjects of the Kingdom by the thousands.

4 December 2006 - Welcomed at Arunachaleshwara temple for the festival of Kartikai Deepam

On 4 December 2006, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism was welcomed at the Arunachaleshwara temple in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai for the grand festival of Kartikai Deepam. The chief priests showed The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism the diamond spear belonging to the temple.

12 January 2007 - Accorded respects at the Arunachaleshwara temple on anniversary of His Vedic Birth Star

12 January 2007 - The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism is received with due honours by the chief priest of the Arunachaleshwara temple in His birth town and kingdom Tiruvannamalai on the occasion of His annual Birth Star celebrations, taken to the main sanctum sanctorum for darshan (seeing the main deities).

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism praying at The Arunachaleshwara Temple.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism inaugurates a new structure at Pavala Kundru in Tiruvannamalai, where His Vedānta Guru Mata Vibhutananda Puri built the first monastery for Him recognising His incarnationhood and future as a world renowned leader and head of Hinduism when He was barely 10 years of age.

The temple official book stall is bestowed with a copy of the biographical book “Nithyananda Vol.1” blessed by The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism to offer to the public.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism is seen at the venue of the day’s discourse.

12 January 2007 - As part of His Birth Star celebrations, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism is about to deliver a public talk in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai, when the Arunachaleshwara temple priest honours Him with the traditional rights.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism reveals sacred spiritual truths to thousands.

8 August 2008 - Meeting with Trustees of Arunachaleshwara Temple Administration

2008 - The chief temple priests of the Arunachaleshwara temple in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai welcome and felicitate The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism according to Him all the traditional rights from the temple

The trustees of the temple welcome The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism into their administrative office inside the temple to discuss the administration of the temple, without compromising on the spiritual context and integrity of the temple tradition

8 August 2008 - The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism Blesses Thousands of Subjects During a Rare Darshan Pavala Kundru

2 August 2008 - The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism is seated on the Paramaśiva Shila - The rock in Pavala Kundru in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai where He experienced Enlightenment at age 12. He is surrounded by His people who gathered to get a glimpse of Him and receive His blessings.

(further reference: The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism’s Visit to Pavazhakundru in 2008 http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2008/08/swami-nithyananda-update.html )

19 April 2008 - Grand inauguration of monastery in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai

On 19 April 2008, there was a grand ceremony to celebrate the revival of the Ādi Annamalai Peetham, the Spiritual-religious Kingdom in Tiruvannamalai. With the majestic Arunachala as a backdrop, Tiruvannamalai is one of the most beautiful and powerful enlightenment ecosystems on the planet Earth and is one of the most visited monasteries of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism Bhagavan Nithyananda Paramashivam in India.

The inauguration was attended by top dignitaries like Śridharan Chairman of Tiruvannamalai municipality, Dhanus Chairman of Annamalai temple trust, Muthuswamy President of Sheshadari ashram, Pitchandi MLA of Tiruvannamalai constituency, Gnanashekaran MLA of Vellore, Vishu popular Indian movie actor and Manivarma ex-MLA.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism is celebrated by all beings in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai as He is welcomed with the traditional Honours by the temple elephant at the Arunachaleshwara Temple, where He visited before the ceremony.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism proceeded to give darshan and bestow His Grace and Blessings upon the subjects of the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai who came to celebrate the new monastery.

5 August 2009 - Individual Blessings to Subjects

There are very few moments in which a subject is allowed to be near the King, let alone in His breathing space, and even more rare: to be able to interact with Him. During this special Kalpataru Program, subjects are permitted to share their quandaries with The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism and receive individual guidance and blessings from the King.

Subjects enjoy the free sattvic organic vegetarian meals at all the monasteries of the King. The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism declares, as it is also written in the Āgamas (ancient Hindu scriptures), that knowledge and food should be given freely.

16 January 2011 - Blessings are showered as Subjects Celebrate the Divine Plays (Leelas) of Paramaśiva

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism joyously showers blessings on the thousands of subjects who move through the streets of the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai as they celebrate the divine quarrel of Parāśakti and Paramaśiva during the lively Tiruvoodal procession.

