Arunachalam Temple An independent guide to Tiruvannamalai

From Tirupati, Hyderabad and the Telugu states

Tiruvannamalai, which Telugu pilgrims usually call Arunachalam, is about 200 km from Tirupati by road via Chittoor and Vellore. From Hyderabad and the rest of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, most pilgrims travel through Tirupati or Vellore, or take one of the Giri Pradakshina bus packages run on full-moon dates.

Reviewed by the ArunachalamTemple.org editorial team Last updated: Editorial policy

Arunachala hill under white clouds, seen from the Anna Arch junction in Tiruvannamalai
Photo: Adityamadhav83, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

FromDistance by roadTypical driveMain options
TirupatiAbout 200 km4.5–5 hCar or taxi; APSRTC and TNSTC buses; train where available, or via Katpadi
HyderabadAbout 700 km13–15 hTGSRTC Giri Pradakshina packages; overnight buses; train or flight to Tirupati, Chennai or Bengaluru, then road
Vijayawada / coastal AndhraVia Tirupati or Chennai–Train to Tirupati, Renigunta or Chennai, then road

Road distances are approximate for the usual route; check a maps app on the day.

Tirupati to Tiruvannamalai

By road. The usual route runs Tirupati → Chittoor → Vellore → Tiruvannamalai. Many families combine a Tirumala darshan with Arunachalam in one trip, often stopping at Kanipakam (Varasiddhi Vinayaka) and the Sripuram Golden Temple near Vellore on the way.

By bus. APSRTC and TNSTC operate services towards Tiruvannamalai and Vellore; book on APSRTC or TNSTC. Extra services run around Pournami and Karthigai Deepam.

By train. Sri Ramanasramam’s visitor guide lists Tirupati among the places Tiruvannamalai station (TNM) connects to. If there’s no convenient direct train, go to Katpadi Junction (Vellore, about 90 km from Tiruvannamalai) and continue by road or on a Katpadi–Villupuram line train. Check live services on the National Train Enquiry System.

From Hyderabad and Telangana

TGSRTC Giri Pradakshina packages. According to Telangana Today, TSRTC (now TGSRTC) has run special buses for Arunachalam Giri Pradakshina from MGBS, ECIL and BHEL in Hyderabad and from other Telangana towns. The report says the packages cover Kanipakam, the Sripuram Golden Temple at Vellore and Arunachalam, and reach Tiruvannamalai about four hours before the Giri Pradakshina begins. Dates and fares are announced for each season, so check the TGSRTC website.

Other options.

  • Overnight private buses to Tiruvannamalai or Vellore.
  • Train to Tirupati/Renigunta or Katpadi, then road.
  • Fly to Tirupati, Chennai or Bengaluru, then road (4–5 hours from each).

Timing your trip for Giri Pradakshina

Giri Pradakshina (Girivalam) is traditionally done while the Pournami tithi lasts. Check the start and end times on the Pournami calendar before you book. The packages are timed to these windows, and hotels in Tiruvannamalai fill up on full-moon weekends; see where to stay.

For Karthigai Deepam, which Telugu pilgrims call Arunachalam Karthika Deepam, see Karthigai Deepam 2026. Book very early.

In Telugu

This guide is also available in Telugu: తిరుపతి, హైదరాబాద్ నుండి అరుణాచలం.

Common questions

How far is Arunachalam from Tirupati?

About 200 km by road via Chittoor and Vellore, typically four and a half to five hours.

Are there buses from Hyderabad to Arunachalam?

Yes. TGSRTC has run Arunachalam Giri Pradakshina bus packages from Hyderabad (MGBS, ECIL and BHEL) and other Telangana towns around full moons, as reported by Telangana Today. Dates and fares are announced for each season on the TGSRTC website.

Is there a train from Tirupati to Tiruvannamalai?

Sri Ramanasramam's visitor guide lists Tirupati among the places Tiruvannamalai station connects to. Services change, so check the National Train Enquiry System; otherwise take a train to Katpadi (Vellore) and continue by road.

Sources & references

  1. TSRTC to operate special buses to Arunachalam Giri PradakshinaTelangana TodayNews report · checked27 September 2026
  2. TGSRTC online reservationTelangana State Road Transport CorporationGovernment of Tamil Nadu · checked27 September 2026
  3. APSRTC online reservationAndhra Pradesh State Road Transport CorporationGovernment of Tamil Nadu · checked27 September 2026
  4. TNSTC online reservationTamil Nadu State Transport CorporationGovernment of Tamil Nadu · checked27 September 2026
  5. Visiting Sri RamanasramamSri RamanasramamInstitution · checked27 September 2026
  6. National Train Enquiry SystemIndian RailwaysGovernment of Tamil Nadu · checked27 September 2026

Please verify important timings and festival dates with official sources before travelling.

This is an independent informational guide, not the official temple website. For darshan tickets, sevas and donations, use the official HR&CE temple website.