Tiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai is a Shiva temple town in Tamil Nadu, known for the Annamalaiyar Temple and the 14 km barefoot Girivalam walk around its sacred hill.
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Tiruvannamalai is a temple town and pilgrimage center in Tamil Nadu, southern India, and the headquarters of Tiruvannamalai district. The town centers on the Arulmigu Annamalaiyar Temple, a large Shiva temple at the foot of the sacred Annamalai hill, which is regarded as a lingam, a symbol of Shiva. The temple covers about 10 hectares, and its eastern gopuram has 11 storeys and stands about 66 m (217 ft) tall.
Pilgrims walk the 14 km Girivalam route around the hill barefoot on every full moon night. Ramana Maharshi lived here for his last 53 years and died in 1950, and the Sri Ramana Ashram at the foot of the hill is a major spiritual site for visitors. December and January are the coldest months, with lows near 20 °C, while April to June reaches about 40 °C. Rain comes mostly in the northeast monsoon from October to December. The Karthikai Deepam festival, held in November and December, ends with a huge lamp lit on the hilltop.
Tiruvannamalai in five
- Avoid festival and full-moon crowdsFull-moon nights draw pilgrims for the hill circuit, and the Karthigai Deepam festival, usually in November or December, draws huge crowds. Check the date and book early, or pick a quiet week.Tamil Nadu travel guide
- Start the temple visit earlyThe Arunachaleswarar temple is one of the largest in the south. Go in the morning, dress modestly, remove shoes and expect queues for the inner shrine.
- Do the hill walk in the cooler hoursThe circuit around Arunachala is about 14 km and commonly walked barefoot, usually at night or before dawn. Carry water and a light, and wear a hat if you walk by day.
- Visit the Ramana ashram quietlyThe ashram at the foot of the hill has quiet halls and a library. Check meditation and visitor rules at the gate, and keep phones silent.
- Come from Chennai or Bengaluru by road or trainThe town is about 190 km from Chennai and a longer drive from Bengaluru. Trains and buses run, and Puducherry is a natural next stop on the coast.Puducherry travel guide
Need to know
- Getting there
- Chennai airport, then 3.5 to 4 hours by road or bus
- Getting around
- Walking, autos and shared jeeps around the hill circuit
- Best base
- Near the temple or along the Ramana ashram road
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 nights
- Hill circuit
- About 14 km, usually walked barefoot
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low19°Cool, clearJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low20°Dry, warmFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh36°Low23°Heat buildsMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heat builds
- AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh38°Low26°HotAprilClear
Mixed
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh38°Low28°Very hotMayPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh36°Low27°Hot, windyJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, windy
- JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh35°Low26°Warm, cloudyJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, cloudy
- AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°WarmAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- SeptemberRain16 rainy daysHigh34°Low25°Rain, humidSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, humid
- OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°NE monsoonOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 259 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
NE monsoon
- NovemberRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Deepam seasonNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 250 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Deepam season
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Cool, bestDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, best
Average daily high and low in Tiruvannamalai, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Tiruvannamalai
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 94%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 49%
Tiruvannamalai
03:32 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°23°49%Tuesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Wed31°23°88%Wednesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Thu30°23°78%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Fri29°23°98%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sat28°23°95%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Sun29°22°84%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 84%.
Updated 11:11 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Puducherryabout 2.5 to 3 hours by roadA seafront town with French streets, good for a break between temple towns.Read the guide
- Mamallapuramabout 3 hours by roadA coast stop with a shore temple, on the way back to Chennai.Read the guide
- Chennaiabout 3.5 to 4 hours by roadThe gateway city, with the airport and long-distance trains.Read the guide
Before you go to Tiruvannamalai
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Rules for Tiruvannamalai, checked
- Most foreign visitors need a visa or e-Visa for India. Check your eligibility on the official Indian e-Visa portal before you book.Source
- Walk the Girivalam route barefoot. Pilgrims do this on every full moon night, and it is the custom for the 14 km circuit around the hill.
- Read the UK FCDO India travel advice for current safety, entry and local notes before you travel.Source
Plan around Tiruvannamalai
Visas, trains and seasons, country-wide
Read the guideTamil Nadu travel guideThe wider temple circuit across the state
Read the guidePuducherry travel guideFrench-quarter streets, 3 hours east
Read the guideChennai travel guideThe main gateway for flights and trains
Read the guideMamallapuram travel guideShore temple and rock carvings on the coast
Read the guideIndia e-Visa guideApply online before you fly in
Read the guideTiruvannamalai FAQ
Is Tiruvannamalai worth visiting?
Yes if you want a living pilgrimage town, a huge temple and a mountain you can walk. It is quiet on ordinary days. It is not a beach or sightseeing stop, so skip it if you want a packed itinerary.
How long is the Girivalam walk?
The circuit around Arunachala is about 14 km and takes roughly three to five hours at a steady pace. Many pilgrims walk barefoot at night, so bring a light and check the pavement and weather.
When is the Karthigai Deepam festival?
It falls in the Tamil month of Karthigai, usually November or December, and the date moves each year. Expect crowds and early booking, and check the official dates before you plan.
Can non-Hindus enter the Arunachaleswarar temple?
Most areas welcome visitors, but rules vary by shrine and day, and some inner areas can be restricted. Dress modestly, remove shoes and ask at the entrance.
How do you get to Tiruvannamalai from Chennai?
By road or bus in about 3.5 to 4 hours, or by train with a change. Many travelers combine it with Puducherry or Mamallapuram on the same route.