Araiyaninallur temple, as called in the Thevaram, is built on a rock on the northern bank of Then Pennai. Tirukovilur temples (Padal Petra Sthalam & Divya Desam) are visible across the river. The temple has a huge Raja Gopuram on the southern side. Maintained well by Sri Ramanasramam. Atulyanatheswarar and Soundarya Kanakambikai rule here (Oppillamani Eswarar and Azhakiya Ponnammai). Gurukkal looks after many temples (when Sri Ramanar visited the same Gurukkal performed poojas at Arakandanallur and Tirukovilur (Kizhayur). Kasi Sivacharyar mobile no: 99651 44849. Pl call him before you reach the temple. Odhuvar sang the padigams beautifully in Karaharapriya and Senchurutti. Photos
Tirukovalur Veerattam is one of the eight sthalams Siva killed demons. Here, it was Anthakasuran. This is also the sthalam Avvaiyar sang Vinayakar Akaval and Periya Yanai Vinayakar lifted Avvai in His Thumbikkai and transported her to Kailasam before Sundarar in Vellai Yanai and Seraman Perumal Nayanar in Kudirai. This is also the city ruled by Meiporul Nayanar and the birthplace of Rajaraja Chola. Sivananda Valli and Viratteswarar. Sang by Appar and Sambandar. Photos Babu Sivacharyar 98426 23020, Ramesh Sivacharyar 94862 80030
Tirukovalur Divya Desam is in the centre of west town (Melaiyur). This is the place where Poigai Azwar, Bhoothath Azvar, Pey Azwar saw the Lord and started singing Divya Prabandar, one of two Nadu Nadu Divya Desam. There is huge Rajagopuram. Trivikarama Swamy and Dehaleesar are unimaginably beautiful.
Tiruvannamalai is 35km from Tirukovalur, road is good. Started from Tirukovalur at 10-45, reached Tiruvannamalai at 1130. The site has temple layout, would reccommend taking a print out.
Annamalaiyai ariyaar yaar? Apitakuchamba and Arunachaleswarar (Unnamulai and Annamalai) are showering worshippers with love and affectiion, truly moving experience. Photos. Ramesh Sivacharyar 94432 43225, 04175 223277.
