About the Temple:
The Annamalaiyar Temple, also known as Arunachaleswarar Temple, is a grand and ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. It’s not just a place of worship, but a deeply spiritual experience for anyone seeking peace, divine blessings, or a powerful cultural immersion.
Key Features:
-
Architectural Grandeur: Sprawled across 25 acres, the temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture with its majestic gopurams (towers).
-
Historical Significance: With contributions from the Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagara dynasties, the temple’s legacy spans centuries.
-
Vibrant Festivals: The Karthigai Deepam festival is a massive celebration, drawing millions of devotees.
-
Spiritual Relevance: Pilgrims perform Girivalam, a circumambulation of the Arunachala hill, believed to be a spiritually cleansing ritual.
The Journey:
Though I’ve passed by Thiruvannamalai many times, I had never stepped into the temple. Knowing Vinod and Sandhya were regular visitors, I had once casually asked them to loop me in on their next trip. Little did I know, that moment would arrive so unexpectedly.
Vinod had planned a spontaneous trip to take their firstborn to the Thiruvannamalai temple—his favorite—while also marking the upcoming birthday of Sandhya, his wife, in the following week. By a stroke of divine timing, I was able to free up and join them. I suggested they spend the night in Chennai with me first, so we could travel together the next day. Since I had work commitments lined up in Bangalore, I decided to tag along with them until then, making it a spiritually charged weekend escape.
Day 1: A Joyous Catch-Up
They drove down to Chennai but took a detour via the new expressway, only to find it incomplete and had to turn back, which delayed their arrival. We laughed it off—it was a good chance to unwind and catch up. As new parents, they’ve had their hands full—late nights, work stress, and no extra help. Just seeing them relax was a joy.
Day 2: The Temple That Almost Wasn’t
After the good rest, we set off in the afternoon, stopping for lunch on the way before heading to Mahabalipuram. Vinod thought the baby might enjoy the beach, but she seemed unimpressed by the waves!
We reached Thiruvannamalai around 8 PM, only to find the temple gates already shut. Despite checking multiple entrances, we were turned away—along with many other disappointed visitors. With work the next day, staying back wasn’t an option.
Trying to ease the disappointment, I joked with Vinod, “Maybe God wants us to visit Him during the day when He’s awake, not when He’s going to rest.” But he took it to heart, feeling his family had been turned away from blessings on their baby’s first visit.
And then, a twist of fate.
We were chatting near a frankincense cart outside the temple, not even asking for help anymore—when the kind vendor heard us and offered to try and get two of us in. Without hesitation, I urged Vinod to go with Sandhya and the baby, but he insisted I go instead. “You’ve never been in,” he said. “You came for this.” That selfless gesture still moves me.
With a bit of a birthday mix-up (the vendor thought it was the baby’s birthday), we got in! Sandhya, the baby, and I were escorted by a staff member for a quick darshan. The temple was almost empty—something unimaginable for this site. It felt surreal.
And just when we thought it was over, Vinod managed to enter too. Somehow, amid the crowd commotion, he slipped in, and it truly felt like the divine red carpet was rolled out for him. The priest was right there, waiting to bless him just before closing.
We waited near the exit for him to finish his prayers, and in that moment, it felt like the universe had conspired to make everything fall beautifully into place.
Back to Bangalore:
We stopped for a light dinner nearby and then hit the road to Bangalore. By early morning, we were back, hearts full and souls blessed.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t just a weekend getaway. It was a series of unexpected moments strung together by faith, kindness, and a little bit of magic. For me, it was a miracle moment—something I’ll carry with me forever.
May Shiva’s blessings be with all of you. God bless.