View from Ayyankulam Tank

The below photograph is taken from the back of Ayyankulam Tank, and facing Temple in the foreground and Arunachala in the background. The photograph was taken in the late 40's.

The small mandapam in the foreground of this second photograph is in the same place as a similar structure which you can easily make out at the left side of the top photograph near the tree. The tower and facade of Arunagirinathar Temple are new and did not exist in the 40s.

The view of Arunachala from Ayyankulam Tank is restricted and you can get good darshan only from rooftops.

In the last photograph of this sequence, the wall is the side of Arunagirinathar Temple and as you can make out there is a warren of streets and houses between it; the Big Temple and Arunachala.

Visit to Arunagirinathar Temple

Visited Arunagirinathar this morning for a function and was happy for the opportunity to spend time at this ancient, fascinating Temple. The large Iyyankulam Tank next to the Temple is famous as the venue for the Gods to leisurely enjoy some evenings during Deepam Festival on floats on the Tank.

Right-click on all photographs to view enlargement.

Today I climbed to the roof of a neighbour's house in order to take some photographs -- below is a very fine photo of the Temple Gopuram with Arunachala as background.

The below photograph is also taken from the neighbour's roof.

Renovation of this ancient Temple began about seven years ago. The Temple's independent Trust has done a great job in raising funds for its restoration and development.

I hope to soon post information about the mythology and history of this important Shiva Temple.

Arunagirinatha Temple and Ayyankulam Tank

Arunagirinatha Temple is the third oldest Shiva Temple at Tiruvannamalai. Some say of it; Adi Annamalai Temple is the Head, Arunachaleswarar Temple is the body and Arunagirinatha Temple is the feet.

In front of this ancient, fascinating Temple is the Ayyankulam Tank which is famous for being favoured during Deepam as the Tank upon which the murtis of the Gods enjoy a leisurely rest on their float.

In more recent times the Ayyankulam Tank is famous for its association with Sri Ramana Maharshi as it is the place at which he became a sannyasin.

“Venkataraman detrained at Villuparam (near Pondicherry) for food and thereafter decided to walk. By sunset he arrived at Araiyaninallur Temple where he remained for meditation and later went to the nearby village of Kilur. The next day after pledging his earrings for four rupees he entrained for Tiruvannamalai arriving before noon on September 1, 1896. Immediately he went towards the Arunachaleswarar Temple and it was nearby at the Ayyankulam tank that Venkataraman tore his dress to make a kaupinam, threw everything else away including his remaining money and his Brahman sacred thread, and allowed a barber to give him a tonsure.” To read more click here.

Nowadays the Temple is surrounded by a cluster of new housing which sadly partly obstructs the view of Arunachala.

But perhaps one of the most curious tales associated with this ancient Temple is of the floor of this store room in the below photograph. It is believed that under this very floor is a tunnel (now sealed) which leads into the Arunachaleswarar Temple compound.

More information about this fascinating, ancient Temple to come.