Arunachaleswarar Temple
அருணாசலேஸ்வரர் கோவில்
Lord Shiva (Arunachaleswarar / Annamalaiyar) · Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
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About the temple
One of the Pancha Bhoota Stalam (Fire); Paadal Petra Sthalam Removal of ego, spiritual transformation, and liberation
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 05:00 – 21:30
- Established
- 97
- Best time to visit
- Early morning or during the winter months
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Lord Shiva (Arunachaleswarar / Annamalaiyar) · அண்ணாமலையார்
- Deity form
- Agni Lingam (Lingam of Fire)
- Religious tradition
- Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta
- Sanskrit name
- अरुणाचलेश्वर मन्दिर
- Also known as
- Annamalaiyar Temple, Tiruvannamalai Temple
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 05:00 - 12:30, 15:30 - 21:30
- Break timings
- 12:30 PM to 03:30 PM
- Special days
- 24 hours during Karthigai Deepam
- Festival timings
- Temple open 24/7 during Karthigai Deepam peak
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 05:30
- Midday aarti
- 11:30
- Evening aarti
- 18:00
- Night aarti
- 21:00
- Special aarti days
- Full Moon (Pournami) and Mondays
- Ritual schedule
- Six kaala poojas daily
- Pooja timings
- Based on Shaiva Agamas
- Abhishek timings
- Multiple times daily for the main deity
- Special poojas
- Deepa Aradhana, Girivalam Poojas
- Online pooja booking
- Yes
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Chola Kings (Major expansions)
- Construction materials
- Granite
- Historical events
- Visited by Sri Ramana Maharshi; Ancient poems by Appar and Sambandar
- Renovations
- Major expansions in the 16th century by Vijayanagara kings
- Archaeological importance
- Protected by HR & CE and State Archaeological Dept
- Legends
- Shiva appeared as a column of fire to settle a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu
- Inscriptions
- Over 1,000 inscriptions covering various dynasties
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- Medieval Chola to Vijayanagara style
- Structure
- One of the largest temple complexes in India (25 acres)
- Floors
- 11
- Gopuram
- Raja Gopuram is 66m (217 ft) tall
- Mandapa
- Thousand-pillared hall (Aayiram Kaal Mandapam)
- Sculptural features
- Intricate carvings of the life of Shaiva saints
- Artistic elements
- Vast courtyards and massive monolithic Nandis
- Construction technique
- Traditional stone masonry
- Unique features
- The 14km Girivalam (circumambulation) path around the hill
Festivals & events
Karthigai Deepam (Lighting of the giant fire atop the hill)
- Festival calendar
- Nov-Dec (Karthigai month)
- Special celebration days
- Every Pournami (Full Moon) for Girivalam
- Cultural events
- Spiritual music and discourses
- Annual events
- Maha Rathotsavam (Great Chariot Festival)
- Peak crowd season
- November to January; Every Pournami
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning or during the winter months
- Parking capacity
- 200+
- Parking fees
- Minimal
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, Card, UPI, Online
- Prasadam
- Laddu, Appam, Tamarind Rice