Arunachalam Temple, also called Annamalaiyar Temple, sits at the foot of Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. This ancient shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva as the fire element (Agni) of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas, is a spiritual beacon. Its towering gopurams and the 14-km Girivalam path around the hill draw millions, especially during Karthigai Deepam. Known for its divine energy, it’s a place where devotees seek peace and liberation.
Daily Darshan and Puja Timings
Arunachalam Temple opens from 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily, extending to 7:45 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and full moon days due to crowds, per omarunachala.com. Six pujas, like Ushakala (5:30 AM) and Arthajama (8:00 PM), mark the day, per gotirupati.com. Free general darshan takes time, while VIP darshan (Rs. 200) is quicker, per ayodhyaregistration.com. Evening aarti at 6:00 PM glows with devotion, per mandirtimings.com. In 2025, arrive early (6:00 AM) or post-4:00 PM for a smooth visit, soaking in the temple’s serene vibe.
Morning Puja Schedule
Morning rituals start with Ushakala Puja at 5:30 AM, followed by Kalasandhi at 8:00 AM, per gotirupati.com. These involve milk abhishekam (Rs. 1,000-4,500), per ttdsevas.com. Darshan begins at 5:30 AM via East Rajagopuram, per omarunachala.com. Early visits avoid long queues, per templeshelp.com. By 6:00 AM, the sanctum’s energy feels divine, per tripadvisor.com. In 2025, morning pujas offer a calm start, ideal for prayers and witnessing the Shivalinga’s sacred bath.
Evening Puja Schedule
Evening pujas include Sayaratchai at 5:00 PM and Arthajama at 8:00 PM, per gotirupati.com. Deeparadhana at 6:00 PM, with lamps, is a highlight, per mandirtimings.com. Darshan extends to 7:45 PM on busy days, per omarunachala.com. Book special darshan online to skip waits, per ayodhyaregistration.com. The temple glows at dusk, per holidify.com. In 2025, evening visits capture Arunachalam’s magical atmosphere, perfect for heartfelt devotion.
Girivalam Timings and Rituals
Girivalam, the 14-km barefoot walk around Arunachala Hill, is a sacred ritual, especially on full moon days, per thiruvannamalai.in. It runs 24 hours, but 4:00 AM, 4:00 PM, or 10:00 PM are ideal to avoid heat, per abhibus.com. The walk, covering eight lingams, takes 3-5 hours, per mandirtimings.com. Start at West Gopuram after temple darshan, chanting “Om Arunachaleswaraya Namaha,” per ttdsevaonline.net. In 2025, Girivalam offers spiritual cleansing, with May 14 and November 4 being key Pournami dates, per frenzyholidays.com.:web
Full Moon Girivalam Dates
Full moon days amplify Girivalam’s power, drawing lakhs, per thiruvannamalai.in. In 2025, key dates include May 14, June 2, July 1, and November 4, per frenzyholidays.com. Start at 4:00 AM for cool weather or 10:00 PM for moonlight, per abhibus.com. The path has rest stops and water points, per templeshelp.com. Visiting Ashta Lingams brings blessings, per ttdsevaonline.net. In 2025, these dates promise a divine walk, connecting you to Shiva’s energy.
Preparation for Girivalam
Wear shoes and carry water, ID, and light snacks, per weekendyaar.in. Begin with a coconut offering at the temple, per ttdsevaonline.net. Walk clockwise, visiting lingams like Indra and Agni, per abhibus.com. Avoid peak afternoon heat, per frenzyholidays.com. Locals suggest silence for focus, per tirupatitirumalainfo.com. In 2025, preparing well ensures a safe, soulful Girivalam, deepening your bond with Arunachala’s sacred hill.
Major Festivals and Extended Hours
Karthigai Deepam (November 4-14, 2025) is Arunachalam’s grandest festival, with a hilltop beacon lit, per ttdsevas.com. The temple may open 24 hours, per mandirtimings.com. Maha Shivaratri (February) features all-night pujas, per chikucab.com. Both see extended darshan until 10:00 PM, per omarunachala.com. Three million visit during Deepam, per ttdsevas.com. Book pujas online, per ayodhyaregistration.com. In 2025, these festivals offer a vibrant, divine experience, blending devotion and celebration.
Karthigai Deepam Festival
Karthigai Deepam, from November 4-14, 2025, lights up Arunachala with a massive lamp, per ttdsevas.com. Special pujas start at 4:00 AM, and darshan may run 24 hours, per mandirtimings.com. Fireworks and processions fill the town, per thiruvannamalai.in. Book VIP darshan early, per ayodhyaregistration.com. The hill glows, drawing millions, per holidify.com. In 2025, Deepam’s energy makes it the best time for a spiritual visit.
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri in February 2025 brings all-night bhajans and abhishekam, per chikucab.com. The temple extends hours to 10:00 PM, per omarunachala.com. Devotees offer bilva leaves (Rs. 50), per gotirupati.com. Morning pujas at 6:00 AM are less crowded, per templeshelp.com. The festival’s devotion is profound, per tripadvisor.com. In 2025, Shivaratri offers a night of prayer, ideal for seeking Shiva’s blessings at Arunachalam.
How to Reach Arunachalam Temple
Tiruvannamalai is 180 km from Chennai, reachable by taxi (Rs. 2,500, 3.5 hours) or bus (Rs. 150, 4 hours), per abhibus.com. Tiruvannamalai Railway Station, 2 km away, connects to Chennai, with autos (Rs. 50), per gotirupati.com. Chennai Airport (180 km) offers taxis (Rs. 2,500), per makemytrip.com. NH-77 ensures smooth drives, per ayodhyaregistration.com. In 2025, early morning travel beats traffic, landing you at Arunachalam’s divine gates.
By Train and Auto
Tiruvannamalai Station (TNM), 2 km away, links to Chennai and Madurai, with fares from Rs. 100, per irctc.co.in. Autos to the temple cost Rs. 50, taking 5 minutes, per gotirupati.com. Morning trains are less crowded, per abhibus.com. The short ride passes local markets, per holidify.com. In 2025, this budget option ensures quick access to Arunachalam for early darshan or Girivalam.
By Road from Chennai
From Chennai, a 180-km drive via NH-77 takes 3.5 hours, with taxis at Rs. 2,500, per makemytrip.com. Buses from CMBT (Rs. 150) take 4 hours, per abhibus.com. The route offers hill views, per chikucab.com. Book cabs via Ola, per justdial.com. In 2025, road travel offers flexibility, perfect for reaching Arunachalam’s serene premises by dawn.
Tips for Visiting in 2025
Visit from October to March for cool 20-30°C weather, per frenzyholidays.com. Wear traditional attire (dhotis, sarees) and carry ID, per chikucab.com. Budget Rs. 1,000-2,000/day for darshan, food like dosa (Rs. 50), and travel, per holidify.com. Book darshan online via arunachaleswarar.tnhrce.in, per ttdsevas.com. Avoid peak festival crowds unless joining Deepam, per tripadvisor.com. In 2025, these tips ensure a smooth, blessed visit to Arunachalam’s sacred fire.
