Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple
The fire element among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams
Wikimedia Commons
Live Darshan & Aarti
Watch live aarti and darshan from Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple — streams go live around the aarti timings below.
Join the live aarti and darshan of Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple — streams go live around the aarti timings shown.
Good to know before you visit
- On every Pournami (full moon), lakhs of devotees perform Girivalam — a 14 km barefoot circumambulation of the sacred Annamalai hill. Live darshan here is most often available during Girivalam and major festivals.
About Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple
One of the grandest Shiva temples in India, Arunachaleswarar at the foot of the sacred Annamalai hill represents Agni, the element of fire, among the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams. Every full moon, lakhs of devotees walk the 14 km Girivalam around the hill; the Karthigai Deepam festival crowns the summit with a towering flame.
Aarti Timings
- Ushathkalam05:30
- Kalasanthi08:00
- Uchikalam12:00
- Sayarakshai18:00
- Arthajamam21:00
Timings are indicative and may change on festival days.
Festivals & Sacred Days
Karthigai Deepam
November–DecemberThe temple's most spectacular festival, when a colossal flame (Maha Deepam) is lit in a cauldron of ghee atop Annamalai hill, visible for miles as a living embodiment of Shiva as fire.
Girivalam (Pournami)
Every full moonOn each full moon, lakhs of devotees walk the 14 km barefoot circumambulation of the sacred hill through the night, pausing at the eight lingams along the route.
Thai Poosam & Panguni Uthiram
January–February / March–AprilMajor Tamil festivals with grand temple-car (ther) processions of the deities through the four mada streets surrounding the temple.
Poojas & Sevas
Ushathkalam Pooja
05:30The pre-dawn awakening worship, the first of the six daily kala poojas performed in agama tradition.
Maha Rudrabhishekam
Elaborate abhishekam of the Arunachaleswarar lingam with chanting of the Rudram, offered for the devotee's wellbeing.
Girivalam Deepa Aaradhana
Lighting of lamps and offerings made at the lingams encircling the hill, especially on full-moon nights during Girivalam.
Travel Guide
Address
Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu 606601
Nearest Airport
Chennai International Airport (185 km)
Nearest Railway
Tiruvannamalai Railway Station (3 km)
Best Season
November to February — cooler and ideal for Girivalam; the Karthigai Deepam season is the most atmospheric but extremely crowded.
Dress Code
Traditional modest attire; remove footwear at the entrance. Carry water and wear comfortable footwear if walking the Girivalam.
How to reach
Tiruvannamalai is reached by road from Chennai (around 4 hours), Bengaluru and Puducherry; the temple lies at the foot of Annamalai hill in the town centre.
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