Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple: Timings, Girivalam and Deepam

Facts checked November 2026.

This page is part of our 10 Famous Temples in Kerala guide. Planning the yatra? See our South India yatra packages.

Where is Tiruvannamalai temple and how do you reach it?

The temple stands at the foot of Arunachala hill in the town of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. The temple website lists the town bus stand at about 1 km and the railway station at about 1.5 km from the temple.

Tiruvannamalai can be combined with Kanchipuram and Chidambaram on a road yatra, as the Pancha Bhoota temples are spread across this part of Tamil Nadu.

Why is Arunachaleswarar temple important?

Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Annamalaiyar or Arunachaleswarar, and the hill itself is revered as a form of Shiva. The Tiruvannamalai page on Tamil Nadu’s urban local bodies portal counts the temple among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, and it is known as the sthalam of the fire element.

The temple’s Thala Puranam tells how Brahma took the form of a swan and flew up to see the crown of Shiva. Unable to reach it, he asked a falling thazhambu flower to act as a false witness. Shiva cursed that Brahma should have no temple on earth and that the thazhambu flower should not be used in Shiva worship. The temple says Tiruvannamalai is the place where Shiva stood as a column of fire to remove ego.

The temple website describes a complex with 9 towers, 5 praharams and many mandapams, built from the early Chola period (9th century AD) and expanded under the later Cholas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara Nayaks. The same portal gives the area as about 25 acres and says the East gopuram, built by King Krishnadevaraya, is 217 ft tall. The temple is mentioned in the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam.

What are the Tiruvannamalai temple timings and pooja times?

Darshan runs from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM through the East Rajagopuram and the North Ammani Amman Gopuram. On Saturdays, Sundays, full moon days, holidays and days with heavy crowds, devotees are allowed only until 7:30 PM.

How much do abhishekams cost at Tiruvannamalai?

The temple website lists these fees for special services:

Confirm fees at the temple office before you pay, and pay only at official counters.

How do you do Girivalam at Tiruvannamalai?

Girivalam is the walk around Arunachala hill. The urban local bodies portal and Incredible India both give the path as 14 km, and Incredible India describes barefoot devotees walking it on full moon nights. Sri Ramanasramam is one of the places on the Girivalam path.

• Start after darshan at the temple, or from the temple area.
• Walk clockwise, keeping the hill on your right.
• Many devotees walk barefoot; carry water and rest when needed.
• Full moon nights draw very large crowds. Elders may prefer an ordinary day, early in the morning.

Our guide to famous Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu explains the Girivalam custom and the other Pancha Bhoota temples in more detail.

When is Karthigai Deepam at Tiruvannamalai?

Incredible India says Karthigai Deepam is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Karthigai, which falls in November–December, and that it draws very large crowds. A great lamp is lit on top of the hill. Drik Panchang gives Karthigai Deepam this year on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. The temple announces its own festival schedule, so check its notices, and book rooms well in advance for this period.

Is there a dress code at Tiruvannamalai temple?

The temple website does not publish a written dress code. Wear modest traditional clothes: a dhoti or trousers with a shirt for men, and a saree, salwar or churidar with a dupatta for women. Footwear is left at the free footwear stands outside the East and North Raja Gopurams.

What facilities are there for senior citizens?

The temple lists wheelchairs and a battery car inside the temple, an information centre, drinking water, a lactating mothers’ room, and a hospital outside the temple near the North Raja Gopuram. The complex is large, so elders should take darshan early and use the battery car. Girivalam is a long walk, so elders should judge their fitness and rest often. See our yatra safety tips for senior citizens.

Which temples can you visit with Tiruvannamalai?

• Kanchipuram: Ekambareswarar (earth) and Kamakshi Amman; see our Kanchi Kamakshi guide.
• Chidambaram, Thiruvanaikaval and Srikalahasti: the other Pancha Bhoota temples.
• Other forms of Shiva: read our guide to Lord Shiva’s forms, names and temples.

How can Yatra To Temples help?

Our Panch Bhoota Sthalam Darshan Yatra covers all five Pancha Bhoota temples, including Arunachaleswarar at Tiruvannamalai, over 6 days. Call or WhatsApp +91 78178 98687 or write to shiva@yatratotemples.in.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Tiruvannamalai temple timings?

Darshan is from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM. On Saturdays, Sundays, full moon days, holidays and crowded days, devotees are allowed only until 7:30 PM.

Is Tiruvannamalai temple closed in the afternoon?

The temple website lists darshan continuously from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM, with no afternoon break shown. Pooja times are listed separately.

How long is Girivalam at Tiruvannamalai?

About 14 km around Arunachala hill. Most devotees walk it barefoot and clockwise, especially on full moon nights.

When is the next Karthigai Deepam?

Drik Panchang gives Tuesday, 24 November 2026. The temple announces the festival schedule, so check its notices before you travel.

Which element does Tiruvannamalai temple represent?

Fire (Agni). It is one of the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams of Shiva.

How far is Tiruvannamalai temple from the railway station?

The temple website lists the railway station at about 1.5 km and the bus stand at about 1 km.

Which gates are used for darshan?

Devotees enter through the East Rajagopuram and the North Ammani Amman Gopuram.