GIRIVALAM

Girivalam

The Significance of Girivalam 

Tiruvannamalai – Holy place is famous for Girivalam. During the Fullmoon day (Pournami Day) lakhs of people go for Girivalam. The  circumambulation path is 14 kilometres  

In most of the holy places the Deity is found atop of the hill. But here the Holy hill itself is worshipped as Lord Arunachala. "Arunam" means sun and denotes the fire. "Asalam" means "Giri" or "malai" (mountain). Thus "Arunachalam" means the Holy hill. The Holy hill is 2668 ft. high from the sea level.

The Hill was in the form of Agni (fire) during Kirthayugam, and was in the form of Manikkam (Emerad) during Threthayugam, and was in the form of Thangam (Gold) during Dwaparayugam and rock during Kaliyugam. 

Ashta Lingams :

There are eight lingams located around the holy hill and the eight directions and provides an octagonal structure to Thiruvannamalai Town. The eight lingams are: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. 

Apart from eight lingams there are Surya Lingam and Chandra lingam were also installed and worshipped.  Adi-Arunachaleswarar Temple is located at Adi-Annamalai and the temple was worshipped by Lord Brahma and Manikavasagar. 

Annadhanam : Many people providing annadhanam to the Annamalaiyar Devotees during the full moon day. 

GIRIVALAM
Tamil Month	English Month	Full Moon Starting Date, Day &Time	Full moon Ending Date, Day &Time	Girivalam Date & Day
Chittirai	April	25-04-2013- THU	26-04-2013- FRI	25/04/2013
		03.02 am	02.02 am	Thursday
Vaikasi	May	24-05-2013- FRI	25-05-2013- SAT	24/04/2013
		11.50 am	08.54 am	Friday
Aani	June	22-06-2013- SAT	23-06-2013- SUN	22/06/2013
		07.48 pm	04.56 pm	Saturday
Aadi	July	22-07-2013- MON	23-07-2013- TUE	22/07/2013
		03.02 am	01.09 am	Monday
Aavani	August	20-08-2013- TUE	21-08-2013- WED	20/08/2013
		10.00 am	08.00 pm	Tuesday
Purattasi	September	18-09-2013-WED	19-09-2013- THU	18/09/2013
		07.00 pm	06.00 pm	Wednesday
Aippasi	October	18-10-2013- FRI	19-10-2013- SAT	18/10/2013
		06.07 am	04.07 am	Friday
Karthigai	November	16-11-2013- SAT	17-11-2013- SUN	16/11/2013
		08.00 pm	08.12 pm	Saturday
Margahzi	December	16-12-2013- MON	17-12-2013- TUE	16/12/2013
		12.30 pm	02.27 pm	Monday
Thai	January	15-01-2014- WED	16-01-2014- THU	15/01/2014
		07.30 am	10.33 am	Wednesday
Masi	February	14-02-2014- FRI	15-02-2014- SAT	14/02/2014
		03.39 am	05.38 am	Friday
Panguni	March	15-03-2014- SAT	16-03-2014- SUN	15/03/2014
		09.25 pm	11.20 pm	Saturday