Arulmigu Theerthagirishwarer Temple
அருள்மிகு தீர்த்தகிரீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில்
Lord Shiva · Theerthamalai, Tamil Nadu
Ancient
About the temple
The foremost hilltop Shiva temple in Dharmapuri district; situated atop a scenic 1000-foot forested mountain of the Eastern Ghats; holy site where Lord Rama shot an arrow (Shara) into the sheer cliff to create the perennial waterfall "Rama Theertham" to perform Shiva puja after the Lanka war to absolve Brahmahatya dosha; famous for five perennial springs (Pancha Theertham). Traditional belief: Absolution from severe sins and ancestral curses (Brahmahatya / Pitru Dosha), cure of chronic illnesses through the sacred holy springs, and spiritual peace.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 18:30
- Established
- 7
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
Deity
Lord Shiva · ଶିବ (Shiva)Ganesha Family
- Deity form
- Ancient Swayambhu Shiva Lingam located inside the rocky hilltop sanctum, continually sanctified by the perennial holy spring "Rama Theertham" trickling from the rock face
- Religious tradition
- Vedic Agamic Shaiva Siddhanta & Ramayana Sacred Spring Heritage
- Sanskrit name
- श्री तीर्थगिरीश्वर मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Theerthamalai Shiva Temple, Rama Theertham Temple, Theerthagiri Hill Temple
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00 AM - 06:30 PM
- Break timings
- Open continuously during daylight hours (closed at sunset due to forest hill terrain)
- Special days
- Maha Shivaratri, Masi Brahmotsavam: 05:00 AM - 09:30 PM
- Festival timings
- Open till 09:30 PM on Maha Shivaratri (daylight hours generally enforced)
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 07:00 AM
- Midday aarti
- 12:00 PM
- Evening aarti
- 5:30 PM
- Special aarti days
- Mondays, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Masi Brahmotsavam
- Ritual schedule
- Nitya Pooja, Rudrabhisheka using natural spring water, Rama Theertham holy snana, Sandhya Deeparadhana
- Pooja timings
- 06:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 03:30 PM - 05:30 PM
- Abhishek timings
- 07:00 AM - 08:30 AM
- Special poojas
- Available
- Online pooja booking
- No
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Cholas (Rajaraja I, Rajendra I) and Vijayanagara Emperors; patronized by local Nolamba-Pallava chieftains
- Architect / builder
- Traditional Tamil hill stone carvers
- Construction materials
- Solid dressed granite stone blocks, natural rock cliff caverns, brick-lime vimana, 1000 stone steps
- Historical events
- Lord Rama, upon returning from Lanka, waited for Hanuman to bring water from the Ganges for Shiva puja; as the auspicious muhurtham was passing, Rama shot an arrow into the cliff, releasing the holy stream "Rama Theertham"
- Renovations
- Protected and renovated under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department with reinforced hill flight steps, solar lights, and drinking water pipelines
- Archaeological importance
- Ancient inscriptions dating from 9th century CE of the Chola and Vijayanagara kings preserved on rock faces
- Legends
- The mountain contains five sacred springs (Pancha Theertham): Rama Theertham, Agastya Theertham, Agni Theertham, Kumara Theertham, and Gauri Theertham, all flowing perpetually from the dry rock
- Inscriptions
- Stone inscriptions in Tamil and Kannada recording land grants, gold endowments, and tax exemptions by Chola and Vijayanagara rulers
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- Circa 950 - 1100 CE
- Structure
- Hilltop stone temple complex reached by climbing approximately 1,000 steps, featuring inner sanctum built against a granite cliff, waterfall pavilion, and circumambulatory corridors
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Stepped Dravidian stone Vimana tower rising above the natural cliff sanctum with golden kalashas
- Mandapa
- Pillared Mukhamandapa supported by square monolithic granite pillars with relief carvings of deities and sages
- Sculptural features
- Ancient Swayambhu Shiva Lingam; stone relief of Lord Rama shooting an arrow into the rock; graceful Vadivambikai Amman; carved stone Nandi
- Artistic elements
- Delicate floral stone lintels, makara toranas, and natural spring water channels built into the rock face
- Construction technique
- Interlocking monolithic granite masonry anchored directly into the Eastern Ghats rocky mountain cliff
- Unique features
- The miraculous perennial waterfall "Rama Theertham" trickling down the rocky cliff 365 days a year, where pilgrims bathe directly under the holy stream
Festivals & events
- Festival calendar
- Masi month (February/March Brahmotsavam), Magha Bahula Chaturdashi (Shivaratri)
- Special celebration days
- Every Monday, Pradosham, New Moon days (Amavasya for ancestral tarpanam)
- Cultural events
- Devotional bhajans, Harikatha, and classical music during Masi festival
- Annual events
- Theerthamalai Maha Rathotsavam and sacred spring Theerthavari drawing over 100,000 devotees
- Peak crowd season
- October to February and during Masi Brahmotsavam
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
- Parking capacity
- 50+ vehicles
- Parking fees
- Approx. 20-50 INR
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer
- Prasadam
- Vibhuti/Kumkum.