First Prakaram

The first prakaram encloses the Sanctum Sanctorum, Ardha Mandapam and the Maha Mandapam.

Central Shrine

The Central shrine is enclosed by a high wall right round. The eastern third is an extension built later than the western two-thirds of the wall. There are many inscriptions on the wall. The western two-thirds of the wall may have been built in the later half of the 9th century by Aditya I or early in the 10th century by Parantaka I. The eastern extension was perhaps built by Uttama Chola. The second door one passes through on the way to the interior, is referred to as the Uttama Chola door. The first door and the Gopura on top of it is referred to as Vena Odeyan's door and Gopura.

On the left of the second door, there is a panel containing figures representing King Uttama Chola and his Queen. On the door frame, is a figure of the Thambiran, a contemporary of Uttama Chola. This and the second door is believed to have been built in the second half of the 10th century A.D. The first door and the small Gopura on top may have been added by Vena Odeyan in 1230 A.D.

On entering the quadrangle, which is covered by a stone roofing there is a Bali Peeta and a Nandi. This fourth Nandi is known as Ratha Vilaku Nandi and is smaller than the previous three.

Ratha Vilaku Nandi

In front of the fourth Nandi (Ratha Vilaku Nandi), on a raised platform, are the Maha Mandapam and the central shrine. The platform is wide enough around the shrine for circumambulation. Along the walls of the enclosure there is a raised verandah all round. The roof is supported by colonnades of stone pillars in two rows. The pathway between these two raised portions is also for circumambulating the central shrine.

Maha Mandapam

This is also known as the Eastern Great Hall. In front of the central shrine and over the steps is a platform. The central shrine itself consists of a large and a small room. The large room, which is the eastern portion, is called the Maha Mandapam. It has two doors, one on the east, the other in the west. The western door opens into a passage running from north to south, which separates this room from the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Surya is installed in the north-eastern direction facing Arunachala. It is thought that the reason that Lord Surya is positioned so close to the Central Shrine at Arunachaleswarar Temple is because during Karthigai Deepam, Surya as representative of the Sun and Light, has a particular connection with the mythology of the Festival. To find out more about the connection with Surya to Arunachala go to this link here.

In the centre of this mandapam is the Pradosha Nandi, the first Nandi of the Temple - as is so with the other four Nandis, abhishekam is performed to Pradosha Nandi during bi-monthly Pradoshams. On the base of the Garbhagriha are found epigraphs of Vijayalaya and Parantaka I; but the base of the Mahamantap is completely hidden by the platform which is believed to have been built quite recently by the Chettiars. The thick lime-wash in many places has obliterated inscriptions. In this hall there are some inscriptions on the walls. In the passage, between this hall and the Garbhagriha on the western wall of the Mahamantap - on the left is the figure of a man with a beard and on the right there is a figure of a clean-shaven man.

The first prakaram goes all around the inner shrine. On the outside wall of the inner shrine there are the following murtis: Ganapati and Dakshinamurti to the south, Lingodbhavamurti in the west with Brahma and Durga in the north. To read about the Lingodbhavamurti abhishekam performed during Mahasivaratri, go to this link here.

After Goddess Durga, there is a small shrine dedicated to Chandikeswara. The statue dates from the mid 19th Century. There are two Dwarapalakas (Celestial Gate Keepers) guarding entrance to the Central Shrine - they have matted hear, wear crowns and carry dandham sticks as weapons.

The main shrine, made up of a cella and a vestibule, bears tenth-century inscriptions on its base, but above there has been extensive remodelling. The Sanctum Sanctorum or Garbhagriha has only one door to the east, opposite the door of the Mahamantap. These two structures are estimated to be over 1350 years old. On entering the Garbhagriha one finds it has two divisions, the eastern portion is for accommodating devotees to perform Puja through the agency of Gurukals while the western hall contains the Lingam representing 'Aroopa Nishkala Arunachala.' This ancient Lingam has been worshipped by devotees for over 2000 years.

Garbagriha

In the ante chamber of the Lord, there is to the left Vallabha Ganapathy and next a small silver canopy covering the Chakra of Annamalaiyar - a representation of Mount Meru made out of the five precious metals (panchalohas) with an imprint of Lord Siva's footprints on top. It is this Chakra that is taken to the retiring Chamber at night to meet with Goddess Ambal Iccha Shakti who arrives from the Inner Shrine of Unnamulai Amman where she is permanently housed during the daytime.

The Shrine of Arunachala marks the centre of the Temple. It is square and access is from the east. At the centre the Annamalaiyar Lingam is enthroned on a circular platform (Aavudayaar). The bottom portion of the Linga where it meets the Aavudayaar is encircled by a gold band.

There is a small aberration on the Lingam, which has an origin connected to its original discovery. This aberration is in the form of a slight depression believed to be due from contact with a utensil such as a pick-axe when the Lingam was originally unearthed. As a result of centuries of abhishekams performed on the Linga, the Linga appears different in this spot than elsewhere.

Renovation and Gilding of the Temple

Renovation work was done in the Garbagriha by Aditya Chola III in 750 A.D. and Parandkaka Chola I in the 10th Century A.D. In 1216 during the reign of a Banachief named Ponparapinan Magadesan (also known as Vanakovaraiyan), the central Shrine of the Arunachaleswarar Temple was gilded. The chieftain also gave three villages to the Temple, and donated 96 cows and 3 bulls for the purpose of burning three perpetual lamps (Nanda Villakku) to the Lord.