The town of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu sits about 112 miles (187 km) southeast of the Tamil capital of Chennai (formerly Madras). By car the trip takes about four hours. Katpadi Rail also goes to Tiruvannamalai.
The festivals of Tiruvannamalai attract large crowds sometimes numbering over 100,000 devotees.
If you're looking for one to attend, the best single festival is Kartikai Deepam -- an evening which marks the conclusion of the 10 day long festival in the Tamil month of Kartikai (in November or December). The festival includes grand processions in which images of Annamalaiyaar (an incarnation of Shiva) and Unnamulaiyaal are taken out on decorated platforms and paraded through streets of the city. Tiruvannamalai comes alive with celebration, processions, dancing, and singing.
Kartikai Deepam falls on the eve of the full moon and a huge fire is lighted atop the hill in commemoration of the fire left by Shiva. Thousands flock to the festival from all over southern India.
Tiruvannamalai's place in Tamil history is long established. Successive kings of South India gave great attention to Tiruvannamalai and the temple of Arunachala. Over a period of a thousand years these kings built prakaras outlying temples, gopurams and compound walls, dug ponds, offered jewels and donated gold for the upkeep of temple lands.
A number of other festivals are celebrated in the temple. Some last a few days; others are just one day events.
The 10-day Utharaayanam festival mark the sun's turn northwards; it is celebrated in the month of January.
The Vasanthautsavam festival (also 10 day) in the months of April-May is celebrated to commemorate Kamadhana, the burning of Man-matha, the personification of desires.
The Maha Sivarathri festival occurs in February-March. It re-enacts the story of Brahma, Vishnu and all other deities paying homage to the column of fire after the humbling of the pride of Brahma and Vishnu.
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