Search Indian Maps, Pincodes, Local Info and more...
Tamilnadu Ariyathamman Temple
Ariyathamman temple is an important shrine of Lord Shiva located in small town of Arni near Vellore. The temple is a prime destination for ardent followers of Shaivism. It is centered on the deity and the lingam, both of which are carved out of stone. The build of the temple resembles the magnificent pattern of Dravidian architecture.
Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadeva is revered among the Hindu community as being mighty powerful and a protector. Historical precedence of Lord Shiva dates back to the times of the Indus Valley Civilization that depicts Shiva in a meditating posture. Hindu mythology regards Him as a towering personality, untarnished by human shortcomings.
Ariyathamman temple is only one of many temples dedicated to Shiva in the region. The nearby towns of Thiruvannamalai and Vellore have numerous temples dedicated to the Lord.
History
The history of the Ariyathamman temple can be traced back through the centuries. Legends claim the temple to be a relic of a Chola temple built over millennia ago. Chronologically, it can be related to the famous Annamalaiyar temple.
The temple in its present form is a recent one. It was built by the community as a place of worship created in ancient Dravidian style.
How To Reach
By Air
The nearest airport to Arni is Chennai International Airport. Chennai has daily flights to other Indian metros besides a decent set of flights to other places. Arni is 190 kilometers to the west of Chennai. Regular trains ply from Chennai to Vellore, which is the nearest rail head. The route has a dependable road transport system too.
By Train
Vellore is the nearest place with railway connectivity. The city has a good number of trains from important cities such as Chennai and Bangalore. Even local trains run at regular intervals on this route with Vellore acting as a major stop.
By Road
Roads are the most convenient way to reach Arni. Bus and private vehicles ply on the 40 kilometer route from Arni to Vellore via state highway 9 and 132. National highway number 46 make this place directly accessible from Chennai. It takes up to an hour to reach Arni from Vellore, depending on the traffic conditions.
Important Shrines
The temple being dedicated Lord Shiva essentially has a lingam. The deity shows Shiva in a relaxed posture blessing the hoard of devotees. The trishulam is prominent along with an eye on the forehead.
Significance Of The Temple
The temple is an appropriate visit if one wishes to immerse in the glory of Lord Shiva.
Weather And Time To Visit
Summers can be incredulously hot in this part of the world. A visit to the Ariyathamman temple during summer is strongly unadvisable. The months beginning from October and stretching till February are considered ideal. Being on the east coast of India, the weather hovers around pleasant temperatures during this time of the year.
Accomodation
The best place to put up would be Vellore, which is an hour drive from Arni. The 38 kilometer stretch can be navigated by bus or by means of hired taxi available easily at Vellore.
Accommodation in Vellore should not be hard to arrange seeing its importance in the commerce of the area. Vellore itself is a centre of pilgrimage. It constitutes a dense area on a map dotted by temples. Hence, the place has lots of adequate accommodation facilities for pilgrims and devotees.
Besides, the place has a good set of hotels that do not charge exorbitant prices.
Tips For Devotees
Language can be a stumbling block for pilgrims in this part of the country. Few locals here can understand English and even fewer understand Hindi. A person able in Tamil or any southern language can be of great help in this regard.
Devotees travelling in the summer should invariably carry water & an umbrella with them or the scorching heat of the tropical Sun can have a draining effect on the body.
- Arni is ideal if one wishes for a religious holiday. Visiting other nearby temples can be rewarding to say the least along with providing spiritual fulfillment.
Rules And Rituales Of The Temple
Any temple is a locale of sanctity. An unadulterated set of rules govern every temple. The Ariyathamman temple is no different in this regard. However, being a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the rules are simple and crisp.
The temple opens at 7 in the morning and remains open till 11 in the morning. At evenings, the timings are from 4 PM to 7 PM.
Offerings for the lord can be bought at the proximity of the temple.
Photo Gallery