History of Thiruvannamalai

History and Growth of the Town

Thiruvannamalai was known as early as the early Chola period (i.e. A.D. 871-955). The present town Thiruvannamalai is situated in Tamil Nadu which was a part of the larger administrative division called Madurantaka Valanadu, later Known as Rajaraja Valanadu. Thiruvannamalai became a "tanaiyur" Probably in the past chole period as seen from the Vijayanagar inscriptions in the 15th and 16th centuries A.D. The town of Thiruvannamalai grew up around inuncleus namely the Arunachaleswara temple and the temple renovated by number of rulers in different periods. These periods in which the different construction came up can be broadly mixed with the help of the inscriptions occurring in the different parts of the temple.

The name Thiruvannamalai has a legendary origin. Subsequent to the oreat Dissolution of the universe, Brahma-the creator - re- created the universe and took pride. Seeing this Vishnu, the Protector objected and claimed supremacy. There ensued a dispute and both of them approached Siva, the destroyer for decision. Lord Siva, manifested himself as a "hill of fire" and ordered lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to go in search of the crest and feet of the cosnic fromio, Siva himself. In Tamil "Arunam" means red- here meaning fire and "Asalam" means hill. Since God manifested himself in the form of fire in this place, this name Arunachalam came to be associated with the present sacred hill. The temple is situated in the fort of the hill and the daity's name was Annamalai. This name was subsequently attached to the village as Thiruvannamalai.

The history of the town Thiruvannamalai right from the early cholas to the British Rulers can be traced from the incripitions which ocntain also impormation on various aspects of the Social and economic life of the people, apart from political events, The history of this town dates from the carly chola period in the period of Aditya I and Perantaka I (AL 87-1-955) when the Cholaa Empire had expanded northvards to include practically the whole of Thondaimandalam.

After parantaka I till the regim of Rajendora the Thiruvannamalai inscriptions, possibly on account of the Rashtuakute invasion and occupation of this an by Krishna III This is perhaps indicated by a single inscription of Kannaradeva found in the temple Arunchalaswara. In the year 1014 A.L. the incovery of this region by the Cholas was made by Rajendra I. Then Rajendra I and Rajandhiraja I have ruled this area which has been attested in the inscriptions. This area was again ruled after a long gap of over a hundred years. This is indicated by the absence of any Chola inscriptions till the beginning of Kulothunga III's region (AD 1183), Large scale activities in the period of Kulothunga III and Rajaraja III are indicated by a number of records in the temple.

Further the frequent references to a number of Chola feudatories of this period would also show a gradual ascendancy in their power and importance till the final establishment of independence by the Kadavaraya Cheieftains in the second quaruer of the 13th century A.D. In this connection mention may be made of an interesting inscription at Thiruvannamalai which records the agreement entered into by a number feudatory Chieftains to support one another and swearing allegiance to the ruling Chola king (Kulothunga III AD - 1210), Pointing to a period of great political tension under the late Cholas.

The inscription of Kopperunjinga clearly show that by the second quarter of the 13th century, the Kadavarayas had established complete mastery over this region leading to the final decline of Chola power. A brief period of Pandya Supremacy over this region is indicated by the inscriptions of the pandyas of the cond empire such as Tatavaraman Srivallabha and Tribhuvanachakravarthi Kulasekara in 13th Century A.D.

The Hoysalas under Vira Vallabadeva (Ballala III) also exercised sway over this area (1340 AD) indicating that the Hoysala power continued to influence Tamil polities even after the Muslim invasion of Malikkapur.

After the Hoysalas, Thiruvannamalai passed into the hands of the Vijayanagar rulers, whose southern invasions under Kampana area was well known and lead to the establishment of Vijayanagar authority over practically the whole of Tamil Nadu.

The famous Seivappa Nayaka of 17th Century carried out large scale renovation and building activities in the temple. After Nayak rule this region seems to have gradually passed into British hands except for a period of subordination into the Mysore Odayars (1816 A.D.)

Places of Interest

Temples & Other interesting Places

1. Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple

The famous Hindu Temple known as "Arunachaleswarar is one of the biggest temple in South situated at the foot of the hill on eastern side. The extent of the temple is 10.4 hectares.

Every month on full moon day lakhs of people used to circumulate the Holy hill having a distance of 14 km. During the month of November / December the famous Karthigai Deepam festival is being celebrated roughly 10 lakhs of people from all over the country used to visit this town to see "Maha Deepam" being lighted at the top the Holy hill.

2. Sri Ramanashram (in Chengam Road)

The Ramanashram was established in the year 1922. The present site was a bunal place in olden days where Maharishis mother was buried in 1922. & Ramana Maharishi was also buried here. This ashram is provided with very large meditatin center having pligirms from Inter-national level. There is another ashram named "Sri Seshathiri Ashram" is situated by the side of Ramanashramam. Sri Seshathiri Swamigal is said to be Guru of Sri Ramanr.

3. Sri Yogi Ram Surath Kumar Ashram

Sri Yogi Ram Surath Kumar Ashram is situated in Chengam Road (inside) popularly used by people for meditation purpose

4. Sathnur Dam

Sathnur Dam is situated at a distance of 20 km in the southwest direction. This dam is famous for its recreation attracts tourists from all over the country. This dam was constructed across the river "Thenpennair"

5. Thiruvikrama Narayana Perumal Temple

The famous temple named Thiruvikrama Narayana Perumal Temple (Ulagabadi Perumal) is situated at Tirukoilur at a distance of 36 k.m. in the south of this town

6. Thiruvarangam

Thiruvarangam is situated in South direction at a distance of 20 km from this town. This temple is famously known as Adi Arangan.