Sri Arunachaleswara Swamy Temple is the most famous temple among Shaivate temples in Tamil Nadu. One of the PanchaBootha Shivalinga Sthalams in Indian sub-continent, Sri Arunachaleswara Temple in Tiruvannamalai is important for every pilgrim in India. Many people who have visited Sri Ramana Ashram & Tiruvannamalai Shiva Temple, the found a spiritual awakening in their life. Many Businessmen and celebrities visit the Tiruvannamalai Arunachalam hill and perform one Giri Pradakshina on Every purnima Day.

Other than Giri pradakshina there are many attractions & Spiritual Places, Tourist places in & around Tiruvannamalai. Sri Ramana Ashram, Mathrubhutheswara Lingam Temple, Sri Arunachala Hill, Skanda Ashram & Virupaksha Caves etc are most notable places. But we will explore the area wise near & easy places of interest in Tiruvannamalai.

Temples List to visit in Arunachalam – Tiruvannnamalai:

Sri Aruanchaleswara Swamy Temple

Skhandha Ashram

Virupaksha Caves.

Sri Ramana Ashram – Meditation hall, Library, Mahasamadhi.

Matrubutheswara Lingam Temple.

Sri Annamalayar or Arunachleswara Swamy Temple in Tiruvannamalai Town is becoming the biggest Shivate temple in Southern India. Pilgrims Who are traveling to Tirumala, Sabarimala, Kanchipuram & Rameswaram etc are visting Arunachalam Temple compulsory. Since its prominence has grown to new heights by the Monthly Purnima Giri Pradakshina by devotees around Arunachala Hill, The temple attracts 40,000 devotees on regular week days & 2 to 3 lak devotees on Purnima Girivalam dates.

Tamil Nadu State government is excellent in management of Temple Darshan, Arjitha Seva & Puja tickets issuing in advance, celebrating Arunachaleswara Swamy Temple rituals, Pujas & Festivals as per Shaiva Aagama Sastra. Every year karthigai Deepotsavam Festival is celebrated for 11 days starting with Ankuraarpana and ends with Karthika Jyoti lighting.

Sri Arunachaleswara Swamy Temple Important Festivals 2026 List:

Arunachalam Temple Month Wise Calendar & Dates 2026:

Festivals in January 2026:

Festivals in February 2026:

Festivals in March 2026:

Festivals in April 2026:

Festivals in May 2026:

Festivals in June 2026:

Festivals in July 2026:

Festivals in August 2026:

Festivals in September 2026:

Festivals in October 2026:

Festivals in November 2026:

Festivals in December 2026:

Daily Puja Timings & Sri Arunachaleswara Temple Opening & Closing Schedule:

Arunachaleswara Swamy Temple Main Door Opens @ 03:45 AM every day.

Arunachalam Temple Closing Dates for 2026:

Tiruvannamalai Temple is one of the Pancha Bootha Linga Temples in India. It is also closed on Eclipse days as per Shastras. Temple is closed on both Solar & Lunar Eclipse.

Baghavan Sri Ramana Maharshi was the highest and most sacred sadguru of modern India and he is the one who realized the God with in him and attained siddhi in Tiruvannamalai. Sri Ramana in his discourses to disciples always reminded about the greatness of Sri Arunachaleswara Hill Girivalam or Giri Pradakshina, Self realization & practicing Ahimsha, Yoga, Advaita & Sanatana lifestyle.

Sri Ramana Maharshi was the name given by Kavyakanta Ganapati Muni a saint & Sanskrit Scholar who visited his place in search of wisdom & spiritual knowledge. Venkataraman was the name given by the parents of Sri Ramana and he felt highly moved by the word Arunachalam from his uncle who visited him from Tiruvannamalai trip.

