Thiruvannaamalai

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  ?Thiruvannamalai
Tamil Nadu • India
Coordinates: 12°13′N 79°04′E / 12.22, 79.07
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 171 m (561 ft)
District(s) Thiruvannamalai
Population 130,301 (2001)
Municipal chairman R. Sridharan
Codes
• Pincode
• Telephone
• Vehicle
• 606 (601, 602, 603, 604)
• +91-4175
• TN 25

Coordinates: 12°13′N 79°04′E / 12.22, 79.07 Thiruvannamalai (Tamil: திருவண்ணாமலை) is a pilgrimage town and municipality in Thiruvannamalai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Thiruvannamalai district. Thiruvannamalai is home to the Annamalaiyar Temple located at the foot of the Annamalai hill. Thiruvannamalai has long been associated with many yogis and siddhars,[1] and more recently the 20th century guru Ramana Maharshi.

Contents

[edit] Pilgrimage

Thiruvannamalai is one of the panchabhootasthalas representing the fire element along with Chidambaram, Sri Kalahasti, Thiruvanaikoil and Kanchipuram representing sky, air, water and earth respectively.

Four Brahmotsavams are celebrated every year, the most famous of which is the one celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthigai (November/December). The ten day event culminates on the day of Karthigai Deepam. On that evening, a huge lamp is lit in a cauldron with three tons of ghee at the top of the Annamalai hill.[2]

Every full moon night, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Shiva by circumambulating the Arunachala hill barefoot. The circumambulation covers a distance of about 14 km.[3].

The Yearly Ones CHITRA POWRNAMI(full moon)Tamil Year,the lakhs of pilgrims worship comes across the world.

The height of the Arunachala hill is approximately 1600 feet.

Advaita Vedanta guru Ramana Maharshi lived in Thiruvannamalai for fifty three years until his death in 1950. His ashram, Ramanasramam, is located at the foot of the Arunachala hill, to the west of the town.

Seshadri Swamigal and Yogi RamSurat Kumar are examples of two other gurus who lived in this city.

[edit] Geography

Thiruvannamalai is located at 12.22°N′79.07, E°′{{{6}}}[4]. It has an average elevation of 171 metres (561 feet). Tiruvannamalai is situated 185 km from Chennai and 210 km from Bangalore. Saathanoor Dam across Thenpennai River is a tourist place near Thiruvannamalai.

Thiruvannamalai Temple from the hill
Thiruvannamalai Temple from the hill

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census[5], Thiruvannamalai had a population of 130,301. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Thiruvannamalai has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 68%. In Thiruvannamalai, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. hindu mudaliyar,vanniyar,adidravidar and naidu communities are the major livings.

[edit] Transport

[edit] Road

Thiruvannamalai is well connected to many cities and towns in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by road. This town lies on the junction of the Chittoor - Cuddalore state highway and the Puduchery - Bengalooru national highway (NH 66). The TNSTC operates many bus services to the different towns and cities in Tamil Nadu.

[edit] Distances of important towns and cities from Tiruvannamalai

[edit] Rail

A railway line between Vellore and Villupuram passes through Thiruvannamalai, where passengers can board a passenger train to Vellore (up) or Villupuram (down) (traffic in this section is now closed for gauge conversion). The nearest major railway station is at Tindivanam (63 km).

[edit] Air

The nearest airport is at Chennai 195 km.

[edit] Shopping Centers

  • Thangam Stores
  • Jeevee Metal

[edit] References

  1. ^ The temple town of Tiruvannamalai
  2. ^ The Hindu: 10 lakh devotees witness Tiruvannamalai Deepam
  3. ^ This is referred to as GiriVanam.Tiruvannamalai at Tamil Nadu tourism website
  4. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Thiruvannamalai
  5. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.

[edit] External links