17 January 2011 - Accompanies the Grand Procession of Annamalaiyar, the Main Deity of Arunachaleshwara Temple

17 January 2011 - The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism visited the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai and was received with the full temple honour by the Arunachaleshwara Temple authorities in the presence of thousands of people who were gathered for the procession of the main deity, Annamalaiyar, around the sacred Arunachala Hill. The procession passed by the monastery of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism where it stopped for the Honours.

17 January 2011 - (Second row left) The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism Himself serves food to Sanyāsis at the traditional Maheshwara Puja offering to ascetics.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism personally serves to the devotees who gathered for blessings.

24 April 2011 - Thousands Witness the Darshan of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism at Arunachaleshwara Temple

24 April 2011 - The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism visited the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai and was received as usual with the full temple honour by the Arunachaleshwara Temple authorities. He was accompanied by hundreds of Inner Awakening program participants who were blessed to experience this amazing enlightenment ecosystem of Paramaśiva with Paramaśiva Himself!

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism is celebrated by all beings in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai. He gives blessings to all beings including the beloved temple elephant, Rukku

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism is given the “Agathi keerai” a form of greens which is the best cow fodder to offer this sacred animal. Agathi keerai is extremely healthy for cows and a highly potent medicinal plant for humans.

In Sanātana Hindu Dharma, gau or dhenu (cow) is the loving mother of all beings and is Bhudevi, mother Earth incarnate. Hindu scriptures extol the Divine ‘kamadhenu’ wish-fulfilling cow goddess, and all cows on planet Earth are earthly embodiments of her. Cows are the refuge of all-auspiciousness, strength and abundance. They bestow happiness, nourishment, prosperity and are ever worshipped.

Cows are the fruit of all Vedic ceremonies because all sacred rituals are dependent on cow’s gifts such as ghee (clarified butter), which enrich the whole Existence. All secretions from a cow, including cow urine and cow dung are sacred and great elixir for many ailments and diseases. It is customary for Vedic homes and temples to coat the floors with gomaya, cow dung to purify the environment and invite Divine energies.

17 May 2011 - The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism’s Subjects Inundate Pavala Kundru to Witness His Divine Darshan

17 May 2011 - The new day is graced by The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism as He appears for His subjects at Pavala Kundru. He stood on the Paramaśiva Shila, His “enlightenment experience” rock, as one of His monks (sanyasis) is blessed to perform the holy ritual worship (abhiśekam) of pouring water and sacred substances over His Lotus Feet.

His subjects gather to witness this profoundly sacred and auspicious event and to receive His blessings. The Hill is peaceful and silent but for the sound of the ritual chanting; all are in awe of the powerful experience and presence of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism.

Later, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism is accompanied by His subjects on a visit to Arunachaleshwara Temple where He would give audience to members of the Press who had gathered to capture a message from Him for the Subjects of Kingdom.

20 December 2011 - Subjects Celebrate the Vedic Birth Star of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism at the Arunachaleshwara Temple

Every year, the subjects of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism join to celebrate His happening on the planet Earth. On 20 December 2011, a grand, regal procession wound through the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai, carrying the deities Śri Nithyanandeshwara Paramaśiva and Śri Nithyanandeshwari Parāśakti. Tens of thousands of subjects had their Darshan.

The chief temple priests of the Arunachaleshwara temple in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai welcome and felicitate The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism according to Him all the traditional rights from the temple.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism is guided to the main sanctum sanctorums to have darshan (worshipping the main deities).

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism at the Vinayaka shrine inside the Arunachaleshwara Temple

The entire Kingdom gathered and completely filled the temple, waiting for their blessing to see The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism, Paramaśiva in physical form.

This was a day of celebration for subjects of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism worldwide who participated in the grand procession to honour His presence in their lives. Contingents from various countries came to represent the international Kingdoms and receive His blessings.

