The Temple Town
Thiruvannamalai is one of the prominent spiritual and religious centres of Tamil Nadu. For the same reason, flocks of orange-clad, bhajan-singing Sadhus would be a common sight in the streets and around the temples. It is often said that a pilgrimage to this holy place would rejuvenate you, both in body and mind.
The life of the town mainly revolves around a famed temple - the Arunachaleswara temple. Every year, four Brahmotsavams are celebrated here, the most famous of which is the Karthika Deepam. Another interesting tradition unique to this town is the barefoot moonlight ‘pradakshina’ by pilgrims, around the Arunachala Mountain to please Lord Shiva. The name has been derived from that of the holy mountain, Thiruvannanmalai. Legend goes that Shiva appeared in the form of the Ardhanareeshwara, half man-half woman in Thiruvannamalai.
Chennai airport, 195 km away, is the nearest airport.
There are frequent buses to Chennai and Madurai.
The Thiruvannamalai station is the nearest station, which is on the Madurai Tirupati route.
