Assistant Tourist officer,
Tourist office,
Vegikkal
Collectorate,
Tiruvannamalai – 606601

LandLine : 04175 – 253020
Mobile : 8939896396
Email : tvmalaitourism[at]gmail.com

Tiruvannamalai is very famous place both spiritually and historically. The temple is very unique as it is one among pancha bhooda stalam and sung by saiva kuravargal.The annamaliayar kovil was built before 1100 years and the architecture of the temple has its contribution from various kingdom from Cholas, Pandias, Sambuvarayars Posalas, Vijayanagar kings, Nayaks, Nagarathargal,  Cheftains and Zamindars. The temple posseses more than 1000 statues and 450 stone inscriptions. The temple has more than 100 sannidhis. Various idols, bronze statues, paintings, thirusutrugal, thirtakulangal, 1000 pillar mahal and towering gopurams are the specialites of the temple. The temple is very enormous with an area covers around 25 acres and the East gopuram built by King Krishnadevarayar with a height of 217 ft which is the second tallest gopuram in Tamilnadu. Other than this, the temple consists of vallala Maharaja gopuram, kili gopuram and ammani amman gopuram which are of historic important. The main deity of the temple is Annamalaiyar and Unnamalai Amman. The Ezhuthu Mandapam situated in Girivalam path is an excellent art gallery. Kanthashram. Pavazhakundru. Ramanashram and Astalingas around the Girivala path are few notable tourist spots.

 

Lord Arulmigu Renugambal Temple – Padaivedu:

Villages with many temples are known as Padavedu @ Padaivedu Village. The temple is situated at a distance of 55 Km from Tiruvannamalai, 40 Km from Vellore and 20 Km from Arni. After the fall of Chola dynasty in  10^th and 11^th Century, the Sambuvarayars, one of the minor kingdom of Chola dynasty declared their independence and established their rule in Padaivedu. Even today the remains of their fort can be seen at this place. Arulmigu Renugambal temple is one of the famous Sakthi stalas. The amman idol in Garbha griha is self-existing and the presence of Lord Brahma, Thirumal and shiva beside her proves that Lady Sakthi is predominant in the universe. Amman as suthai thirumeni is present at the backside along with Banalingam and Janakarshana chakaram established by Adhisankarar.

The Vibhuti Prasatham given here was collected every year in the tail month of aani from the place of yajna done by Saint Jamathkanni and it is believed that this vibhudi prasadam will cure disease and avoid evils. Apart from the presence of many number of temples and the place is surrounded by mountains, coconut groves and banana sheds. The head of the Goddess Renuga devi was present as self-exiting in the Garbha griha and festivals celebrated on every friday in the month of Aadi is very special.

Lord Arulmigu Pandurangan Thirukovil, Thennakoor:

Arulmigu Raghumayi  Sammetha pandurangan temple in Thennakoor Village is an example of nagara style of architecture in North India. As per hindu puranas it is a place where Goddess Lakshmi Devi live and they maintain the gardens well. The enterance gopuram is very tall and the vimanam present inside are in nagara style of architecture and it has a huge mandapam with a lots of paintings and we can seek blessings of the 10.5 ft tall Pandurangan  and 8.5 ft tall Raghumayi idols from here. The deities are adorned by different styles of clothes and ornaments in 6 days a week. The place is located in Vandavasi to Kanchipuram highway, 5 Km from Vandavasi.

 

Enthira Sanishvara Temple, Erikkuppam:

Enthira Sanishvara temple is located at Erikkuppam Villagein Arni-Padavedu road. It is one of the navagraha stalas dedicated to sanishvara, who blesses in Linga form. It is very famous during sanipeyarchi which occurs once in every two and half year. The 5 feet tall and 2 feet width Lord Sri Sanishvarar in open Garbha griha yandra has hexagonal structure at the centre and has thirusulam at its 6 edges and has Mahalakshmi and Lord Hanuman at the bottom, it also has Surya and Chandra structures in the forehead and a crow inbetween. There is a statue on Sanibhagavam in a chariot ridden by crows at the entrance. There is also a painting depicting all the navagrahas with their vehicles at the front mahal.

