Tamil Nadu · South
TiruvannamalaiTiruvaṇṇāmalai
Temple city at the foot of Annamalai hill, home to the fire-linga Annamalaiyar Temple
- Principal temple
- Arunachalesvara (Annamalaiyar) TempleShiva as Annamalaiyar (Agni Lingam), with Parvati as Unnamulai Amman
- Nearest airport
- Chennai International Airport (MAA), ~172 km
- Nearest railway station
- Tiruvannamalai railway station (TNM)
- Tradition
- Śaiva
Overview
Tiruvannamalai is a temple city and pilgrimage centre in Tamil Nadu that has grown around the Annamalaiyar (Arunachalesvara) Temple at the foot of the Annamalai (Arunachala) hill, which is itself held sacred as a lingam of Shiva. Legend holds that Shiva appeared here as a column of fire, and the temple is the Pancha Bhuta Sthalam of the fire element. Pilgrims walk the 14 km girivalam around the hill every full moon, and the Karthigai Deepam festival, when a great lamp is lit on the summit, draws very large crowds.
See sources [1–10]- Shiva as Annamalaiyar (Agni Lingam), with Parvati as Unnamulai Amman
- Shiva as Adi Annamalaiyar (Adi Arunachalesvarar), with Adi Abithakujalambal
Main temples
Arunachalesvara (Annamalaiyar) Temple
Shiva as Annamalaiyar (Agni Lingam), with Parvati as Unnamulai Amman
One of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams, associated with fire, and a Paadal Petra Sthalam whose 10-hectare complex is among the largest temples in India.
Adi Annamalaiyar Temple
Shiva as Adi Annamalaiyar (Adi Arunachalesvarar), with Adi Abithakujalambal
A Vaippu Sthalam on the girivalam route around the hill, said to be older than the main Annamalaiyar temple, with a swayambhu lingam.
Key festivals
- Nov – DecUpcoming
Karthigai Deepam
Kārttikai (November–December)
- Jan – Feb
Thiruvoodal
First week of the Tamil month of Thai (January–February), on Maatu Pongal
- Apr – May
Chitra Pournami chariot procession
Chitra Pournami, the full moon of the Tamil month of Chithirai (April–May)
Girivalam (circumambulation of the hill)
Every full moon
Festival dates follow the Hindu calendar and move from year to year — confirm them with the temple before you travel.
Plan your visit
When to visit
Festival days draw the largest crowds. Check the festival calendar above and the temple's own timings before you travel.
How to reach
- By air
- Chennai International Airport (MAA), ~172 km
- By rail
- Tiruvannamalai railway station (TNM)
Related
Yātrās through Tiruvannamalai
Book a pooja with priests here
Priests joining soon
No verified priest lists a temple in Tiruvannamalai yet. Meanwhile, browse the poojas our verified priests perform.
Sources
- Tiruvannamalai - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Arunachalesvara Temple - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Adi Annamalaiyar Temple, Adi Annamalai - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Karthika Deepam - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- How to Reach | Tiruvannamalai Districttiruvannamalai.nic.in
- Karthigai Festival | Tiruvannamalai Districttiruvannamalai.nic.in
- Tiruvannamalai railway station - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Chennai International Airport - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Chaitra - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Thai (month) - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
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