Tiruvannamalai Ashram travel guide to Sri Ramanasramam with timings, accommodation, Girivalam tips, Virupaksha Cave, Skandashram, and food spots for 2025.
Find stillness at Sri Ramanasramam in 2025 – plan darshan, satsang, and a mindful Girivalam with this complete on-the-ground guide.
Beneath the shadow of Arunachala, the Tiruvannamalai Ashram most seekers ask about is Sri Ramanasramam. The first time I walked through the main gate at dawn, the air felt different – quieter, lighter. Chanting rolled out of the Samadhi Hall, sparrows fussed around the neem tree, and someone set down a steel tumbler of hot milk near the steps. If you’re planning a spiritual break in 2025, this guide covers everything I wish I’d known: ashram timings, how to request accommodation, etiquette, Girivalam dates, nearby caves, getting around, food that actually tastes like home, and safety notes that only show up after a few trips.
What this guide covers (and who it’s for)
If your intent is informational with a dash of pilgrimage planning, you’re in the right place. I’ve blended first-hand notes with official sources so you can move confidently, even on full-moon weekends.
- Daily routine and ashram timings with live links
- Accommodation request process and guest rules
- Girivalam planning (Pournami dates, safety, crowd flow)
- Trek notes for Virupaksha Cave and Skandashram
- Transport from Chennai, Bengaluru, and Puducherry
- What to wear, phone etiquette, and quiet hours
- Simple, vegetarian food ideas near the ashram
You’ll find tables, FAQs, and quick itineraries so you can scan and go.
Ashram timings and daily rhythm
The best way to feel the pulse of Sri Ramanasramam is to match your day with the routine. Start before sunrise.
Sri Ramanasramam – daily schedule (typical)
Times may adjust for special events. Always check the current schedule on the Ashram’s Daily Routine & Timings page.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 05:30 am | Main gate opens |
| 06:00 am | Aksharamanamalai parayana |
| 06:45 am | Milk offering at Sri Bhagavan’s Shrine |
| 08:00 am | Veda parayana at the shrine |
| 09:00–09:45 am | Morning puja (Bhagavan’s then Mother’s Shrine) |
| 11:00 am–2:00 pm | Samadhi Hall & Mother’s Shrine closed |
| 11:30 am | Lunch in dining hall (for residents/guests) |
| 04:00 pm | Reading – Tamil (Samadhi Hall) |
| 04:30 pm | Reading – English |
| 05:00 pm | Evening Veda parayana |
| 05:45 pm | Evening puja ends |
| 08:30 pm | Main gate closes |
Tip: Parayana and puja are open to all visitors. Keep phones silent and sit quietly; you’ll blend in and get more out of it.
Staying at the Tiruvannamalai Ashram – how to request rooms
Rooms at Sri Ramanasramam are limited and prioritized for sincere seekers, seniors, and long-distance travelers. The flow is straightforward:
- Create an account and request accommodation on the official Stay @ Sri Ramanasramam portal.
- Read the Accommodation FAQs for documents required, guest rules, meal timing, and extension policy.
- If you need clarifications, the Ashram contact page lists phone numbers for the accommodation office.
Good to know
- Rooms are simple – clean bedding, fan or AC (varies), western or Indian bath depending on block.
- Meals are sattvic and served in silence. Sit on the floor unless a chair is offered.
- Donations are voluntary; drop them discreetly at the office counter.
- If you don’t get a room, stay nearby and still attend parayana. There are guesthouses along Chengam Road and near the east gate of the big temple.
2025 special: Kumbhabhishekam schedule
Sri Ramanasramam announced a Mahakumbhabhishekam in 2025 – poojas begin 18 August and culminate on 20 August 2025. Expect bigger crowds, road blocks near the ashram, and stricter gate control on event days. Track updates on the Kumbhabhishekam 2025 board.
Pro move: Arrive a day early, complete registration at the office, and pick up a wrist pass if issued.
Girivalam planning – full moon circuits around Arunachala
Walking the 14-km Girivalam (also called Giri Pradakshina) on Pournami is powerful and busy. In 2025, full moon windows span 24 to 36 hours. For the current month, check Girivalam 2025 dates (cross-check with the district updates when possible). On festival peaks, police set one-way flows and vehicle bans on the pradakshina road.
Safety and flow
- Start just before sunset or after midnight to avoid heat.
- Wear open sandals with heel straps; carry a small torch.
- Hydrate at tea stalls but avoid single-use plastic where you can.
- During major Pournami weekends, follow local advisories; police helplines and traffic bulletins pop up on news portals. A recent briefing noted dedicated help booths and a WhatsApp helpline for visitors – keep an eye on local news for such services.
Temple connection: If you’re combining Girivalam with darshan, the Arunachaleswarar Temple timings show typical 5:30 am–8:30 pm hours with festival-day adjustments.
Virupaksha Cave and Skandashram – short hikes with big quiet
Two classic half-day walks rise above the ashram on the eastern flank of the hill.
