The sacred town of Tiruvannamalai is gearing up for two major spiritual events this week: the monthly Aippasi Pournami Girivalam on October 25–26, 2026, and the sacred Annabhishekam ceremony at Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple on October 26, 2026.
The temple administration has issued specific guidelines regarding darshan restrictions during the Annabhishekam rituals for visiting devotees.
Pournami Girivalam Timings (October 25 – 26, 2026)
Devotees planning to perform the 14-km barefoot circumambulation (Girivalam) around the holy Arunachala Hill can follow the auspicious lunar hours below:
- Pournami Tithi Begins: October 25, 2026 (Sunday) at 11:25 AM
- Pournami Tithi Ends: October 26, 2026 (Monday) at 10:09 AM
Girivalam October 2026 Date, Timings
Annabhishekam Darshan Restrictions (October 26)
On the auspicious day of Aippasi Pournami (October 26), the presiding deity, Lord Arunachaleswarar, will be grandly anointed with cooked rice (Annabhishekam).
- Darshan Suspension Window: General darshan will remain suspended from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM to perform the elaborate ritual preparation and anointing.
- Darshan Resumption: Devotees will be permitted for Maha Deeparadhana and sanctum darshan again after 6:00 PM.
