Everything you need to know to walk the sacred 14-kilometre Girivalam path around Arunachala Hill, Tiruvannamalai
14 km — a single, continuous loop around Arunachala Hill
3 to 5 hours at moderate pace; up to 6–7 hours if walking slowly
Clockwise only — always. Starting from East Gate, turn right (south)
Pournami (full moon) night — or early morning 4–6am any day
Completely free, no registration, no ticket, no login
Fully paved road, lit at night on Pournami, walkable year-round
Travel to Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. By road from Chennai: 190 km, about 3.5 hours by NH179. From Bengaluru: 220 km, about 4 hours. Nearest railway station: Tiruvannamalai (2 km from the temple). Frequent buses from Chennai, Vellore, and Villupuram.
Many pilgrims begin with a darshan (sacred viewing) of the main deity at Arunachaleswarar Temple — the ancient temple at the base of the hill. This takes 30–90 minutes depending on queues. On Pournami, the temple is open 24 hours. This is optional but spiritually recommended.
The traditional starting point is the East Gate (Indra Gopuram / Rajagopuram) of the Arunachaleswarar Temple — the tall, ornate tower facing east. This is where the first Ashtalingam (Indra Lingam) is also located. Most pilgrims remove their footwear at the temple and walk the entire route barefoot.
From the East Gate, turn right and walk southward. You are now walking clockwise around the hill. The hill will always be on your right side during the walk. Never walk in the anticlockwise direction — this is considered spiritually incorrect. The path is a road shared with pedestrians and some vehicle traffic on non-Pournami days.
The 8 sacred lingams are located at equal intervals around the 14 km circuit, each at one of the eight directional points. At each, remove footwear, enter the shrine, and offer your prayer. The traditional offering is water poured on the lingam (abhishekam), flowers, and incense. At Kubera Lingam (North, km 11.8), offer coins in the donation box. The app will alert you as you approach each one.
Water and juice stalls are available approximately every 1.5–2 km. On Pournami nights, additional stalls appear. There are also toilet facilities and first-aid stations at regular intervals. Temples and dharamshalas along the route offer shade and a place to rest. Drinking coconut water and sugarcane juice along the path is popular and refreshing.
After the 8th lingam (Eesanya Lingam, NE, km 13.1), the path curves back to the East Gate, completing the 14 km circuit. Most pilgrims end with a prostration or a few minutes of silent meditation at the gate, offering gratitude. Some pilgrims then re-enter the temple for a final darshan.
Traditional attire is preferred and widely observed. Men typically wear a white dhoti (veshti) or simple cotton trousers with an upper cloth. Women wear a saree or salwar kameez. Modern sportswear is also common and perfectly acceptable — choose loose, light, and breathable fabrics.
Avoid: Tight clothing, short shorts or dresses (out of respect for the sacred environment), synthetic fabrics in hot weather, and any clothing with inappropriate imagery.
Footwear: Walking barefoot is traditional and followed by the majority of pilgrims. The road is paved throughout. In summer (March–June) the road surface can become very hot after 8am — carry light sandals to use on the open road sections and remove them at the lingam shrines. Rubber slippers are widely sold at the temple entrance.
Head covering: A small towel or scarf on the head is useful in summer to protect from the sun. Avoid synthetic or tight head coverings that prevent cooling.
Walk clockwise only. Anticlockwise movement during Girivalam is strictly not permitted — it is considered disrespectful and spiritually harmful.
No footwear in shrines. Remove sandals/shoes at each of the 8 lingam shrines before entering the sanctum. Most pilgrims walk the entire 14 km barefoot.
No intoxicants. Alcohol, tobacco, and non-vegetarian food are strictly prohibited on the Girivalam path, especially on Pournami days.
Maintain decorum. Speak softly, chant or recite mantras quietly, and be mindful of the devotion around you. The Girivalam is a living, active spiritual practice — treat it accordingly.
No littering. Dispose of water bottles, flower garlands, and packaging in the dustbins placed along the route. Keep the sacred path clean.
Photography: Photography of the landscape and path is fine. Photography inside the lingam sanctums is generally not permitted — always ask the pujari (priest) first.
Mobile phone etiquette: Make and receive calls as needed but avoid talking loudly near shrines or in areas of concentrated prayer.
Hot and dry. Temperatures can reach 38–42°C. Start no later than 4:30am to complete the walk before 9am when the road surface becomes very hot. Carry 2+ litres of water. Apply sunscreen for daytime walks. Coconut vendors are more abundant in summer.
The hill is lush and beautiful in the monsoon. Temperatures drop to 24–28°C. If it rains, the road surface can be slippery — walk carefully. Rubber slippers with grip are useful. The atmosphere is atmospheric and deeply purifying. Fewer crowds make for an intimate experience.
Widely considered the best season. Clear skies, moderate temperatures (22–30°C), green landscape. October Pournami is excellent for first-time visitors. Karthigai Deepam in November is the biggest pilgrimage event — be prepared for very large crowds.
Cool and comfortable (18–26°C). December through early February is a pleasure to walk — no extreme heat, pleasant night temperatures, and a manageable number of pilgrims (except around Shivaratri in February). Highly recommended for elderly visitors and beginners.
Track your position in real time · Lingam alerts as you approach each shrine · Live crowd density map · Group tracking · Works offline · No login needed