Previously Sri Ramana was in deep medidation under the basement of Annamalayar temple in Tiruvannamalai & he was found by Seshadri Swamy and other sages in Patala Lingam Vault. The present day Ramanshram was a Mango orchard around the Samadhi of Sri Ramana’s Mother and a Shiva Lingam called Matrubhuteshvara Lingam was installed in her memory. The trust and management later developed a lot and Sri Ramana Stayed in this ashram till his Liberation or Moksha.

Sri Ramana Ashram – Puja & Samadhi Darshan daily Schedule & Timings:

Ashram Gate Morning Opening Time : 05:30 AM

Parayana of Aksharamanamalai : 06:00 AM

Sri Bhagavan Shrine Milk Offering by devotees : 06:45 AM

Nitya Veda Parayana by scholars : 08:00 AM

Sri Ramana Maharshi Samadhi Nitya Puja : 08:30 to 09:45 AM

Narayana Seva (Anna Samarpana for Sadhus) : 09:45 AM

Samadhi & Mothers Hall closed from 11:30 AM to 02:00 PM

Grandha or Book Parayana in Tamil : 04:00 PM

Book Reading in English : 04:30 PM

Evening Veda Parayana : 05:00 PM

Evening Puja for Sri Ramana Samadhi : 05:00 to 05:45 PM

Tamil Books parayana & Satsangs : 06:00 PM

Ashram Main Gate Closed at : 08:30 PM

Sri Ramana Ashram Food Canteen & Annadanam Dining Hall Timings:

The ashram trust board offers Satvika Southern Indian Style breakfast & lunch for devotees since its conception. Sri Ramana Ashram also maintains RO purified water in the premises of ashram year round.

Morning Quota Breakfast for all Devotees: 07:00 AM

Afternoon Lunch for Devotees : 11:30 AM to 02:00 PM

Evening Snacks & Tea, Beverages Serving : 04:00 PM

Night Dinner in Dining Hall : 07:00 PM

Ramana Ashram Event Calendar 2026 Important Festivals & Celebrations:

Sri Ramana Baghavan Jayanti –

Special Abhsekham, Maha Pooja, Maha Biksha Samarpana

Pongal – Sankranti which comes in January month after crops harvesting.

Maha Shivaratri – Ekadasa Rudhrabhishekam & Special Pujas.

Sri Vidya Homam or Havan : Full Day homam reciting and empowering the Mathrubhuteswara Mahameru chakra.

Ramana Maharshi Aaradhana : Sri Ramana’s Mahasamadhi or Nirvana day anniversary is celebrated with Special Abhisekam, Puja & Bhiksha.

Mathrubhuteswara Maha Puja: Special Puja on Bhagavan Rama Maharshi Mother’s maha samadhi day.

Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima: Special revere of every person Guru living or enlightened.

Bhagavans Arrival to Tiruvannamalai day.

Dussera Sarannavaratri – 9 days dedicated for Divine mother worship with special decorations, pujas, processions & Vahanasevas around Ashram Temple complex.

Kartikai Deepam or Karthika Jyoti Festival : Special celebrations in Ashram, Jyoti lighting on Arunachala Peak. Check Tiruvannamalai Karthikai Deepam Festival 2026

Sri Ramana Ashram Office Timings:

Meditation Hall Morning Timings : 04:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Meditation Hall Evening Timings : 02:00 PM to 09:00 PM

Baghavan’s Book Stall : 08:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Morning), 02:00 PM to 06:00 PM (Afternoon)

Accommodation Reception Office : 07:30 Am – 12:30 PM, 02:00 PM to 06:30 PM

Cash & Accounts Department : 07:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 02:00 PM to 05:30 PM

Free Dispensary : 08 AM to 11 AM (Except Sunday)

Sri Arunachalaeswara Swamy was the presiding diety of Tiruvannamalai Shiva Temple. He is also called as Annamalayar. The lord got this particular name because of Agni Tatva & Supreme Divine light manifested on Annamalai hill. Temple history states that Lord Bramha & Lord Vishnu was challenged by the Agni Linga here to find the starting & ending point. Vishnu accepted the defeat after digging the earth for laks of years. Bramha tried to deceive Shiva with Chameli flower as his witness. Shiva cursed bramha that he is banned from worship by people on earth. The final place where the Shiva Agni column appeared was on the top of Annamalai hill.

