HOME DESTINATIONS Tiruvannamalai
Paravathamalai
Around 4500 ft above sea level, Paravathamalai Hill is supposed to be one of the most sacred sites in India.
A unique spiritual place, Paravathamalai is supposed to a piece of the Sanjeevani mountain that fell when Lord Hanuman was carrying it to the battlefield in Lanka. Geologists claim that the herbs found on Paravathamalai are found nowhere else in the area or the country, except in the Himalayas, where the original mountain with the Sanjeevani herb was found. Paravathamalai is also an excellent trek for beginners, with a stone step and rock route that lasts for 5.5 km. 4500ft above sea level at the top of the mountain, is the Paravathamalai temple, which many pilgrims trek to visit. The mountain is also said to have many siddhars, or sages, who meditate in the mountain to attain enlightenment. It is said that the siddhars occasionally come out to bestow their blessings on visitors who are lucky enough.
Parvathamalai is also known by many other names like Thenkailayam, Kanthamalai, Mallikarjunamalai, Tri sulagiri, Naviramalai, Parvathagiri and Sanjeevigiri. There is an ashram that is located near the foot of the hill, where one can get the guidance on how to trek to the top. The devotees and the pilgrims who visit the temple believe that visiting the temple will relieve them from all the sorrows of life and help them walk into the path of enlightenment.
Good to know :
Location: 35km from Arunai Anantha
Temple Timings: 6AM-11AM /4PM-8PM
Best time to visit: Oct – Feb
Time Required: 4-5 hrs
Other Attractions
Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple
2 hrsThe most famous temple in Tiruvannamalai is this shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, at the base of the holy Arunachala Hill, in the heart of Tiruvannamalai.
Arunachala Hill
3 hrsOne of the 5 main Shaivite holy places in South India, the Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai is the most popular tourist site in the area.
Sri Ramana Ashramam
2 hrsThis is the ashram which was the home to the modern sage Sri Ramana Maharishi, who was popularly regarded as an avatar and enlightened being by many devotees. His shrine attracts devotees from across the world.
Jawadhu Hills
3 hrs - 2 daysAn extension of the Eastern Ghats, the Jawadhu Hills are a beautiful range of bluish gray granite that have peaks averaging 3800 feet in height. The hills are known for their breathtaking verdant beauty.
Gingee Fort
3 hrsGingee Fort is also known as the “Troy of the East”. One of the surviving forts in Tamil Nadu, it was ranked as the “most impregnable fortress in India” by Chhatrapati Sivaji.
Tirumalai Jain Temple
2 hrsA Jain site with over 2000 years of history, Tirumalai – literally, “the holy mountain” - is situated 51km from Tiruvannamalai. Dating back to at least the 9th Century, Tirumalai has been an important Jain center since ancient times.
Sathanur Dam
2 hrsSathanur Dam is one of Tamil Nadu’s most important dams. An engineering marvel, it has been built over the River Thenpennai, 30km from the town of Tiruvannamalai.
Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple
3 hrsThis incredible star-shaped temple dedicated to the Goddess Maha Lakshmi, was constructed by the Vellore based charitable trust – Sri Narayani Peedam. Over 1500kg of gold has been used in the intricate work done by the artisans on this temple.