Periya (Big) Nandi at Arunachaleswarar Temple
Periya (Big) Nandi at Arunachaleswarar Temple- Tiruvannamalai
Periya (Big) Nandi statue at Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai -Tamilnadu is located in the Fifth Prakaram facing the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram and just outside the One Thousand Pillared Mandapam.Lord Shiva manifested as this infinite column of fire symbolising his supreme impersonal nature, the earthly form of which is now known as Arunachala Hill.
Here in this temple Nandi is not facing the Linga directly but slightly turned to one side,Since the ancient hill is worshipped as Shiva, the Nandi’s gaze is on the hill and hence his head is slightly turned away from the Linga.
History of Periya Nandi
A Mughal king who came to Tiruvannamalai during the Mughal period wanted to destroy the temple. Then five Shiva devotees worshiped a bullock near the temple and carried it on a palanquin.The Mughal king asked, “Why do you worship the bulls that we kill and eat on your heads?” Those five devotees told this bull is the vehicle of Lord Shiva. It is a great privilege for us to carry him.”
To which the king said, “Oh Lord Shiva, if this Annamalaiyar is really powerful, I will cut this cow in two. Come and put it together and give it life.” Immediately, the five panicked appealed to Annamalaiyar.
Annamalaiyar Asaririyai, a devotee of my soul is chanting “Namashivaya” . Find him and bring him here.” Immediately, the five who went to the north in search of the spiritual devotee heard the sound of the mantra “Namasivaya” and when they went there, they saw a 15-year-old boy. When the five taunted them as “Ichiru Balagana Devotee”, a tiger from the nearby forest tried to attack the five.
Achirupalagan saved them by chanting Namashivaya mantra and defeating the tiger. The five told what had happened and took Achirubalagan.
Arriving at the Annamalaiyar temple with five people, Balakan saw the king and said that he would join the two pieces of the cow and give him life.Immediately Annamalaiyar went to Mulasthanam and recited the mantra “Namashivaya” and tied the cow back to life. The Mughal king refused to believe it saying “You are doing something wrong”.
He said, “Okay, I’m giving you another chance, if you win, I won’t do anything to this temple, if I win, I’ll demolish it.” Even so, Achirubalagan, who did not give up, agreed to the competition with his faith in Annamalaiyar.
The king now offered a plate full of meat to Annamalai, and if he had the power, let him turn the meat into a flower. As per his orders, the soldiers tried to prepare the meat.When the meat was placed near Annamalaiyar, the meat turned into flowers. The plate was overflowing with many kinds of flowers. On seeing this, the five and Balakan were delighted, chanting “Om Namasivaya”, “Arokara to Annamalai”.
The king who did not believe this also announced a final match. Looking at the great Nandi in the Annamalaiyar temple, he said , “If you give life to this lifeless statue of Nandi , change the leg and make it sit, I will bow down to your Annamalaiyar and hand over the looted jewels and the attempt to destroy this temple to Annamalaiyar.”
The young boy and the others immediately recited the Namashivaya mantra and prayed to Annamalaiyar to revive the Great Nandi.
Annamalaiyar, the merciful one, immediately gave life to Nandi and ordered him to fold his right leg and sit with his left leg forward .From that day only the great Nandi of Annamalaiyar Temple has been worshiping Annamalaiyar with his right leg folded and his left leg in front.
The king also bowed down to Annamalaiyar and left everything. It was Balagan who came there that day who is known today as Virekiya Munivar.
Because the village Seenanthal, where he lived, is north of the Annamalaiyar temple, Periya Nandi’s face is slightly turned towards the north. A temple has been erected here in honor of Sage Veerekya and a Mutt is also functioning.