Subjects gather at the temple entrance to see the procession of Śri Nithyanandeshwara Paramaśiva and Nithyanandeshwari Parāśakti (main deities) on the Rajita Rishaba Vahana (Silver Sacred Bull vehicle) and the murti (deity form) of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism on the golden palanquin.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism gazing at Śri Nithyanandeshwara Paramaśiva and Nithyanandeshwari Parāśakti.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism performs the sacred fire ritual of “Ārati” to the deities.

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism blesses the participants carrying 1008 Poorna Kumbha vessels and milk pots and along with the traditional lemon piercing activities.

The entire path is packed with the Subjects of the Kingdom!

A key reference for Ratha Yatrā is the Uttara Pāda of Śrimad Kāmika Āgama, the principal Śaiva Āgama (Source Hindu Scripture), Verse 260, 261 and 262. The scripture references processions with colorful flags, musical instruments, renderings of songs set in different musical flows, festival-umbrellas, small parasols and ‘cameras’, fans made of palm-leaf, incense, lights. The primary deity or guru is lovingly carried in a palanquin or car or on the head of the devotees appointed for doing the ceremonial services in the temple.

Watch video (YouTube):

3 July 2012 - Guru Purnima Celebrations - A Day for the King and His Subjects

One of the most auspicious moments in the life of the subjects of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism is to sit in His breathing space and offer the Pratyaksha Pada Pūjā (most sacred ritual of offering sacred items to His Divine feet). The queues are very long and His compassion so great, He sits for multiple rounds of offerings during this time.

During Satsangs (discourses), The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism directly addresses His Subjects and imparts the sacred Truths as revealed by the Śāstras, sacred Hindu Scriptures, and from His own experiences with these Truths. On special days like Guru Purnima (Hindu festival celebrating the Guru), He gives a special address to His subjects, often delivering new instructions to specific Ministries in the Kingdom.

Youth taking Sanyās initiation (initiation into monkhood) and initiation into the sacred lineage of the monastic order of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism.

It is a most privileged and unique honor to perform Pushpābhiśekam - worship by showering thousands of flowers on the Divine. Very few are allowed the opportunity for this intense, personal worship to The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism.

During this rare and special Guru Purnima Darshan, subjects can receive individual blessings of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism

29 September 2012 - Thousands Wait All Night for Rare Poornima Blessings

The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism sits with great compassion and listening to His subjects for over 8 hours without moving from His Seat. One by one they hand Him letters, asking for blessings, healing and guidance only He can give.

Activities by initiated disciples in Tiruvannamalai for reviving and maintaining the enlightenment ecosystem

Organic farming and gardening - building healthy body, providing livelihood for many

Below, gardens are maintained at Pavala Kundru, a historic hilltop location in Tiruvannamalai where The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism has the experience of enlightenment at age 12. Alongwith the garden, structures including a meditation hall were also erected to offer meditation, yoga and free food in this high energy spot to create an intense enlightenment ecosystem to align with the energy and experience Oneness.

31 May 2016 - Organic farming in Kachirapattu, Tiruvannamalai. To maintain a healthy toxin-free body suitable for manifesting spiritual powers, The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism emphasises on only organic food to be grown, cooked, consumed and served. At Kachirapattu and Athiyandal in Tiruvannamalai, organic farming is achieved by the sanyasis and dedicated volunteers. The local women in the area are offered means of livelihood through this. Following are pictures from organic farming in Kachirapattu:

31 May 2016 Kachirapattu, Tiruvannamalai - Land is ploughed and readied for farming

31 May 2016, Kachirapattu, Tiruvannamalai - Land is being ploughed and readied for organic farming

11 Nov 2017 Athiyandal, Tiruvannamalai - Sanyasis (monks) and dedicated volunteers offer worship (Top left) through deep Oneness with the Divine on the land before commencing the fresh cycle of farming. In the enlightenment ecosystem of KAILASA, before any activity, one enters into deep Oneness. The result of the activity then manifests as sheer power. In the subsequent photographs, the land is then ploughed.

12 Nov 2017 Athiyandal, Tiruvannamalai - A Sanyasi (monk) sows the seeds of green gram on the ploughed land. The sacred Arunachala Hill stands in the distance blessing the land.

