Tourist Places Thiruvannamalai: 2009

Sanyasikuppam

This place is visited for seeing the standing carved stone bulls. These can be seen on the way to Pondicherry from Tindivanam.

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The temple here is a place to be visited by the tourists. It is located near Tindivanam on the banks of the river Varaha Nadhi. Various parts of this temple were erected by Sembian Mahadevi, the Chola queen.

The place has various reasons to be interested. The entry is not associated in a line. The Nandi of this temple is also taken away from its usual place in front of the chamber. A strange mudra of the Chathura Dance pose of Nataraja can be seen here. Another reason behind this place being famous is the trees that have become rocks and fossilized due to passage of time. In a special park, these are exhibited. Hundreds of people get together here during full moon nights to worship the multi-handed Kali known as Vakra Kali Amman enshrined near the front gopuram. Here, is an eccentric convention concerning the puja in this temple. The regular Puja is performed in the period known as `Ragukalam` or the period under the influence of Ragu.

Dhalavanur

This is another rock-cut temple built by Mahendra Varman, the Pallava king. The temple here is called Satru Malleswaram. The name is derived from Satrumalla, one of the titles of Mahendra Varman.

Mel Sittamur

This place is the head office of the chief Jain monk and possesses rare Jain manuscripts. It can be noticed on the way to Tindivanam from Gingee. One can see lots of temples here, which are devoted to Jain Tirthankaras. The Jain temples of Mylapore were shifted to this remotely placed inland during the beginning of Christian epochs when portions of Mylapore were flooded under the sea. Some fine carvings can be seen here in this place. This temple is often visited by the Jain research scholars. A good number of Jains scattered close by come for worship.

Mandagappattu

This is a well-known rock-cut cave temple of Pallava king Mahendra Varma. It is placed 17 km on the way to Gingee from Villupuram. The king proudly said that this temple built by him will last for ever as they completed it without using mud and wood.

Panamalai

This place is located on the road to Villupuram from Gingee on the southern side. A famous Siva temple called Thalapuriswara was constructed here by a Pallava king named Rajasimha. The excellent wall paintings originated here still subsists in good condition and demonstrates the typical Pallava style.

Rajagiri

In Thiruvannamalai it is the tallest rising at 600 ft. This place occupied an area of 12 sp.km surrounded by massive granite wall cut with gates and towers. One need to climb the fort through a twisted flight of rough steps. On the way to Rajagiri, visitors can see granaries, prison, queen’s quarters, cool pools and a temple called Kuvalakanni temple. The fort is not friendly hanged on a vertical rock face by deep gaps. The only way to go there is by using an artificial bridge thrown across such a wide gap of 25 ft wide and more than 80 ft deep.

Reaching in Rajagiri of Thiruvannamalai, big cannon in a mandap can be seen. It is facing the plains which once might have growled emitting volleys of fire on the enemy army approaching the plains.

Beehives hang to the steep sides and can also see the hill tribes extracting the honey dangling in the air. The Cholas, Vijayanagar kings, Rajputs, Marathas, French, Nawabs, the Nayaks and the English evinced keen interest in keeping the tactical fortress.
The small hill is climbed by a voyage of sudden steps cut on the support of the fort. It is said that the ballads of Raja Desingh immortalized the fort. He defeated the Mughals with a great valor but was later killed treacherously. After his death, the entire harem committed sathi, which means self killing. Even today a pit near the tank called `Chakkara Kulam` is exposed as the place where it happened.

Gingee Fort of Senchikkottai

This fort is located on the road to Thiruvannamalai, 150 km away from Chennai. This fort was a stronghold for Cholas in the 9th century. Later the Vijayanagar kings made it a impassable fortress.

Kuvakam Koothandavar Koil

This place is located 22 km south of Thirukoilur. It is famous for annual festival of Aravan, the son of Arjuna. This festival is held in the month of May. The distinctive feature of this festival is that eunuchs from all over the world come there to get a promise to get marry to Koothandavar. At night and to be get widowed in the next morning. Thousands of eunuchs came there and execute this vow.

Arakandanallur

This place is located near to Thiruvannamalai. A Siva shrine of the olden times with three caves that are carved by the Pallavas can be observed there. It is said that the saint Ramana Maharshi got his first vision of the extreme truth here and was drawn to Thiruvannamalai.

Sathanur Dam of Thiruvannamalai

This is one of the relaxing places of Thiruvannamalai. This is located 22 miles away from here. It is built across the river Pennar, immersed a huge forest between two mountains. Also you can see a well arranged garden and a well lit fountain. The guests are drawn there for the swimming pool, crocodile park and the motor launch in the dam. This dam in Thiruvannamalai is suitable for one or two days stay. The visitors can get separated cottages which are available with boarding.