Major city · India
Tiruvannamalai
Spend one full day for the temple and Girivalam walk; add a night only if you want to attend Karthigai Deepam festival.
Tiruvannamalai is a pilgrimage town in Tamil Nadu centred on the Arunachaleswara Temple and the 13 km Girivalam circumambulation. The main sights fit in a day, but the November‑December Karthigai Deepam festival draws crowds and may require an overnight stay.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Feb (cooler, less rain)
- avoid Mar–Jun (hot, pre‑monsoon)
- Airport
- MAA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tiruvannamalai112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tiruvannamalai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; keep an eye on personal belongings in crowded pilgrim areas and use reputable transport.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAA Chennai International Airport (≈180 km (112 mi) north, 3‑4 h by bus).MAA Chennai International Airport (≈112 mi (180 km) north, 3‑4 h by bus).
- Getting aroundAutorickshaws line the main road; rent a scooter for the Girivalam path (≈₹10 per bike trip).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketTemple entry donation₹50–200 (≈ US$1–3)
- Budget bedGuesthouse room, a night, per person₹400 (≈ US$5)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per room₹3,000 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per room₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,200 (≈ US$14) · Mid ₹2,500 (≈ US$30) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAA Chennai International Airport (≈180 km (112 mi) north, 3‑4 h by bus)MAA Chennai International Airport (≈112 mi (180 km) north, 3‑4 h by bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jun
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Oct–Feb. Avoid: Mar–Jun. Month by month →
Warmest May (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (9 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tiruvannamalai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
3 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
4 rd
May
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
6 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
8 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Autorickshaws line the main road; rent a scooter for the Girivalam path (≈₹10 per bike trip). Buses connect to Chennai and nearby towns.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Javvadu Hills
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Bus from Tiruvannamalai station, about 30 min
Scenic hills with trekking trails.
Gingee Fort
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Bus to Gingee, then local transport, ≈1 h 30 min
Well‑preserved hill fort, good for a half‑day visit.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Temple town guesthouses
Simple rooms near the temple; good for one night during festivals.
Mid‑range hotels in Tiruvannamalai
Located on the main road, 5‑10 min walk to the temple.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,200–2,500 (≈ US$14–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,500 (≈ US$30–55) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room1 × 1 night × ₹800 | ₹800 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Autorickshaw ride (≈5 km)1 × ₹80 · check | ₹80 |
| Bike rental for Girivalam (per trip)1 × ₹10 · check | ₹10 |
| eSIM data (7 days)1 × ₹500 · check | ₹500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹390 |
| Trip total≈ ₹4,280 per person per day, bed included | ₹4,280≈ US$50 |
Simple rooms near the temple.
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long‑distance train passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| South Indian vegetarian meal | ₹150–300 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Bottle of water | ₹20–40 (≈ under US$1) |
| Auto‑rickshaw (5 km) | ₹80–120 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Temple entry donation | ₹50–200 (≈ US$1–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Full‑moon days bring massive pilgrim crowds; accommodation may be unavailable.
- During Karthigai Deepam, vehicle traffic on the Girivalam path is blocked.
- Stay hydrated on the walk; sugarcane juice stalls are common but check hygiene.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Medical
- 112
Pocket card
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TiruvannamalaiTiruvannamalai
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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இந்த முகவரிக்கு, தயவு செய்துTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Medical112
Embassy
US consulate in Chennai; other embassies in Chennai or Bangalore.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chennai → Tiruvannamalai bus: ≈₹300–400, 3‑4 h (check)
- Bike rental for Girivalam: ₹10 (≈ under US$1) per trip (check)
Say or show
- மன்னிக்கவும் — Excuse me / Sorry (mannikkavum)
- நன்றி — Thank you (nandri)
- எவ்வளவு? — How much is it? (evvalavu?)
- கோவில் எங்கே? — Where is the temple? (kōvil eṅkē?)
- தண்ணீர் தர முடியுமா? — Can I have water? (taṇṇīr tara muḍiyumā?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tiruvannamalai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Feb (cooler, less rain) · avoid Mar–Jun (hot, pre‑monsoon) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night for Karthigai Deepam festival to avoid crowding.
- Combine with a visit to nearby Puducherry (≈2 h bus) for a coastal contrast.
Sources
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