 

Arulmigu Vedapurishvar Temple, Cheyyar:

Tiruvothaur temple is sung by Thirugnanasambanthar, one of the savaikuravargal. The miracle of transformation of the male palm tree into female palm tree by the songs of Thirugnanasambanthar occurred in this place. This place is currently known as Cheyyar. The Rajagopuram in Veedpureeshwarar temple faces east direction with 6 levels is full of sudai structures. The temple has wedding hall on right, temple pond on left and garden next to it. New structures of murugan, Vinayagar, Natarajar, Gnanasambanthar and palm tree are seen in the front mandapam.

Right side of the temple has Ambal sanidhi and her lion straight opposite to her along with kodimaram, palm tree, Gnanasambanther   & Sivalinga statue are present next to it.

Garbha griha has Vedapureeshwarar facing east with Vimanam on the top. Sandeeshwarar is present in the left side Balagujmbal has a separate temple for herself. Navagraham are present in the left side of the temple. The grand festival happens on every thai month on every year.

 

Pachaiyamman Sameda Mannarsamy Temple Munugapattu:-

Munugapattu pachaiyamman Manarsami temple is one of the oldest temple. It functions as family temple for thousands of families thousands of devotees gave their offerings from first 10 Mondays from Tamil month of Aadi. The east facing goddess Pachiyamman blesses her devotees with a graceful face and in standing posture. Sudai  structure in sitting posture can be seen at the backside.

The Mahamandapam has the Goddess along with her friends and angels. Kaval Deivangal are seen at the entrance.

Sathanur Dam:

Sathanur Dam was built in 1956 across the Thenpennai River. with the  capacity of 119 feet. It is one of the biggest dam in Tamilnadu constructed in Kamarajar period. The parks and pleasant atmosphere are enjoyable to the tourist. There are more than 100 crocodiles in the crocodiles park. It is at a distance of 30 Km from Tiruvannamalai and 24 Km from Chengam.

Parvathamalai:

As per the opinions of the historians, the place ruled by the king Nanan Sei nanan during ancient period is Navira hills, presently called as Parvathamalai. It is present in the foothill of javadi hills and Abidagujambal – Maligarjunar temple is locaed in the hill top. The temple is a boon for mountain treckkers with natural scenaries and gentle breeze. This hill is known as Thenkailayam and workshipped by many saints. This place can be reached either from Thenmadhimangalam or from kadaladi. It is at a distance of 25 km from Polur and 30 Km from Tiruvannamalai.

Javadhu Hills:

Javadhu hill is a part of eastern ghats extends to an area of 260 sq.km. The malayee triblas live at a great number in this hills. Moe than 200 hamlet villages are present here. Evidences of New stone age people are found in the place pathiri and head stones and funeral symbols are seen in Kilcheppili and Mandaparai. Tombstones from Pallava period to Nayaka period can be seen here. The Kovilur Shivan temple built at Chola dynasty is of historic importance. The people cultivates millet like Thinai, samai and varagu. Honey, pepper, fruits are also provides the livelihood for these people. Beema falls, boat house, park Kovilur Siva temple, Vainu bappu Observatory, Amirthi Zoo are the important tourist spots. Bus facilities are available from  Polur and Tirupatthur.

Chittra Pournami:-

One of the most important festival of Tamilnadu, chittra pournami is celebrated in TV Malai by many tamilians. lakhs and lakhs of people will take part in Giri valam. As the mountain itself is considered as Lord Shiva, it is believed all our wishes will come true, if we go around the mountain in the 14 km Girivala path and seek the blessings of lord Annamalaiyar and Goddess Unnamalaiamman and it is mentioned in the puranas that if we go around the mountain in Girivalam on full moon day is equivalent to Girivalam on the whole year.