Temple Lecture - Part 2 on Tiruvannamalai temple

The second part of Tiruvannamalai temple lecture by Chithra Madhavan traced the evolution of the gopurams and architecture of the temple.

The significance of a Gopuram is brought in our scriptures and there is a saying that “Gopura darshanam kodi punniyam” – When we don’t have the time to enter into a temple, and pass through a temple we just glance and offer a moment of worship to the gopuram! Just like god’s grace is high, our gopurams are also very high, and symbolically they are the feet of God..

 

1.  The East raja gopuram of Tiruvannamalai is a 11 storeyed structure is the tallest of the 4 gopurams. It was built in the reign of Krishna Deva Raya, but actually completed during the Sevappa Nayak’s rule. The base wall of the gopuram stands at 41 meters in rock solid Granite, but the upper portion is brick and mortar. Bilingual inscriptions in Sanskrit and Tamizh by a Srinivasa Dikshithar, a famous scholar are found in the gopuram – “ Thimmaya Chinna Seva built this gopuram of Sonachala”
2. This east gopuram was built in 16th century and on both sides of the inner walls, one can find the sculptures of natya karanas from base to top, as you walk through – The sculptors obviously knew both natya shasthra and Shilpa shasthra to bring out the to bring out the perfect mudras, and portraying the dance dress and jewellery of those times.
3. The outer West gopuram is called the “Pei Gopuram” and inner gopuram in the west is called “The Vallala Maharaja Gopuram” and was built by the devoted maharaja himself. This is the oldest of all gopurams and don’t miss his sculpture on the walls as you pass through this gopuram. Since he was heirless, he prayed to the Lord and it’s said that the Lord himself would be his son. Ture to His word, the Lord performed the death rites for this King, and even today after 600 years, the Utsava murti is taken to nearby village to perform the annual sraddam (on every Masi Makam).
4. Arunagirinathar attempted to fall off the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram and Lord Muruga appeared before him and saved his life..
5.  The Kili Gopuram was built by Veera Rajendra Chola – Grandson of Raja Raja Chola – During his very short rule of 8 years, he built this gopuram, started a vedic college at Thiru Mukkudal, and encouraged scholars like Chidananda Bhattara to write bashyam’s on Shankaracharya’s bashyams.
6.  The South Gopuram is not tall as the east, and is called as the “Thirumanjana Gopuram” since the sacred abhishekam water is brought thro this gopuram to the Lord.
7. The north gopuram is called the Ammani Amman Gopuram

 

The Sthala Vruksham or the sacred tree of this Kshethram is “Mahiza Maram” – and its auspicious to have a darshan of Annamalaiyar and then sit under this medicinal tree!