Arunachalam Temple, also known as Annamalaiyar Temple, is one of the most sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and a powerful spiritual center for devotees from across India. Located in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, this ancient temple represents the element of Fire (Agni) among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams and is deeply associated with peace, enlightenment, and liberation.
With the increasing number of pilgrims visiting the temple throughout the year—especially during festivals like Karthigai Deepam—managing darshan through online ticket booking has become essential. Online booking helps devotees plan their visit smoothly, avoid long waiting hours, and follow temple rules properly.
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Why book Arunachalam Temple darshan tickets online?
Arunachalam (also called Arunachaleswarar or Annamalaiyar) Temple in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, is one of South India’s most famous Shiva shrines. Pilgrims come here for daily darshan, special sevas (poojas), abhishekam and the famous Karthigai Deepam festival. In recent years the temple management has made many services available online, including special darshan and pooja bookings. This post explains, in very simple English, how to book online, eligibility, timings, temple rules and answers common questions.
Why book Arunachalam Temple darshan tickets online?
Booking online saves time and helps avoid long queues during weekends, festivals and auspicious days. Special sevas (like Abhishekam) and VIP / special entry darshan often need advance booking because places are limited. The official temple web portal lists services and allows online payments for many offerings. If you prefer, some services can still be booked at temple counters in Tiruvannamalai.
Quick facts (at a glance)
- Temple name: Sri Arunachaleswarar / Annamalaiyar Temple, Tiruvannamalai.
- Daily darshan timings (typical): Morning from about 5:30 AM and evening till around 8:30–10:00 PM depending on season/specific schedule. Special poojas have fixed slots. Always check the site for festival-day changes.
- Online booking portal: Official HR&CE / Annamalaiyar ticketing portal (Temple e-services).
- Common paid services: Special darshan / VIP entry, Abhishekam, special sevas, prasadam tokens, parking. General darshan usually has free entry but may have a small charge for special entry.
Step-by-step booking guide (official portal)
Follow these steps to book darshan or pooja tickets online. I use the official portal flow (Annamalaiyar / HR&CE) as the base — the labels may change slightly on the site, but the steps remain the same.
Step 1 — Open the official booking website
- On your phone or laptop open the official temple booking portal: the Annamalaiyar / HR&CE ticketing page (look for “Temple Booking Service” or “e-services / ticketing”). If you see a government HR&CE URL or “Annamalaiyar” / “Arunachaleswarar” name, you are in the right place.
Step 2 — Choose the service
- On the portal find the “Temple Booking Service” or “Services” section.
- Choose what you want to book: Special Darshan, Abhishekam, Pooja/Seva, Prasadam, or Parking. General free darshan may not require booking, but special tickets do.
Step 3 — Select date & time
- Pick your preferred date from the calendar. For services with time slots (Abhishekam or special entry) also pick a time slot shown on that page. Slots may be limited on festival days so choose early.
Step 4 — Enter details
- Provide name, mobile number, email and other basic details as asked. Some services may ask for ID proof details at the counter — keep a physical ID with you.
- If you are booking for a group, enter the number of devotees and their names if required.
Step 5 — Payment
- Confirm the booking summary and pay online (the portal accepts common UPI/cards/net banking — options depend on the gateway). After payment you will get an e-receipt / ticket on screen and via SMS / email. Save or screenshot it
Step 6 — On the day of darshan / seva
- Reach the temple at least 30–60 minutes before your slot. Carry the e-ticket (printed or digital) and a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, driving licence, passport, voter ID). Present them at the special entry counter. Follow the special visitor queue if shown.
Tips & common issues
- If the portal shows “Service not available”, try next day slots or visit the temple counter in person
- During big festivals (Karthigai Deepam, Maha Shivaratri) slots fill fast — book well in advance.
- Keep some flexibility in travel plans if you depend on online slots only.
Eligibility & who can book
General eligibility
- Anyone (Indian or foreign) can book most paid services online. For certain community-specific sevas there might be local rules — the portal will state these.
Senior citizens, physically challenged
- Special provisions and separate darshan counters are sometimes available for senior citizens and physically disabled devotees. When booking, check for a dedicated slot or mention special needs; the temple staff generally assists at the counters too
Group bookings & large parties
- For very large groups (tour groups, yatras), contact the temple administration in advance — online group slots may be limited and the temple may require coordination for special entry. Official contact details are usually on the temple website
Timings & important schedule notes
Typical daily schedule
- Morning: Temple opens early (often around 5:30 AM) for the first puja and general morning darshan.
