Thiruvannamalai is situated at about 190 km away from Chennai the capital city of Tamil Nadu. The main deity in this temple is Lord Arunachaleeshwarar (Shiva) in the form of fire, one of panchabhootas (Five elements). The local belief is Shiva is also in the form of a hill, hence this place is also called Annamalai Hill. On full moon days Girivalam (meaning in local language is ‘going around the hill’) is undertaken by pilgrims, a total distance of 14 km. The belief is, it brings in abundant peace or calmness for the mental well being and also refreshing for the physical fitness. Many yogis did penance on the hills and attained salvation. While Ramana Maharshi is the proof for that. His ashram can be visited by the pilgrims nearby temple. It is a popular place of spiritual journey for me, while the youngsters in our family and friends enjoy the physical fitness part of it, of course, besides spirituality.
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