Ashta Lingams—the Eight Shiva Lingams—are the guardians of Arunachala. Positioned strategically around the holy hill in cardinal and inter-cardinal directions, these Lingams are not just symbols; they are living energies that balance cosmic forces and bless seekers with different aspects of life.
Each Lingam is associated with a direction, a planetary influence (Navagraha), and a life benefit—from health and wealth to moksha (liberation). Performing Girivalam, or circumambulation around Arunachala, while visiting all eight Lingams is considered spiritually transformative.
Eesanya Lingam
Significance: Grants prosperity, success, and leadership The most sacred of all, the Eesanya Lingam...
Kubera Lingam
Significance: Grants wealth, intelligence, and grace The Kubera Lingam resides in the north, the...
Vayu Lingam
Significance: Calms the mind and balances emotions The Vayu Lingam, like the wind it represents...
Varuna Lingam
Significance: Balances karma and brings discipline The Varuna Lingam is located to the west...
Niruthi Lingam
Significance: Destroys confusion, enhances mental clarity The Niruthi Lingam in the southwest is...
Yama Lingam
Significance: Conquers fear, death, and karmic bondage Facing the south stands the Yama Lingam, the...
Agni Lingam
Significance: Purifies karma and burns desires The Agni Lingam stands ablaze in the southeast...
Indra Lingam
Significance: Grants prosperity, success, and leadership At the eastern gate of sacred Arunachala...
The website arunachalashiva.in offers a spiritual and pilgrimage-oriented portal focused on the sacred hill of Arunachala, located in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Arunachala is one of the five elemental (Pancha Bhoota) forms of Lord Shiva, representing Fire (Agni). The site’s content emphasizes:
Ashta Lingams: Detailed descriptions of the eight (Ashta) lingams surrounding Arunachala, each associated with a specific direction and spiritual benefit. For example, the Agni Lingam in the southeast represents the sacred fire and symbolizes burning away impurities, while the Indra Lingam at the eastern gate symbolizes power and blessings
Spiritual Pilgrimage: Information for pilgrims who wish to undertake the sacred practice of Girivalam or circumambulation (pradakshina) of the hill, a practice considered highly auspicious and spiritually rewarding.
Divine Lore & Stories: The website shares divine stories, cultural significance, and paths for spiritual seekers wanting to connect with the profound energy of Arunachala and the teachings associated with it.
Arunachala is also renowned as the site where Shiva is considered to have manifested as a column of light, symbolizing the supreme consciousness that destroys ignorance and reveals the effulgence of the soul. The hill itself is revered as Shiva’s very form—“Aruna” meaning dawn/light and “Achala” meaning unmoving or still. The peak pilgrimage occurs during the full moon and the Tamil month of Kārttikai (November–December), when the Kārttikai Deepam lamp is lit atop the hill, representing the eternal flame of spiritual knowledge.
Overall, arunachalashiva.in provides resources, guides, stories, and imagery that assist devotees and interested visitors in understanding the spiritual prominence and pilgrimage practices around Arunachala, making it a valuable portal for anyone seeking to engage with this sacred Shaiva site
The Ashta Lingams at Arunachala are eight sacred Shiva lingams positioned at the eight cardinal and intercardinal directions around the Arunachala hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Their arrangement and symbolism carry profound spiritual, energetic, and cosmological significance.
Key Significance:
- Cosmic Mandala & Sacred Geometry: The lingams form a geometric, energetic mandala. Each lingam aligns with a specific direction and is associated with one of the Ashta-Dikpalas—guardian deities of the eight directions in Hindu tradition. Their placement is believed to harmonize universal energies and create powerful fields of spiritual potency.
- Spiritual Benefits: Visiting each lingam during the practice of Girivalam (14 km circumambulation of the hill) is considered to bestow holistic blessings—protection, prosperity, health, wisdom, and spiritual growth. Worship at each site is meant to help devotees align with the elemental and cosmic forces represented by the deities governing each direction.
- Directional Deities and Blessings:
| Direction | Lingam Name | Associated Deity | Primary Blessings |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | Indra Lingam | Indra | Prosperity, success, leadership |
| Southeast | Agni Lingam | Agni (Fire) | Purification, spiritual illumination |
| South | Yama Lingam | Yama | Longevity, protection from untimely death |
| Southwest | Niruthi Lingam | Niruthi | Removal of obstacles, growth |
| West | Varuna Lingam | Varuna (Water) | Health, well-being, compassion |
| Northwest | Vayu Lingam | Vayu (Wind) | Vitality, protection from disease |
| North | Kubera Lingam | Kubera | Wealth, material abundance |
| Northeast | Eesanya Lingam | Ishana/Eesanya | Spiritual wisdom, peace, enlightenment |
- Holistic Pilgrimage: Circumambulation with worship at each lingam sanctifies the devotee’s spiritual journey, symbolically integrating cosmic energies and purifying the mind, body, and soul.
- Energetic Renewal: The Ashta Lingam shrines have been historically restored to revitalize their energetic significance, with devotees reporting enhanced spiritual experience and transformation.
- In summary: The Ashta Lingams function as cosmic portals and spiritual milestones, guiding seekers through the full spectrum of divine energies—from material well-being to ultimate enlightenment—while reinforcing the sacred geometry and energetic heart of Arunachala Shiva.