Tiruvannamalai Other Important Places

Arnai

     Arani is located in the Thiruvannamalai district. It is one of the most important Silk centers of Tamil Nadu.  The town is situated at a distance of 132 km to the West of Chennai.  Spread over an area of 11.62 sq. km. It is the second largest town in the district of Thiruvannamalai.  The Nearest Railway Station is at Katpadi about 45 km away from Arani.  Padaiveedu is one of the most important ‘Sakthi Sthalas’ in Thondainadu (a part of Tamil Nadu). Goddess Renugambal is self-manifested in this place, indicating “Sakthiis everything in this world” an offering her blessings along with Brahma, Vishnu and Lord Siva. In this place a number of sages performed penance and attained salvation.  The existence of Banalingam and Banakarshna Chakra consecrated by Adi Sankarar is the specialty of this place.  This is the place where Saint Jamathakni did penance and attained Mukthi (salvation). Here as blessed by Lord Siva, MotherRenugambal kept her Sirasu(head) for performing pooja by devoteesand to offer them her blessings.  She took her body to Swarka Loga (Heaven) along with Saint Jamathakni Nestled among the hills between Arani and Vellore is a village called Padaiveedu.  This beautiful pastoral village was once the capital of Sambuvarayar Dynasty and was also a grand commercial centre. Encircled by mountains and hills, this place consists of 17 villages.

Sathanur Dam

     Sathanur Dam is one of the important dams Constructed across Pennaiyar River. Sathnur Dam was constructed during the year 1958. A well laid out garden and well lit fountain enchant the visitors.  Sathanur Dam is the one of the important shooting sport in Cinema Industry. All the films in midst of 1960-1980 was shoot here.  A Swimming pool, a crocodile park and mini zoo is maintained inside the park area to enjoy the tourist during the visit to dam. It has a capacity of 7321 million cubic feet (Full level 119 feet).  An area of 7183 hec. of land is benefited by the left bank canal and 905 hec. of land is benefited by the right bank canal in Thandrampet and Thiruvannamalai Blocks.  This is one of the best picnic places in our District. The Beautiful Garden with colorful statues is also available in it. 

Vandavasi

Vandavasi or Wandiwash is a city and a municipality in Tiruvannamalai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.  It is located west of Madras in Tiruvannamalai district.  Vandavasi was the scene of a decisive battle in the eighteenth-century war between France and the United Kingdom for the control of South Asia. The Battle of Wandiwash was a watershed in Indian history as it cemented British supremacy in South Asia. On January 22, 1760, a British force led by Eyre Coote defeated a French force led by General Lally. 

Tirumalai

     Tirumalai, located 24 km south-west of Arani and 11 km north-west of Polur has a hillock featuring 3 Jain caves, 3 structural temples and a monolithic image of Neminatha.  This image of Nemintha, 16 meters in height is the tallest Jaina image in Tamilnadu and is said to have been carved in the 12th century A.D.
A huge cavern at the lower level seems to have been built around the 9th century A.D. This was converted into 30 shrine chambers in the 10th Century A.D. to accommodate stucco figures of Tirthankaras and a yakshi. More structural additions were made in later centuries.  The Kunthavai Jinalaya is said to have been built by the elder sister of Rajaraja Chola-I in the 10th century A.D. Six centuries later, another temple for mahaveera was built to the west of the Kunthavai Jinalaya. Some paintings seem to have been added to the structure between the 15th-17th centuries.

Kodaikanal || Ooty || Yercaud || Pondicherry || Salem || Virudhunagar || Vellore || Cuddalore || Chidambaram || Nagapattinam || Tiruvarur || Pudukkottai || Erode || Nilgiris || Sivagangai || Thoothukudi || Tirupur ||