Tiruvannamalai or Arunachalesawara Temple is located in Tamil Nadu in Southern India. The temple is built at the foot of Arunachala Hill which was a prominent place for Tapas by Sri Bagavan Ramana Maharshi. Being a Tapo Bhumi, Tiruvannamalai is one of the Five elemental Temples affiliated to Fire Element of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is also called as Bhuta Nadha because of his control of Five primordial elements. The temple complex is house to most significant temple towers (Raja Gopurams) each constructed identically to a point. Devotees can know every detail about Sri Arunachaleswara Swamy Temple in this portal updated every day.
Sthala Puranam or Temple legend of Sri Arunachaleswara Origin:
The name of Sri Annamalayar Swamy is popularly known as Arunachaleswara meaning that shiva appeared as fire element on Tiruvannamalai hill. In the primordial times Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma got into a debate of who is supreme among them. As the debate was raised out of bounds Lord Shiva intervened among them and appeared as a pillar of light in the cosmos between them. The place where the light started to appear is Arunachala hill. Shiva asked the duo to find the source and ending of Lingam and both of them started to find the source.
Brahma a top of his Hamsa Vahanam tried to fly up wards & lord Vishnu took his Varaha form and started digging into earth. After several Millennia no one can reach the ending point. Brahma Lied lord shiva that he has found his crown by producing Mogali Flower as his false witness. Lord Vishnu accepted his defeat with humble. Parameswara cursed Lord brahma that his diety worship will be banned henceforth on total earth. So lord parameswara was considered as Arunachleswara here as he appeared in a form of light and column of fire to clear the darkness in hearts of Vishnu & Brahma.
In another account Arunachalam is the place where Lord Parameswara has given his half of Devi Parvati and appeared as Artha Nareeswara for devotees. Bagavan Ramana Maharshi finally rested in Tiruvannamalai town and he had done his meditation in Arunachala Paatala Linga Temple underground.
Check the important details about Sri Arunachaleswara Swamy Temple in Tiruvannamalai:
Sri Ramana Ashram Samadhi Darshan Opening Timings & Closing Timings, Darshan Schedule 2026
Sri Arunachala Giri Pradakshina 2025 Complete Dates & Timing Schedule
Arunachala Giri Pradakshina Instructions Route Map Temples List
Arunachalam Temple Darshan Seva Abhishekam Tickets Prices online booking.
How to Reach Arunachalam by Train, Bus & Flight – Tiruvannamalai Bus Services Trains list
APSRTC Bus Tours for Arunachala Giri Pradakshina from Nellore Ongole, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Guntur.
Arunachaleswara Temple Festivals Dates & Darshan Schedule 2026
Tiruvannamalai Sri Arunachaleswara Swamy Karthika Jyothi Darshan 2026
Sri Bagavan Ramana Maharshi Ashram – Book Stay & Darshan
List of Temples in Sri Arulmigu Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara Temple:
Main Temple of Lord Arunachaeswara.
Annamalai Amman Durga Devi Temple.
Venu Gopala Swamy Temple.
Granite Built Kalyana Mandapam
Arunachaeswara Agni Tertham Koneru.
Arunachala hill.
Arunachaleswara Swamy Temple Specialties & Important things to know:
Sri Arunachaleswara temple is located in the prime of the Tiruvannamalai city. Its four Raja Gopurams are significantly observed from every nook and corner of the city. Built by chola kings and patronized by subsequent dynasties of Vijayanagara Empire, pallavas, Pandyas etc its dominance in Tamil Nadu Temple history is unparalleled.
One more important thing about Tirvannamalai is Sri Ramana Maharshi’s stay & life linked to Arunachalaeswara Temple. He has meditated for 12 years underground in Patala Linga temple which is 15 feet deep below the temple floor.
Kavyakanta Ganapati Muni the advent disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi also spent most of his time in Tiruvannamalai. He frequently cited Arunachaleswara Swamy Greatness in his speeches for devotees.
Sri Jagadguru Paramacharya ChandraSehakharendra Saraswati Swamygal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam frequently visited Annamalayar Temple and performed Giri Pradakshina in Tiruvannamalai Hill.
The Giri Pradakshina on every Fullmoon day or Pournami day attracts more than 30 lak or 3 Million people and Arunachala Karthika Jyoti Darshan will cross more than 5 million spectators praying Lord Arunachaleswara Swamy.
Temple is known for its 4 Identical towers on four directions and huge koneru constructed by kings centuries before.
Many Siddhars, Sadhus and Rishis still reside in Arunachalam hills silently still doing their Penance & Meditation. Topi amma and several avdhutas still do Giri Pradaskshina regularly to provide blessings for Devotees.
Important Days to Visit Tiruvannamalai Sri Arunachaleswara Swamy Temple:
Annamalayar swamy or Arunachaleswara Swamy darshan is granted for people who have the divine invitation from lord in their life. There are special days & festivals conducted in epic granduer manner every year. The Karthigai Masam or Karthika Masam is the most important month for visiting Shiva temples.
Karthigai Deepam Festival is the most important day in any given year. On this day a great Karthika Jyothi or Karthigai Deepam festival is conducted on top of Sri Arunachaleswara Hill.
More than 40 to 60 Lak devotees are likely to visit the Tiruvannamalai Town for Karthigai Deepam festival. Check Arunachalam Karthigai Deepam Karthika Jyoti Festival page for complete guide and darshan details.