Arunachalam Giri Pradakshinam Details & Introduction:

Arunachalam means Fire colored Mountain. Many people believe visiting Arunachalam temple and praying will bestow good fortune. But Ramana Maharshi, Kavya Kanta Ganapti Muni & Sri Jagadguru Chandra Shekararendra Saraswati (Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadipati) etc divine sages told people about the greatness of Arunachalam Hill. They also preached the greatness of Asta Dikpalaka temples surrounding the Annamalai Hill and the Pada Yatra benefits around Arunachalam Hill.

Arunachala Giri Pradakshinam means a person completing one time Circulation by walk arround the Arunachala Hill. People generally offer circulations around the Garbhalaya in any temple. But Puranas prescribe Arunachala hill as the Complete shiva linga of Annamalayar. There are 8 Dikh Palaka Temples constructed trough the walking path.

Tourists visit Tiruvannamalai temple every purnami date or Full moon day to offer Giri Pradakshina. It is not mandatory to visit only during Pournami day. Even Tamil Nadu people consider participating in Giri Pradakshina around Arunachala hill on Amavasya day, Triyodasi day, Maasa Siva Ratri Day, Ekadasi Day and other festival days gives equal benefit. People

Tiruvannamalai Arunachala Giri Pradakshina Dates 2026 & Darshan Schedule:

How to Participate in Arunachalam Pournami Giri Pradakshina 2026?

The Tamil Nadu State Endowment and Temple administration Department manages the complete Giri Pradakshina for devotees. There are no specific rules and timings for participating in Girivalam. A Person who want to perform Pradakshinam around Arunachala Hill must visit the temple Main gate as the starting point.

The round trip is around 18.7 KM and it was well maintained by Tiruvannamalai Corporation. First devotee must appear in traditional wear and Aarti is given at the pournami time starting. After this aarti the Girivalam or Giri Pradakshinam will be commenced officially. Then all the devotees will start their walk around the Arunachalam hill visiting all 8 Temples of Dikpalakas in their path. Each temple darshan will take around 30 min to 1 hour based on floating.

One must observe silence and should chant Om Arunachaleswaraya Namaha!! or Om Namah Sivaayah!!. The typical time taken by a normal person to complete the Pradakshina is 6 to 10 hours with all temples darshan. Then they are returned back to the Maha Raja Gopuram of Annamalai Temple. After Breaking a coconut before the Darshan Q Balipeetam then Pradakshinam is concluded.

Arunachalam Girivalam (Pradakshina) Instructions:

Please appear for Arunachalam Giri Pradakshinam in traditional wear. Dhoti, Pyjama Kurta for gents and Saree, Punjabi & Salwar is advised for ladies.

Kids below 7 years are advised not to participate due to heavy crowd. Special lanes for Physically Disabled & Senior citizens is left by the temple board.

Try to avoid Plastic disposable items like Junk food packets, PET bottles & cool drinks etc to save the sanctity of the foot way path.

Carry a rudraksha maala or Karungali maala in your hand to peform Japam of Lord Shiva. Doing the pradakshina observing silence and focused on chanting japam will increase the lords blessings many times.

For First time participants in Giripradakshinam one must have darshan of all 8 Shiva linga temples dedicated to Asta Dikapalakas for benefits.

Pray sincerely before the temple gopuram about your purpose to participate in the holy pradakshinams. Offer pranamam before and after the conclusion of your trip.

List of Temples to See during 2026 Giri Pradakshina path:

Sri Arunachalam Hill Giri Pradakshina Benefits & Importance:

People who are suffering from Mental depressions, Physical ailments are cured in many instances by the air of Arunachala Hill. The Tiruvannamalai forests have many medicinal herbs & shrubs which charges the human body with positivity.