- Midday: The temple may close briefly midday for rituals and reopen for the evening darshan.
- Evening: Reopens in the late afternoon and usually closes by 8:30–10:00 PM depending on the season and events. Always check the portal for exact daily schedule.
Festival days & special events
- Karthigai Deepam (the big fire festival on Arunachala hill), Maha Shivaratri, Panguni Uthiram and other major days change the darshan timing and booking rules. Expect huge crowds and early sellouts for special darshan. Check official festival notices on the temple site.
Rules & dress code
Common temple rules
- No leather items (wallets, belts) inside the sanctum. Keep shoes at the shoe counter.
- No smoking or alcohol.
- Mobile phones: Some inner sanctum areas do not allow phones — follow signage and staff instructions.
- Respect queues and the instructions given by temple staff and volunteers.
Dress code
- Traditional, modest clothing is preferred. Men often wear dhoti/vest or full pants; women wear saree/salwar-kameez or modest western clothes. Avoid shorts, sleeveless tops and revealing clothing at the sanctum area. Specific counters may enforce stricter dress rules for inner sanctum access.
Photography & offerings
- Photography inside the sanctum is generally not allowed. You can take photos in outer courtyards if permitted. For offerings and prasad, buy tokens from authorized counters only
Payment, cancellation & refund policy
- Payments made on the official portal are usually final. If a seva or slot is cancelled by the temple (due to administrative reasons), the portal or temple admin will provide refund instructions.
- No-shows: Many special darshan bookings are non-refundable for no-shows. Check the specific service terms on the booking page before paying.
How to reach Tiruvannamalai
- By road: Well-connected by buses from Chennai, Bengaluru and nearby towns.
- By train: Tiruvannamalai has a railway station with connections to major cities.
- By air: The nearest airports are Chennai (about 180 km) and Bengaluru (about 200+ km). From airport take a bus/taxi to Tiruvannamalai. Plan travel so you reach at least a few hours before your booking slot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Do I need an online ticket for general darshan?
A: General darshan of Arunachaleswarar is usually open without pre-booking, but special darshan, VIP entry, Abhishekam and some sevas require advance booking. Always check the official booking page before travel.
Q2: What is the cost for special darshan or Abhishekam?
A: Prices vary by seva and slot. Special darshan fees are generally nominal (small entrance fee) while Abhishekam and special seva prices are higher. Check the service details on the portal for current charges.
Q3: Can a foreign tourist book online?
A: Yes — most paid services can be booked by foreign tourists. Provide valid ID as required at the counter. If you face trouble on the portal, contact the temple administration.
Q4: My slot is cancelled — how do I get a refund?
A: If the temple cancels a seva, refunds are handled per the portal’s policy. Keep your booking receipt and check the portal or contact the administration for the refund procedure.
Q5: Is there a quota for daily booking?
A: Yes — slots are limited, especially for Abhishekam and special darshan. Festival days have stricter quotas. Book early to secure your slot.
Q6: Can I book on the day of visit?
A: Sometimes same-day slots exist, but availability is not guaranteed. If you have flexibility, check the portal on the day or buy at the temple counter if available.
Final tips for pilgrims
- Use the official portal (HR&CE / Annamalaiyar ticketing) for authentic tickets — avoid unofficial sellers.
- Carry ID and your e-ticket (digital or print).
- Arrive early for your booked slot and expect security checks.
- Dress modestly and follow temple staff instructions.
- During festivals, consider booking accommodation in advance as Tiruvannamalai gets very crowded.
Sources & where to check official updates
For accurate, up-to-date information always check:
- The Annamalaiyar / HR&CE official ticketing page (temple e-services / booking).
- Temple timing & notices pages and official administration contacts on the Tiruvannamalai district / HR&CE websites.
Closing note
Visiting Arunachalam Temple is a spiritual experience for thousands of devotees every year. Online booking has made the process easier but always plan ahead for busy days, carry ID, follow rules, and use the official portal to avoid problems. If you want, I can prepare a short checklist (printable) with the documents, clothing tips and travel timings for your trip — tell me your travel date and I’ll make it. 🙏
Important: Temple schedules, booking rules and charges can change. The guide above uses official HR&CE/Annamalaiyar information and credible temple sources as references. For festival-day updates or urgent queries, always check the temple’s official notices before travel.