25 Jan 2018 - Sanyasis (monks) and local women for whom the organic farming provides a means of livelihood, harvest green gram. The women are happy to live in the enlightenment ecosystem earning their livelihood and aligning to the whole cause.

Annadaan - free food for all. Three free satvic (food cooked with positive energy) meals a day for sadhus (ascetics) and others . To completely support living in the enlightenment ecosystem of Tiruvannamalai, the monastery established by The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism serves free food three times a day to the sadhus (ascetics) and people of the kingdom. Every person has the luxury not to cook in their home but to walk in here and have all three meals. Every kind of support is thus available to live inside this ecosystem and pursue the path of enlightenment. Following are pictures from the everyday anna daan (free food distribution) that happens here.

1 May, 2016

1 June, 2016

1 June 2016

The Sanyasis enter into Oneness through worship and offer the cooked food to the Divine before serving the food to the ascetics and others.

Sanyasis (monks) serve free food everyday

(left) People form a queue to be served the free night meal. (right) Wandering ascetics partake the offered meal and rest a bit inside the monastery.

Full moon night services - Anna daan (free food) and other spiritual services through power manifestation every full-moon night Every full moon night atleast 3 million pilgrims converge in Tiruvannamalai and circumambulate the sacred Arunachala Hill. The monastery of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism in Tiruvannamalai is located in the circumambulation path. The Sanyasis (monks) and devotees serve the 3 million pilgrims with free food, refreshments, shelter, rituals that can be performed directly by the devotees and a host of spiritual services through spiritual power manifestation as follows:

• Spiritual healing of disease through touch and through power of ‘Third Eye’
• Akashic readings as answers to one’s life-problems
• Disease diagnosis through ‘Third Eye’ body scanning
• Instant remedies for disease through ‘Third Eye’ power
• Giving of bhasma (sacred energised ash) for body and mind healing

31 Mar 2018 - Just before lighting the stove to start cooking for the million pilgrims of the full moon night, the Sanyasis and devotees enter into Oneness through ritualistic worship.

31 Mar 2018 - The flame from the sacred worship is brought and the cooking fire is lit, thus commencing the cooking for the marathon free food service that lasts over 48 hours.

Devotees joyfully cook large quantities of food non-stop until the last circumambulating pilgrim is served food.

Food is prepared by devotees who gather every month a day before the full moon night, to joyfully immerse themselves in the various services being offered

31 March, 2018 - Anna daan (free food) is served through multiple food counters that are closely monitored to enable a smooth and quick service for the thronging crowd.

22 April 2016 - Chitra Pournami celebrations at the monastery in Tiruvannamalai. Of all the full moon nights called Pournami, the one that falls in the Vedic month Chitra is special. The number of pilgrims visiting Tiruvannamalai that night becomes multifold. (top) In these photographs one can see initiated disciples of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism administering spiritual healing to the circumambulating pilgrims. (bottom) The pilgrims watch satsang (spiritual talks of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism) projected on the large screen. Through the satsang, powerful Truths are imparted to them as part of the enlightenment ecosystem offering.

22 April 2016 - Chitra Pournami celebrations at the monastery in Tiruvannamalai. Of all the full moon nights called Pournami, the one that falls in the Vedic month Chitra is special. Here, anna daan (free food) is served to the thronging crowds. This monastery is the only one in the entire circumambulation path which extends its services of food, shelter and other religious and spiritual offerings to the very last pilgrim coming around the Hill.

Ancient Yogic powers revived The ancient rishis of KAILASA manifested spiritual powers as a lifestyle, helping the people through it. The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism has re-established the stream of spiritual power manifestors on the planet today. In these photographs, initiated disciples radiate spiritual powers, healing people through their awakened Third Eye, harnessing the akashic records and reading them out as answers to the people’s questions, giving energised bhasma (sacred ash) to heal, scanning the body of the individuals and precisely diagnosing the health disorders as well as prescribing instant remedies and much more.

Science of Akashic Readings: The initiated disciples connect to Kalabhairava, the Lord of Time and Space, and become privy to the Cosmic Archives called Akashic records. When any person approaches them with a question about their life issues, the answer appears to them as golden letters which they read out verbatim.

