Arunachaleswara Temple Guide: Tiruvannamalai's Agni Lingam, Girivalam and Karthigai Deepam

Quick answer: The Arunachaleswara Temple (also called Annamalaiyar Temple) in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, is one of the most important Shiva temples in South India. It is the fire (Agni) shrine among the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, commemorating Shiva's appearance as an endless column of fire. Shiva is worshipped as Arunachaleswarar and the Goddess as Unnamulai Amman. Arunachala hill behind the temple is itself revered as Shiva, and devotees walk the 14 km Girivalam path around it, especially on full moon nights. The great festival is Karthigai Deepam, when a huge flame is lit on the hilltop. Check the temple's official website for current timings.

Tiruvannamalai is both a temple town and a spiritual centre known worldwide through Sri Ramana Maharshi. For NRI families it offers a rare combination: a vast, living Dravidian temple, a mountain to walk around in prayer, and ashrams where seekers of every background sit in silence.

Arunachaleswara Temple at a glance

The legend: Shiva as the column of fire

The Shiva Purana and the Arunachala Mahatmya tell of a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu over who was greater. To end it, Shiva appeared as an immeasurable pillar of fire stretching beyond the heavens and the underworld. Vishnu took the form of a boar (Varaha) and dug downwards; Brahma became a swan and flew upwards. Neither found the end. Vishnu humbly admitted defeat, but Brahma claimed falsely to have seen the top, citing a ketaki (screw-pine) flower as his witness. Shiva rebuked Brahma's lie, which is why, tradition says, Brahma has few temples and the ketaki flower is not offered to Shiva.

At the request of the gods, the fiery column cooled into the hill of Arunachala, the "red mountain" or "mountain of dawn". This is why the hill itself is worshipped as Shiva, and why the image of Lingodbhava, Shiva emerging from the column, appears on the western wall of countless Shiva temples.

Another legend tells that Parvati playfully covered Shiva's eyes, plunging the universe into darkness. To atone, she performed penance at Tiruvannamalai, and Shiva appeared as fire on the hill and accepted her as his half, Ardhanarishvara. This is linked to the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam.

The temple: one of India's largest

The temple complex covers about 25 acres, making it one of the largest temples in India. It developed over many centuries with contributions from the Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara rulers and the Nayakas of Thanjavur.

• Four great gopurams: towers stand at each cardinal direction. The eastern Rajagopuram is among the tallest temple towers in India, about 66 m (217 ft) with eleven tiers, begun under the Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya and completed under the Thanjavur Nayakas.
• Five prakarams: concentric courtyards lead inwards to the sanctum, each with shrines, mandapams and tanks.
• Thousand-pillared hall: a Vijayanagara-era mandapam with carved pillars.
• Shivaganga and Brahma tanks: large temple tanks used in rituals and festivals.
• Unnamulai Amman shrine: the shrine of the Goddess, whose Tamil name means "she who was never suckled".

Inscriptions in the temple record grants from Chola times onwards, and the Hoysala king Ballala III is associated with Tiruvannamalai, which served as one of his later capitals.

Saints and poets of Tiruvannamalai

The Shaiva saints Appar, Sundarar and Thirugnanasambandar sang of Annamalai in the Thevaram hymns, and Manikkavasagar composed parts of the Thiruvasagam, including the Thiruvempavai sung in the month of Margazhi, here. The 15th-century poet Arunagirinathar, author of the Thiruppugazh in praise of Lord Murugan, is closely associated with the temple, which has a shrine linked to him.

In modern times Tiruvannamalai became known worldwide through Sri Ramana Maharshi, who arrived in 1896 and spent over fifty years on and around the hill, teaching the practice of self-enquiry: "Who am I?" Sri Seshadri Swamigal, another revered saint, also lived here. Today visitors from many countries come to Sri Ramanasramam and the hill's caves, such as Virupaksha Cave and Skandashram, where Ramana lived in his early years.

