Thiruvannaamalai

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Thiruvannamalai | type = city | latd = 12.22 | longd = 79.07
locator_position = right | state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Thiruvannamalai
leader_title = Municipal chairman
leader_name = R. Sridharan
altitude = 171
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 130,301| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 91-4175
postal_code = 606 (601, 602, 603, 604)
vehicle_code_range = TN 25
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Thiruvannamalai ( _ta. திருவண்ணாமலை) is a pilgrimage town and municipality in Thiruvannamalai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Thiruvannamalai district. Thiruvannamalai is home to the Annamalaiyar Temple located at the foot of the Annamalai hill. Thiruvannamalai has long been associated with many yogis and siddhars, [ [http://www.indiantemples.com/Tamilnadu/Tiruvannamalai/tvm_intro.html The temple town of Tiruvannamalai] ] and more recently the 20th century guru Ramana Maharshi.

=Pilgr

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

Four Brahmotsavams are celebrated every year, the most famous of which is the one celebrated during the Tamil month of "Karthigai" (November/December). The ten day event culminates on the day of Karthigai Deepam. On that evening, a huge lamp is lit in a cauldron with three tons of ghee at the top of the Annamalai hill. [ [http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/14/stories/2005121406840500.htm "The Hindu": 10 lakh devotees witness Tiruvannamalai Deepam] ]

Every full moon night, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Shiva by circumambulating the Arunachala hill barefoot. The circumambulation covers a distance of about 14 km. [This is referred to as the Giri Valam. [http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/temples/citywise/Thiruvanamalai.aspx?catid=C2&subcat1id=C2S1&subcat2id=C2S1S14&sm=C2S1S14 Tiruvannamalai at Tamil Nadu tourism website] ] .

On the yearly Chitra Powrnami (full moon) night in the Tamil calendar year, lakhs of pilgrims come from across the world to worship Him.

The height of the Arunachala hill is approximately 1600 feet.

Advaita Vedanta guru Ramana Maharshi lived in Thiruvannamalai for fifty three years until his death in 1950. His ashram, Ramanasramam, is located at the foot of the Arunachala hill, to the west of the town.

Seshadri Swamigal and Yogi RamSurat Kumar are examples of two other gurus who lived in this city.

Architecture

The 11 tiered East Rajagopuram towers to a height of 217 feet, while the fortified walls pierced with 4 gopura entrances offer a formidable look to this vast temple complex . The Pei Gopuram, Tirumanjana Gopuram and Ammanaiammal gopuram are the other three. The 1000 pillared hall and the temple tank were built by Krishna Deva Rayarar of Vijayanagar. Each of the prakarams has a huge Nandi and several towers such as the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram and Kili Gopuram

Geography

Thiruvannamalai is located at coord|12.22|N|79.07|E|region:IN_type:city [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/25/Tiruvannamalai.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Thiruvannamalai] ] . 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 Thiruvannamalai.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Thiruvannamalai had a population of 130,301. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Thiruvannamalai 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 Thiruvannamalai, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.Hindu mudaliyar,vanniyar,adidravidar and naidu communities are the major livings.

Transport

Road

Thiruvannamalai is well connected to many cities and towns in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by road. This town lies on the junction of the Chittoor - Cuddalore state highway and the Puduchery - Bengalooru national highway (NH 66). The TNSTC operates many bus services to the different towns and cities in Tamil Nadu.

Rail

A railway line between Vellore and Villupuram passes through Thiruvannamalai, where passengers can board a passenger train to Vellore (up) or Villupuram (down) (traffic in this section is now closed for gauge conversion).The nearest major railway station is at Tindivanam (63 km).

Air

The nearest airport is at Chennai 195 km.

Economy

In spite of being very close to the city of Chennai, there are no industries worth mentioning in this district. Probably, the lower literacy level in the district, uninterested bureaucracy and political set up have been the reasons. Due to literally non-existent job-opportunities, majority of the the people of this district have traditionally been looking for opportunities either in Bangalore or Chennai. [http://tiruvannamalai.nic.in]

Nearby towns

*Bengalooru- 200km
*Puduchery- 102km
*Chennai- 195km
*Vellore- 83km
*Dharmapuri- 120km
*Salem- 147km
*Villupuram- 68km
*Tirupati- 188km
*Chittoor- 137km
*Kanchipuram- 119km
*Trichy- 246km
*Cuddalore- 130km
*Coimbatore- 306km
*Madurai- 384km

Politics

Thiruvannamalai assembly constituency is part of Vandavasi (Lok Sabha constituency). [cite web
url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf
title = List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies
accessdate = 2008-10-08
work = Tamil Nadu
publisher = Election Commission of India ]

References

External links

* [http://sss.vn.ua/india/tamilnadu/tiruvannamalai/indexen.htm Thiruvannaamalai photos]