Tiruvannamalai 8 Lingam Ashtalingam Girivalam Route Map
The eight lingams (Ashtalingam) on the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam route are Indra, Agni, Yama, Niruthi, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera and Esanya Lingam. They are eight small Shiva shrines placed around the sacred Arunachala hill, one for each of the eight compass directions, and pilgrims worship them in order while walking the roughly 14 km circumambulation (girivalam) around the hill. Below is a verified guide to their names, directions, meaning and how they fit into the girivalam and Arunachaleswarar temple visit.
What are the Tiruvannamalai Ashtalingam?
Tiruvannamalai, also called Arunachalam, is one of the most revered Shiva kshetras in Tamil Nadu. The Arunachaleswarar (Annamalaiyar) temple at the foot of the hill is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams and represents the element of fire (Agni) among the five elements. The hill itself, Arunachala, is worshipped as a form of Shiva, and walking around it is the central act of devotion here.
Set along the 14 km girivalam path are eight small lingam shrines known collectively as the Ashta Lingam (“eight lingams”). Each is dedicated to one of the eight guardian deities of the directions (the Ashta Dikpalakas) and is traditionally linked with a planet (navagraha) and specific zodiac signs. Together the eight cover all directions of the compass and all nine navagrahas, which is why many pilgrims try to worship every lingam on a single round.
The 8 Lingams on the Girivalam route: names, directions and significance
Starting from the east and moving clockwise (with the hill kept on your right), the order encountered on the path is Indra, Agni, Yama, Niruthi, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera and Esanya. The table below summarises the verified details of each.
| Lingam | Direction | Guardian deity | Associated planet | Commonly associated rasi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indra Lingam | East | Indra | Surya (Sun); also Shukra/Venus | Taurus, Libra |
| Agni Lingam | South-East | Agni | Chandra (Moon) | Leo |
| Yama Lingam | South | Yama | Mangala (Mars) | Scorpio |
| Niruthi Lingam | South-West | Niruthi | Rahu | Aries |
| Varuna Lingam | West | Varuna | Shani (Saturn) | Capricorn, Aquarius |
| Vayu Lingam | North-West | Vayu | Ketu | Cancer |
| Kubera Lingam | North | Kubera | Guru/Brihaspati (Jupiter) | Sagittarius, Pisces |
| Esanya Lingam | North-East | Esanya (Ishana) | Budha (Mercury) | Gemini, Virgo |
The direction and guardian-deity mapping above is consistent and well documented. The planet and zodiac links come from traditional astrological practice and can vary slightly from one source to another, so treat the rasi column as a general guide rather than a fixed rule. Many devotees simply worship all eight in sequence; some who follow rasi-based worship give extra attention to the lingam linked to their own moon sign.
A short note on each lingam
- Indra Lingam (East): the first shrine on the eastward stretch, linked with the king of the devas and, in tradition, with long life and prosperity.
- Agni Lingam (South-East): associated with fire; devotees pray here for good health and relief from illness. It is often noted as the one lingam on the opposite side of the path near a small tank.
- Yama Lingam (South): linked with Yama and Mars; sought for relief from difficulties and debts.
- Niruthi Lingam (South-West): associated with Rahu; prayed to for health, wellbeing and family blessings.
- Varuna Lingam (West): linked with the lord of waters and Saturn.
- Vayu Lingam (North-West): associated with the wind god and Ketu; connected with relief from breathing-related concerns.
- Kubera Lingam (North): linked with the god of wealth and Jupiter; associated with prosperity and status.
- Esanya Lingam (North-East): associated with Mercury; connected with peace of mind and wisdom.
How the Ashtalingam fit into Girivalam
Girivalam (also called Giri Pradakshina) is the practice of walking around Arunachala hill, a route of about 14 km (roughly 8.7 miles). Devotees traditionally walk barefoot, keeping the hill on their right, and pass the eight lingams as they go. At an easy pace the full circuit usually takes about four to five hours; brisk walkers may finish in around three hours. There is no single compulsory starting point — because the walk returns to where it began, pilgrims can begin near any lingam and complete the loop.
Girivalam can be done on any day of the year, but it is most popular on Pournami (full moon) nights, when very large crowds gather to walk through the night. The single biggest occasion is the annual Karthigai Deepam festival (on the full-moon day of the Tamil month of Karthigai), when a giant beacon is lit on top of the hill and is visible for miles; it draws huge numbers of pilgrims.
Click here to know the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam timings
Darshan basics at Arunachaleswarar temple
Most pilgrims combine girivalam with darshan at the Arunachaleswarar temple. As commonly published, the temple is generally open in two sessions — roughly 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Timings, special sevas and festival-day arrangements can change, so confirm the current schedule on the official Tamil Nadu HR&CE / temple channels before you travel, especially around Pournami and Karthigai Deepam.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Number of lingams on route | 8 (Ashta Lingam) |
| Girivalam distance | Approx. 14 km around Arunachala hill |
| Typical walking time | About 4–5 hours at an easy pace |
| Most popular day | Pournami (full moon) night |
| Biggest festival | Karthigai Deepam (Tamil month of Karthigai) |
| Temple element | Fire (Agni) – a Pancha Bhoota Sthalam |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lingams are there on the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam route?
There are eight, collectively called the Ashta Lingam: Indra, Agni, Yama, Niruthi, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera and Esanya Lingam, each placed in one of the eight directions around Arunachala hill.
In what order should the eight lingams be worshipped?
The traditional clockwise order along the path is Indra (East), Agni (South-East), Yama (South), Niruthi (South-West), Varuna (West), Vayu (North-West), Kubera (North) and Esanya (North-East).
How long is the girivalam walk?
It is about 14 km around the hill and typically takes four to five hours at a relaxed pace, or around three hours for fast walkers.
Do I have to start at a particular lingam?
No. Since the route is a full loop that ends where it starts, you can begin near any lingam and still worship all eight before completing the circuit.
Which day is best for girivalam?
Girivalam can be done on any day, but Pournami (full moon) nights are the most popular. The Karthigai Deepam full moon is the single largest occasion of the year.
Are the lingam shrines open all day?
The small shrines along the path are generally accessible to walking pilgrims through the day and night, but the main Arunachaleswarar temple follows fixed morning and evening timings; confirm current hours on the official temple channels.
Sources & last verified (July 2026)
- Girivalam – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girivalam (Ashta Lingam names, directions, moon signs, 14 km path)
- Arunachalesvara Temple – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arunachalesvara_Temple (Pancha Bhoota fire sthalam, Karthigai Deepam, temple timings)
- 8 Shiva Lingams / Ashtalingams – Hindu Devotional Blog: https://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/08/8-shiva-lingams-ashtalingams.html (deity, navagraha and significance of each lingam)
tirumalatirupationline.com is an independent pilgrim-information guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the Arunachaleswarar temple, the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department, TTD, or any temple or government body. Please verify current timings, festival dates and arrangements on the official temple / HR&CE channels before you travel.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
