The ashram

A home on the Girivalam path, where everyone is fed first and asked questions later.

Siva Sri Thiyaneswar Amma Ashram stands at Adi Annamalai, on the far side of Arunachala from the great temple — the stretch where the road is quiet and the hill is closest. A Tiruvannamalai ashram near the Girivalam path, open to every pilgrim.

Why the ashram exists

Feed the hungry, teach the willing, serve the town.

The trust was registered on 24 April 2017 by Amma with a simple charter: welfare for the general public, offered without discrimination. Everything on this page flows from it.

01 · Feed

Annadhanam, every day

Food for sadhus, pilgrims, the poor and the sick on the Girivalam road, 365 days a year, swelling to lakhs of plates on Pournami nights, Karthigai Deepam and Shivaratri. Vastram (cloth) and Maheswara Poojai for sadhus every year.

About Annadhanam

02 · Teach

Saivam, Sivayogam and sound

Thiruvasagam and the Panniru Thirumurai, the lives of the 63 Nayanmars, free Sivayogam (yoga and meditation on the Ministry of AYUSH model), Kailaya Vathiyam and Pancha Vathiyam for village children, satsangs every week and on every full moon.

Teachings & classes

03 · Serve

Girivalam path and village

Cleaning the 14 km Girivalam path, free medical camps and ambulance support, Covid-care relief, desilting village ponds around the hill, skill training for women (sewing, cooking, weaving) and education support for village children.

Support this work

A day at the ashram

The kitchen wakes before the hill does.

Timings in brackets are to be confirmed by the ashram office; they change on Pournami and festival days.

Before dawnKitchen seva begins. Rice, sambar and vegetables for the day's annadhanam.

06:00Daily Siva pooja in the ashram shrine, open to all.

9:00 – 11:00 AMMorning satsang and classes — Sivayogam (breath, asana and meditation), free of cost.

9–11 AM · 4–6 PMAnnadhanam for sadhus and pilgrims on the Girivalam road, morning and evening. Volunteers serve.

4:00 – 6:00 PMThiruvasagam and Kailaya Vathiyam classes for children and devotees, and the evening satsang — bhajans, a reading, a word from Maataji when she is present.

7:00 – 8:00 PMMounasamy stands to give darshan — the one hour of the day he rises from his seat.

PournamiFull-moon pooja at the ashram and annadhanam through the night for Girivalam walkers.

Visitor information

What to know before you come.

Directions & map

Where

Thiyaneswar Veedhi, Vediyappanur Road, Adi Annamalai, Tiruvannamalai 606604

On the Girivalam path. Autos from the temple and bus stand know “Adi Annamalai”.

When

Open daily · satsang and annadhanam 9–11 AM and 4–6 PM

Maataji's darshan every Friday and on Pournami, 9 AM – 7 PM. Mounasamy stands for darshan 7–8 PM daily. Pournami nights, Karthigai Deepam and Maha Shivaratri run through the night.

Dress & conduct

Modest, traditional clothing; footwear off indoors

Vegetarian only, no alcohol or smoking. Ask before photographing Maataji or sadhus.

Facilities

Pooja hall, dining hall, drinking water, restrooms

Rooms are available for devotees — booking in advance is required. Parking: confirm.

From abroad

Chennai airport is about 175 km away

Taxi 4–5 hours; trains and buses to Tiruvannamalai. Tamil is spoken; English, Hindi and Telugu help is available at the office.

Languages

தமிழ் · English · తెలుగు · हिन्दी

This whole website, the booking steps and every confirmation are available in all four.

Pilgrims walking the Girivalam road at dusk with Arunachala behind

Come and see for yourself.

Tell us when you are coming and we will keep a place for you at the next satsang and a plate at annadhanam.

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