The 8 Lingams of Arunachala

The eight at a glance

Each lingam is associated with one of the Ashta Dikpalakas, the guardians of the eight directions in Hindu tradition. Popular Girivalam guides also associate each with one of the nine planets (navagraha). That is a devotional tradition, noted below as such.

1. Indra Lingam (east)

Direction: east. Guardian: Indra, king of the devas.

Indra Lingam is the first lingam of Girivalam, on the eastern side of the hill near the start of the walk from the temple. Because it is close to town, many pilgrims stop here even when they are not doing the full circuit.

• Popular association: Surya (Sun) and Shukra (Venus).
• Map: OpenStreetMap

2. Agni Lingam (south-east)

Direction: south-east. Guardian: Agni, the fire god.

District administration: near Chengam Road, and the only one of the eight on the right-hand side of the path. Every other lingam is on the left, the hill side. Agni has a special resonance at Tiruvannamalai, the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam for fire.

• Popular association: Chandra (Moon).
• Map: not yet reliably mapped. It is on Chengam Road, before the ashram stretch.

3. Yama Lingam (south)

Direction: south. Guardian: Yama, lord of dharma and of death.

District administration: about 3 km from the Rajagopuram. By this point you have left the busiest part of Chengam Road and the hill rises steeply on the right.

• Popular association: Mangala (Mars).
• Map: OpenStreetMap

4. Niruthi Lingam (south-west)

Direction: south-west. Guardian: Nirriti.

District administration: Sani Theertham, one of the many tanks around the hill, is nearby. The south-western stretch is one of the quieter parts of the walk on ordinary days.

• Popular association: Rahu.
• Map: OpenStreetMap

5. Varuna Lingam (west)

Direction: west. Guardian: Varuna, lord of the waters.

District administration: about 8 km from the Rajagopuram, with Varuna Theertham beside it. That makes it a little past the halfway mark, and a good place to rest and refill water.

• Popular association: Shani (Saturn).
• Map: OpenStreetMap

6. Vayu Lingam (north-west)

Direction: north-west. Guardian: Vayu, the wind.

Vayu Lingam is on the north-western stretch, after the road passes through Adi Annamalai. The view of the summit from this side is one of the finest on the route; the photograph at the top of the Girivalam guide was taken near here.

• Popular association: Ketu.
• Map: not yet reliably mapped.

7. Kubera Lingam (north)

Direction: north. Guardian: Kubera, lord of wealth.

District administration: described as an important lingam where devotees traditionally offer coins, in keeping with Kubera’s association with prosperity. Expect a queue here on Pournami.

• Popular association: Guru (Jupiter).
• Map: OpenStreetMap

8. Esanya Lingam (north-east)

Direction: north-east. Guardian: Ishana, a form of Shiva.

The last of the eight lingams, as the path turns back towards town. For many pilgrims it marks the emotional close of the walk before the final stretch back to the temple.

• Popular association: Budha (Mercury).
• Map: not yet reliably mapped.

Other shrines on the route

The district administration notes more than 350 tanks around Arunachala, eight Nandis and several mandapams (pavilions). Surya Lingam and Chandra Lingam are also visited by many pilgrims. Chandra Lingam, on the northern side, is mapped in OpenStreetMap. The route also passes through Adi Annamalai.

Help improve this page

We plan to give each lingam its own page once we have original photographs and verified on-the-ground details: exact position, nearby landmarks and facilities. If you can contribute, especially photographs you’re happy to license freely, please get in touch.