Chennai: The District administration has given permission to Girivalam around the holy hill of Thiruvannamalai after a gap of two years.
The practice was stopped following Covid-19 pandemic. Now with the cases coming down, it has been decided to allow Girivalam being done on full-moon (Pournami) days. However, officials have been asked to ensure devotees follow appropriate protocols.
Thiruvannamalai is home to Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar temple, who is also known as Annamalaiyar. The Goddess is Unnamulai Amman.
The Holy Mountain of Arunachala rises up with an elevation of 2669 feet (800 m). The road encircling the mountain where devotees circumambulate is 8.5 miles which is 14 kms long. On full-moon days and festival days (like Karthigai, first day of the Tamil month, Tamil New Year day) thousands of thousands of devotees circumambulate the mountain and get the blessings of the Lord Arunachala.