- Element
- Fire (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam)
- Girivalam distance
- About 14 km
- Main festival
- Karthigai Deepam (November to December)
- Best time
- November to February
- Nearest airport
- Chennai, about 200 km
What to see and do
The Arunachaleswarar temple is one of the largest in Tamil Nadu, with tall gopurams and wide courtyards. The other defining experience is girivalam, the walk around the base of the hill.
- Arunachaleswarar temple
- Girivalam, the 14 km path around Arunachala
- Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram
- Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram
- Caves and trails on the lower slopes of the hill
Girivalam and Karthigai Deepam
On every full-moon night, huge crowds walk the 14 km circuit around Arunachala, barefoot for many. The route is lit and lined with small shrines and stalls. The biggest event of the year is Karthigai Deepam in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November to December), when a great ghee lamp is lit on the summit and can be seen from far across the plains, marking Shiva's form as a column of fire.
Best time to visit
November to February is the most comfortable period, with temperatures in the mid-20s to low 30s °C. March to June is hot, often reaching 35 to 40°C, which makes girivalam and hill walks tiring. Rain falls through the later monsoon months, and the hill trails get slippery, so check the forecast before planning a climb.
How to reach
Chennai airport, about 200 km away, is the most practical airport. Tiruvannamalai has a railway station with links to other towns in the state, and it is well connected by road to Chennai, Villupuram, Vellore and Bengaluru. From Virudhachalam it is an easy road trip, and we regularly arrange girivalam and Deepam visits with car and stay.
Places to see in Tiruvannamalai
Also nearby
Plan it with us
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