(Top) 8 Jul 2017 and bottom (31 Mar 2018) - Akashic Readings and healing for Pournami Pilgrims by the Balasants (child Saints) of Nithyananda Gurukul

8 July 2017 - Preparations for the sacred occasion of Guru Purnima, when disciples all over the world gather to offer gratitude and dakshina (any offering in cash or kind) at the feet of their spiritual master, or Guru.

Pada Yatra - A sacred journey by foot

On four occasions in a year, devotees undertake a 10-day pada yatra - a sacred journey by foot from the monastery in Tiruvannamalai to the monastery in Bengaluru where The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism resides. They carry with them a bag of rice and coconut which symbolically represent one’s karmas (unfulfilled thoughts and actions) and individual ego (which separates one from Oneness) and offer the same at the feet of the Guru at the end of the Pada Yatra. This is an ancient tradition in the enlightenment ecosystem of KAILASA.

26 Feb 2016 - Devotees commence the Pada Yatra from Tiruvannamalai on the occasion of the upcoming Shiva Ratri festival.

30 June 2017 - Devotees gather at the monastery to begin the 10-day Pada yatra (sacred journey by foot) to the monastery in Bengaluru on the occasion of Guru Purnima - the day of celebrating and giving gratitude to one’s Guru, or Master.

Daily worship at Pavala Kundru

Pavala Kundru in Tiruvannamalai is a hilltop location where The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism had His first experience of Enlightenment at age 12. This is a high energy center in the enlightenment ecosystem of Tiruvannamalai. It is the space where Hindu History records that Devi, the Divine Consort of Paramasiva meditated and realised the Cosmic Union of the male and female energies within herself. And it is the same space where The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism experienced enlightenment and had a 360-degree vision through His awakened Third Eye (energy center located between the eyebrows). The rock on which He sat when the experience happened is worshipped as the Paramasiva Shila (Shila meaning rock) today, and offers an enlightenment ecosystem with a high possibility for the experience, to anyone who enters into Oneness here. Every single day, Sanyasis (monks) or devotees offer ritualistic worship here and the locals participate in it. Following are photographs from the everyday worship that happens here:

Sanyasis offer religious and spiritual services at people’s homes To keep the enlightenment ecosystem alive, the Sanyasis (monks) reach out to people’s homes and offer religious and spiritual services thus emphasising the need for every home to be an independent ecosystem nurturing enlightenment-based activities.

27 June, 2016 - A sanyasi performs the Guru Puja (ritualistic offering at the Guru’s feet) in a person’s home in Tiruvannamalai. The elders and children alike participate in it.

City Center activities: EnVidyalaya - enlightening education for children and Ritualistic Pujas

Sanyasis teach children at the city center in Tiruvannamalai. The city center is near Iyyan Kulam, a famous spot in the map of Tiruvannamalai.

EnVidyalaya - enlightening education for children

Every Thursday - Guru Puja (obeisance to the Guru) at the city center by Sanyasis

References

This table contains links to documentaries, movies and television serials that have been produced (in multiple languages) by various production houses, on the illustrious personalities mentioned in the divine lineage of the Surangi Kingdom. These videos give an educative deeper insight into the lives of these divine personalities.

