Tiruvannamalai: Temples, Festivals and the Javadhu Hills

If you’re travelling to Tiruvannamalai, you can plan your stay around different destinations: the Annamalaiyar Temple, dedicated to Shiva; the pilgrimage practice of Girivalam; festivals; or regional destinations such as Sathanur Dam and the Javadhu Hills. This lets you compare the location details of a specific offer with the places that matter for your trip.

Temples and pilgrimage practices

The Annamalaiyar Temple is dedicated to Shiva and is located at the foot of the Annamalai Hills in the city of Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India. Its 216.5-foot-high gopuram is described as the third-highest in the world. If the religious significance matters to you, the dedication to Shiva is the main consideration; if you’re interested in architecture, you can factor the gopuram’s height into your visit planning as a specific feature.

For Girivalam, the route follows the 14-kilometre road around Arunachala. The practice takes place on full-moon days and festival days. This makes your travel dates an important part of planning. If you’re travelling specifically for Girivalam, check the relevant full-moon or festival date before booking.

Festivals and their dates

The Karthigai Brahmotsavam in Tiruvannamalai is celebrated over ten days. Maha Deepam is lit on the full-moon day at around 6 pm and can be seen from around the mountain over many kilometres. These are two separate details to consider when planning your dates: the duration of the Brahmotsavam and the approximate time of Maha Deepam. If you’re planning your stay around a festival, check the specific date before booking.

Another festival takes place at the Arulmigu Vedapurishvar Temple in Cheyyar. A major festival is held there every Thai month. If you want to plan your trip specifically around this event, check the specific festival date before booking.

Spiritual sites and getting your bearings

Sri Ramanasramam in Tiruvannamalai is another spiritual point of interest. A visit there is considered a source of spiritual benefit in connection with Bhagavan’s silent teaching. The ashram is about 3 kilometres from the railway station and bus stations in Tiruvannamalai, and 2 kilometres southwest of the main temple and city centre. These distances offer specific guidance if you’re considering the temple, city centre or railway station when choosing where to stay.

Sathanur Dam and the Javadhu Hills

Sathanur Dam was built on the Thenpennai, also known as the Pennaiyar, in Thandarampet taluk in Tiruvannamalai district. Visitor attractions include a large crocodile farm, a fish grotto and parks maintained for tourists. This offers a distinct sightseeing option alongside temples and festivals.

The Javadhu Hills are part of the Eastern Ghats and cover 260 square kilometres. Polur is considered the nearest railway station and bus stop for the hills; the town is around 40 kilometres from Tiruvannamalai. Check this transport information again before your trip so your travel arrangements are based on current details.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Tiruvannāmalai, Arani, Theni, Thoothukudi, Kanchipuram, Tirunelveli, Cuddalore, Vellore

For the main travel overview: Tamil Nadu.