Puranas describe that the Hill is complete image of Lord Arunachaleswara. So doing a single pradakshinam is the easiest way to appease the god.

Both Sadguru Sri Ramana Maharshi and Kanchi Kamakoti Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswathy will bless the devotees who participate in Girivalam.

Being the Shiva linga is of Fire element, doing a parikrama around arunachalam hill is equal to doing parikrama of all the shiva temples in the universe.

For getting Moksha one must complete the parikramam in the pournami time of any month.

Facilities available at Arunachalam Hill Giri pradakshina Route:

The temple board has fully constructed the pathway with well paved roads & foot paths. During summer times, purified water dispensers are placed for every 200 meters.

First aid camps and Ambulances with Emergency care facilities are also available during the pournami dates.

All the temples which are in the Giri Pradakshina route are well maintained with proper Q system & Sanitation.

Number of Bio-toilets are placed for every 400 meters for public use. Feeding mothers & senior citizens can utilize waiting areas for rest.

The police and Volunteers will oversee the complete giripradakshina of devotees to avoid stampedes.

People who are unable to walk can take wheel chairs and can approach helpers for assistance to complete their trip.

Auto services and paid transport services are also available to people who cannot walk around the hill. They can have darshan in all the temples during the roundabout.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What are the Best timings to start Arunachalam Giri Pradakshinam?

We advise to start in early morning at Bramha Muhurtam on Pournami day to avoid heat waves. Starting in Pradosham time i.e after sunset is also most beneficial. Avoid Noon or Mid day time of start.

Do I have to book Online Tickets for participating in Giri Pradakshinam?

No Participation in Giri pradakshinam at Arunachala Hill is free of cost. The temple also allows devotees to have darshan for free of cost in General Queue line.

Is there any Parking, Cloak room facilities near the Giri Pradakshinam Road?

Yes temple trust have reserved many acres of well maintained parking places to park your personal vehicles. Foot wear stands, luggage check-in, Cellphone keeping services are also available for every few kilometers.

Sadguru Yogiraja Bagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi was the greatest monk or Spiritual guide in recent centuries. He got enlightend during his visit to Aurnachala Hill in Tiruvaannamalai. Spiritual seekers often visit Arunachala Hill every year to get divine blessings of Sri Ramana Maharshi. A big Ashram complex was constructed by Guru Ramana Ashram Trust for daily maintenance of Sri Ramana Devotees.

Free food and free library for enlightenment was available to devotees who book Free Accommodaiton Online in advance. Many NRI devotees, Spiritual Thinkers & Advaita philosophers found many answers to their soul twisting questions at the feet of Sri Bagavan Ramana Maharshi during meditation. There are many foreign visitors often have a stay for 4 to 21 days to meditate and practice their inner thinking.

Requirements for Sri Ramana Ashramam Rooms Online Booking:

A working Mobile number & email address for profile Login user Registration. The official website is stay.gururamana.org or visit Gururamana.org for complete information.

Proper ID proof for Indian citizens issued by government of India like PAN card, Aadhar Card, Driving License, Passport & Govt. Issued ID card.

Hard copy of the ID card should be produced for ID Verification & Check-in, check-out of accommodation.

How to Check Sri Ramana Ashram Rooms Availability Online?

Visit stay.gururamana.org website and select Accommodation tab. Read the instructions, Terms & Conditions carefully before going to check the availability calendar.

Now accept the terms & Conditions for accessing the booking page, Enter your Email address & password.

If you are a first time visitor, a profile creation & login user registration need to be done. Select Register login option and create a user ID for accessing Sri Ramana Ashram Rooms Online Booking.

For Foreign nationals 14 days maximum stay is allowed in single visit and they must clearly describe their nature, purpose of visit & Stay.

The standard check-in time for Ashram is 07:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 02:30 PM to 06:30 PM every day.

