shrine in the second precinct. The first precinct on the four sides of the sanctum sanctorum are decorated with the images of Nayanmars, Navagrahas, Bhairava, Murugan Sannadhi in the northwest and Durga Sannadhi on the northeast. The two Nandis in the temple are called Pradosha Nandi and Adigara Nandi - there are placed slightly off axis to the sanctum. The Saniswarar image in the temple is depicted with him having a foot over his vehicle mount crow. The Murugan image is depicted with a single head and six hands. The Shrine of Annamalaiyar is located South East of the central shrine in the second precinct. The rock-cut temples from the Pallava period are centred to border around the Pennar river, forming the southern extremity of the series. The Sapthamatrika images are present in the first precinct and are depicted flanking on the sides of Shiva or Vinayaga, attributing to their male counterparts. Religious importance It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Thirugnana Sambanthar. As the temple is revered in Tevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 275 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. Sambandar refers this place as Araiyinallur, which later went on to become Arkandanallur. To ease the worship of Sambandar, the Nandi, the sacred bull of Shiva, tilted a little. The two Nandis in the temple are placed slightly off axis to the sanctum to indicate the legend. Ramalinga Swamigal has stayed in this place and sung praises of Atulya Nadeswarar. The Hindu saint Ramana Maharishi is believed to have stayed in the caves in the temple and was led to Tiruvannamalai. As per Periya Puranam, the hagiography depicting the life of the 63 Nayanmars, Sambandar visited the place before moving to Tiruvannamalai. Festivals The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four times a day; Kalasanthi at 7:00 a.m., Irandam Kalm at 9:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m, and Arthajamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for Atulya Nadheswarar and Azhagiya Ponnazhagi. There are weekly rituals like (Monday) and (Friday), fortnightly rituals like pradosham, and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full