On the second day of the Karthigai Deepam festival in Tiruvannamalai, Lord Vinayakar and Lord Chandrasekar were taken in a grand procession on the golden Surya Vahanam, blessing the large gathering of devotees who had come to witness the divine spectacle.
On the first day of the festival, the Panchamurthys were carried on a procession on Mooshikam (mouse), Peacock, Silver Ahikara Nandhi, Hamsam and Simham (lion) respectively around the temple corridor streets offering Darshan to a large crowd of devotee
The Thirukarthigai Deepam festival began in Thiruvannamalai with grand celebrations as thousands of devotees gathered around the Annamalaiyar Temple. On the first day of the festival, the Panchamurthi idols were taken out in a special alankaram, carried in beautifully decorated silver vimanas. Devotees thronged the Mada Streets to witness the sacred procession and receive the blessings of Lord Annamalaiyar.
The temple town is filled with spiritual fervour as rituals, processions, and celebrations continue leading up to the Maha Deepam lighting on the holy hill.
As part of the Karthigai Deepam festival preparations, a special abhishekam was performed yesterday for Lord Vinayagar and Lord Chandikeswarar at the temple. Following the rituals, both deities were adorned with special decorations and blessed devotees with their divine presence.
The ceremony attracted many devotees who gathered to witness the sacred rituals conducted ahead of the grand Karthigai Deepam celebrations.
In connection with the sacred Thiruvannamalai Karthigai Deepam festival, the Pallavaram Arunachala Seva Trust conducted the traditional Thirukkudai Ubhaya ceremony for the Panchamurthis. The event was held in a grand and devotional manner yesterday (23.11.2025), Sunday.
The grand Thirukarthigai Deepam festival at the Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai commenced today (24.11.2025) with the traditional hoisting of the holy flag on the 64-foot-tall golden flag mast, marking the auspicious beginning of the celebrations.
Following the flag hoisting ceremony, a special procession is being held on the Panchamurthigala Mada Street, featuring the divine idols carried in the magnificent silver Indra Vimana, witnessed by thousands of devotees with devotion and enthusiasm.
The festival will continue with several sacred rituals and spiritual events leading up to the Maha Deepam lighting on the hill.
Ahead of the Karthigai Deepam festival, the Sri Durga Amman Theruveethi Ula was held grandly at the Arulmigu Annamalaiyar Temple, Thiruvannamalai, on 21.11.2025. Special abhishekam, pooja and deeparathanai were performed, followed by the Mada Veedhi procession. Hundreds of devotees participated and received the blessings of Sri Durga Amman.
The sacred town of Tiruvannamalai is glowing with devotion as the renowned Annamalaiyar Temple has been beautifully illuminated ahead of the auspicious Karthigai Deepam festival.
The Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple is set to host the Karthigai Deepam Festival 2025, starting on Monday, 24 November 2025.
Day 1 Highlights
Morning: The festival commenced with the traditional flag hoisting (Kodiyetram)
Evening: Panchamoorthis (the five deities) will take a ceremonial procession along the streets in silver vimanas (chariots)
Night: Devotees will witness a grand procession featuring Silver Nandi, Lion, Peacock, and Mushika vahanas, enhancing the festive spirit
The festival marks a 10-day spiritual celebration culminating with the Maha Deepam on 3 December 2025, attracting thousands of devotees from across the country.
Girivalam (also known as Giri Pradakshina or Giri Valam) is a sacred practice of walking barefoot around the Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai, covering a distance of approximately 14 kilometers. This ritual is performed by devotees in a clockwise direction and is considered a powerful spiritual journey dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is believed to manifest in the form of the Arunachala mountain. Each step in Girivalam symbolizes humility, devotion, and a desire to attain liberation (moksha).
Walking barefoot during Girivalam is a profound act of surrender and spiritual discipline. It represents leaving behind worldly attachments and connecting directly with the sacred earth of Arunachala. The barefoot walk signifies:
Saints like Sri Ramana Maharshi have emphasized the holiness of Arunachala’s soil, making every step taken barefoot a sacred offering.
While Girivalam can be undertaken on any day, specific times are considered especially auspicious and spiritually potent:
If you’re visiting Tiruvannamalai on a non-festival day, consider these timings for comfort and devotion:
| Time Slot | Reason |
|---|---|
| 4:00 AM – 6:00 AM | Peaceful, cool, ideal for meditation and sunrise darshan |
| 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds |
⚠️ Note: Avoid afternoons (11 AM to 4 PM), especially in summer, due to intense heat and risk of dehydration.
