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The Arunachaleswara Temple seen from Arunachala Mountain.
Towers from left to right: Ammani Amman Gopuram (north), Raja Gopuram (east),
Killi Gopuram (center), Pay Gopuram (west) and Tirumanjana Gopuram (south)

The Arunachaleswara Temple covers 10 hectares and is one of the largest in India. It dates back to the 11th century, but much of the buildings are built from the 17th to 18th centuries. The temple has four large Gopurams, wih the main gate, Raja Gopuram facing south.

This huge Shiva Temple is one of the 5 element temples or Panch Bhoota Sthalams*(see below) in South India - The Arunachaleswara Shiva Linga is representing the element, fire.

Fire always burning in front of Raja Gopuram

* The Five elemental Shiva Linga Temples in South India

In Hindu faith it is beleived that the five essential elements, air, water, fire, earth and ether, created man and the universe. Shiva, one of the three main Gods in the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, is represented as the embodiment of these five elements in five different places in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
The Pancha Bhoota Sthalams are:
Sri Kalahasti in Andhra Pradesh, in the Kalahasteeswara Temple Lord Shiva is represented as air
Tiruvanaikka, Tamil Nadu, in the Jambukeswarar Temple, the Lord takes form as water and the Linga here is immersed in water.
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, in the Arunachaleswara Temple, Shiva represents fire.
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, in the Ekambareswara Temple, the Linga is made of earth.
Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, in the Chidambara Nataraja Temple Shiva represents ether, the most sacred of the five elements.

Skanda Maha Purana says:
"A devoote, who circunambulate the Hill on a:
Sunday, penetrates the region of the Sun and attains liberation.
Monday, lives free from the afflictions of the old age and death.
Tuesday, is released from all debts and becomes an emperor.
Wednesday, becomes omniscient and wise.
Thursday, is worshipped by all the devas and attains fame as a Guru.
Friday, will be brought prosperity and will be taken to the abode of Vishnu.
Saturday, will obtain worldly succes and will be rid of the ill-effects from the planets in his horoscope."

"If those who suffer from physical and mental ailments, as well as those who are weak and emaciated, circunambulate Me, their ilments are cured."

"Aruna Sadashiva"

While watching this webside, listen to the wonderful recitation of the Mantra "Aruna Sadashiva"
on the official website of Ramana Maharshi: http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org

The northern temple wall with Arunachala Mountain in the background

A Shiva temple for sure, with all the Nandi Bulls on the wall - Raj Gopuram is also seen

The Raja Gopuram

The southern gate, Raja Gopuram - the main gate

Verdors and beggars outside Raja Gopuram

Raja Gopuram, the south tower entrance

The impressing stucco on the main tower, the Raja Gopuram

Inside the temple compound

Temple compound seen from the southern gate, Raja Gopuram
The Kambattu Elayanar Murugan Temple is seen to the left

Kambattu Elayanar Murugan Temple

Entrance to the Murugan Temple

The Sanctum Sanctorum of the Muruga Temple

Sarva Siddhi Vinayaka Temple

Big Nandi

The Arunaleswara Shiva Temple

The main Arunachaleswara Shiva Temple seen from the Mantapam
in front of Killi Gopuram, situated in the center of the temple compound

Entrance to the Arunachaleswara Temple

The flagpole at the entrance

The temple top over the Arunaleswara Lingam,
with Arunchala in the background

The Arunaleswara Temple top

A serene and wonderful wiev from the main temple

Three shrines in the main temple

Backside of the main temple

Other shrines in the temple area

Keeping the procession idols in a safe place

A walk in the temple premises with the temple elephant

The tempel elephant is coming from a procession in the street, Raja Gopuram is in the background.
To the right the Kambattu Elayanar Murugan Temple

The coin blessing from the temple elephant

The elephant even walks on stairs

The huge blessing is scaring the small children a little bit

Walking along the Brahma Teertham

Inside the Mantapam

And back to the elephant stable at the west wall to rest

The Brahma Teertham

The Brahma Teertham
There are two Teerthams or temple tanks for rituals and ritual bathing in Arunaleswara Temple.
The other Teertham is called Shiva Ganga Teertham.