Day trip or full-moon night Girivalam

அண்ணாமலையாருக்கு அரோகரா

Tiruvannamalai Girivalam Tour from Chennai day trip or full-moon night by car, tempo traveller or bus

Arunachaleswarar darshan, the 14 km walk around Arunachala and Ramana Ashram in one day: a Tiruvannamalai trip from Chennai costs ₹11,100 in a 12-seater AC tempo traveller, about ₹920 each when full. It's about 195 km each way, around 4 hours, and the van waits at the end of the Girivalam path while you walk.

The van waits where your Girivalam ends
Back home the same night
Car, van or bus for any group size

Arunachala in brief

Tiruvannamalai Trip Essentials

Distance: About 195 km from Chennai, around 4 hours each way through Tindivanam and Gingee
Arunachaleswarar Temple: The Pancha Bhoota temple for fire (the one for air is Sri Kalahasti, near Tirupati); darshan about 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM, with entry closing around 8:30 PM
Girivalam: About 14 km round the base of Arunachala, usually barefoot, 3½ to 4½ hours at a steady pace
Ashta Lingams: Eight shrines on the path, one at each direction, from Indra Lingam in the east to Esanya Lingam in the north-east
Full-moon nights: Lakhs walk Girivalam on Pournami; the path is lit and busy all night
Karthigai Deepam: Tuesday 24 November 2026: the Bharani Deepam inside the temple before dawn and the Maha Deepam on the hilltop at dusk
Ramana Ashram: On the Girivalam path south of the temple, with the walking track up to Skandashram and Virupaksha cave beside it
Online darshan booking: Announced by the HR&CE department in August 2026; until it opens, tickets are sold at the temple counters

Day-trip prices

Tiruvannamalai Fares for Every Vehicle

Each price is for the whole vehicle for a same-day trip, about 420 km door to door, with the van waiting at the end of the Girivalam path. Compare seats, photos and comfort features

Big figure: the whole trip · small figure: the approximate share per head

Sedan4 seats · ₹14/km · bata ₹500/day ₹6,380≈ ₹1,600 per head Book
SUV / MPV6 seats · ₹17/km · bata ₹600/day ₹7,740≈ ₹1,290 per head Book
Toyota Innova7 seats · ₹19/km · bata ₹600/day ₹8,580≈ ₹1,230 per head Book
Innova Crysta7 seats · ₹22/km · bata ₹600/day ₹9,840≈ ₹1,410 per head Book
12-Seater Tempo Traveller12 seats · ₹25/km · bata ₹600/dayBest for 8–12 ₹11,100≈ ₹920 per head Book
17-Seater Tempo Traveller17 seats · ₹28/km · bata ₹700/day ₹12,460≈ ₹730 per head Book
Force Urbania 13-Seater13 seats · ₹31/km · bata ₹800/day ₹13,820≈ ₹1,060 per head Book
Mini Bus 21–26 Seater26 seats · ₹37/km · bata ₹900/day ₹16,440≈ ₹630 per head Book
Tourist Bus 40–45 Seater45 seats · ₹57/km · bata ₹1200/day ₹25,140≈ ₹560 per head Book
Tourist Bus 49–55 Seater55 seats · ₹65/km · bata ₹1200/day ₹28,500≈ ₹520 per head Book

Full-moon night Girivalam: leave in the afternoon, home next morning (two calendar days): Sedan ₹8,000 · Innova ₹10,700 · 12-Seater TT ₹16,200 · 17-Seater TT ₹18,200 · Mini Bus 26 ₹24,000 · Bus 45 ₹36,600

Covered by the fare

Vehicle and driver for the day
Up to 420 km, extra km at the listed rate
The driver's daily allowance
Waiting while you walk Girivalam
Door pickup in any Chennai area we serve

Added at cost, receipts shared

Tolls and parking
Night allowance for driving between 10 PM and 6 AM (most full-moon trips)
GST, if applicable

Two ways to go

Tiruvannamalai Trip Plans from Chennai

Pick a daytime trip with darshan, the ashram and Girivalam, or go on a full-moon night and walk with the crowd under the moon.

