Sri Arunachala Shiva temple is one of the sacred Siva shrines of Panchaboota Lingams (Five Elements). In Hinduism entire universe is made of five spiritual elements of Fire, Land, Water, Sky, Air. Tiruvannamali Shiva Temple is considered as Agni (Fire) lingam. Lord Shiva according to Hindu Puranas appeared in form a Fiery Column to provide Light to universe. Every Year a Sacred Jyoti is lit on adobe of Arunachala Mountain to symbolize Agni Lingodbavam.

Legend of Arunachala (Tiruvannamalai) Temple:

Lord Shiva and Lady Parvati Devi were depicted as ADI Couple in every Hindu Puranas. There was a time once both of them are playfully engaged in dwelling kailasa gardens, Lady Parvati Closed eyes of Lord Shiva for a brief moment. The entire light in universe was gone in an instant and for the sake of all living beings Lady Parvati corrected her mistake by performing a Severe Penance along with Rishis and Saints on Kailasa. Lord Shiva has provided a supreme light by appearing on Top of Arunachala Mountain top as a Fire Column which illuminated all the worlds.

In another account Lord Bramha (Creator of all beings) & Lord Vishnu (Preserver of all worlds balance) has met with a stalemate to know who is great among them. Shiva Bagwan who as the ultimate destroyer of all Cosmos appeared as a pillar of Light between them and told them to find the ends of his manifestation. Vishnu bagawan has taken Varaha Avatar again and started to dig in to the earth to find the root the Lord. He accepted his defeat to find the source and thus the pillar of light made him aware of his spiritual conscience.

In Reality Arunachalam Temple visit will awaken anyone who is in deep slumber with worldly attachments and selfishness to attain moksha by Spiritual transformation. Living god Sri Ramananda Maharshi lived out his life completely in Tiruvannamalai and attained moksha.

How to Reach Arunachala Shiva temple by Bus Air & Train?

Tamil Nadu is the heart of Indian Shiva Temples. Majority of top 10 Shiva temples all over the country are in the land of Tamil. Arunachalam temple complex is in the town of Tiruvannamalai. Tiruvannamalai town can be reached by bus from Chennai, Madurai, Kanchi, Tirupati, Puducherry (Pondicherry) & Vellore.

Nearest Railway Junction station for Arunachalam Temple are Tindivanam JN, Jolarpetai JN & Villupuram Junction. Railway station code is TNM.

Chennai & Madurai are only nearest Airports for International Travellers.

Significance of Arunachala Giri Pradakshinam 2026:

Hindus where ever in the country during their temple visit offer Pradakshinams as a penance or worship for god. Pradakshinam means making clockwise rotations around temple Garbhalayam. Since Arunachleswara Swamy manifested himself on top of the mountain every inch of its foothold is considered as sacred. Only shrine of Shiva Temple w\hich people offer Giri Pradakshina in India otherthan Mount kailasa is Tiruvannamalai.

Sri Ramana Maharshi actively encouraged his followers and disciples to take Giri Pradakshina round the Arunachala Hill as many times as possible. Many of devotees who knowingly or unknowingly about its sacredness have blessed by Lord Annamalai Swamy. Chanting OM Arunachaleswaaraya namahaa! While offering Giri Pradakshina has brought wonders to many people who are in quest of Mental Inner Peace and their everyday life.

At present people can offer Giri pradakshina on any day of their desire, But huge number of devotees visit on Pournami Day or Full moon day for Giri Pradakshina. Around 3 Lak people visit on average on Full moon day & on Kartika Pournami day this number may reach 1 to 1.6 Million.

Check Tiruvannamalai Arunachalam Pournami Giri Pradakshina dates 2025:

How to start Arunachalam Giri Pradakshina in Tiruvannamalai?

Previously the complete path of Giri Pradakshina route was unpaved. At present with huge response to Pournami Girivalam Arunachalam Temple authorities have developed Giri Pradakshina route suitable for walking at any time.

Starting point of Giripradakshinam is West Gopuram of Sri Arunachaleswar swamy temple complex. During the course of Giri Pradakshina or Girivalam 8 Temples of different gods for various directions are available to darshan.

Temples list in Arunachala Giri Pradakshina:

Kubera Lingam Temle

Indra Lingam Temple

Niruthi Lingam Temple.

Yama Lingam Temple

Agni Lingam Temple

Vayu Lingam Temple

Varuna Lingam temple

Eesanya Lingam Temple

There are numerous entry points round the pradakshina path, but devotees visit all the 8 small Shiva temples in the way.

First visit the Arunachala Temple & Start your pradakshinams by offering a Coconut & lighting a Camphor before the starting point.

Carry a Japamala and Chant OM ARUNACHALESWARAAYA NAMAHAA!!!! As many times as possible.

Complete distance of the Giripradakshinam is 15 KM approximately. There are 8 small Shiva temples constructed in 8 Directions of the holy mountain.

After completion of your Giri Pradakshina Visit Temple Entry gate for darshan of Sri Arunachaleswara Swamy & Unnamalai Ammal.

