Best Places to Visit in Tiruvannamalai – Temples, Sacred Hills & Spiritual Retreats

1. Arunachaleswara Temple

Start you journey to discover Tamil Nadu’s rich spiritual heritage at Arunachaleswara Temple in Tiruvannamalai – a major attraction here is the magnificent temple. A temple as holy to the Lord Shiva as this being and reckoned to be in the records of ancient population is the place not just astonishing in Dravidian architecture but also a praying and enlarged symbol of the era of devotion and enlightenment. It’s a must-see place for pilgrims, history fans, and the spiritually-minded.

Temple Bathed in the Age-Old and Devotion.

Situated at the footsteps of holy Arunachala Hill, thought to be actual manifestation of Hindu deity Shiva in the form of fire—Agni Lingam lodging his divinity, is Arunachaleswara Temple, or popularly referred as Annumalaiyar Temple. This makes temple a part of Pancha Bhoota Stalams where all the five elements are represented. Spiritual energy is all pervasive here; thousands of devotees from all over the world come here particularly during the Karthigai Deepam festival.

Awe-Inspiring Architecture

Note sprawling over 25 acres, one of the largest temple complexes in India, Arunachaleswara Temple has been in history. Towering over a height of 66 meters (216 feet) and stands among the tallest South India Pillar, Rajagopuram (main temple tower). Architecturally enriched pillars, gigantic stone corridors, and elegantly designed shrines give certainty to the excellence of history of the temple with the Chola, Vijayanagara and Nayak dynasty adding to its ambition.

Spiritual Significance

Beyond being a religious spot, Arunachaleswara Temple is a religious shiling moment. Saints such as Ramana Maharshi dedicated their lives to occupying themselves within the shadow of Arunachala Hill, and the temple and surrounding territory became a great place to come for people in search of inner peace and truth.

• Best Time to Visit
• Karthigai Deepam Festival (November–December): Watch a splendid flame placed on top the Arunachala Hill and it will be seen for miles.

• Full Moon Days: Perfect for Girivalam a sacred walk around the hill.

• October to March: Nice weather for a visit to temple and sightseeing.

2. Ramana Ashram

Located at the base of the revered Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai the sacred site since the era of the Chola Kings, Ramana Ashram is a peaceful haven for Global Spiritual pilgrims to refer for refuge. Once a home to Sri Ramana Maharshi, one of India’s most revered spiritual sages whose teachings on self-inquiry and inner silence still lead thousands on the way to self-realization, it’s been a peaceful abode.

A Legacy of Simple, Enl(ghtnment

The Ramana Ashram, built aroundresenter the humble residence in which Sri Ramana Maharshi lived, taught, and entered Mahasamadhi in 1950 and was established in the early 20th century. His unassuming way of life, his great stillness and the unshakeable concentrated attention to the question “Who am I?” attracted students and inquirers from the four corners of the globe to him. Today the ashram is the guardian of his teachings and a place where peace and introspection cannot be stressed enough.

What To Expect at the Ashram

The moment you enter Ramana Ashram you feel a deep sense of quiet and peace. Perched amidst luscious greenery and commanded majestically by the sacred Arunachala the ashram combines the most beautiful spiritual ambiance with dramatic natural beauty.

Key highlights:

• Sri Ramana’s Samadhi Shrine: A quiet meditation hall in which devotees sit in stillness in front of the tomb of the Maharshi.

• Sri Chakra Meru and Matrubhuteswara Temple Moms beautifully built shrine in her honor, built during his lifetime.

• Ashram Library: Filled with writings: Ramana writings, translations, other spiritual writings.

• Virupaksha and Skandashram Caves: Accessible on foot just short distance, these are the primary meditation spots where Ramana spent years solitary.

Best Time to Visit

• October to March makes it ideal to visit and see the surroundings hills and caves.
• Aradhana Day (Ramana Maharshi’s death date, in April) is an important occasion, attracting many devotees from all parts of the country.

3. Girivalam Path

The Significance of Girivalam

In Tamil, “Giri” means hills and “valam is” means going round. The activity of circle circling (verilmakes) of the sacred hill or temple, called pradakshina, has deep spiritual value. Arunachala Hill is considered as symbol of Lord Shiva as a mount of Fire (Agni Lingamu ) making Girivalam as an act of devotional and surrender.

Spiritual lore has it, that a Girivalam on a full moon day rewards the devotee with merits equivalent to that of visiting all the sacred centres of pilgrimage.

Wats Expecting on Girivalam Path

The route is completely paved and almost flat allowing it to welcomed to walkers of all fitness levels.

That purposeful route consists shrines, ashrams, meditation stops, as well as holy well; Each adds another layer of spiritual nurturing on the path.

Eight Lingams (Ashta Lingams) corresponding to eight Dikpalas (directional planetary lords) exist along the path. Pilgrims normally pray at each shrine.

There are many small numbers tea stalls, rest points, and restaurants also throughout the temples and roadside, vendors.

4. Virupaksha Cave

Situated on the slopes of Mount Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, there is a little treasure, yet Sacred location – Virupaksha Cave. In ancient days, this cave was the meditation chamber of Sri Ramana Maharshi in early years of his spiritual path, and now even more is it a worshipping grounds for the seekers of silence, and silence and peace of the interiors.

What is it?

The cave has a plain stone entrance and leads into a tiny meditation cell.

Inside, the air is calm and the air is charged with deep meditation.

A stone cot, a one time retreat of Ramana Maharshi still exists and devotees find their seating zone in the dark space, bathing themselves in the sacred silence.

Outside the cave a caretaker lovingly keeps the grounds, and a spot to seat is available for taking in the panoramic view over Tiruvannamalai.

• The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the mid day sun.

5. Skandashramam

Skandashramam is a spiritual cloister located atop the quiet slopes of Mount Arunacharsala, in Tiruvannaimalai, the site where Sri Ramana Maharshi lived and served up his version of spiritual understanding. More than a historical place, is an ode to serenity, introspection and nature, where one can follow the footstep of a fully awakened master.

Skandashramam was the home for Sri Ramana Maharshi between 1916 to 1922 after he left the Virupaksha Cave nearby. Here, in a quiet stone building tucked into the hill, Ramana kept his deep meditations and casual meddles with the ever-growing number of devotees who flocked to his silent presence.

This era was the formative age of his spiritual community even prior to the building of Ramana Ashram at the hill’s foot.

What to Expect at Skandashramam

A simple one hamlet ashram made into the hillside set against lush green and silence spiritual.

A tomb (samadhi) of Ramana’s mother, Alagammal, who passed her final days here and was liberated under the help of Ramana.

A inner meditation hall peaceful space that encourages quiet reflection and quiet mind.

Posterity-stunning panoramic view of Tiruvannamalai town, Arunachaleswara temple towers and the hills around it.

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