Popular Temple
Annamalaiyar Temple, Tiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
Represents the element of fire among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams — famed for the Girivalam hill circumambulation
At a glance
- Location
- Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
- Presiding deity
- Lord Shiva (as Arunachaleswara, representing the element of fire)
- Temple type
- Popular Temple
- Tradition
- Shaiva
- Nearest railway station
- Tiruvannamalai railway station (within the town itself)
- Nearest airport
- Chennai International Airport (~185 km); Puducherry Airport (~90 km)
- Best time to visit
- November to February; Karthigai Deepam (November-December) is celebrated as a spectacular festival of fire.
History
The Annamalaiyar Temple sits at the foot of Arunachala hill and represents the element of fire (Agni) among Shiva's Pancha Bhoota Sthalams. It is counted among India's largest temple complexes, with a Rajagopuram rising roughly 66 metres. The site is also closely linked to the ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi, who spent most of his life on Arunachala hill.
Spiritual significance
Every full moon, thousands of devotees walk the roughly 14 km Girivalam circumambulation of Arunachala hill barefoot — the site's most celebrated tradition.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
5:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
Tiruvannamalai station connects to Chennai and other Tamil Nadu cities; both auto and walking options are available from the station to the temple.
Continue your Shiva bhakti
Devotional texts for this deity, already on the site.