[adisan]

Originally Posted by kavensri

So, can someone tell me if 13th is just another day for me to visit? or will it be crowded? TIA.

It will be long weekend, with 14th and 15th being holidays. Hence a lot of traffic can be expected on 13th after noon, including towards Bangalore from TN and KL.

As for the temple itself, 13th might be ok but not 14th till end of this week. FYI, 16th and 17th will be extremely crowded, please see my previous post.

It might be a better idea to go on 11th or 12th, or to put it off until next week.

[kavensri]

Originally Posted by adisan

It will be long weekend, with 14th and 15th being holidays. Hence a lot of traffic can be expected on 13th after noon, including towards Bangalore from TN and KL.

As for the temple itself, 13th might be ok but not 14th till end of this week. FYI, 16th and 17th will be extremely crowded, please see my previous post.

It might be a better idea to go on 11th or 12th, or to put it off until next week.

Thanks for your response. As I had mentioned, my plan was to do same day return trip on 13th. So, my assumption was, temple may still not be crowded on 13th. But if the traffic is bad while returning on 13th, then I will definitely think about postponing it to next wednesday (20th Apr). I hope 20th is not an auspicious day.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Still my trip has not happened! Currently delayed by problems with eyeglass prescription, and I know that by the time I am ready, it will be too hot for my wife!

I'm happy to see that this thread has become a general resource thread for others.

[simplyself]

Originally Posted by adisan

Interesting. Agree with you regarding discrepancy in the guidance boards, I have also felt that the information shown regarding the remaining distance is not accurate.
]

Here is the distance as measured by my mobile fitness app. I do not say it is very accurate but I did find some discrepancy on boards regarding distance.

Regarding Darshan, accommodation and the like, there is a Telegram channel by the name of Tiruvannamalai Dharisanam. Interested people may post their queries there

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by simplyself

Regarding Darshan, accommodation and the like, there is a Telegram channel by the name of Tiruvannamalai Dharisanam. Interested people may post their queries there

We are getting good results posting our queries here!

But thanks for the resource reference, for users of Telegram.

[adisan]

Originally Posted by adisan

This and this. They are on either side of the temple.

Road work begins near temple (report in The Hindu)

Not clear whether the parking areas will remain accessible during this period.

Work on re-laying the one-km-long Mada Street near the famous Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai with cement concrete began on Sunday. The work, which will be executed by the State Highways Department, will cost ₹15 crore and provide much-needed relief for devotees, who are having to walk on the existing pothole-ridden stretch to reach the temple.

The work is expected to be completed in two months.

[simplyself]

We recently went to Tiruvannamalai as part of Pancha bhootha Sthala visit. We did Giri Pradakshina on 14.08.2022 night. We started at 6.15 pm from Eeshanya Lingam as it was practically next door to the Yatri Nivas where we lodged. Completed the Pradakshina by 12.52 pm. My phone's fitness app showed 15.43 km.

There were many people doing Giri Pradakshina at the same time. Many used footwear, though majority of the devotees didn't. I asked a devotee who was wearing shoes about the foot wear. He said there is no restriction as such and " it's all in the mind" and " not physical aspect".

We went for Darshan on 15.08.2022 by 7 am. There was huge rush but we were able to have a quick darshan using the "services" of a temple staff who was an acquaintance on a Telegram group.

Yatri Nivas is the temple owned facility. It's a new building, about 2 years old, and had good sized rooms. Parking is good.

[srvm]

Originally Posted by simplyself

We recently went to Tiruvannamalai as part of Pancha bhootha Sthala visit. We did Giri Pradakshina on 14.08.2022 night. We started at 6.15 pm from Eeshanya Lingam as it was practically next door to the Yatri Nivas where we lodged. Completed the Pradakshina by 12.52 pm. My phone's fitness app showed 15.43 km.
....

We reached Tiruvannamalai on the night of 13th August (went from Bangalore). Did Girivalam on the same night. Started at 10.30pm from Temple East Tower. Completed at the same place at 3.40am (14th Aug).
Myself, spouse, 70+ aged parents and 12 year old daughter did the Girivalam. Even at that time of the night, we had lot of company for Girivalam. Well lit road throughout. We stayed at KSM Residency, Anaikatti Street, near South Gopuram. Decent place. Fairly new as well. I was able to find parking near South Gopuram.
Had darsan on 14th Aug around noon (lots of crowd due to 3-day weekend). Took about 2.5 hours to complete all sannidhis.

[aston_martyr]

Recently stayed at Yatri nivas Aalyyam in Tiruvannamalai. Decent Stay.
Please opt for AC rooms as the non AC one's are not worth it. Food was decent. limited timings for lunch. Breakfast is complimentary with a fixed menu.
Since this was an April Visit we did not plan on Girivalam, as temps were reaching above 40. Even evening walks are too hot. Had a darshan in the evening. Early morning would be the preferred time for Girivalam with lots of people tagging along in groups or otherwise.
If you are staying in Yatri Nivas, there is an auto stand right next to it for easy commute and decent hotels within 1km radius.