Thiruvannamalai Girivalam Calendar 2022, Girivalam Day Calendar

Arunachalesvara Temple also known as Annamalaiyar Temple is a famous Shaivite temple located at the foot of Arunachala hill in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu.

Girivalam is a popular religious practice in Tamil Nadu in which devotees circle Annamalai Hill on the occasion of the full moon every month. Thousands of devotees gather at the Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai to walk the 14 km path around the hill. The word Girivalam is derived from the Tamil words Giri meaning hill and Valam meaning to turn around. The practice is said to bring peace to mental and physical health. Arunachaleswarar Temple has eight lingams known as Ashtalingam, which are placed in different places and oriented in different directions. These lingams are called Indralingam, Agnilingam, Yamalingam, Niruthilingam, Varunalingam, Vayulingam, Kuberlingam and Esanyalingam. Each lingam signifies different directions of the earth and is believed to bless devotees who undertake Girivalam, with various benefits. Girivalam is usually practiced barefoot and devotees have to face the top of the hill during their trek and chant the mantra Om Arunachala. The best time to start the 14 km tour around the hill is early in the morning, from 4:30 am. It usually takes three to four hours to complete the tour at a medium pace.

Girivalam 2022 Calendar: