The poets of Arunachala
From the Sangam festival of lamps to the Tevaram, Tiruvempavai and Thiruppugazh: how poetry carried Tiruvannamalai's fame.
Darshan hours
5:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Temple timings
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple
Explore Arunachaleswarar Temple, Arunachala Hill, Girivalam, Pournami, Karthigai Deepam and everything you need to plan a pilgrimage to Tiruvannamalai.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
Today at Tiruvannamalai
Next Pournami Girivalam
Aippasi Pournami
- Begins
- Sun, 25 Oct, 11:56 am
- Ends
- Mon, 26 Oct, 9:41 am
Karthigai Deepam 2026
Karthigai Deepam 2026The temple at the foot of the hill
Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, also called Annamalaiyar Temple, stands at the eastern foot of Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, the Shiva temples associated with the elements; here the element is fire.
According to the Arunachala tradition, Shiva appeared here as an endless column of fire and then took the form of the hill. Every year on Karthigai Deepam a great flame is lit on the summit to remember that moment, and on every full moon large numbers of pilgrims walk around the hill.
Read the complete temple guide
Temple timings
Darshan, daily5:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Last entry on busy daysabout 7:30 PM
Official Source: official HR&CE temple website, checked Saturday, 26 September 2026.
At a glance
- Presiding deity
- Arunachaleswarar (Annamalaiyar), with the goddess Unnamulai Amman
- Element
- Fire (Agni), one of the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams
- Location
- Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, about 190 km from Chennai
- Temple area
- About 10 hectares (25 acres), among the largest temples in India
- Tallest tower
- Eastern Rajagopuram, 11 tiers, about 66 m (217 ft)
- Girivalam path
- About 14 km around Arunachala hill
Walk around the hill
Traditionally, devotees walk around Arunachala Hill as an act of pilgrimage: about 14 km, clockwise, with the hill on the right, often barefoot. Most people take four to six hours. The walk is busiest on Pournami nights, and it passes eight lingams, one for each direction.
The eight lingams in walking order
- Indra LingamEast
- Agni LingamSouth-east
- Yama LingamSouth
- Niruthi LingamSouth-west
- Varuna LingamWest
- Vayu LingamNorth-west
- Kubera LingamNorth
- Esanya LingamNorth-east
Upcoming Pournami Girivalam
The best time for Girivalam is while the Pournami (full moon) tithi lasts. Times below are in IST.
| Tamil month | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Aippasi Pournami | ||
| Karthigai Pournami | ||
| Margazhi Pournami | ||
| Thai Pournami |
Karthigai Deepam 2026
Tuesday, 24 November 2026 Published calendars agree
The ten-day Brahmotsavam ends with the Bharani Deepam in the sanctum before dawn and the Maha Deepam on the summit at dusk.
(IST)
– days – hours – min – sec
In progress now
Karthigai Deepam 2026 has concluded. See Karthigai Deepam 2027
Arunachala and Ramana Maharshi
The sacred hill, its legends, and the caves and ashram where Ramana Maharshi lived from 1896 to 1950.
Arunachala HillArunachala, the 814 m sacred hill at Tiruvannamalai: why devotees revere it as Shiva, its caves and saints, Ramana Maharshi, Girivalam, forest rules and how to visit.
Legends of ArunachalaThe legends of Arunachala: Shiva's endless column of fire before Brahma and Vishnu, the ketaki flower, Parvati's penance and Ardhanarishvara.
Ramana MaharshiRamana Maharshi's life at Tiruvannamalai from 1896 to 1950: the temple, Gurumurtam, Virupaksha Cave, Skandashram and Sri Ramanasramam, and how to visit each place today.
Virupaksha CaveVirupaksha Cave on Arunachala's south-eastern slope, where Ramana Maharshi lived from 1899 to 1916: history, the walk up from Ramanasramam, what to expect and etiquette.
SkandashramSkandashram on Arunachala, Ramana Maharshi's home from 1916 to 1922: history, the view over the temple, the walk up from Ramanasramam, and tips for visiting.
Sri RamanasramamVisiting Sri Ramanasramam: location on Chengam Road, what to see (Old Hall, samadhi shrines, library), dress and etiquette, accommodation requests and nearby cave paths.
Planning a visit?
Suggested plans, not official schedules. Adjust them to the temple timings and the full-moon calendar.
Getting here and staying
Tiruvannamalai is about 190 km from Chennai and 200 km from Bengaluru, with its own railway station and frequent buses.
From the blog
All articles-
-
Ramana Maharshi's Five Hymns to Arunachala
An introduction to the devotional hymns Ramana Maharshi addressed to the hill: what they are, when he wrote them, and where to read them.
-
Why Girivalam dates span two days
The Pournami tithi is a lunar day that rarely lines up with the calendar. Here's how it works, and how to choose when to start Girivalam.
Common questions
What is Arunachaleswarar Temple?
A major Shiva temple at the eastern foot of Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, also called Annamalaiyar Temple. It is the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam for fire, and covers about 25 acres.
Where is Tiruvannamalai?
In northern Tamil Nadu, India: about 190 km by road from Chennai and about 200 km from Bengaluru, with its own railway station on the Katpadi–Villupuram line.
What are the temple timings?
The official temple website lists darshan from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM every day. Entry may close around 7:30 PM on busy days, and hours are extended on festival days.
What is Girivalam?
Girivalam is the walk around Arunachala Hill as an act of pilgrimage. Devotees traditionally regard the hill as Shiva, so walking around it is a form of pradakshina.
How long is Girivalam?
About 14 km, according to the district administration. Most people take four to six hours including stops at the eight lingams.
When is Pournami Girivalam?
On every full moon, while the Pournami tithi lasts. Our Pournami calendar lists the start and end times for 2026–2028 in Indian Standard Time.
When is Karthigai Deepam?
In the Tamil month of Karthigai (November–December). Published calendars agree on Tuesday 24 November 2026; for 2027 they differ between 11 and 12 December.
How do I reach Tiruvannamalai?
By road from Chennai or Bengaluru (4–5 hours), by frequent government and private buses, or by train to Tiruvannamalai station. The nearest international airport is Chennai.
How long should I stay?
One day covers darshan, Sri Ramanasramam and the hill caves; two days let you do Girivalam comfortably; three days add a day trip.
What are the major places to visit?
The temple, Girivalam around Arunachala, Sri Ramanasramam, Virupaksha Cave and Skandashram on the hill, Seshadri Swamigal Ashram and Adi Annamalai Temple.