About Arunachalesvara Temple
The Arunachalesvara Temple, also called the Annamalaiyar Temple, lies at the foot of the Arunachala hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams and represents fire (agni), with Shiva worshipped as the Agni Lingam, Arunachaleswarar or Annamalaiyar, alongside the goddess Unnamulai Amman. The hill itself is regarded as a form of Shiva, and the town has long drawn saints and seekers, including Ramana Maharshi in the 20th century.
According to the Puranas, Brahma and Vishnu once argued over who was greater. Shiva appeared between them as an endless column of fire and challenged them to find its top or bottom; neither could, and the column is believed to have settled as the Arunachala hill. This legend is celebrated each year at Karthigai Deepam in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November or December), when a huge flame is lit on the summit and can be seen for many kilometres. The temple was patronised by the Cholas, and was greatly expanded under the Hoysalas, the Vijayanagara rulers and the Thanjavur Nayaks.
The temple is one of the largest in India, covering about 10 hectares, with four great gopurams on its four sides. The eastern rajagopuram rises in 11 tiers to about 66 metres and is among the tallest in the country. Inside are several prakarams, a thousand-pillared hall, sacred tanks, and many smaller shrines. Girivalam, the walk of about 14 km around the base of the hill, is done barefoot by many devotees, especially on full-moon (pournami) nights, passing eight lingams that mark the directions.
Arunachalesvara Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from about 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Ushathkala (dawn) puja | Around 5:30 AM (approx.) |
| Uchikala (noon) puja | Around noon (approx.) |
| Sayaraksha (evening) puja | Around 6:00 PM (approx.) |
| Arthajama (night) puja | Around 9:00 PM (approx.) |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Arunachalesvara Temple
By air
Chennai International Airport is about 190 km away; Puducherry has a small airport about 105 km away, and Bengaluru airport is about 220 km away.
By train
Tiruvannamalai has its own railway station with limited trains; Villupuram Junction (about 65 km) and Katpadi Junction (about 90 km) are better connected.
By road
Frequent buses run from Chennai, Bengaluru, Puducherry and Villupuram. On Deepam and full-moon days, extra buses run and traffic restrictions apply.
Festivals at Arunachalesvara Temple
- Karthigai DeepamNov/Dec
- Maha ShivaratriFeb/Mar
- Chitra PournamiApr/May
- Pournami girivalamMonthly (full moon)
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Traditional and modest clothing is expected.
- Entry
- Free general darshan; paid special darshan tickets are usually available.
- For girivalam, start after sunset or before dawn, wear light clothes and carry water; the 14 km walk takes about four hours at a steady pace.
- Book accommodation well in advance for Karthigai Deepam and full-moon weekends.
- The temple is vast; allow at least two hours to see the main shrines and halls.
- Many visitors also climb part of the hill to Skandashramam and Virupaksha cave; go early, as the rocks heat up quickly.
- Keep footwear at the stalls near the gopuram entrance.
Places to visit near Arunachalesvara Temple
- Sri RamanasramamAshram of Ramana Maharshi on the girivalam path, about 2 km away
- Virupaksha Cave and SkandashramamCaves on Arunachala where Ramana Maharshi lived, a climb of about 2 km
- Gingee FortLarge historic hill fort, about 40 km away
Frequently asked questions
Which element does Arunachalesvara Temple represent?
It represents fire. Shiva is worshipped here as the Agni Lingam, recalling the legend of the column of fire.
What is Karthigai Deepam at Tiruvannamalai?
It is the festival in November or December when a huge flame is lit on top of Arunachala hill, celebrating Shiva as a column of light.
What is girivalam and how long is it?
Girivalam is the walk around Arunachala hill, about 14 km long, done barefoot by many devotees, especially on full-moon nights.
What are the Tiruvannamalai temple timings?
The temple is usually open from about 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Festival days may differ.
How far is Tiruvannamalai from Chennai?
Tiruvannamalai is about 190 km from Chennai by road, roughly four to five hours.
What is the aarti time at Arunachalesvara Temple?
Ushathkala (dawn) puja: Around 5:30 AM (approx.); Uchikala (noon) puja: Around noon (approx.); Sayaraksha (evening) puja: Around 6:00 PM (approx.); Arthajama (night) puja: Around 9:00 PM (approx.). Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
Is there a dress code at Arunachalesvara Temple?
Traditional and modest clothing is expected.
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