Every Murugan devotee knows the rolling rhythms of Thiruppugazh. Few realise that its author, the 15th-century poet-saint Arunagirinathar, was born in Tiruvannamalai and that the Arunachaleswarar Temple still preserves the places linked to his dramatic life. This article tells his story and shows you where to find his memory inside the temple.
Who Was Arunagirinathar?
Arunagirinathar lived in the 15th century, a period when Tiruvannamalai was ruled under the Vijayanagara Empire. Traditional accounts say he was born in Tiruvannamalai and spent his youth in pleasure and excess, squandering his health and his family’s wealth. His devoted elder sister repeatedly supported him even as he fell into ruin.
The Leap from the Gopuram
Overcome by disease and remorse, the young Arunagiri climbed one of the temple’s towers (tradition names the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram) intending to end his life. As he jumped, Lord Murugan appeared, caught him, and transformed him. Murugan touched his tongue with his spear (vel) and gave him the opening words “Muthai Tharu”, which became the first song of Thiruppugazh. From that moment the broken young man became a saint-poet, travelling to Murugan temples across South India and composing songs at each.
Thiruppugazh: The Glory of Murugan
- Scale: tradition credits him with around 16,000 songs, of which roughly 1,300 survive today.
- Style: intricate rhythms (sandham) that weave Tamil and Sanskrit, famously difficult to sing and much loved in Carnatic music and bhajan groups.
- Other works: Kandhar Anubhuti, Kandhar Alankaram, Kandhar Andhadhi, Vel Viruttam and Mayil Viruttam.
- Pilgrimage map: the songs name more than 200 temples, from Palani and Thiruchendur to Swamimalai and Kanchipuram, making Thiruppugazh a guide to Tamil sacred geography.
The Legend of Kambathu Ilaiyanar
A court poet named Sambandandan, jealous of Arunagirinathar, challenged him before the king Prabhudevaraya: if Arunagiri could make Murugan appear in person, Sambandandan would leave the kingdom. Arunagirinathar sang, and Murugan appeared from a pillar of the temple mandapam. The shrine of Kambathu Ilaiyanar (“the young Lord of the pillar”) inside Arunachaleswarar Temple marks this miracle.
The Parrot and the Kili Gopuram
According to legend, Arunagirinathar later entered the body of a parrot to fetch a celestial flower for the king, and his own body was cremated by his rival in the meantime. Unable to return, he remained as a parrot on the temple tower, singing his final verses. The inner Kili Gopuram (Parrot Tower) carries a parrot figure in his memory. Read more in our guide to the temple gopurams.
Where to Remember Arunagirinathar in Tiruvannamalai
- Kambathu Ilaiyanar Sannidhi inside the temple.
- Kili Gopuram leading to the inner sanctum.
- Arunagirinathar Mandapam and shrine in the temple complex.
- Arunagirinathar Vizha: an annual festival in Tiruvannamalai where Thiruppugazh groups from across Tamil Nadu sing.
Plan your visit with our temple timings and dress code guides, and learn the wider history of the temple.
Why Arunagirinathar Still Matters
His life is one of the most powerful redemption stories in Tamil devotion: a man at his lowest point transformed by grace into one of the greatest poets of the language. Thiruppugazh groups (Thiruppugazh Anbargal) continue to sing his songs at temples and homes across India and abroad, keeping Tiruvannamalai’s son alive in every generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Arunagirinathar born?
Tradition holds that he was born in Tiruvannamalai in the 15th century.
What is the first song of Thiruppugazh?
“Muthai Tharu”, given, according to legend, by Lord Murugan himself when he saved Arunagirinathar.
What is Kambathu Ilaiyanar?
A Murugan shrine inside Arunachaleswarar Temple, marking where Murugan is said to have appeared from a pillar at Arunagirinathar’s prayer.
How many Thiruppugazh songs exist?
About 1,300 songs survive today out of the roughly 16,000 traditionally attributed to him.
