Girivalam at Tiruvannamalai

Every full moon day devotees from over the world visit Tiruvannamalai, the abode of Sri Arunachaleswara and Goddess Uma for Girivalam. The temple here is the abode of Theju or Fire, one of the five elements of the universe.

Girivalam or Malaivalam is the process of circling the hill (Giri or Malai) that house the abode of Sri Arunachalam. The auspicious day of Pournami (full moon) is symbolic in that it awakens the aspirations of a new life hopefully as bright and soothing as the moon.

The path around the hill is 15 kilometres and is dotted with more than a hundred lingams along the way. It is said that taking the Girivalam while chanting ‘Om Arunchaleswaraya Namaha’ instills a sense of detachment from the world and oneness with him.