Arunachaleswarar Temple Puja Timings

Renovation work at Arunachaleswarar Temple is going well. Most of the green cloth has been removed from the Temple Gopurams, and much of the painting work throughout the Temple has already been completed. 

As of this date there has been no official announcement of the 2017 Arunachaleswarar Temple Mahakumbhabhishekam Function (it is believed that it will be sometime in February 2017). However a new Puja schedule has been set. From what has been said it appears that this new schedule will be in place both before and after the Mahakumbhabhishekam Function however there may be changes in the schedule during Poornimas (full moon).

New Puja Timings at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Green protective cloth has been removed from Gopurams

Temple statues have been repaired and repainted throughout

Work prior to 2017 Mahakumbhabhishekam is proceeding well

Surya Lingam: Before and After

Darshan of Arunachala from Surya Shrine, Girivalam Roadway

Surya Lingam is located after Gautama Ashram and before Varuna Lingam on the leftside of the Girivalam Roadway. In 2016 the first phase of renovation work financed by a family in Chennai, was completed at the Lingam. 

Looking through my archives I found photographs of Surya Lingam before renovation which may be of interest and enable a comparision of before and after. 

The work has obviously been neatly and professionally undertaken, but a pity the use of traditional materials was not observed. It might be just that I am old fashioned, but would have preferred materials other than alumininum roofing, patterned tiles and overly colourful paint. 

Nonetheless the Surya Lingam is definitely looking tidier and neater and gratitude and thanks to the Chennai family who have graciously funded the work. 

Entrance to Surya Lingam before renovation

Entering Surya Lingam on the girivalam roadway

Lingam on girivalam roadway

Carvings on inside doorway entrance

Surya Lingam with Nandi

Adjacent building connected with Temple priests

Stone Shrine of the Surya Linam

From back of Shrine looking towards entry gateway

Devotees in line for Prasad

Photographs of Surya Lingam Shrine after Renovation 

Entrance to Shrine from Girivalam Roadawy

Carvings on Wall Under the Entrance Doorway

More Painted Carvings on Wall

Shrine Compound Renovated, Painted, with New Floors and Canopy Cover

Surya Shrine

Kalyana Mandapam

The below murals are on the walls and ceiling of the Kalyana Mandapam, a hall which is infrequently opened and situated at the southern side of the third prakaram of Arunachaleswarar Temple. I am posting photographs of some murals representing more well known Arunachala legends.

As to the future renovation of the murals, we will have to wait and see -- one hopes that the ancient and beautiful murals are not renovated improperly or inexpertly. As to that more news when I get it.

The below photograph is of an ancient representation of Arunachala surrounded by holy tirthams (water tanks).

Arunachala with tirthams

Ardhanarisvara

Dakshinamurthi

Lingodbhava

The most important functions to be held at Arunachaleswarar Temple Kalyana Mandapam, are the marriage of Lord Siva and Sakthi during Panguni Uthiram and celebration of the days of Karthigai Deepam.

There are other special days during the year that the Mandapam is used, one such function is a group puja performed during one day each year (in the month of Adi as is the custom in most Tamil Temples dedicated to Shakthi). The group function is known as the 'Mangalaya Puja'. The above photograph is of such a function held at the Kalyana Mandapam at Arunachalaeswarar Temple in a previous year.

New Statues

Below are some photographs of new and in some cases, rebuilt, statues at Pachaiamman Temple.

I actually liked the Temple better before the 'modernization' but suppose after a few years of sun and weathering, the statues will lose that 'bright lick of paint,' look and become more interesting.

Probably because the Temple is off the beaten track, lots of pilgrims and visitors miss out on the experience of visiting the Pachaiamman Koil. But its definitely one of the most interesting Temples at Arunachala.


Besides the magnificent statues, this is the Temple that Sri Ramana Maharshi moved to from the caves on the Southside, after that area was evacuated because of a smallpox epidemic. After the epidemic ceased, Sri Ramana returned to his home at Virupaksha Cave. However some time later, he returned to Pachaiamman Temple for a further six months to live with Ganapati Sastri and devotees.



Another interesting thing about this Temple is that other than arguably Guhai Namashivaya Temple, Pachaiamman is the Temple at the highest elevation on Arunachala.

There is an elite group of artisans well known throughout the Temple circuit who travel from one Temple to another throughout Indian working renovating and repainting statues.

If you have the chance, try to check out Pachaiamman Temple, its fascinating and so very peaceful.