Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple (Annamalaiyar Temple)
Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvannamalai district, at the foot of the 2,668 ft Arunachala hill · Lord Shiva as Arunachaleswarar / Annamalaiyar (Agni Lingam – fire), with Goddess Unnamulai Amman (Apithakuchambal)
The fire element – where Shiva became an endless column of flame, and the hill itself is worshipped as Shiva.
The Arunachaleswarar (Annamalaiyar) temple at Tiruvannamalai is the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam for fire (agni) and one of the largest temple complexes in India, about 25 acres with nine gopurams and five prakarams. The sacred hill Arunachala behind it is itself regarded as Shiva – the column of fire of the Lingodbhava legend – and every full moon lakhs of pilgrims walk barefoot around it (Girivalam, about 14 km). On Karthigai Deepam, a huge flame is lit on the hilltop.
Timings
- Darshan: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM (official HR&CE listing)
- Weekends, full moon and holidays: Darshan entry allowed till 7:30 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, full-moon days, holidays and crowded days
- Entry gates: East Raja Gopuram and North Ammani Amman Gopuram
- Ardhajama (night) pooja: 9:00 – 9:30 PM; the temple closes after it
Darshan types and costs
- Free (dharma) darshan – Free
- Special (paid) darshan – ₹50
Sevas and costs
- Ko Pooja (Go Pooja) – Free to witness (Daily, 5:00 – 5:15 AM)
- Milk Abhishekam – ₹1,000 (Morning pooja hours; time given at booking)
- Swami – Amman Special Abhishekam – ₹2,500 (Morning pooja hours)
- Vinayagar, Swami and Amman Special Abhishekam – ₹3,000 (Morning pooja hours)
- Panchamoorthigal Abhishekam – ₹4,500 (Morning pooja hours)
- Rudrabhishekam – ₹5,000 (Morning pooja hours)
- Parivara Moorthi Sannathi Milk Abhishekam – ₹1,000 per sannidhi (Pooja hours)
- Thirukkalyana Utsavam Special Abhishekam Pooja – ₹8,500 (As scheduled with the temple office)
- 1008 Sangu Pooja Special Abhishekam – ₹10,000 (As scheduled; traditionally on Karthigai Mondays)
- Archanai (including Annai Thamizhil Archanai) – ₹5 (Throughout darshan hours)
- Ghee lamp / Navadhanya lamp – ₹3 (ghee lamp), ₹2 (navadhanya lamp) (Throughout darshan hours)
- Annadhanam (food for a full day) – ₹1,12,500 (Any chosen day)
- Thulabharam – Varies (cost of the material offered) (During darshan hours)
- Pournami Girivalam – Free (Every full moon (the auspicious window follows the Pournami tithi; most pilgrims walk at…)
How to book darshan
Darshan is free. The ₹50 special darshan, archanai, lamps and the Swami–Amman special abhishekam can be booked online on the TN HR&CE e-services page; other abhishekams at the temple office.
Dress code
Traditional, modest dress. Men: dhoti or trousers with shirt; women: saree, half-saree or churidar with dupatta. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops. For Girivalam, comfortable traditional clothes; most walk barefoot.
Best time to visit
November to February. Karthigai Deepam (November–December) is the grandest – and the most crowded. For a quieter visit, come on a weekday morning away from full moon.
How to reach
- air: Chennai airport, approx. 180–195 km (4–4.5 hours); Bengaluru airport approx. 220 km; Puducherry airport approx. 105 km (limited flights).
- rail: Tiruvannamalai station has trains from Villupuram, Katpadi (Vellore) and Chennai; special trains run on full moon and Deepam.
- road: Frequent buses from Chennai (approx. 186 km, route 179B), Vellore (approx. 87 km), Villupuram, Puducherry and Bengaluru. The bus stand is about 2 km from the temple.
Festivals
- Karthigai Deepam (Karthigai Brahmotsavam) – Karthigai month, Nov–Dec; the Maha Deepam in 2026 is expected on 24 November
- Pournami Girivalam – Every full moon
- Thiruvoodal – Early Thai (January)
- Maha Shivaratri – February–March
- Aani Brahmotsavam and Aani Thirumanjanam – June–July
- Aadi Pooram – July–August
- Arudra Darshan and Thiruvempavai festival – Margazhi (December–January)
- Masi Magam – February–March