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The Arunachalesvara Temple in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, is currently hosting its annual 10-day Karthigai Deepam festival, which began on November 24, 2025, with the flag hoisting ceremony and is expected to draw over 40 lakh devotees.
Key facts
- Deity: Lord Shiva as Arunachalesvara (Agni Lingam); consort Unnamulai/Unnamalai Amman​
- Location: Tiruvannamalai town, at the foot of Arunachala Hill, Tamil Nadu​
- Tradition: Major center of Shaivism, praised in Tevaram and other Tamil Saiva texts​
- Pancha Bhoota role: Symbolizes Agni (fire) among the five elements​
- Area: About 10 hectares / 25 acres, one of the largest temple complexes in India​
- Gopurams: 4 main gopurams, tallest is the East Gopuram ~66 m (11 storeys), among tallest in India​
- Architecture: Classic Dravidian style; large courtyards, mandapams, temple tanks, 1000‑pillar hall​
- Administration: Under Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Dept.
- Celebrated in Tevaram hymns by Nayanmars like Sambandar and Appar, and in Tiruvempaavai by Manikkavasagar, marking it as a Paadal Petra Sthalam.
History and architecture
- The site has associations going back to early historic / pre‑Vedic tradition in sacred texts like Skanda Purana, Linga Purana, Arunachala Mahatmyam.​
- Earliest stone structures are attributed to Pallavas/early Cholas, with the present masonry temple largely from the Chola period (9th century CE onward).​
- Major expansions, including the thousand‑pillared hall and massive gopurams, were carried out by Vijayanagara rulers (Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva dynasties).​
- The East Gopuram (Rajagopuram), about 66 m high, was completed under Nayak patronage (Sevappa Nayakkar), making it one of the tallest temple towers in India.​
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