Sacred mountain · Tamil Nadu
Arunachala
अरुणाचल
Significance
Considered Shiva himself in the form of a hill — the Agni (fire) Lingam of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams. Sri Ramana Maharshi declared it the most sacred of all sthalas; his samadhi sits at its foot.
Pilgrim route
Giri Pradakshina — 14 km barefoot circumambulation, traditionally on full-moon nights (Pournami Giri Valam). Over a million devotees walk on Karthigai Deepam.
Best season: November–February; peak on Karthigai Deepam (Nov–Dec) when a massive flame is lit at the summit
Legend
Brahma and Vishnu argued over supremacy; Shiva appeared as an infinite column of fire (Jyotirstambha) at Arunachala. Vishnu (as boar) dug downward and Brahma (as swan) flew upward — neither found the end, ending their dispute.
Modern access
Spiritual / parikrama only (not climbed)
Temple at summit: Karthigai Deepam jyoti pit (lit annually); no permanent temple at summit — Arunachaleshwarar Temple sits at the foot
Nearby tirthas
- arunachaleshwar-thiruvannamalai
- ramana-ashram
- sri-seshadri-swamigal-ashram
See deep guides at /tirth.