Tiruvannamalai

The major tourist and religious destination of the town. The temple has several tall towers in a symmetric arrangement. The temple has several ponds and a thousand-pillared hall. It is full of artistic and legendary sculptures. The "Rajagopuram", principal tower of the temple, is one of the tallest in the state. Like all other Shiva temples, it has a large "Nandi". The temple hosts several cultural, religious and literary events.

Situated just outside the town.

Situated just outside the town. This is basically a cave where the saint meditated in his early days of enlightenment.

In addition to the Arunachaleswara temple, there are nine small "Shivalayams" (Lord Shiva temples) along the Girivalam path, each representing the "navagrahas". About 7 km from the Arunachaleswara temple is "Adi Annamalai" (அடி அண்ணாமலை), a large temple. This temple was built before the Arunachaleswara temple. "Ner Annamalai" (நேர் அண்ணாமலை), which is located exactly halfway along the Girivalam path is also a site of interest. From one of the sites along the Girivalam path, a part of the mountain looks like "Nandi" (head of a cow). There are display signs for this: Nandi Darisanam(நந்தி தரிசனம்).

Pournami (Full Moon) Day and Karthigai Deepam Festival

The most popular activity in Tiruvannamalai is "Girivalam", which is walking barefoot around the Tiruvannamalai hill. Legend has it that the mountain itself is an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and walking around brings good fortunes. There are 8 lingams one in each direction 360 holy tanks, mandapas and ashrams around the Arunachala hill. Every month on full moon day, scores of people travel to the town for "girivalam". Girivalam is also common on the first day of every Tamil month. Usually, Girivalam starts and ends in front of the Arunachaleswara temple. The Girivalam path is about 13 km (~8 miles) long and has well-maintained concrete/tar roads with pedestrian platforms. One can also do it by cycle, two-wheeler/three wheeler. By foot it takes about 3-5 hours, by bicycle it takes 60-90 minutes. Bicycles are available for renting at nominal rate of ₹10 per trip, auto rickshaws (three wheeler) charge up to ₹150 for a trip. The path is well lit at night and is equipped with sanitation facilities. On regular days, people also go around the mountain on vehicles. On full moon days and during the 10-15 days of Karthigai Deepam festival, however, vehicular traffic is blocked. Best time to walk around the mountain is early morning and in the evening after daylight. At least 10 lakh (1 million) people do girivalam on full moon days.

The most important festival for the town, is celebrated during the months of Nov/Dec (full moon day of the Tamil month, Karthigai). The most important event of the festival is lighting a "Deepam" (a large lamp made with several litres of ghee and a several-meter-long cotton wick) at 6PM on the full moon day of Karthigai month. The light can be seen from several towns/villages within a 30 km diameter. Millions visit the town on the day to do "girivalam" and "climb" the mountain. The town literally lights up with fireworks all over. The festival begins 10 days before and concludes 3 days after the full moon day. The "deepam" burns for at least a week. Television and radio channels in Tamil Nadu broadcast the event live. Buses operate to the town from every corner of the state and from major towns in neighboring states.