Tiruvannamalai Temple | Girivalam Guide + Complete History | Karthigai Deepam 2025 Arunachaleswarar

✔️Welcome to journey of the sacred land of Tiruvannamalai, the Agni Sthalam of the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams.
This video covers the temple’s divine history, secrets of Arunachala Hill, and a detailed step-by-step guide on how to do Girivalam (Giri Pradakshina).

🔥 Tiruvannamalai – The Eternal Fire of Shiva

Tiruvannamalai (Thiruvannamalai) is one of the most powerful spiritual destinations in India and a major pilgrimage center in Tamil Nadu.
Here, Lord Shiva himself manifested as Arunachala Hill, representing the element of Fire (Agni).

📜 Mythological Story – The Pillar of Fire (Shiva, Brahma & Vishnu)

According to the Sthala Purana, Shiva appeared as an endless pillar of blazing fire before Brahma and Vishnu, who argued about supremacy.

Vishnu takes the form of a boar and searches the depths

Brahma becomes a swan and flies upwards

Both fail — proving that Shiva is beyond origin and end.
This divine incident is believed to have happened at Tiruvannamalai, where Shiva became Arunachala.

🌋 Arunachala Hill – 260 Crore Years Old Volcano

Arunachala is considered a now-extinct ancient volcano, estimated to be 260 crores (2.6 billion) years old, one of the oldest geological formations on Earth.
For devotees, it is not just a hill — it is Shiva himself in physical form.

🕉️ Siddhars & Spiritual Energy

Many great Siddhars performed tapas around Arunachala, making this land one of the highest spiritual vibration zones.
Meditation, silence, and self-realization are said to come naturally here.

🛕 Arunachaleswarar Temple – 1000+ Years of Living Heritage

This temple is one of the largest Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, built by the

Pallavas

Pandyas

Cholas

🏯 Architectural Highlights

Raja Gopuram height: 216.5 ft

Spread over 25 acres

Home of the divine Arthanareeswarar, where Shiva and Shakti become one

Birthplace of Mahashivaratri celebrations

🚶‍♂️ Complete Girivalam Guide – 14 km Divine Walk Around Arunachala

Girivalam, also called Giri Pradakshina, is the sacred circumambulation of the Arunachala Hill.
Devotees walk 14 km barefoot, especially on Pournami nights, seeking blessings, cleansing of karma, and inner peace.

📍 Route Details

Total Distance: ~14 km

Time: 3–5 hrs

Start Point: Arunachaleswarar Temple East Gopuram

Direction: Clockwise

Path Type: Paved road with clear Girivalam markings

🔱 8 Important Lingams on the Girivalam Path (Ashta Lingams)

Each Lingam represents a direction and cosmic energy:

Indira Lingam – East

Agni Lingam – Southeast

Yama Lingam – South

Niruthi Lingam – Southwest

Varuna Lingam – West

Vayu Lingam – Northwest

Kubera Lingam – North

Esanya Lingam – Northeast

Devotees offer prayers at each Lingam to harmonize life energies.

🌟 Spiritual Significance of Girivalam

💥 Burns past karma

🕊️ Blessings of Moksha (as per Skanda Purana)

🧘 Improves inner clarity & mental peace

🔥 Strongest energy on Full Moon nights

🗓️ Best Time to Do Girivalam

Pournami (Full Moon) – lakhs of devotees visit

Amavasya (New Moon) – serene and powerful

Karthigai Deepam Festival – the flame lit atop the hill is a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Early mornings or evenings – pleasant weather

✔️ How to Prepare
What to Wear

Loose, comfortable clothes

Prefer traditional wear

Walk barefoot (traditional practice)

✔️ Do’s Before Starting

Pray at Bhootha Narayanan Temple

Visit Rettai Pillayar Temple

Take Darshan at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Begin Girivalam from the Raja Gopuram (mandatory rule)

During Girivalam

Chant Om Namashivaya

Walk peacefully

Avoid littering

Stay hydrated

🛟 Facilities & Safety

Drinking water available along the route

Annadhanam at multiple points

Police, volunteers & medical support during festivals

Ashrams, shelters & tea stalls for rest

🔦 Karthigai Deepam – The Divine Flame

Each year a huge flame is lit atop the Arunachala hill, symbolizing the eternal fire form of Shiva.
Millions visit Tiruvannamalai to witness this magnificent spiritual event.

📍 Other Must-Visit Places in Tiruvannamalai

Adhi Annamalai Temple

Pachaiamman Temple

Sri Ramanashramam

Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram

Muukku Podi Aithara Jeeva Samadhi

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Drop your experiences or questions about Tiruvannamalai & Girivalam in the comments! 🙏