After a time period of about 11-12 years, By HIS grace, we were given a chance to visit this temple. Starting from the temple entrance, Apart from the Ashta lingas, we could have darshan of the following temples.. (There are too many temples and ashrams. But, I have mentioned only a few.. So, kindly bear with me) 01. Yogi Ramsurat Kumar's abode (old one). This is the place where Yogi used to stay until the completion of ashram in girivala route.. 02. Karpaga Vinayagar Temple 03. Kamatchi Amman temple 04. Aishwareswarar temple 05. Raja Rajeswari Amman temple 06. Adi mudi siddhar jeeva samathi 07. Surya, Chandra lingam 08. Ner annamalai temple 09. Adi Annamalai temple 10. Manikkavasagar temple 11. Guru bhagwan temple 12. Ammani ammal jeeva samathi 13. Perumal temple inside the cut road near the bus depot 14. Perumal temple near the entrance route to eesanaya lingam 15. Boodha Narayana perumal temple Etc..

An amazing trip to Thiruvannamalai in Jan 2024. Stayed at Amoha hotel, which is walking distance to the ThiruArunachaleswar temple. Went through the ticket less entrance, immersed the vibrations from Lingeswara (boy was it hot in the temple!). Girivallam was such a spiritual experience ✨️. Will do it all over again if given the chance !

The experience of doing Girivalam on a full moon day is something beyond words to describe. The mass of human beings who gather on that day to Girivalam, the positivity in the air as people keep chanting Om Namah Shiva and the total environ of the day makes it a must try atleast once in life time. Don't miss an opportunity to do Girivalam on a full moon day even if people try to dissuade you from venturing to this place on that day. Once you join the group you will not feel the crowd and you would rather enjoy the crowd. The only thing which is difficult to do on a full moon day is darshan of Lord Arunachaleshwara in the temple. It may take anywhere between 4 to 5 hours to have his darshan on this day. There would be no special darshans on the full moon day. Also getting accommodation in the temple town would be a challenge in the last minute unless you plan well in advance.

Visiting the huge temple is one thing, and doing the Girivalam (circambulation) is another. It's a 14 km round trip around the temple and the mountain. That too, without footwear. Some wear socks if they can't walk without footwear. The time chosen to do the Girivalam is essential because during the daytime it's very hot. So evening 5 pm if you start, and it takes 4.5 to 5 hrs for an average person, you complete by 9.30 pm. You have your dinner and can go to sleep and rest your tired limbs. You can also start at 8.00 pm after having a light dinner and come back to your room by 1 am. Or you can start early morning by 4 am, complete Girivalam by 9 am, take a darshan of Lord Arunachala in the temple, have a heavy breakfast and come back to your room to fall exhausted on your bed! Don't forget to visit the eight Agniteerthams or small Shiva temples on the way during your Girivalam. Also, please take time to visit the Ramana Maharshi Ashram nearby.

On 28th April 2024 at 2.30a.m early morning myself and Reju (Husband) started our Girivalam from infront of Rajagopuram(East) of the Temple. We stayed at Hotel Athena, about 1Km from here. Our car could be parked on the northside of the temple. We started barefoot but carried socks and half a litre of water in backpack. The route is well lit and has walkers throughout the night.We walked mostly through the middle of the tarred road surface to avoid fine but rough dust. We are used to walking with slipper even inside our house!! Also, hardly does any morning walk too. So it was a surprise that we completed the walk in 5hrs 10min. However at 8Km distance we decided to put on our socks. We took rest on the various benches along the route and visited the clean public toilets too. The 8 nos. of Sivalingams enroute is a must visit and is well demarcated with boards.The state PWD has put up huge boards giving an idea of your relative coordinates at a number of places enroute(Pls see pic). The energy that gripped us to complete the 14Km walk is amazing. We have not walked even 2Km anytime in the last 2-3 yrs!!! The visit to Arunachaleswarar Temple the day before at 5.30p.m was also awesome. I was lucky to see the aarathi in close quarters. We visited the serene Ramanamaharshi ashram and Yogi Ram SuratKumar ashram after the temple visit.This ashram has lullaby song at 8p.m to the revered yogi.

Performing Girivalam (circumabulation around hill) on a full moon day is a divine adventure. Though Girivalam can be performed on all days, doing it on the full moon days are more significant. Walking around the sacred Arunachala hill brings utmost peace and satisfaction to the mind and soul. Arunachaleshwara temple and many other small temples are present in and around the Tiruvannamalai town. Make time to visit the Ramanashrama, Seshadhri Swami ashram and many more ashrams located in Tiruvannamalai to enhance your spiritual journey. Note :- 1. Please be cautious of ur health status and condition before embarking on Girivalam. It takes an average of 4-5 hours for an amateur with breaks and temple visits on the Girivalam route to cover the 14km distance. 2. Most of the devotees walk barefooted on the Girivalam path, but some who are not used to walking barefooted; can wear socks/ footwear. The Girivalam path has both pavement and tar/asphalt road. 3. Autorickshaws are also available. (For girivalam) 4. Fellow travellers are requested to help maintain the sacred hill clean and tidy by not littering waste around the path. It not only makes the place untidy, but also causes discomfort to fellow devotees while they are walking around barefooted. Designated dustbins are available to throw the trash. 5. Public restrooms and seating areas are available at convenient locations along the path. Many snack/refreshment shops are also present enroute. 6. Carry enough drinking water (and small refreshment) to keep yourself hydrated while performing the Girivalam on foot.