Arunachala in Transition: Materiality, Purāṇic Narratives, and Contemporary Cultural Production in South Asia

Abstract

Arunachala, a mountain of profound spiritual significance in Tamil Nadu, India, exemplifies the dynamic interplay between purāṇic traditions and contemporary cultural production. Revered in Hindu mythology, Arunachala’s sanctity is narrated through Sanskrit texts like the Arunachala Mahatmyam and Tamil works such as the Arunachala Puranam, which encapsulate its mythological and cosmological importance. These texts position Arunachala as Shiva’s fiery manifestation, symbolizing cosmic equilibrium and spiritual transcendence.

This paper examines the evolving material and cultural production surrounding Arunachala, focusing on its transformation from a mythological site to a global pilgrimage destination. Drawing on purāṇic narratives, material texts, and local practices, the study explores how Arunachala’s significance is continually reshaped through ritual practices like girivalam, adaptations in media, and the proliferation of digital platforms. The discussion highlights how material texts and their modern representations—whether in print, film, or online spaces—mediate collective memory and influence contemporary engagements with sacred geography.

By tracing Arunachala’s trajectory as both a physical and symbolic entity, the paper underscores its enduring role as a locus of cultural production. The research contributes to understanding how purāṇic media, intertwined with materiality and contemporaneity, fosters dynamic reinterpretations of sacred landscapes in South Asia.