		Kailasa Paramparagatha Arunagiri Yogishwara Adi Arunachala Sarvajnapeetha Samrajyam
1	Tiruvannamalai	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiruvannamalai
2	Hindu History reveals the appearance of Sri Paramaśiva as an infinite effulgence of light (called ‘lingodbhava’) in Tiruvannamalai to bless humanity with the promise to be available in the three-fold form	https://sriramanamaharishi.com/arunachala-stuti/arunachala-mahatmyam/ ARUNACHALA MAHATMIYAM : Siva said ; Even though I have risen as the form of the fire in the holy place of Arunachala, hiding that, I appear and shine as peaceful mountain in order to protect the whole world through My Grace. I also abide on this mountain in the form of a Siddha (an accomplished one) as Arunagiri Yogi. within me in the form of this mountain, there is wonderful care where all sorts of prosperity exist and shine forever. know this. Arunachala Purana in tamil : where its says.. "as responding to our prayers, arunachala took form of linga" (screenshot below) Translation: To fulfill Paramashiva’s promise the unbroken lineage of incarnations of Paramashiva happen in Tiruvannamalai till date. From this lineage hails Arunagiri Yogishwara (a direct incarnation of Paramashiva) whose direct disciple is The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism, the current living Incarnation representing and embodying Paramashiva.
3	It is Arunagiri Yogiśvara’s Jīva Samādhi (final resting place) around which the Arunachaleshwara temple and the Tiruvannamalai township and city settlement has grown.	http://jeevasamadhi.com/ “It means at particular point of time, day, they sit in their meditation, enter in to their Samadhi state. At that point the body comes to absolute rest.It serves its functions.People construct temple around the body of the saint.The body of the saint will remain undeteriorated for thousands of years.”
4	Isakki Swamigal	http://www.arunachalasamudra.org/isakkiswamigal.html
5	Karthikai Deepam	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arunachala#Karthigai_Deepam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karthikai_Deepam#Mythological_references http://www.arunachaleswarartemple.tnhrce.in/gallery18.html
6	Pavala Kundru	http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2008/12/pavala-kundru-history.html “Pavala Kundru (i.e. Jewel of the Hill). This revered Temple has a fascinating history which starts with the legend of Goddess Parvati and her time on the Hill whilst performing tapas.” http://hill-temples.blogspot.com/2009/05/pavala-kundru.htm
7	HDH’s Vedic Birthday Celebrations 2009	http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2009/01/birthstar-celebrations.html
8	8 August 2008 - The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism Blesses Thousands of Subjects During a Rare Darshan Pavala Kundru|| http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2008/08/swami-nithyananda-update.html
9	19 April 2008 - Grand inauguration of monastery in the kingdom of Tiruvannamalai	http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2008/04/nithyananda-dhyanapeetam-inauguration.html
10	16 January 2011 - Blessings are showered as Subjects Celebrate the Divine Plays (Leelas) of Paramaśiva	http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2008/04/nithyananda-dhyanapeetam-inauguration.html
11	20 December 2011 - Subjects Celebrate the Vedic Birth Star of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism at the Arunachaleshwara Temple	https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/nityanandas-35th-birthday-in-tiruvannamalai/ http://www.nithyananda.org/photo-gallery/36th-avatar-day-paramahamsa-nithyananda-celebrations-thiruvannamalai-ashram
12	24 April 2011 - Thousands Witness the Darshan of The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism at Arunachaleshwara Temple	http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2010/03/received-these-photographs-today-and-am.html

This table contains links to documentaries, movies and television serials that have been produced (in multiple languages) by various production houses, on the illustrious personalities mentioned in the divine lineage of the Surangi Kingdom. These videos give an educative deeper insight into the lives of these divine personalities.

Arunagiri Yogishwara	None	None	None	None
Seshadri Swamigal	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GkVbOR9xs4	Tamil	Documentary	shri Sheshadri Swamigal charithram by
Ramana Maharishi	https://vimeo.com/10947378	Documentary	English	Ramana Maharshi - The Sage of Arunachula full movie
Ramana Maharishi	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1JCf09Qv5A	English	Documentary	Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi ◦ The Sage of Arunachula ◦ Full Movie
Ramana Maharishi	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVYv9ktilQw	English	Documentary	Sri Ramana Maharshi - JNANI 2019
Ramana Maharishi	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wLr6ZFHNzU	Telugu	Serial	Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi TV Serial
Ramana Maharishi	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSq9AakzBMI	Telugu	Documentary	Chaganti Koteswara Rao
Ramana Maharishi	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUGZZQ-IsUE	Telugu	Documentary	Chaganti Koteswara Rao
Yogi Ram Suratkumar	http://wwa.you2repeat.com/watch/?v=YsGDkAOJ8Ug	English	Documentary	AN AWAKENING IN COSMIC EFFULGENCE - TEASER 1 - DOCUMENTARY FILM ON YOGI RAMSURATKUMAR.

Details

Coronation Documents