Girivalam
The Holy Mountain of Arunachala in Thiruvanamalai at Tamil nadu rises up with an elevation of 2669 feet (800 m). The Road encircling the mountain where devotees circumbulate is 8 1/2 miles which is 14 kms long. On Full Moon days and festival days (like Karthigai, first day of the Tamil month, Tamil New Year day) hundreds of thousands of devotees circumbulate
(GIRIVALAM) the mountain and get the blessings of the Lord Arunachala.
There are Eight Lingas,Eight Nandis more than 350 tanks and many mandapas around the hill.
The Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Kirthayugam, was Manikkam (Emerald) during Threthayugam, was Pon (Gold) during Dwaparayugam and rock during Kaliyugam. There are eight lingams located at the eight directions and provides an octagonal structure to Tiruvannamalai Town.
The Eight Lingums are
Lingam Direction Moon signs
1. Indira Lingum (East) (Taurus, Libra)
2. Agni Lingum (South East) (Leo)
3. Ema Lingum (South) (Scorpio)
4. Niruthi Lingum (South West) (Aries)
5. Varuna Lingum (West) (Capricorn, Aquarius)
6. Vaaiu Lingum (North West) (Cancer)
7. Kubera Lingum(North) (Sagittarius, Pisces)
8. Esanya Lingum (North East) (Gemini, Virgo)
Giri Pradakshina/Giri Valam
Arunachala is known as Giri Pradakshina
pradakshina is done in bare feet, with the Hill on the right.The letter,
"Pra" stands for removal of all kinds of sins;
"da" stands for fulfilling the desires;
"kshi" stands for freedom from future births;
"na" stands for giving deliverance through jnana.
If by way of Pradakshina you walk
one step it gives happiness in this world, two steps, it gives happiness in heaven,
three steps, it gives bliss of Satyaloka which can be attained.
One should go round either in mouna (silence) or dhyana (meditation) or japa (repetition of Lord's name) or sankeertana (bhajan).
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