Shrines and deities

Arunachaleswarar (Annamalaiyar)

The presiding deity is Arunachaleswarar, “Lord of Arunachala”, called Annamalaiyar in Tamil. He is worshipped as a lingam in the innermost sanctum, the oldest part of the temple. Because the temple is the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam for fire, devotees traditionally regard the lingam as the Agni Lingam, the fire lingam. They also regard it as one with the hill: according to the temple’s tradition, Shiva took the form of Arunachala itself.

Daily worship follows the Agamic cycle of poojas described on pooja timings.

Unnamulai Amman

The goddess, Unnamulai Amman, has her own shrine within the complex; her Sanskrit name is Apithakuchambal. Pilgrims usually take darshan of Arunachaleswarar first and then of the goddess. Her festivals include Aadi Pooram, and she takes part in the festival processions.

The temple’s tradition connects the goddess to the legend of Parvati’s penance at Arunachala. It ends with Shiva taking her into his left side as Ardhanarishvara. That form is brought out only once a year, on the evening of Karthigai Deepam. See Legends of Arunachala.

Shrines named on the official list

Shrine	What to know
Kambathu Ilaiyanar	Murugan appearing from a pillar. Linked with the story of the poet Arunagirinathar.
Sivaganga Theertha Vinayagar	Vinayaka beside the Sivaganga tank.
Periya Nandi	The great Nandi facing the sanctum. The focus of Pradosham worship twice a month.
Pathala Lingam	Underground shrine beneath the thousand-pillared hall where Ramana Maharshi meditated in 1896.

The same list names the two presiding deities, Annamalaiyar and Unnamulaiyammai. It counts 40 shrines in all.

Other shrines pilgrims look for

• Sambandha Vinayagar: a large, brightly painted Vinayaka in the outer courtyard, where many pilgrims begin.
• Gopura Ilaiyanar: Murugan near one of the gopurams, also associated with Arunagirinathar.
• Kalyana Sundareswarar: Shiva in his wedding form, celebrated at Panguni Uthiram.
• The 63 Nayanmars: images of the Shaiva saints in the second enclosure.

Utsava murtis and processions

During festivals, the utsava murtis (processional images) of Arunachaleswarar, Unnamulai Amman, Vinayaka, Murugan and Chandikeswarar are taken out on decorated vahanas and chariots. Published festival schedules describe the Pancha Murtis (five deities) going out on silver vimanams on the first day of the Karthigai Brahmotsavam. See the festival calendar for the main processions through the year.