Historical details about Tiruvannamalai and the Arunachaleswarar temple are available to us through stone inscriptions on the prakaram walls and copper plates. These inscriptions refer to a period of about thousand years starting from 750 A.D. The earliest archaeological findings from these stone inscriptions point to the fact that the greatness of Arunachala was known to Kings from the spiritual works Thevaram and Thiruvasagam and that Tiruvannamalai was historically and spiritually famous even from those ancient times.
We have clues that the Temple was small during the visit of Appar, Manikavasagar, Sambandar and others. Kings who read about the great glory of Arunachaleswarar from the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam began to expand the temple and beautify it.
Look forward to posting more photographs of the Temple soon - especially Periyar Nandi (Big Nandi Bull) as requested by reader Grasshopper.
Hey, Thank you so much. I have a special thing for that Nandi. I used to go to the temple and sit at his feet for hours.
ReplyDeleteLoving a devotee is an indirect, but profound way of loving God.
Like loving Hanuman, or loving Radha.
Oh, and I hope you don't mind me stealing your pictures for my blog. I give you the link, but if you mind, say so, and I will stop.
Will try and post a nice photo of Periyar Nandi very soon. Can understand your connection with him and how you enjoyed sitting next to him at the Big Temple.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoy the photos - yes, do keep using them - thats what they are for.