Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
Photo: Rkarthick937, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Arunachaleswarar Temple Timings

Arunachaleswarar Temple is open 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM, daily.

Lord Shiva as Arunachaleswarar / Annamalaiyar (the fire lingam, Agni), with consort Parvati (Unnamalai) · Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu

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Darshan hours (as published)
5:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Open/closed status loads once the page finishes rendering.

In Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, Arunachaleswarar Temple honours Lord Shiva as Arunachaleswarar / Annamalaiyar (the fire lingam, Agni), with consort Parvati (Unnamalai). It is also known as Annamalaiyar Temple, Arunachalesvara Temple.

One of the five Panchabhoota Sthalas, representing the element of fire (agni); a major centre for meditation associated with the sage Ramana Maharshi. Pilgrims perform Girivalam, a 14 km circumambulation of Arunachala Hill, especially on full-moon nights. Constructed in the 9th century by the Cholas and expanded over the centuries by rulers including the Pallavas and Nayaks, the temple is devoted to Shiva as the fire element.

Tamil Nadu carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Land of towering gopurams and living Dravidian temple traditions, from the Chola masterpieces to the great Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.

Darshan hours and daily worship

SessionTiming (as published)
Morning5:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Open continuously through the day. Timings change substantially during Karthigai Deepam, when the temple and the hill draw very large crowds.

Poojas and daily rituals

Nityakalyanam and daily Abhishekam, along with Archana, Homas and special sevas.

Weekly or monthly auspicious daysFull-moon (Pournami) days, when huge numbers perform Girivalam around the hill.
Signature annual eventsKarthigai Deepam and the monthly Pournami Girivalam.

Festivals and special-day timings

Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.

FestivalPeriodWhat happens
Karthigai DeepamNovember-DecemberThe world-famous festival in which a giant lamp is lit atop Arunachala Hill on the full-moon day of Karthigai.
Maha ShivaratriFebruary-MarchNight-long worship, chanting and abhishekam dedicated to Shiva.
Thai PoosamJanuary-FebruaryCeremonies and processions honouring Lord Murugan.
Panguni UthiramMarch-AprilCelebrates the divine marriage, observed with special ceremonies.

History and architecture

Built or establishedBelieved to have been built in the 9th century by the Chola dynasty, with later expansions by the Pallavas and Nayaks; the tallest gopuram rises to about 66 metres.

Architecture

Dravidian style spread over about 25 acres, with richly carved gopurams (the tallest around 66 m), sculpted mandapams and shrines set beneath the sacred Arunachala Hill.

History

Constructed in the 9th century by the Cholas and expanded over the centuries by rulers including the Pallavas and Nayaks, the temple is devoted to Shiva as the fire element. Legend holds it stands where Shiva manifested as an infinite column of fire, and it features in ancient works such as the Tiruvempaavai.

Planning your visit

Entry feeNo entry fee; various poojas are charged (general pooja around Rs 50-100, abhishekam and special poojas higher).
Dress codeModest, traditional attire required, men in dhotis or long trousers with shirts, women in sarees or salwar kameez; remove footwear before entering. Many devotees wear white or saffron.
Best time to visitOctober to March for pleasant weather; early morning (around 5:30-7:00 AM) or evening aarti is best, and Karthigai Deepam and full-moon nights are the most auspicious (though crowded).
NearbyRamana Ashram, Skandashram and Virupaksha Cave on Arunachala Hill.

How to reach

Nearest airport is Chennai (about 195 km). Tiruvannamalai has its own railway station (nearby junction Katpadi), connected to Chennai, Vellore and Katpadi. Regular buses run from Chennai, Bangalore, Vellore and Puducherry.

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Where this information comes from

Confidence: High. Opening and closing times taken from the temple's own page on the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department site, the government body that administers it. Timings still change on festival days.

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Frequently asked questions about Arunachaleswarar Temple

What is the timing of Arunachaleswarar Temple?

Arunachaleswarar Temple is open 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM, daily. Open continuously through the day. Timings change substantially during Karthigai Deepam, when the temple and the hill draw very large crowds.

What are the darshan (visiting) hours at Arunachaleswarar Temple?

As published, morning darshan runs 5:30 AM - 8:00 PM. Open continuously through the day. Timings change substantially during Karthigai Deepam, when the temple and the hill draw very large crowds.

Is there an entry fee at Arunachaleswarar Temple?

No entry fee; various poojas are charged (general pooja around Rs 50-100, abhishekam and special poojas higher).

What is the dress code at Arunachaleswarar Temple?

Modest, traditional attire required, men in dhotis or long trousers with shirts, women in sarees or salwar kameez; remove footwear before entering. Many devotees wear white or saffron.

Which festivals are celebrated at Arunachaleswarar Temple?

The main ones documented for this temple are Karthigai Deepam, Maha Shivaratri, Thai Poosam. See the festival table above for dates and what each involves.

What is the best time to visit Arunachaleswarar Temple?

October to March for pleasant weather; early morning (around 5:30-7:00 AM) or evening aarti is best, and Karthigai Deepam and full-moon nights are the most auspicious (though crowded).

How do I reach Arunachaleswarar Temple?

Nearest airport is Chennai (about 195 km). Tiruvannamalai has its own railway station (nearby junction Katpadi), connected to Chennai, Vellore and Katpadi. Regular buses run from Chennai, Bangalore, Vellore and Puducherry.

Who is the presiding deity at Arunachaleswarar Temple?

Lord Shiva as Arunachaleswarar / Annamalaiyar (the fire lingam, Agni), with consort Parvati (Unnamalai)

What is the history of Arunachaleswarar Temple?

Constructed in the 9th century by the Cholas and expanded over the centuries by rulers including the Pallavas and Nayaks, the temple is devoted to Shiva as the fire element.

How reliable is the information on this Arunachaleswarar Temple page?

This listing's confidence is rated high. Opening and closing times taken from the temple's own page on the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department site, the government body that administers it. Timings still change on festival days.