The town of Thiruvannamalai nestled in the foothills of the Arunachala hills in TamilNadu, is home to one of the most spirituality temples in South India, named Arunachaleswarar Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its rich spiritual history as well as its grandeur and unique traditions. It is visited by lakhs of devotees every year, especially during the Purnima and Karthigai Deepam festival.
However, for everyone planning a visit to this temple, it is very important to understand the temple timings. Whether you are heading to darshan, girivalam, abhishekam, or deep spiritual practice, being aware of the temple schedule will keep you planning your visit smoothly. So, keeping this in mind this article is shared with you, as it has the information about Thiruvannamalai temple timings along with its rituals, special days etc.
Overview of Annamalaiyar Temple
Before knowing the timings, let us understand about the temple. Annamalaiyar Temple is a temple of Lord Shiva where people called him Arunachaleswarar or Annamalaiyar. He stands for the fire element in this temple. It is located in Tamil Nadu. Goddess Parvati is worshipped as Unnamulai Amman.
The temple complex is spread over 25 acres, with tall gopurams (gateways), long corridors, sacred pools, and shrines. The main deity in the temple is in the form of a lingam, and people believe that it appeared on its own. The most important aspect of the temple is the spiritual aura that surrounds the Arunachala mountain, which many saints like Ramana Maharishi believed to be Shiva himself.
Where is Thiruvannamalai Temple Located?
Address:
Annamalaiyar Temple,
Girivalam Road, Thiruvannamalai,
Tamil Nadu – 606601, India
Thiruvannamalai Temple Timing
The Thiruvannamalai temple follows a daily routine of opening and closing times. The temple opens early in the morning and closes at night, with a break in the afternoon.
Below is the usual timing of its schedule along with puja timings:
| Morning Opening Time | 5:00 A.M. |
| Ushakala Pooja (Early Morning) | 5:30 A.M. – 6:00 A.M. |
| Kalashanti Pooja (Morning) | 8:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M. |
| Uchikala Pooja (Noon) | 11:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. |
| Afternoon Break | 12:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. |
| Evening Re-opening | 3:30 P.M. |
| Sayaraksha Pooja (Evening) | 5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. |
| Irandam Kala Pooja (Night) | 7:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. |
| Arthajama Pooja (Late Night) | 9:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M. |
| Night Closing Time | 9:30 P.M. |
Note: On festival days or special occasions like Karthigai Deepam or Full Moon days, the temple may remain open for extended hours or sometimes throughout the night.
Best Time to visit the temple
If you want a peaceful darshan then try to visit the temple in the early morning around 6.00 or 6.30 am and 4.30 am. Because during these times the temple is less crowded and weather is also appropriate.
If you are interested in rituals and temple traditions, then try to attend during puja times. The chanting, music and traditional lamps during the aarti create a deeply spiritual atmosphere.
Thiruvannamalai Temple Ticket Price
There is no entry fee for the general darshan in the temple. However for quicker access or special pujas, there are some paid services which are as follows;
- Special Darshan Ticket: ₹50-₹100
- Abhishekam Ticket: Start around ₹250 onwards
- Archana Ticket: ₹5-₹20
You can take the tickets usually from the counter which is near the entrance of the temple or also from inside the temple complex.
Girivalam – A unique experience
One of the most spiritually powerful activities in Thiruvannamalai is Girivalam or Giri Pradakshina. It means walking around the holy Arunachala hill. People usually do this walk on full moon nights, which takes about 3 to 5 hours depending on how fast you walk.
The path is clean and has high lights, with many small temples and Shiva Lingams along the way. Devotees walk barefoot, praying and thinking about Lord Shiva during their walk. Many people choose to walk either in the morning or late at night to stay away from the heat during the day.
On full moon days, the temple opens very early and stays open late, sometimes even after midnight.
Tips for Visiting Thiruvannamalai Temple
Below are some useful tips which everyone should know before visiting the temple;
- Dress Code: Traditional attire is appreciated in the temple. For men wearing Dhotis or pants with a shirt is allowed. Women should wear saree or salwar kameez. Avoid western outfits like shorts, sleeveless tops or skirts.
- Footwear: No footwear is allowed inside the temple. Use the designated footwear stands near the entrance.
- Photography: Prohibited inside the main sanctum. However you may take photos in the outer corridors or temple surroundings.
- Prasadam: Laddu and other prasadam items are available at counters inside the temple.
- Accommodation: Many guest houses, ashrams, and hotels are available around the temple.
- Best season: The best time to visit the temple is between November and February, when the weather is pleasant and cool.
How to Reach Thiruvannamalai Temple?
You can reach this temple by any public transport or private vehicle.
- By Train: Thiruvannamalai Railway station is well connected to cities like Chennai, Bangalore and Villupuram.
- By Bus: You can go there by Bus also. Tamilnadu State Buses are available from major cities like Chennai, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Pondicherry and Bangalore.
- By Car: You can drive or hire a cab from nearby cities. It takes around 4 hours to reach from Chennai and around 3.5 hours from Pondicherry.
Final Words
A visit to the Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple is both a pilgrimage to a religious place and spiritual journey. Whether you are a devotee of Lord Shiva or a traveller in search of ancient wisdom and peace, this temple offers a wonderful experience.
Knowing the temple timings helps you plan your visit better, avoid the crowds and participate in the rituals meaningfully. Especially during full moon nights or major festivals, the town turns into a spiritual hub of energy.
So the next time you plan a visit to Thiruvannamalai, keep the timing schedule in mind.
Also read about: Atal Sarovar Rajkot Timing: Best Hours to Visit & What to Expect