Steps to Book Sri Ramana Ashram Rooms in Arunachalam Tiruvannamalai:

Login with your user name, Password and Verify your Mobile number, Email Address with OTP verification & Verification Link.

Now Select the “Already a User Click Here to Login”, and select My Dashboard option. Now Select Submit a Stay Request.

Now choose the nature of booking, Stay request for Self or Others. Select a option in CATEGORY of VISITORS LIST.

The accommodation is provided as per the policy and priority of Sri Ramana Ashram Reservation guidelines.

Now choose the correct option opted for you, Proceed to enter the number of days to stay. Select the dates which are available in calender to confirm the booking. Single day or Single night stay is not allowed. Minimum contracted stay is 3 days for significant experience.

The Stay request is recorded once you fill all the details of guests who are appearing for accommodation. Visitors must upload their Aadhar ID card, Passport Size photo for online verification of Accommodation Request.

After validation people can expect Sri Ramana Ashram to verify and give reply in 2 working days.

Tiruvannamalai will be most cheerful and most celebrated in the month of Karthika Maasam or Karthigai Maasa. Generally after Diwali festival Sri Arunachaleswara temple is started with Kartika Maasa celebrations. Annamalai swamy was worshiped specially by lighting a small ghee deepam or diya in temple premises by devotees. As Arunachala hill is the living embodiment of Lord Annamalayar swamy, A jyoti is lit every year on Purnima day of Karthika maasa.

Speciality of Arunachalam Karthika Jyoti Darshan & Giri Pradakshinam:

Arulmigu Arunachaleswara swamy was the supreme light of knowledge and he is the Fire element shiva linga in the whole world. Karthika maasam is considered most auspicious for Lord Shiva & Vishnu worship. Previously on every purnima day or Full moon day in Karthika month a special celebration is conducted before Giri Pradakshina starting. On the early hours of purnima day, a huge deepam made with cotton wicks of huge proportions & 1000 kg of Cow ghee is placed on top of Arunachala Hill.

At the specific time the light is started and a divine glaze is radiated by the Arunachalam Karthika Deepam. Once the deepam is started the giri pradakshina is commenced officially on the day. Around 50 to 70 lak people appear for Arunachalam Karthika Jyoti Darshan and Giri Pradakshinam.

Arunachalam karthika Deepam Darshan – Giri Pradakshina Date 2026:

Karthika Maasam or karthikai Maasa will start from the next day of Diwali festival. Tiruvannamali Temple will celebrate special brahmotsavams of Siddhars, Sri Ganapati, Subramanya swamy, Arunachaleswara & Sri unnamulaiyamai. The grand procession ends with ThiruKarthigai Deepam or Karthika Deepotsavam festival.

Date of Arunachala Thiru Karthika Deepam festival is : December 3rd

Timings of Karthika Deepam Darshanam: 04:00 AM morning to 04:30 AM

No of Devotees appear for Karthia Deepam Darshan: 2 to 5 Million.

Giri Pradakshinam Starting Time: 04:30 AM on November 5 2025

Temple Darshan Queue time: 4 to 12 hours approximately

Tiruvannamalai Arunachalam Karthigai Deepam Festival Celebrations 2026 Schedule:

Sri Arunachaleswara Swamy Karthigai Deepam festival is also known as Tiruvannamalai Brahmotsavams. It is observed for 10 straight days before the Karthika Deepam day in November or December every year. Special Vahana Sevas, Pallaki & Theru etc are organized as per temple Agama Sastras & Tamil Calender dates. There are Five important deities in Tiruvannamalai Temple. Sri Ganapathi, Sri Murgan, Sri Sandeswarar, Sri Arunachaleswara (Annamalayar) & Sri Maha Parvathi idols are taken out for every day during Brahmotsavams.

The crowd and devotees participation might be 4 to 5 million on Girivalam day & Karthigai Maha Deepam day in Tiruvannamalai. First time visiting Tourists must be careful & book proper accommodations during their visit in Brahmotsavams schedule.