Aruṇāchaleśvara Temple
The hill that is the deity
⭐ Why it is famous
Kārtikai Deepam, when a giant lamp is lit on the summit and seen for 35 km, and the 14 km Girivalam circumambulation done by lakhs on every full moon.
📜 Pilgrimage history
A 9th-century Chola foundation grown to 25 acres under the Vijayanagara kings; Ramana Maharshi lived on this hill from 1896.
🕰️ Temple timings
- 05:30 – 12:30 and 15:30 – 21:00
🙏 Darśan details
- Free darśan; ₹50 special entry
- Girivalam barefoot on Pournami nights
- Ramanasramam nearby for meditation
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Aruṇāchaleśvara Temple, Tiruvannamalai, TiruvannamalaiTiruvannamalai (TNM) — 2 km
- Government: Tiruvannamalai TNSTC bus stand, 2 km
- Private buses: Private buses to Chennai and Bengaluru from the Chengam road
Chennai (MAA) — 190 km
Puducherry Airport (PNY) — 110 km · UDAN regional flights
Buses from Chennai (4.5 h), Vellore and Puducherry.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Ashram guesthouses
- Hotels along Chengam Road
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹1,800 | ₹3,500 | ₹9,000 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Ramana Maharshi Ashram
- Virupaksha Cave
- Gingee Fort