Girivalam at Thiruvannamalai

The temple of Sri Arunachaleswarar in Thiruvannamalai is one of the most ancient temples in Tamil Nadu. It is believed to be about a 1000 years old. It has been a regular place of worship for popular Nayanmar saints such as Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar and Arunagirinathar.

The temple is a home for the Agni Lingam. Here, the Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Lingam and in the form of fire as one of the five elements of the universe. The temple is situated in Thiruvannamalai. Thiru means holy, Anna means powerful and Malai means hills. Devotees take Girivalam every month. Giri in Tamil means Hill and Valam means going, or coming, around. Circumambulating the hill is called Girivalam.

One round of the hill is 14 kms. Every full moon day, lakhs of devotees walk around it. As one walks around the hill, one can encounter the eight lingams positioned facing the eight directions. These are Indralingam, Agnilingam, Yamalingam, Niruthilingam, Varunalingam, Vayulingam, Kuberalingam and Esanyalingam.

While going around the hill, it is advised to do so barefooted. Devotees look upward towards the top of the hill during their journey, chanting Om Arunachala. The timings for Girivalam this month are from 10.55 am on 23rd January till 10.45 am on 24 January.