Among the many sacred hill temples of Tamil Nadu where devotees perform Girivalam, Tiruvannamalai remains the most revered and spiritually significant. Considered a Mukti Sthalam, a sacred place believed to grant liberation, Tiruvannamalai welcomes devotees throughout the year, 365 days and 24 hours a day, to circumambulate the holy Arunachala Hill and seek the blessings of Lord Arunachaleswarar.
While Girivalam can be performed on any day, devotees especially gather in large numbers during Pournami (Full Moon), Pradosham, Shivaratri and Tamil month-birth days. Among these, Pournami Girivalam holds exceptional spiritual importance, drawing lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad.
Vaikasi Visakam Girivalam and Its Spiritual Importance
The Pournami of the Tamil month Vaikasi becomes even more sacred as it coincides with Vaikasi Visagam, the divine birth star of Lord Murugan.
Devotees believe that performing Girivalam in Tiruvannamalai during Vaikasi Visagam allows one to receive the combined blessings of Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan.
This sacred occasion is closely associated with Saint Arunagirinathar, whose life was transformed through Lord Murugan’s grace. Tradition says Murugan blessed him with divine wisdom and inspired him to compose the immortal Thiruppugazh hymns.
For this reason, many devotees regard Vaikasi Visagam Girivalam as an opportunity to receive higher spiritual merit, divine guidance and inner transformation.
Benefits Of Vaikasi Visagam Girivalam
Spiritual traditions and temple beliefs associate several blessings with Girivalam during Vaikasi Pournami and Visagam.
Devotees believe that performing Girivalam during this sacred period may help bring:
- Peace of mind and spiritual clarity
- Wisdom and positive life direction
- Career and professional growth
- Long life and family wellbeing
- Removal of karmic burdens and negative influences
- Relief from serious sins of previous births and Brahmahatti Dosha
The sacred energy of Arunachala during Vaikasi Visagam is believed to be especially powerful for those seeking both worldly progress and spiritual upliftment.
Vaikasi Visakam 2026 Girivalam timings
For devotees planning to perform Pournami Girivalam during Vaikasi Visagam 2026, the auspicious timings are as follows:
Full Moon Day: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Pournami Begins: May 30, 2026 - 12.55 PM
Pournami Ends: May 31, 2026 - 2.45 PM
Suggested Girivalam Period:
Starts - May 30, 2026 - 12.58 PM
Ends - May 31, 2026 - 2.50 PM
Devotees often choose this period to complete the 14-kilometre circumambulation around the sacred Arunachala Hill while chanting the Lord’s name and visiting the holy Ashta Lingams along the route.
Why Saturday Girivalam is also considered special?
Apart from Pournami, Saturdays hold special importance for Girivalam in Tiruvannamalai.
According to devotional beliefs, performing Girivalam on Saturdays may help reduce the hardships associated with Saturn (Shani Bhagavan) and Navagraha doshas.
Devotees believe Saturday Girivalam can bring:
- Relief from long-term health problems
- Reduction in the effects of Sade Sati and Saturn-related challenges
- Mental peace and emotional stability
- Prosperity and steady wealth
- Growth in business and livelihood
- Purification of body and mind through worship at the Ashta Lingams
Many devotees affected by Shani Dosha or prolonged struggles visit Tiruvannamalai on Saturdays seeking Lord Arunachaleswarar’s grace and spiritual healing.
More than a ritual, Girivalam in Tiruvannamalai is considered a sacred journey of surrender and devotion. Walking around Arunachala is believed to purify the mind, humble the ego and strengthen one’s connection with the Divine.
During Vaikasi Visagam, when the grace of Lord Murugan and Lord Shiva is believed to shine together, Girivalam becomes not merely a pilgrimage, but a deeply transformative spiritual experience.
Source / Image Credit : Tamil Samayam , ARUNACHALA GRACE , Maalaimalar
