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Tiruvannamalai (Arunachaleswarar)

Tiruvannamalai (Arunachaleswarar)

pilgrimage site · Tamil Nadu

State
Tamil Nadu
Type
Pilgrimage Site

At Tiruvannamalai, Shiva is the mountain itself — Arunachala, the hill of fire, with the vast Arunachaleswarar temple at its foot spreading over ten hectares beneath four colossal gopurams. Pilgrims walk the 14-km girivalam barefoot around the hill every full moon, and on Karthigai Deepam a giant cauldron of ghee is lit on the summit, visible for miles. The ashram of Ramana Maharshi, the sage of self-enquiry who never left the mountain, draws seekers from every continent.

When to go

November to March; Karthigai Deepam

Why visit

The mountain that is God — full-moon circuits, a summit flame, and Ramana's silent presence.

How to reach

About 190 km from Chennai and 100 km from Puducherry/Vellore by road; Tiruvannamalai station connects via Villupuram and Katpadi.

Tiruvannamalai (Arunachaleswarar) guide & itineraries

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