Arunachalesvara Temple

It is a Hindu shrine devoted to Lord Shiva. It is located at the bottom of the Arunachala mountain. This temple is in Thiruvannamalai town. In the shrine, there is linga, and it is known as Agni lingam with his idol. The consort of Shiva is Parvati, who is worshiped as Unnamalai Amman. Arunachalesvara's main temple is facing east.

It is one of India's largest temples. The size of the temple compound is ten hectares. The temple has four gopurams. The gopurams are also known as gateway towers. The eastern tower is the tallest among the four. Its height is 66 meters and with 11 floors. Sevappa Nayakkar has built this tower.

Festival celebrated in the temple

In the temple, the festivals are celebrated according to the Tamil month.

• Chithirai Vasant Urchavam is celebrated for 10 days in the month of Chithirai.
• Vaikasi Urchavam is celebrated for 1 day in the month of Vaikasi.
• Aadi Pooram Bramorchavam is celebrated for 10 days in the month of Aadi.
• Avani Moolam Urchavam is celebrated for 1 day in the month of Avani.
• Navarathri Urchavam is celebrated for 9 days in the month of Puratasi.
• Kanda Sashti urchavam is celebrated for 6 days, and Annabishekam Urchavam is celebrated for 1 day in the month of Aippasi.
• Karthigai Deepa Bramorchavam is celebrated for 17 days in the month of Karthigai.
• Arudra Darisanam festival is celebrated for 1 day, and Vaikunda Ekadasi Urchavam is celebrated for 1 day in the month of Margazhi.
• Manalurpettai Theerthavari Urchavam, Vaikasi Urchavam, Thiruvoodal Urchavam, and Kalasapakkam festivals are celebrated in the month of Thai. Each festival is celebrated for 1 day. Uttarayana Punyakalam Bramorchavam festival is also celebrated this month for 10 days.
• Panguni Uthiram Thirukalyana Urchavam is celebrated for one day in the month of Panguni.

Darshan Time

• The morning darshan time of the temple is from 5.00 am to 12.30 pm.
• The Evening darshan time of the temple is from 3.30 pm to 9.30 pm.

Pooja Details

The timing of pooja in the temple is given below.

• The Ko Poojas starts in the morning at 05:00 am and ends at 05:15 am.
• The Ushakala pooja starts at 05:30 AM and end at 07:00 AM.
• The Kalasandhi pooja timing is from 08:00 AM to 09:30 AM.
• The Uchikkala pooja starts at 10:00 AM and end at 11:30 AM.
• The Sayaraksha pooja starts at 05:30 pm and ends at 07:00 pm.
• The Irandamkala pooja timing is from 08:00 pm to 09:00 pm.
• The Ardhajama pooja timing is from 09:00 pm to 09:30 pm.

Services fees Details

The devotees have to pay the fees for performing some worship, which varies according to worship.

• The fee of Swami Amman special abishekam is 2500 rupees.
• The devotees have to pay 1000 rupees for milk abishekam.
• The fee of Vinayagar, Swami, Amman special abishekam is 3000 rupees.
• The devotees have to pay 4500 for Panchamoorthigal abishekam.
• The 1008 Sangu pooja special abishekam fee is 10000 rupees.
• The Thirukkalyana Utsavam special abishekam pooja's fee is 8500 rupees.
• The devotees have to pay 7500 rupees for anna dhanam.

Halls of the temple

In the third precinct of the temple, there is Deepa Darshana madapam. The Deepa Darshana madapam is sixteen-pillared. It is also known as the hall of light. In the temple, there is one Magizha tree. In obeisance, childless couples attach tiny cradles to their branches.

The marriage hall is known as Kalyana mandapam, and it is located southwest of the temple. This hall is constructed in Vijayanagara style. The third hall is the Vasantha mandapam. In this mandapam, both the shrine office and the Kalahateeswarar temple are located here.

Facilities for Devotee

1. Footwear Stand:

A footwear stand has been provided for the devotees to take out the footwear. This is a free footwear stand, and it is located at the east raja gopuram.

2. Drinking water:

A drinking water facility has been provided for the devotees at 41 places. The water R.O. is placed at near tirukoil kalaiyarankam, near samy thirukalyana mandabam, swamy sannathi backside, near raja gopuram, near kili gopuram , near karunai illam, near sambantha vinayakar sannathi and near annamalayar tirupaatham etc.

3. Bathroom and toilet:

There are 36 bathrooms available on temple premises. There are 8 bathrooms for women, and 28 bathrooms are for men. The 8 toilets are available for women, and 8 toilets are for men.

The ways to reach the Arunachalesvara temple

1. By air:

The closest airport is Chennai International airport, which is located 185 kilometers away from the temple. Take a taxi or bus from the airport to reach Tiruvannamalai.

2. By road:

Tiruvannamalai is linked by road to all of South India's main towns. People can easily travel to Tiruvannamalai from other cities of Tamil Nadu by bus or car.

3. By rail:

Villupuram and Katpadi are the closest railway stations. The Villupuram station is 76 km away from the temple, and the Katpadi station is 65 km away from the temple. Take a taxi or bus from the station to reach the temple.