Check Arunachalam Giri Pradakshina Route Map, Temples list & Guides.

If any temple in South India is getting massive crowds for wish fulfillment & Spiritual Guide is only Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara Swamy Temple. Sri Ramana Maharshi was the guru of millions of Spiritual Sadaks & Pilgrims all over the world. In Puranic accounts The whole arunachala hill is a shiva linga and the Agni Linga was installed here among 5 Pancha Bhuta Stalams.

Pournami Giri Pradakshina is a monthly event observed on every Full Moon Day or Purnami, More than 30 Lak devotees participate in the Girivalam or Giri Pradakshina. Completing a single circulation around the Arunachala Hill is called Giri Pradakshinam. After Giri Pradakshina is completed devotees will enter the darshan Queue & see the Lord Arunachaleswara in Tiruvannamalai Temple. The temple was constructed eons ago and was reconsecrated during Vijayanagara Empire, Chola & Nayakars rule. Every day Rudrabhishkeam is done for Lord Arunachaleswara swamy and special aarti, pujas done periodically. Check Monthwise Festivals list & Sri Arunachalaeswara Swamy Brahmotsavams, Daily Puja scheudle.

Tiruvannamalai Temple Arunachalaeswara Temple Timings & Darshan Schedule:

Arunachalam Temple is becoming a beacon of Spiritual Renaissance in Southern India. Being a shiva Panchabhoota temple its visit will lift one’s Morale & transform people into the way of peace & Serenity. The Majestic Gopurams on four sides of temple seems to be exact when viewed from any side. Millions of adherent shiva devotees flock to visit Arunchaleswara Swamy Darshan every month without fail. Living Manifestation of God “Sri Ramana Maharshi” has lived his whole life in and around Tiruvannamalai Temple & attained Mahasamadhi near his Ashram. Arunachaleswara Swamy Darshan is considered to remove spiritual obstacles of a persons karma and make them attain moksha without any Penance by indulging in daily life. Pournami Giri Pradakshina is a major event happens every month attracting millions of devotees for Girivalam 2025.

At Present there is a new Online Booking started for Arunachalam Temple. The temple authorities only sell tickets for darshan, Abhishekams, Special Entry Darshan, Pujas etc direct at Administration booking counter. Please never believe and impersonators or false websites which claim they issue Arunachalam Temple Darshan Tickets In advance.

Pujas List in Arunchaleswara Swamy Temple:

Arunachaleswara swamy temple opens at 05:00 AM every day and the day starts with Garbhalaya cleaning and making it ready for first Puja @ 5:30 AM in morning. Darshan is allowed from 5:30 Am to 9:30 PM every day for devotees. General Darshan for devotees is free of cost in Arunachalam and Special Darsha 50 rs ticket is now ready for online booking in annamalaiyar.hrce.tn.gov.in website. At present Ghee lamp offering, Mariiage Form, Special Darshan, Swami & Amman Special Abhishekam Sevas are now available for online booking.

Check Arunachala Temple Sarva Darshan Timings:

From Sunday to Saturday temple opens @ 5:00 AM in morning and Morning Darshan is allowed till 12:00 PM everyday. After that darshan is halted for some time to offer naivedyam to mahalingam. Once Naivedyam is offered, Darshan is resumed from 1:30 PM for general Public. The sarvadarshan will continue till 5:00 PM and during specific timings Evening Pradosha Puja is performed as per temple calendar. After Evening Abhishekams and other sevas Swamy Darshan will continue till 9:30 PM in evening.

Arunachaleswara Swamy & Amman Abhishekam Timings & Tickets Booking:

There are four types of abhishekams performed in Tiruvannamalai Temple & each performed at their own timings. Each Abhishkem ticket is allowed for one couple to perform the puja in temple. Devotees can bring their children below 12 years for darshan or puja participation free of cost. Once Abhishekam is finished Prasadams are offered based on their tickets. General Abhishekam tickets are allowed to book in online @ annamalaiyar.hrce.tn.gov.in website and pilgrims now access General Special Darshan tickets for 50rs, Ghee lamp offering, Booking of temple calendars, Dairies, Arunachalam Temple Prasad Online booking via Postal services etc are now started.

Arunachalam Temple Online Abhishekam, Special Darshan & Archana Tickets Online Booking:

Visit annamalaiyar.hrce.tn.gov.in and select Temple Booking Services option & wait for the page to load.

A list shown in the above image will appear. Please select Swamy & Ammal Abhishekam or Special Darshan or Archana Ticket option what ever you want to book.

Proceed to Selecting the Date & Schedule for Abhishekam & Archana or Darshan. Select no to tickets and fill the devotee details as below.

Enter name, Age, gender & select date of birth. Fill your ID details and enter the postal address of the person appearing for darshan. Give mobile number & email address for booking details delivery.

Select the appropriate payment option available with you and finish the online transaction. Devotees should note that Abhishekam Tickets are released in 30 days advance. Cost for Abhishekam is 2500 per each pair & Special Darshan is 50rs.