Annamalaiyar Hill — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Arunachalam Hill—also called Arunachala, Annamalai Hill, or Arunachala Mountain—is a spiritually powerful and historically significant hill located in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. It is considered a manifestation of Lord Shiva himself in the form of fire and holds deep religious significance in Shaivism.

🔥 Spiritual Significance

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva appeared as a column of fire here to settle a dispute between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, who were arguing over supremacy.

This act of Shiva is why Arunachala is revered as the "Agni Sthalam" (fire element) among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams—the five temples representing the five elements.

The hill is often referred to as Shiva himself in the form of a mountain: “Arunachala Shiva, Arunachala Shiva, Arunachala Shiva Aruna” is a well-known chant among devotees.

📏 Geography & Structure

Height: Approximately 2,668 feet (814 meters).

Spread: Encircled by an ancient 14 km (8.7 miles) path used for circumambulation (Girivalam or Giri Pradakshina).

Composition: Largely made of igneous rock, millions of years old.

Natural Beauty: The hill stands out in the otherwise flat plains, often shrouded in mystical light during sunrise and sunset.

🛕 Girivalam (Circumambulation Path)

Pilgrims walk around the hill (barefoot), especially on Pournami (Full Moon) nights, which is considered spiritually uplifting.

Along the path, you'll find 8 sacred lingams (Ashta Lingams) that represent the eight directions:

Indra Lingam

Agni Lingam

Yama Lingam

Niruthi Lingam

Varuna Lingam

Vayu Lingam

Kubera Lingam

Esanya Lingam

Each of these is associated with specific planetary and spiritual energies.

🙏 Association with Saints and Sages

The hill is deeply connected to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, who considered Arunachala to be a silent guru.

He lived at its base and later in Sri Ramanasramam, drawing global seekers and spiritual aspirants.

🌟 Karthigai Deepam Festival & the Hill

A giant cauldron of ghee and camphor is lit on the hilltop every year during the Karthigai Deepam festival.

The flame, visible for miles, represents Lord Shiva's eternal light, and lakhs of devotees witness this holy event.

⚠️ Climbing Arunachala Hill

Climbing is allowed only up to Skandashram and Virupaksha Cave, where Ramana Maharshi meditated.

Climbing to the summit is discouraged or restricted, especially on sacred days, out of respect for...

Saran Dashnamoorthy is India’s most appreciated Mount Arunachala and Tiruvannamalai photographer, for the purity and striking beauty that he captures each moment with. One can feel the simple grandeur and transcendent qualities in each photograph. With his photos, he is communicating a far deeper story and offering the viewer an insight into the vast and holy land of Tiruvannamalai. ​ Saran was born at the feet of Mount Arunachala and grew up playing on the mountain as his backyard. It was the first and last thing he saw each day. As a child, he explored the terrains of the mountain and became deeply acquainted with the magnificence and silence which was constantly emanating from Arunachala. This itself has been a big inspiration for Saran and has made a lasting impact on his heart. ​ As a young man, he met a saint on top of Arunachala where he spent much of his time. While in the company of this saint Saran had profound spiritual moments and openings and realized that this was no ordinary hill. From then on, he always felt a great pull to be on the mountain. The beauty which he experienced up there pulled him into involvement in a life of photography. ​ Once a filmmaker came to Tiruvannamalai and as a young adult, Saran showed him around. This filmmaker taught him many things, and while guiding him Saran noticed many things were constantly changing in the landscapes and nature, which greater sparked his involvement in capturing and sharing the visual arts. ​ Arunachala is believed to be Lord Shiva himself who is the Hindu god for the destroyer of ignorance. It is believed that Arunachala can bring people to peace instantly by taking them deeply into silence, and helps them to sink into the heart. Year after year, seekers from all over the world come to Tiruvannamalai searching for the peace of the mountain within themselves. Saran is a freelance photographer, videographer, and guide who wants to share life through his lens, his experience, and the Tiruvannamalai which he has grown up...

This word Girivalam is the origin of the tamil word giri meaning hill and valam means coming around. Hence coming around the hill is called as Girivalam in Tamil. To come one full round (Girivalam) the road round the hill, it is around 14 kilometres. And people both young and old religiously go round on the full moon day. It is said to bring in abundant peace or calmness for the mental well being and also refreshing for the physical fitness. This abode of Arunachaleswarar, the Annamalai hills at Tiruvannamalai has varied interpretations over the years. It is believed this hills took different forms at different period of time and age. During the Kirthayugam it was in the form of fire. The next Threthayugam it took the form of emerald, known as manikkam in Tamil. In the course of Dweparayugam it existed in the form of gold. Now in Kaliyuagam it has taken the state of rocky hill. Asthalingam in Girivalam Path At Arunachaleswarar temple there are eight lingams known as Ashtalingam. They are positioned at different locations and facing various directions. Each lingam signifying different directions of the earth. These lingams are named as Indralingam, Agnilingam, Yamalingam, Niruthilingam, Varunalingam, Vayulingam, Kuberalingam and Esanyalingam. Each lingam addresses different aspects of man’s life and they bless the devotees with different types of benefits. It is believed to be installed by various gods. Also these lingams have a dominant navagraha and praying to each lingam brings forth various benefits that is being bestowed by that navagraha on the devotees who prays to that particular lingam to achieve the...