Plan 1Same-day darshan and Girivalamabout 420 km
1. 5:00 AMPickup in ChennaiDoorstep pickups; breakfast near Gingee with the fort in view.
2. 9:30 AMArunachaleswarar TempleMorning darshan through the eastern Raja Gopuram.
3. 11:30 AMRamana AshramQuiet time at the ashram, and Skandashram if you can manage the climb.
4. 1:00 PMLunch and a restVegetarian meals near the ashram.
5. 2:30 PMGirivalamWalk the 14 km past the eight lingams, or ride round with stops; the van meets you at the end.
6. 7:00 PMLeave for ChennaiDinner on the way.
7. 11:00 PMHomeDropped at each door.
Plan 2Full-moon night Girivalamabout 420 km, two calendar days
1. 3:00 PMLeave ChennaiTea near Tindivanam.
2. 7:00 PMEvening darshanBefore entry closes at about 8:30 PM.
3. 9:00 PMStart the walkUnder the full moon with lakhs of pilgrims; the driver waits at the agreed point.
4. 1:30 AMGirivalam doneRest in the van or at a lodge.
5. 5:30 AMDawn darshan, then homeBack in Chennai by mid-morning.

Know before you go

Girivalam Without the Blisters

Walk clockwise, at your own paceThe path keeps the hill on your right. Most people take 3½ to 4½ hours with stops at the lingams.
Barefoot is the custom, not a ruleMany walk barefoot; soft cotton socks or light sandals help on hot afternoons and for elders.
Agree a meeting pointOn full-moon nights phones may not get through. Fix where the van will be, such as near the Ramana Ashram or the temple's east gate.
Go lightWater, a small towel, some cash for the lingams and the stalls. Leave bags in the locked van.
Mind temple entry timesDarshan runs till about 9:30 PM, but entry closes around 8:30 PM, earlier on very crowded days.
Elders can ride roundThe van can drive the Girivalam road with stops at each lingam; it takes about an hour outside the busiest full-moon hours.

Plan my Girivalam trip

Full-moon and Deepam arrangements change each year. Our travel desk checks the timings and traffic rules for your date.

What to carry

Cotton clothes and a towel
Socks or light sandals for the walk
A small torch for night Girivalam
Water and a light snack
Cash for lingam offerings and archanai
A shawl for the early morning in December and January

Our way of running it

Why Pilgrims Book Tiruvannamalai with KMS

Waiting Where You Finish
The driver parks where your walk ends, not back where it began, so tired feet don't add another kilometre.
Full-Moon Ready
We know the Pournami crowds and traffic and plan the drive so you start the walk fresh.
From 4 to 55 Seats
A sedan for a couple, a tempo traveller for a family, or a bus for a bhajan group.
Rested for the Night Drive
On full-moon trips the driver rests while you walk, ready for the drive home.

Organising a bhajan group or a Deepam trip for 20 or more?

Temple groups and residents' associations often travel together on full-moon nights and Deepam day. A mini bus or a 45-seater keeps everyone together, with one driver and one meeting point.

Get a group fare

Before you book

Tiruvannamalai Trip: Your Questions

How much is a Tiruvannamalai trip from Chennai?

A same-day trip in a 12-seater AC tempo traveller costs ₹11,100, about ₹920 each for 12 people, with the driver's allowance included. A sedan costs ₹6,380. Tolls and parking are extra.

Vehicle-by-vehicle fares

How far is Tiruvannamalai from Chennai?

About 195 km by road, around 4 hours each way through Tindivanam and Gingee.

How long is the Girivalam path?

About 14 km around the base of Arunachala hill. Most walkers take 3½ to 4½ hours, barefoot or in light sandals, keeping the hill on their right.

Girivalam tips

When is Karthigai Deepam in 2026?

Tuesday 24 November 2026. The Bharani Deepam is lit inside the temple before dawn and the Maha Deepam on the hilltop at dusk. It's the busiest day of the year, so book early.

When is the best time for Girivalam?

Full-moon (Pournami) nights are the most popular. For a calmer walk, go on any other day, early in the morning or after 4 PM.

What are the Arunachaleswarar temple timings?

Darshan runs from about 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM, with entry for darshan closing around 8:30 PM. Timings change on festival days.

Can we do Girivalam and come back the same night?

Yes. On the day trip you walk in the afternoon and are home by about 11 PM. On a full-moon night trip you walk late at night and are back by mid-morning.

Both trip plans

Can elders who can't walk 14 km do Girivalam?

Yes. The van can drive the Girivalam road and stop at each of the eight lingams, which takes about an hour outside the busiest hours.

Is online darshan booking available at Tiruvannamalai?

The HR&CE department announced online booking in August 2026. Until it opens, special darshan tickets are bought at the temple counters.

Can we add Gingee Fort or Ramana Ashram?

Ramana Ashram is on the Girivalam path and fits any plan. Gingee Fort is on the way and fits the day trip if you start early.

Plan your next darshan

More Temple Trips from Chennai

அருணாசல சிவ

Round the hill, at your own pace.

Darshan in temple hours, the walk in the cool of the evening or under the full moon, and the van waiting where you finish.

Get my Tiruvannamalai fare