Girivalam: walking around the holy hill

Girivalam (giri pradakshina) is the barefoot circumambulation of Arunachala along a path of about 14 km. Along the way are eight Ashta Lingams, shrines associated with the eight directions, along with many other temples, tanks and mandapams. Devotees walk slowly, chanting "Om Arunachala" or Shiva's names, keeping the hill on their right.

• Pournami (full moon) nights draw enormous crowds; for a quieter walk, choose another day or go early in the morning.
• Many walk barefoot, but the road surface gets hot; walk in the early morning or evening, or wear simple footwear if needed.
• Carry water, and plan three to five hours depending on your pace and stops.
• Elderly parents can do part of the route by auto-rickshaw.

Karthigai Deepam: the festival of the flame

Karthigai Deepam is Tiruvannamalai's greatest festival, the culmination of a ten-day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November–December). Early on the main day, the Bharani Deepam is lit in the temple. At dusk, as the deities are brought out, the Maha Deepam is lit in a huge cauldron of ghee on the summit of Arunachala, visible for miles around. Lakhs of devotees gather, and homes across Tamil Nadu light rows of lamps at the same moment.

Karthigai Deepam falls during the season that Telugu and Kannada calendars call Karthika Masam. Our Karthika Masam 2026 guide explains the month's observances. For exact Karthigai Deepam dates and crowd arrangements, follow the temple's official announcements.

Other festivals

• Maha Shivaratri, with night-long worship.
• Monthly Pournami Girivalam and Pradosham.
• Margazhi, with the Thiruvempavai hymns.
• Thiruvoodal, a festival enacting a divine lovers' quarrel between Shiva and Parvati, in the month of Thai.

How to reach Tiruvannamalai

• By air: Chennai International Airport is the main gateway, about 190 km by road. Bengaluru's airport is another option. Puducherry has a smaller airport.
• By rail: Tiruvannamalai has a railway station on the Villupuram–Katpadi line.
• By road: frequent buses and taxis connect Tiruvannamalai with Chennai, Bengaluru, Vellore and Puducherry.

Tips for NRI pilgrims

• Check the temple's official website for current darshan timings, special entry arrangements and festival schedules.
• Wear modest traditional clothing; remove shoes at the entrance and use the shoe-keeping counters.
• Allow at least half a day for the temple itself; it is vast, and the inner shrines can have queues.
• Avoid Pournami and Karthigai Deepam if you prefer smaller crowds; go on those days if you want the full festival experience.
• Book accommodation well in advance for full moon weekends and festival days.
• Respect the silence of the ashrams; follow their guidelines on dress and photography.

Combine Tiruvannamalai with Kanchipuram's Kailasanathar and Ekambareswarar temples, the Jambukeswarar Temple at Thiruvanaikaval (water element) and Chidambaram (space element) to visit most of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams in one trip.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Arunachaleswara Temple?

It is in the town of Tiruvannamalai in Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu, at the foot of Arunachala hill. Chennai is the usual international gateway, and Bengaluru is also within driving distance.

Why is Arunachaleswara called the Agni Lingam?

Arunachaleswara is the fire (agni) element among the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, the temples where Shiva is worshipped as earth, water, fire, air and space. It commemorates the legend of Shiva appearing as an endless column of fire before Brahma and Vishnu.

What is Girivalam?

Girivalam is the barefoot circumambulation of Arunachala hill, a path of about 14 km. Devotees walk it at any time, but especially on full moon (Pournami) nights, when very large numbers of pilgrims take part. The hill itself is revered as Shiva.

When is Karthigai Deepam?

Karthigai Deepam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November–December), on the day the Krittika nakshatra coincides with the full moon. On that evening the Maha Deepam is lit on the summit of Arunachala. Check the temple's official announcements for the exact date each year.

Who was Ramana Maharshi?

Sri Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950) was one of modern India's most revered sages. He came to Tiruvannamalai as a teenager and lived there for the rest of his life, teaching self-enquiry. Sri Ramanasramam at the foot of the hill draws seekers from all over the world.

Editor's note

Editor's note (5 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. It covers well-established legends, history and general travel information. We have not listed darshan timings, ticket prices or contact details, or a 2026 Karthigai Deepam date; please check the temple's official website and announcements before you travel.

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