Thiruvannamalai, the Mountain of Fire, is revered as a living embodiment of Shiva’s light and consciousness. This article explores its mythological and spiritual significance and shares Dr. Pillai’s teachings on a sacred mantra meditation to still the mind through the divine presence of Arunachala.

“All that you need to do is just to come and sit in front of the Mountain. No time is needed to know, or to solve any problem. The Mountain will solve the problem.” — Dr. Pillai

The Sacred Mountain of Shiva

Thiruvannamalai, a revered town in southern India, stands as one of the holiest Shiva centers in the world. At its heart rises the red-hued Arunachala Hill, worshipped as Lord Shiva himself in the form of fire — Agni, one of the five primordial elements of creation. This sacred site is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas, representing the element of Fire (Agni), while the other temples across India represent Earth, Water, Air, and Space.

The presiding deity, Arunachaleswara (also called Annamalaiyar), is enshrined at the base of the mountain along with Apeetha Kuchambigai, also known as Unnamulai Amman. Together they embody the cosmic union of Shiva and Shakti — consciousness and energy.

The Mythic Origin: The Column of Fire

According to the ancient legend, a moment of divine play between Shiva and Parvati resulted in the universe being plunged into darkness when the Goddess covered Shiva’s eyes. To restore balance, Parvati descended to Earth and performed intense penance to atone for her act. In response, Shiva appeared as an infinite column of fire — a form that defied comprehension by gods or humans.

That column of fire is said to have manifested as the Arunachala Hill, which continues to radiate Shiva’s fiery essence. Thus, the mountain itself is not a mere geological form — it is the living embodiment of the Fire of Consciousness, the inner light that burns ignorance and illusion.

Dr. Pillai reveals the deeper esoteric meaning of this manifestation:

“This Mountain is the Mountain of Fire, of Light, and Siva assumed this Light Form… It is to burn the flesh that covers the human body. The flesh is the problem because it is the source of everything. The body gives fleeting pleasures, but it hides the vision of your True Self. Siva assumed the form of this Mountain in order to burn the flesh of the body.” — Dr. Pillai

In this teaching, Arunachala is not simply a place of worship but a living initiation, an alchemical fire that purifies one’s lower nature and awakens the light of the Soul.

The Revelation of Jnana Sambandar

Dr. Pillai recounts the vision of the saint Jnana Sambandar, who recognized the divine radiance of the mountain from afar and refused to step upon its soil, feeling unworthy to touch such sanctity. In his inspired verses, Sambandar described Arunachala as “the Mountain of Fire and Light”, where Shiva’s form exists to consume human limitations and reveal the immortal light within.

This mirrors the inner sacrament of transformation that Dr. Pillai alludes to — akin to the breaking of the bread in Christian mysticism, symbolizing the dissolution of the flesh and the release of divine consciousness.

The Eternal Girivalam: Circling the Mountain of Wisdom

The practice of Girivalam, or circumambulation of Arunachala, is an act of direct communion with Shiva. Pilgrims walk the 14-kilometer path around the mountain — a journey believed to dissolve karma, awaken divine intelligence, and bestow liberation.

Dr. Pillai explains that the mountain itself transmits higher intelligence:

“The Mountain gives you wisdom of the Psychic Brain — the brain that gives you instantaneous knowledge and solutions for problems. That’s why there is this tradition to just come and go around the Mountain. And not only human beings, but even beings from different galaxies — Gods, Goddesses, and Siddhas — eternally engage in going around the Mountain.” — Dr. Pillai

The Girivalam thus becomes an act not just of devotion, but of cosmic participation — a sacred movement through which one aligns with divine intelligence across worlds and galaxies.

The Abode of Saints and Siddhas

For millennia, Thiruvannamalai has drawn enlightened beings, mystics, and siddhas who experienced its profound spiritual charge. From Ramana Maharishi and Seshadri Swamigal to Yogi Ram Surat Kumar, countless masters recognized Arunachala as a living teacher — the silent guru that reveals the Self without words.

Even today, it is said that siddhas reside in subtle form within the mountain, continuing their eternal meditation to sustain the spiritual vibration of the Earth.

Arunachala Shiva: The Mantra to Still the Mind

“When I just came in front of the Mountain, the Mountain said that: ‘The Mountain is the problem.’
I said, ‘Why?’
‘Because this Mountain is hiding the vision.’

People come here just to look at the Mountain so that there will be a revelation, but you are telling me now that the Mountain is a problem — it’s going to hide. So I get confused. Then why am I coming here all the way?’

There is a deeper understanding about the Mountain saying that, ‘I am hiding.’ When Raman Maharishi came, the Mountain said the same thing. You know, then it’s just a rock. But then Raman Maharishi also said, ‘Although it’s just a rock, it can still the Mind. The Mountain — by looking at the Mountain — can still the Mind.’

And I would go one step further and would say you don’t even have to look at the Mountain. To just be in the presence of the Mountain — although the Mountain will be a few miles away from you, and even without seeing the Mountain — the Mountain can still the Mind.

How? Because there is a Divine Radiation from the Mountain all around this area, and this Divine Radiation is capable of stilling the Mind. And stilling the Mind is the most important thing that can happen to anyone. ‘Be still and know that you are God,’ is Bible, the Old Testament, I guess.

So there is no way you can still the Mind through human efforts. You need to have some Divine Intervention, and the Divine Intervention is provided by the Mountain.

The Mountain will still the Mind. How it will still the Mind? By just using the sound:
Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva, Aruna Sivom, Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva, Aruna Sivom.

This sound, Arunachala Siva, will help, while looking at the Mountain will help you.” — Dr. Pillai

Arunachala: The Fire of Liberation

Thiruvannamalai is more than a pilgrimage site; it is a living presence of Shiva as light. It represents the burning away of ignorance, the transformation of human consciousness, and the revelation of the eternal Self.

Dr. Pillai encapsulates this mystical truth in one sentence:

“The Mountain will solve the problem.”

To sit before Arunachala is to enter a field where the finite meets the infinite, where the human dissolves into divine radiance — the Fire of Awareness that consumes illusion and reveals truth.

During Dr. Pillai’s 2026 Birthday Trip to India, participants will have the rare opportunity to visit Thiruvannamalai, one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites personally chosen by Dr. Pillai for its power to dissolve karma and awaken higher states of awareness.

Travel Mystical India with Dr. Pillai — In-Person Birthday Pilgrimage to Destiny-Changing Temples

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