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Giri Pradakshina

"The Sacred 14km Journey Around the Hill"

Embracing the Sacred Path

Girivalam in Tiruvannamalai is more than a physical walk; it is a spiritual journey that offers profound insights and inner peace. The path covers approximately 14 kilometers around the holy Arunachala hill.

Girivalam in Tiruvannamalai is a spiritual journey. As you walk clockwise with Arunachala on your right, visit these sacred Lingams in order and chant the specific mantras for maximum benefit.

Best Time to walk

  • Full Moon (Pournami): Considered the most sacred time, offering high spiritual energy, but expect very large crowds.
  • Early Mornings (4 AM - 8 AM): Ideal for a quieter experience. Cooler temperatures make it perfect for meditation and chanting.
  • Evenings (after 6 PM): Ideal as temperatures are low, make it perfect for meditation and chanting.
  • Weekdays: Choose weekdays or non-festival days for a peaceful, reflective walk.

Preparation Tips

  • Clothing: Wear loose, cotton, and modest attire suitable for walking long distances.
  • Footwear: Many devotees walk barefoot as a mark of devotion. If you are not used to it, wear soft walking sandals.
  • Hydration: Carry a water bottle, especially during summer months, as parts of the path are exposed to the sun.
  • Safety: Avoid carrying expensive gadgets or heavy jewelry to minimize risk.

Spiritual Etiquette

  • Chanting: Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" or meditate silently while walking to enhance the experience.
  • Silence: Maintain silence or speak softly when passing ashrams and meditation halls.
  • Photography: Respect rules. Ask for permission before taking photos; some areas strictly prohibit it.
  • Environment: Do not pluck flowers or disturb wildlife. Dispose of waste responsibly to keep the holy hill clean.

Giri Pradakshina Schedule - 2026

Month Start Date & Time End Date & Time
January Jan 02 (Fri) – 06:11 PM Jan 03 (Sat) – 04:07 PM
February Feb 01 (Sun) – 05:34 AM Feb 02 (Mon) – 04:05 AM
March Mar 02 (Mon) – 05:59 PM Mar 03 (Tue) – 05:21 PM
April Apr 01 (Wed) – 07:23 AM Apr 02 (Thu) – 07:44 AM
May (1) Apr 30 (Thu) – 09:50 PM May 01 (Fri) – 11:07 PM
May (2) May 30 (Sat) – 12:58 PM May 31 (Sun) – 02:50 PM
June Jun 29 (Mon) – 04:23 AM Jun 30 (Tue) – 06:00 AM
July Jul 28 (Tue) – 07:27 AM Jul 29 (Wed) – 08:54 AM
August Aug 27 (Thu) – 09:46 AM Aug 28 (Fri) – 10:22 AM
September Sep 25 (Fri) – 11:06 AM Sep 26 (Sat) – 10:44 AM
October Oct 25 (Sun) – 11:25 AM Oct 26 (Mon) – 10:09 AM
November Nov 23 (Mon) – 11:00 AM Nov 24 (Tue) – 09:00 AM
December Dec 23 (Wed) – 09:57 AM Dec 24 (Thu) – 07:40 AM

Lingam-wise Mantras (In Order)

Please follow this order (Clockwise) while performing Pradakshina.

Start Start the walk
Temple Entrance - Rajagopuram
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ । निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥ / ॐ अरुणाचलाय नमः Vakratuṇḍa Mahākāya Sūryakoṭi Samaprabha | Nirvighnaṃ Kuru Me Deva Sarvakāryeṣu Sarvadā || / Om Arunāchalāya Namaḥ

Chant while starting from Arunachaleswarar Temple to start the Pradakshina.

1 Indra Lingam
East
ॐ इन्द्राय नमः Om Indrāya Namaḥ

Benefit: Relief from difficulties, prosperity, strength. This is the first lingam while the hill circumambulation, worshipping this lingam yields healthy and wealthy life.

2 Agni Lingam
South-East
ॐ अग्नये नमः Om Agnaye Namaḥ

Benefit: This is the second lingam, It placed near The Lotus tank, This is the only lingam placed on right side of the circumambulation path, all other lingams are placed on left side, It occupies the South East direction, worshipping here retrieves us from all diseases and to face challenges of life. Purification, removal of negative karma.

3 Surya Lingam
Between Agni & Yama
ॐ सूर्याय नमः Om Sūryāya Namaḥ

Benefit: Health, vitality, confidence, success.

4 Yama Lingam
South
ॐ यमाय नमः Om Yamāya Namaḥ

Benefit: This is the third lingam, and next to Agni lingam and 3 kilometer away from the Rajagopuram, and it occupies the South direction, it also has a holy tank called “Simma Theertha”, it is believed that, worship of this solves economical problems. Long life, protection from fear and untimely death.

5 Niruthi Lingam
South-West
ॐ निर्ऋतये नमः Om Nirṛtaye Namaḥ

Benefit: This is the fourth lingam, while we see the peak of the holy hill Arunachala, it views accompanying of two parts of mountain and shows ‘Sivan’ and ‘Sakthi’ together. It placed in south west of Arunachala. It also has a holy tank nearby, called “Sani Theertha”, worshipping here relieves us from our difficulties. Protection from accidents, enemies, misfortune.

6 Varuna Lingam
West
ॐ वरुणाय नमः Om Varuṇāya Namaḥ

Benefit: This temple placed West of the hill Arunachala, this is the fifth lingam. It is 8 kilometers away from the Rajagopuram. One of the holy tank called “Varuna theertha” is here. Workship of this temple retrieves from crucial diseases and promotes ones social status. Mental peace, emotional balance, clarity.

7 Vayu Lingam
North-West
ॐ वायवे नमः Om Vāyave Namaḥ

Benefit: The whole world is made up of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Sky. no living creature can survive without Air. While reaching this temple we feel the pleasantness of spring and get peace of mind. it is placed in Northwest direction. Worshipping here is of confers boon on ladies and children. Physical health, breath, nervous system balance.

8 Kubera Lingam
North
ॐ कुबेराय नमः Om Kuberāya Namaḥ

Benefit: This is the seventh lingam. Almost all of the devotees , who comes for circumambulation, worship here by soaring coins and currencies on this lingam. Worship of this lingam grants economical growth, and promotes peace of mind. It is placed in North direction. Wealth, stability, career growth.

9 Chandra Lingam
Between Kubera & Isanya
ॐ चन्द्राय नमः Om Candrāya Namaḥ

Benefit: Mental calmness, emotional healing, family harmony.

*Powerful during Night/Pournami

10 Isanya Lingam
North-East
ॐ ईशानाय नमः Om Īśānāya Namaḥ

Benefit: This is the eighth and last lingam. Here gets peace of mind ability to concentrate mind on God works out his way to heaven. Wisdom, detachment, spiritual liberation (Jnana).

End Completion
Temple Entrance - Rajagopuram
ॐ अरुणाचलाय नमः Om Arunāchalāya Namaḥ

Chant upon returning to the Arunachaleswarar Temple to conclude the Pradakshina.

Other Sacred Stops

Adi Annamalai Temple

The ancient temple built by Lord Brahma, located around the 7km mark.

Iduku Pillayar

A narrow shrine passage inside the main temple. Squeezing through it is believed to give rebirth.

Chant