Arani

The historically famous town of Arani (Tamil: ஆரணி, which is written as Arnee, Arani, or Arni) is on the banks of the Kamandala Naaga river in the Tiruvanamalai district of Tamil Nadu. It is around 38 kilometers from Vellore and 60 kilometers from Thiruvannamalai.

The city is well connected through various well-formed roads. State highways SH-4 (Arcot - Arni - Gingee - Villupuram Road), and SH-132 (Kannamangalam - Arni Road) are the major roads connecting Arani. The silk textiles produced in this town are well known and famous as ‘Arani Silk’.

Why the place is called Arani

There are three variations given for the town being called Arani. Aar means Athi [fig] tree in Tamil. Since there were many such trees in the area this place got the name Arani. Secondly, it got its name from the Sanskrit word Aranyam [means forest]. [Interestingly the nearby place Arcot also derived the name from [Aar] Athi tree and kadu [forest]]. Thirdly since the river Kamandala Naga River [river is Aru [ஆறு] in Tamil] flows through the place, it was called ARaNi [ஆறு + அணி] in due course it became AraNi [ஆரணி]. The river Kamandala originates from Javathu Hills and the Naga River originates from Amarthi Hills near Kannamangalam both these rivers amalgamate in Samburayarnallur near Arani and flow through Arani.

History

After defeating the Pallavas, Arni was ruled by the Cholas. Some of the important Chola kings who ruled Arani were Kulothunga Cholan I, Vikrama Cholan, and Kulothunga Cholan II. During 1361 the war that ensued near Padavedu, Sambuvarayan fort, many evacuated from there and resettled in Arani. In 1638, the place was gifted to Vedaji Bhaskara Pant as Jaagir by Shahjee [father of Sivaji] for the services provided to him. Under the treaty of 1761 between the English and Tipu Sultan, this area was transferred to Karnataka Nawab. More or less the area was under Arani Jagirdar till Indian Independence.

Present Arani

Arani Jagir had gone, so the fort of old days. But there is some mark that reminds you about the place where the fort once stood. As you get down at the bus stop very near that you will see a big ground and there is a war memorial in the center. The fort area encompasses the present Municipal office, the government boys/girls schools, the SS higher sec school, the deputy collector’s office, the police station, and some other government offices. Earlier the fort was surrounded by a huge moat. Today the moth is not there, but in some parts, you may able to see the old fort wall in bits and pieces. The road that leads to “Surya Kulam” [Surya tank] and “Chandra Kulam” [Chandra tank] from the fort area is where the original gate to the fort was there.

Temples of Arani

There are a few ancient temples in Arani. Sri Kailasanather temple in the fort area, Sri Vedagiriswarar in the Pallayam area, Sri Puthra Kamateeswara Thirukoil in the banks of Kamandala Naga river, Sri Arunaachaleswar temple in Arunagiri Nagar, Sri Vembuli Amman temple, Sri Kothanda Rama temple and Sri Anjaneya temple in Subramania Sasthriar Road, to mention few.

Sri Sri Durga Prasad Swamiji

Sri Sri Durga Prasad Swamiji is a saintly person and follower of the dwaitha philosophy of Swami Sri Ramnanda of Varanasi [Followers of this philosophy are known as the Ramanandi sect also called RAMAVAT sect]. He was on a pilgrimage to the south and in the course of his travel had come to Arani during the mid-19th century. He was attracted by the sanctity of the place and the river; he started his penance on the bank of Surya Kulam [Tank name after the Sun God]. As a devotee of Sri Rama, he dreamt of building a temple for Sri Rama in this place. His devotion and penance meditating upon Sri Rama spread to the others in town. Soon he had many followers and with their help, he built a small temple for Lord Sri Kothandarama.

Sri Kothandaramar temple

Today the temple for Sri Kothandarama is in Sri Subramania Sasthriar Road, [a great freedom fighter from Arani] more popularly known as Devikapuram road. Today this temple has been improved by Swamiji’s followers and other public. The main deity of the temple is Sri Kothandarama along with his parivara.

Sri Sri Dura Prasad Swamiji had taken to Samadhi and Swamiji’s Brindavanam is on the back side of the temple. Sri Anjaneya had been installed in the Brindavan just opposite the Samadhi. There are regular visitors to this Brindavan, who lit oil lamps in the Sri Anjaneya sannidhi and prayed to Swamiji.

Swamiji’s daily routine

Swamiji used to take his bath in the ‘Surya Kulam’ [சூர்ய குளம்] and first offer his prayers to Sri Hanuman in the bank of the tank. Take permission from Him to go to Sri Rama temple for his day’s pooja. It was the daily practice of Swamiji to worship Sri Anjaneya on the banks of Surya tank first then proceed to Sri Rama pooja at Sri Kothandaramar temple.

Temple for Sri Veera Anajaneya

The place where Sri Hanuman was installed on the banks of the Surya tank was just a few yards away from Sri Kothanda Ramar Temple and on the same Subramania Sasthriar Road. The followers of Swamiji started improving the temple of Sri Kothanda Ramar. With every improvement made in building Sri Kothanda Ramar temple, the shelter of Sri Hanuman also saw improvement. A temple had been constructed for Sri Hanuman on the banks of the Surya tank. The temple is simple with garbhagraham and a hall in front of it. The temple has a big courtyard in front of the temple building and an arch flanked by Sri Garuda and Sri Anjaneya welcomes the devotees to the temple. On Saturdays, a large number of devotees visit this temple.

Sri Veera Anjaneya

Sri Veera Anjaneya of this temple is standing posture with His right hand gesturing ‘Abya Mudra’ and Lord's left hand resting on the left thigh. His tail is raised over His head. Lord is seen adorning ornaments on lotus feet, hips, hands, chest, and neck. His mesmerising eyes make the devotee forget the world and think only of the Lord.

 

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SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE

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Ed [November 2011]
Updates: [Jan 2025]

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