Tiruvannamalai travel guide · updated November 2026
திருவண்ணாமலை பார்க்க வேண்டிய இடங்கள்
The temple, the Girivalam path and its eight lingams, the ashrams of the saints, the caves on Arunachala — and the day trips around them. Written by the ashram at Adi Annamalai, on the Girivalam path, for pilgrims we meet every day.
Quick answer · What to see in Tiruvannamalai?
In town and on the Girivalam path
நகரிலும் கிரிவலப் பாதையிலும்
அருணாசலேஸ்வரர் கோயில்
The Pancha Bhoota Sthalam of fire (Agni) and one of the largest temples in India — about 25 acres, with an eastern Rajagopuram of 11 storeys (about 66 m). Inside, the Kambathu Ilaiyanar shrine marks where, tradition says, Murugan appeared from a pillar for Arunagirinathar.
Centre of town
Entry free · darshan 5:30 AM – 8 PM (7:30 PM weekends, Pournami)
Temple timings →கிரிவலப் பாதை
The 14 km walk around Arunachala hill, done barefoot with the hill on your right, starting and ending at the temple. Most walk it on Pournami (full-moon) nights; it takes about 3 to 5 hours on foot. The path is lit at night.
Around the hill
Any time; vehicles are restricted on Pournami and Deepam
Girivalam dates 2026–27 →ஸ்ரீ ரமணாஸ்ரமம்
The ashram of Ramana Maharshi on Chengam Road at the foot of the hill, with his samadhi hall and the old hall where he sat. Vedic chanting at 8 AM and 5 PM.
Chengam Road, on the Girivalam path
5:30 AM – 8:30 PM · samadhi hall closed 11 AM – 2 PM · free
விருபாக்ஷ குகை · ஸ்கந்தாஸ்ரமம்
Where Ramana Maharshi lived on the hill — Virupaksha Cave from 1899 to 1916, then Skandashram higher up. A paved path of about 1.5 km climbs from behind Ramanasramam, with views over the temple towers.
Southeastern slope of Arunachala
Roughly 8 AM – 4 PM · free
சேஷாத்ரி சுவாமிகள் ஆசிரமம்
The samadhi of Seshadri Swamigal, the saint of Tiruvannamalai who was close to the young Ramana. Next to Ramanasramam on the Girivalam path.
Chengam Road, beside Ramanasramam
யோகி ராம்சுரத்குமார் ஆசிரமம்
A large ashram dedicated to Yogi Ramsuratkumar, the 'Visiri Saamiyaar', at Agraharakollai on Chengam Road; annadhanam is served.
Chengam Road
ஆதி அண்ணாமலையார் கோயில்
On the Girivalam path on the far side of the hill, between the Varuna and Vayu lingams. Tradition holds this temple to be older than the main one; Appar sang of it, and it is linked with Manikkavasagar's Thiruvembavai.
Adi Annamalai, about 7 km round the path
சிவ ஸ்ரீ தியானேஸ்வர் அம்மா ஆசிரமம்
Maataji's ashram at Adi Annamalai, on the quiet side of the hill. Free annadhanam for sadhus and pilgrims every day, satsang and classes, and the darshan of Mounasamy Siddhar — the silent sadhu of Tiruvannamalai — who stands for darshan every evening.
Thiyaneswar Veedhi, Vediyappanur Road, Adi Annamalai
Open daily · annadhanam 9–11 AM · 4–6 PM · Mounasamy stands 7–8 PM · free
Mounasamy darshan details →The Ashta Lingams · அஷ்ட லிங்கங்கள்
Walking Girivalam clockwise from the temple, you pass eight shrines, one for each direction. Between the Varuna and Vayu lingams the path reaches Adi Annamalai — where our ashram serves annadhanam and Mounasamy Siddhar gives darshan.
Day trips from Tiruvannamalai
அருகிலுள்ள சுற்றுலா இடங்கள்
சாத்தனூர் அணை
A dam on the Thenpennai river built in the 1950s, with gardens, a crocodile farm and a fish grotto — a family half-day out.
About 30 km
செஞ்சிக் கோட்டை
A fort spread over three hills — Rajagiri, Krishnagiri and Chakkiliya Durg — protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and part of the UNESCO-listed Maratha Military Landscapes of India.
About 40 km
ASI ticket; go early, the climb is steep
பர்வதமலை
A steep pilgrimage hill with the Mallikarjunar temple on the summit, climbed by devotees on full-moon nights.
About 30 km
படவேடு ரேணுகாம்பாள் கோயில்
A celebrated goddess temple in a valley village of many old temples linked to the Sambuvarayar rulers.
About 55 km, via Polur
ஜவ்வாது மலை · ஜமுனாமரத்தூர்
Cool forested hills with Beema Falls and the Vainu Bappu Observatory at Kavalur.
About 75 km
Plan your trip
December–February is coolest. Pournami nights and Karthigai Deepam are special but very crowded — book rooms early.
Chennai airport is about 175 km by road (3.5–4.5 hours). Bengaluru airport is the other option.
Tiruvannamalai station is on the Katpadi–Villupuram line, a few km from the temple.
SETC and private buses from Chennai, Bengaluru and Puducherry; extra buses on Pournami. The bus stand is about 2 km from the temple.
Walk barefoot, keep the hill on your right, carry water, start early morning or after sunset, and allow 3–5 hours.
Summit climbing has been restricted since the 2024 landslide. Check with the Forest Department before planning a climb.
Questions people ask
Sources: Wikipedia: Annamalaiyar Temple · Wikipedia: Girivalam · Ramanasramam · Tiruvannamalai district · Wikivoyage
Visiting Tiruvannamalai?
Siva Sri Thiyaneswar Amma Ashram is on the Girivalam road at Adi Annamalai, the quiet side of Arunachala. Every visitor is welcome to a free meal, to sit with Mounasamy Siddhar — the silent sadhu of Tiruvannamalai — and to join satsang. There is no fee.
