Parvathamalai Temple Timings Opening Closing Break Darshan

Parvathamalai temple timings and trek guide: what to know before you climb

The Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy temple sits at the summit of
Parvathamalai, a sacred hill near Thenmathimangalam village
in the Polur area of Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu. There is no road to
the top: reaching the shrine means a demanding trek of roughly 6 km one
way up steep, rocky trails that end with an iron-chain-and-rod section. For
practical planning, treat the hill as a daytime destination.
In the interest of safety, the local administration now permits the climb only
during daylight — broadly from about
5:00 AM until early afternoon (around 1:00 PM) —
and night climbing has been restricted after past accidents. The hilltop
shrine itself is famously an open, doorless sanctum, but you should plan your
ascent and descent entirely within daylight hours. Because timings and access
rules for this small hill temple are not always published centrally, confirm
the current position with the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department or the local
temple administration before you travel.

About the temple

Parvathamalai — sometimes called the “Hill of Hills” — rises to roughly
3,500 feet in the Eastern Ghats. The presiding deity is
Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy, a form of Shiva, worshipped here
alongside the goddess Brahmarambika. Devotees regard the hill itself, and the
tradition of climbing steep ridges to reach the top, as a spiritual discipline
rather than a casual hike. A distinctive feature of the summit temple is that
it has no resident priests and no closing door; pilgrims
perform their own simple worship, and the atmosphere is austere and elemental
rather than commercial. This is one reason the trek attracts both faith
pilgrims and serious trekkers.

Opening and darshan timings

Published timings for the summit shrine vary from source to source, partly
because there is no formal ticketed darshan and partly because access is
governed by the trek window rather than fixed temple gates. What matters in
practice is the daylight climb window. Plan to start early,
complete your worship, and be back at the base well before dusk.

During and after monsoon the rocks become slippery, and in peak summer the
exposed trail can exceed 40°C, raising the risk of dehydration — both are
reasons the September-to-February window is recommended.

The trek and the chain path

There are two main trails to the summit. The
Thenmathimangalam route is the more popular and better-marked
path, running roughly 6 km and taking most walkers about three hours up.
The Kadaladi route is shorter but steeper and more
adventurous; the two trails converge partway up. A round trip, allowing for
rest and worship, commonly works out to 12–14 km and about six to seven
hours in total, and the climb is best described as
moderate-to-tough — genuine hill trekking, not a stroll.

The most talked-about stretch is near the top, at the section often called
Kadaparai. Here the trail hits a near-vertical rock face, and
climbers pull themselves up using fixed
iron rods, chains and ladder-like footholds. It is
exhilarating but exposed, and it is the main reason night climbing is
discouraged and why anyone with vertigo, heart conditions, or poor mobility
should think carefully before attempting it. There are natural rest points
and, on busy days, water and food at the Veerabhadrar shrine partway up and
near the summit — but there are no shops on the hill, so
carry what you need.

Best days: pournami and amavasya

Full-moon (pournami) and new-moon (amavasya) days carry special significance
at Parvathamalai, and Maha Shivaratri is the biggest occasion of the year. On
these days the hill can draw very large crowds, special poojas and abhishekams
are performed, bhajans are sung through the day, and free meals (annadanam)
are commonly served at the base. The devotional energy is at its highest, but
so is the congestion on the narrow chain section — if you are climbing
primarily for the trek or for a quieter darshan, an ordinary weekday in the
cooler months is far more comfortable. Note that the old practice of night
trekking on full-moon nights has been curtailed for safety, so do not assume a
midnight climb is permitted.

What to carry

• Water — at least 2–3 litres per person; the climb is
  strenuous and exposed.
• Footwear with grip — proper trekking or sports shoes; the
  rock can be slippery.
• Light snacks / fruit — energy food, since there are no
  shops on the trail.
• A small torch and a basic first-aid kit — useful even on a
  daytime climb.
• Modest, comfortable clothing — this is a place of worship
  as well as a trek.
• A cap, sunscreen and a walking stick — for the exposed,
  rocky sections.

Avoid carrying valuables you cannot secure, do not litter on the hill, and
start your descent with enough daylight in hand.

How to reach Parvathamalai

The base is Thenmathimangalam village, in the Polur taluk of Tiruvannamalai
district.

State-run buses connect Chennai and Tiruvannamalai to Polur, and local buses
and shared autos handle the last leg to the base. A private taxi from
Tiruvannamalai is the simplest option if you are starting the climb before
dawn.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee for Parvathamalai temple?

No. Entry and darshan are free. You may pay a small parking charge (around
₹10) if you drive to the base.

How long does the Parvathamalai trek take?

Plan on about three hours up by the Thenmathimangalam route and six to seven
hours for the full round trip, depending on your fitness, the crowd, and how
long you spend at the summit.

Can I climb at night or stay overnight on the hill?

Night climbing has been restricted for safety, and access is generally limited
to daylight hours. Do not plan a night ascent without confirming the current
rules with the local administration.

Is the trek suitable for children and elderly people?

It is strenuous and includes an exposed iron-chain rock section near the top.
Children, elderly pilgrims, and anyone with mobility, heart or vertigo issues
should assess their fitness honestly and consider skipping the final chain
stretch.

Which are the best days to visit?

Full-moon (pournami) and new-moon (amavasya) days and Maha Shivaratri are the
most spiritually charged but also the most crowded. For an easier climb,
choose an ordinary weekday between September and February.

Are food and water available on the hill?

On busy days there may be free meals and water at the Veerabhadrar shrine and
near the summit, but there are no shops, so carry your own supplies.

See also

• Tiruvannamalai Parvathamalai Camping Procedure Rules Permission
• Parvathamalai Temple Pooja Seva List, Tickets, Cost & Timings

Sources & last verified (July 2026)

Details above were compiled and cross-checked in July 2026 from publicly
available travel and trekking references, including
Trawell,
Indiahikes,
Casual Walker
and
Streamside. Timings, access rules and safety restrictions for this hill temple can
change with weather and administrative orders; for authoritative confirmation,
check with the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments
(HR&CE) department or the local temple administration before you travel.

Tirumala Tirupati Online is an independent pilgrim-information website. We
are not affiliated with the Parvathamalai temple, the Tamil Nadu HR&CE
department, TTD, or any government body. Please verify critical details
through official channels before planning your trip.

Last reviewed: July 7, 2026