Location
Virupaksha Cave is a cave ashram in the shape of a perfect ‘OM’ located on the eastern slope of the famous Arunachala hill in Thiruvannamalai. This holy cave is perched on a small peak just below, about 200 ft below, the Skandasram cave. This cave has a small gopuram on the eastern side of it. Down the peak, there are seven sacred springs on the slope of the hill.
Virupaksha Cave is named after the renowned 13th century saint named Virupaksha Deva. It is believed that saint Virupaksha spent most of his life in this cave and surroundings. Legends tell that his body turned into ashes just after his Samadhi. The sacred ash (vibhuti) is assumed to be preserved here and daily pujas are offered.
