What are the Girivalam Pournami dates for 2026?

The main 2026 Girivalam Pournami (full-moon) nights run from June to December, with Karthigai Deepam on 24 November 2026 as the peak observance. See the full date table on this page, and confirm the exact night against the official Arunachaleswarar Temple calendar before travelling.

When is Karthigai Deepam in 2026?

Karthigai Deepam falls on 24 November 2026. It is the peak observance at Arunachala, when the Maha Deepam is lit atop the hill and the largest crowds of the year gather for Girivalam — so book accommodation and plan travel well in advance.

How long is the Girivalam walk?

The Girivalam path is about 14 km around Arunachala Hill. Walking barefoot at a devotional pace with pauses at the shrines, most pilgrims complete it in roughly four to five hours.

Is Girivalam done at night?

Yes. Most devotees walk Girivalam through the night, especially on Pournami, because it is cooler and food, drinking water and rest stops are open along much of the route. The full-moon nights are the most popular.

Where should I stay for Girivalam Pournami in Tiruvannamalai?

A calm hotel near the path but away from the crowds is ideal. UJ Pallazzio is about 4 km from the Girivalam path on the bypass road, with free parking, a 24-hour front desk and transport to the path on request — so you walk overnight and rest in a quiet room afterwards.

Girivalam Pournami 2026 Dates & Guide

Girivalam is the sacred barefoot circumambulation of Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai — a walk of about 14 km that pilgrims do on Pournami (full-moon) nights. In 2026, the main Pournami Girivalam nights run from June through December, with Karthigai Deepam on 24 November 2026 as the peak observance of the year. Most devotees walk through the night, when it is cooler and food, water and rest stops are open along the route. The table below lists every 2026 full-moon date, and this guide explains how to plan your walk and where to stay.

Every full-moon night, thousands of pilgrims gather in Tiruvannamalai to walk Girivalam — the 14 km path around Arunachala Hill, believed by devotees to be a form of Lord Shiva himself. If you are planning a 2026 Pournami visit, this guide gives you the dates, what to expect, and how to base your stay for a calm, comfortable walk.

What is Girivalam and Pournami?

Girivalam (also spelt Giri Valam or Girivalaam) means “circling the hill.” Pilgrims walk barefoot, clockwise, along the roughly 14 km road that rings Arunachala Hill, passing eight lingams and many shrines along the way. It is most auspicious on Pournami — the full-moon night — when the walk is done overnight. The atmosphere is devotional and unhurried; most people take four to five hours at a gentle pace, with pauses at the shrines.

Girivalam Pournami 2026 dates

Here are the 2026 Girivalam Pournami (full-moon) dates. Please treat these as a planning reference and confirm the exact night against the official Arunachaleswarar Temple calendar before you travel, as observance dates follow the Tamil calendar and can occasionally shift by a day:

2026 date	Occasion	Good to know
Jun 29, 2026	Pournami Girivalam	Full-moon night — pilgrims walk the ~14 km path around Arunachala Hill, mostly through the night.
Jul 29, 2026	Pournami Girivalam	Full-moon night — pilgrims walk the ~14 km path around Arunachala Hill, mostly through the night.
Aug 28, 2026	Pournami Girivalam	Full-moon night — pilgrims walk the ~14 km path around Arunachala Hill, mostly through the night.
Sep 26, 2026	Pournami Girivalam	Full-moon night — pilgrims walk the ~14 km path around Arunachala Hill, mostly through the night.
Oct 26, 2026	Pournami Girivalam	Full-moon night — pilgrims walk the ~14 km path around Arunachala Hill, mostly through the night.
Nov 24, 2026	Karthigai Deepam (peak)	The year's peak observance — the Maha Deepam is lit atop Arunachala Hill and the largest crowds gather. Book well ahead.
Dec 23, 2026	Pournami Girivalam	Full-moon night — pilgrims walk the ~14 km path around Arunachala Hill, mostly through the night.

Karthigai Deepam 2026 — the peak night

Karthigai Deepam is the most important festival at Arunachala, when the great Maha Deepam is lit atop the hill and the whole town fills with pilgrims. In 2026 it falls on 24 November. Expect the largest crowds of the year, heavier traffic and scarce accommodation — so if you plan to walk Girivalam around Karthigai Deepam, book your stay and plan your travel well in advance.

How to plan your Pournami walk

Walk at night — it is cooler, and food stalls, drinking water and rest stops are open along much of the route.
Go at your own pace — there is no rush; pause at the shrines and rest whenever you need to.
Carry water and wear nothing on your feet — Girivalam is traditionally done barefoot.
Rest before and after — a quiet room near the path lets you start fresh and recover afterwards.
Plan for seniors — elderly pilgrims can be dropped and collected at points along the route if they can't walk the full 14 km.

Where to stay for Girivalam Pournami

A calm hotel near the path — but away from the worst of the crowds — makes a Pournami visit far more restful. UJ Pallazzio sits on the Tiruvannamalai Bypass Road, about 4 km from the Girivalam path and 6 km from Arunachaleswarar Temple, with free CCTV-monitored parking, a 24-hour front desk for late or early starts, and auto transport to the path on request. You walk Girivalam through the night and return to a quiet, air-conditioned room to rest. Travelling with older relatives? See our senior-friendly stay — lift access, step-free entry and GMC Hospital just 2.1 km away.

Planning around a specific full moon? The Girivalam & Pournami stay page lists every 2026 date with room options from ₹2,000/night, and our front desk can arrange transport to the path for your chosen night.

Whether it's an ordinary Pournami or Karthigai Deepam, planning ahead makes the walk peaceful rather than stressful. Contact us or call/WhatsApp +91 93616 77996 and we'll help you plan your Girivalam Pournami stay and transport.