1. Annamalaiyar

A remarkable one day Chennai to Tiruvannamalai trip starts with the visit to one of the most striking temples of the state, the Annamalaiyar Temple. Set majestically in the middle of the town, the sacred complex enshrines Lord Annamalaiyar, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. He is represented as a holy Shiva Lingam called as Agni Lingam. His consort Parvati is worshipped as Unnamalai Amman. Behind the walls of the sanctum is the image of Venugopalaswamy a manifestation of Lord Vishnu.

Devotees can also worship Durga, Gajalakshmi, Arumugaswami, Dakshinamurthy, Swarna Bhairavar and Nataraja within the sacred complex. Pathala Lingam or the underground lingam is the place where Maharishi Ramana did his penance. The main draw for the visitors is the Rajagopuram soaring to a height of 217 feet which is built on the eastern entrance. Rest of the three gorgeous gopurams are the Thirumanjana Gopuram that sits on the southern entrance, Ammanaimmal Gopuram constructed on the northern entrance and Pei Gopuram which stands on the western entrance.

Spread over an area of 23 acres of land this picturesque landmark has wonderful prakarams with a huge Nandi present in each prakaram. This 9th century architectural masterpiece is located at the foothills of Annamalai hill which is considered to be one of the oldest hills on earth. Devotees take a holy walk around the pathway surrounding the hill that stretches over 14 km and is often referred to as Girivalam. Sprawling temple complex includes holy tanks and striking mandapams. Key attractions are Kalyana Mandapam or marriage hall, Deepa Darshan Mandapam or Light Hall, Vasantha Mandapam or the Spring Hall and Katchi Mandapam or the sixteen pillared hall. Thousand pillared hall built during the Vijayanagara period is the most prominent one which is known for its wonderful pillars decorated with the intricately designed carvings of horses, riders and Yali, the demon with half the body of a lion and the head of an elephant.

According to legends Goddess Parvati had once held her hand over Lord Shiva’s eyes that spread darkness in the whole universe. She did penance along with other gods and goddess to resolve the issue. Lord Shiva then took the form of Agni at this sacred place and thus returning light to the whole universe. Lord Shiva appeared as Ardhanareeswarar half male and half female form at this sacred place.

Must see \ Things to do:Ardhanariswara shrine

2. Ramana Maharshi Ashram

One day Chennai to Tiruvannamalai trip takes you to one of the most prominent landmark of the ancient town, the celebrated Ramana Maharshi Ashram. Get soaked in the peaceful and positive ambiance of the spiritual centre established by the great sage and spiritual instructor Ramana Maharshi in 1923. Born as Venkataraman Iyer in a small village called Tiruchuli, he moved to his uncle’s house in Madurai after his father’s death.

He came to Tiruvannamalai and visited the Arunachala hill which brought a significant turn in his life. Impressed with the positive vibrations and the overwhelming energy flowing at this place he continued to stay here along with his mother. He attained the knowledge of self enquiry and preached his disciples that self-realization can be attained with rigorous self-enquiry. An advaita Vedanta philosopher who was more popular as Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi died in 1950. The famous ashram works as a spiritual centre even after his death spreading his teachings for the well being of the community.

Ashram has a new hall that has an inspiring monolithic stone statue of the great saint. A wonderful lotus made of marble with a Shiva Linga adds to the charm of the hall where several devotees do meditation. It houses several old trees including a 450 years old tree and a striking Mathrubhuteswara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Chakra Meru. Built with the strenuous efforts of architect Vaidyanatha Sthapati it also has the images of Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Lakshmi and Vishnu.

Must see \ Things to do:gaze at the personal belongings of Ramana Maharshi

3. Pachaiamman Temple

Visit the ancient Pachaiamman Temple, the next stopover of one day Chennai to Tiruvannamalai trip and gaze at the holy image of Pachaiamman a manifestation of Goddess Parvati. According to legends, Goddess Parvati had once closed the eyes of Lord Shiva which led to complete darkness of the universe. She then moved to earth and had visited several places, one among them being Kanchipuram where she did penance under a mango tree. She then moved from Kanchipuram to Tiruvannamalai and on her way she visited the village of Vazhapandal along with 7 rishis and 7 virgins.

This famous house of worship has the idols of 14 warriors and the statues of an elephant, a dog and five horses, the form of Lord Muneshwara vehicles called vahanas. Great sage Ramana Maharshi had spent six months in the temple to escape from the plight of plague that had affected the town of Tiruvannamalai. Though the ancient sacred place of worship is believed to be more than 1000 years old however the present structure of temple is 120 years old.

Must see \ Things to do:Take in the serenity of the sacred place

4. Skandashram and Virupaksha Caves

One day Chennai to Tiruvannamalai trip takes you to Skandashram and Virupaksha caves. Virupaksha Deva was one among the several prominent saints who had chosen Arunachala hill as their abode. This great saint had spent most of his life in the Virupaksha caves which is shaped in the form of the Hindu symbol Om. His body had turned into ashes which are well preserved and worshipped here.

Renowned sage Maharishi Ramana had spent around 17 years of his life in Virupaksha caves. Alagammal the mother of the great spiritual leader came to Tiruvannamalai to stay with her son in 1916. On the arrival of his mother Ramana moved to Skandashram caves that lies 200 km below the Virupaksha caves. Alagammal indulged herself into spiritual teachings and started cooking for a small group of devotees. She finally died in the year 1922.

Must see \ Things to do: Enjoy the splendid views of the Arunachaleswara Temple below

5. Adi Arunachaleswara Temple

Move to another must see religious spot with our one day Chennai to Tiruvannamalai trip, the Adi Arunachaleswarar Temple. The word Adi means old or ancient thus specifying that the sacred shrine is an ancient temple dating around 1200 years back.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva the temple has a beautiful rajagopuram at the entrance adorned with wonderful carvings depicting old deities. A glorious temple has several small images of god and goddesses including Lord Dakshinamurthy.

Must see \ Things to do:Pay your obeisance to Lord Shiva

6. Seshadri Ashram

Stop at the spiritual centre, the Sri Seshadri Swamigal Ashram, a religious landmark. More popular as the Saint with a golden hand, the sage was born in Kanchipuram to a couple Varadarajan and Margathammal in 1870. He gained the knowledge of Holy Scriptures and Vedas and worshipped Shakti. In 1889 he proceeded to Tiruvannamalai where he spent rest 40 years of his life.

Gain an enriching and intriguing experience visiting the ashram located near the Ramana Maharshi Ashram. A religious reformer, Seshadri swamigal used to worship Goddess Shakti. He was a great friend of Ramana Maharshi and had supported him a lot when he was performing penance.

Must see \ Things to do:Samadhi of Sri Seshadri Swamigal