Thiruvannaamalai - info on Thiruvannaamalai

Tamil Nadu • India
Coordinates: 12°13′N 79°04′E / 12.22, 79.07
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 171 m (561 ft)
District(s) Thiruvannaamalai
Population 130,301 (2001)
Municipal chairman R. Sridharan
Codes
• Pincode
• Telephone
• Vehicle
• 606 (601, 602, 603, 604)
• +91-4175
• TN 25

Thiruvannaamalai (Tamil: திருவண்ணாமைல) is a pilgrimage town and municipality in Thiruvannaamalai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Thiruvannaamalai district. Thiruvannaamalai is home to Annamalaiyar Temple located at the foot of the Annamalai hill. Thiruvannaamalai has long been associated with many yogis and siddhars,[1] and more recently the 20th century guru Ramana Maharshi.

Pilgrimage

Thiruvannaamalai is one of the panchabhootasthalas representing the fire element along with Chidambaram, Sri Kalahasti, Thiruvanaikoil and Kanchipuram representing sky, air, water and earth respectively.

As much as four Brahmotsavams are celebrated ever year, the one celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthigai (November/December) is the most famous. The ten day event culminates on the day of Karthigai Deepam. That evening, a huge lamp is lit on a cauldron with three tons of ghee at the top of the Annamalai hills.[2]

Every full moon night, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Shiva by circumambulating the Arunaachala hill barefoot. The circumambulation covers a distance of about 14 km.[3].

The Yearly Ones CHITRA POWRNAMI(full moon)Tamil Year,the lakhs of pilgrims worship comes across the world.

The Height of the Arunaachala hill is around in 1600feets.

Advaita Vedanta guru Ramana Maharishi lived in Thiruvannaamalai for fifty years until his death in 1950. His ashram named Ramanashramam is near the Arunachala hill to the west of the town.

Geography

Thiruvannaamalai is located at [show location on an interactive map] 12.22°N′79.07, E°′{{{6}}}[4]. It has an average elevation of 171 metres (561 feet). Tiruvannamalai is situated 185 km from Chennai and 210 km from Bangalore. Saathanoor Dam across Thenpennai River is a tourist place near Thiruvannaamalai.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census[5], Thiruvannaamalai had a population of 130,301. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Thiruvannaamalai has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 68%. In Thiruvannaamalai, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transport

Road

Thiruvannaamalai is well connected to many cities and towns in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by road. This town lies on Chittor - Cuddalore highway. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operates many services to the different towns and cities in Tamil Nadu, Chennai (195 km), Puduchery (114 km), Vellore and Bengaluru(200 km). National Highway (NH 66) between Bengaluru and Puduchery passes through Thiruvannaamalai.

Rail

A railway line between Vellore and Villupuram passes through Thiruvannaamalai, where passengers can board a passenger train to Vellore (up) or Villupuram (down) (traffic in this section is now closed as the gauge conversion work, from metre gauge to broad gauge, is underway here). The nearest major railway stations are at Tindivanam (72 km) (Chennai-Madurai railway line) and Jolarpet JunctionTiruppatur (88 km) (Chennai-Palakkad,chennai-bangalore railway line).

Air

The nearest airport is at Chennai195kms.

References

1. ^ The temple town of Tiruvannamalai
2. ^ The Hindu: 10 lakh devotees witness Tiruvannamalai Deepam
3. ^ Tiruvannamalai at Tamil Nadu tourism website
4. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Thiruvannaamalai
5. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.