- Virupaksha Cave – compact cave where Sri Ramana meditated for years. The climb is stony but short. Start by 7:30 am; it gets bright fast. The path begins near the ashram’s back gate and winds up under tree cover. Reviews consistently flag the rocky steps, so good soles help.
- Skandashram – continue another 20–30 minutes above Virupaksha to a small hermitage with a spring and stone verandah. The caretaker usually opens after 8:15 am. Sit quietly; you’ll hear town sounds drift up like soft radio.
Respect the hill – no litter, no music, no shouting. If a troop of monkeys appears, keep distance and stash food.
Getting to Tiruvannamalai – simple routes that work
Let’s keep this practical. These are the routes I’ve used or helped friends book.
From Chennai
- By bus: The state operator lists schedules on TNSTC Online Booking. Buses start from Kilambakkam (KCBT) and Koyambedu (CMBT). Weekend specials and festival loads are common.
- By train: Look for trains to Tiruvannamalai (TNM) or change at Villupuram. Seats sell out on Pournami – book early.
- By car: NH 48 to NH 77 is the fastest. Start before sunrise to skip city traffic.
From Bengaluru
- Via Hosur – Krishnagiri – Chengam. Expect 6 to 7 hours with one coffee stop.
- Private overnight buses also make sense if you’re short on time.
From Puducherry
- Easy 3-hour coastal-to-inland hop via Villupuram. Small cars work fine; roads are better post-monsoon repairs most years.
What to wear, carry, and how to behave in the ashram
This part matters more than you think.
- Wear simple, modest clothes – cotton pants, kurta, saree, salwar. Sleeveless is fine with a shawl.
- Leave footwear at racks outside the halls. Socks are okay on hot tiles.
- Phones on silent. No calls or selfies in prayer spaces.
- Sit wherever there’s space in the Samadhi Hall. If you’re new to chanting, just listen.
- In the dining hall, wait for a server’s signal. Don’t waste food. Rinse your plate if asked.
- Donate quietly at the office. No tipping inside ashram premises.
When to visit – crowd, weather, and festival patterns
I aim for the shoulder weeks around full moon. Here’s a quick month-wise read for 2025.
| Month | Weather & feel | Crowd pattern | My move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Feb | Cool mornings, crisp light | High around Thai Pournami | Book rooms a month out; walk at dawn |
| Mar–May | Hot, dry afternoons | Moderate except Chitra Pournami | Carry ORS, plan cave hikes before 9 am |
| Jun–Aug | Monsoon bursts, humid | Lower midweeks | Keep a light poncho; sidewalks get slick |
| Sep–Oct | Clear skies, warm | Rising (Purattasi Mondays) | Start Girivalam after 10 pm |
| Nov | Karthigai Deepam prep | Very high | Stay outside town, commute in early |
| Dec | Pleasant, festive | High weekends | Midweek visits feel calmer |
If your dates are fixed on Pournami, pack patience. It’s part of the practice.
1-day and 2-day plans that actually flow
If you have one full day
- 5:30 am – Enter ashram, sit for Aksharamanamalai.
- 7:30 am – Breakfast nearby if you’re not a guest.
- 8:30–10:30 am – Hike to Virupaksha Cave and Skandashram.
- 11:30 am – Quiet reading in the bookstore courtyard; lunch.
- 6:00 pm – Evening parayana; early night.
If you have two days
- Day 1: Follow the plan above.
- Day 2: Do a pre-dawn Girivalam circuit. Nap late morning. Sunset sit at the big temple’s outer prakaram and watch lamps rise. Check temple timings so you don’t queue at closing.
Food notes from a culture writer who eats a lot
I’m picky and practical. Here’s what works near the ashram without derailing your day.
- Idli-vadai and filter coffee at a small tiffin center on Chengam Road before 7 am – quick, fresh, kind to the stomach.
- Midday thali – keep it light if you plan a cave walk. Banana leaf meals finish fast and feel right.
- Evening snack – pazhampori (banana fritters) or sundal near the temple streets. Skip heavy sweets on Girivalam night; carry nuts instead.
If you want a food-and-darshan combo plan across Tamil Nadu, explore Xploreall’s curated routes – we stitch temple timings with proper meals so you’re never hungry or late.
Plan a culture-and-food circuit with our team at Xploreall.
Practicalities you’ll thank yourself for later
- Cash helps at tea stalls and autos. Keep small notes separate.
- Autos quote festival prices near Pournami – ask for meter or agree upfront.
- Keep copies of ID for hotel check-in.
- Monkeys love plastic bags. Tuck snacks deep in your daypack.
- Dark stretches on Girivalam are real – tiny torch beats phone battery drain.
FAQ – quick answers for first-time seekers
What is the Tiruvannamalai Ashram called officially?
Most visitors say Tiruvannamalai Ashram, but the formal name is Sri Ramanasramam. Visit schedules and news on the Ashram website.
Do I need to book accommodation in advance?
Yes. Use the Stay @ Sri Ramanasramam portal to request rooms and read Accommodation FAQs for documents, check-in times, and meal details.
What time should I arrive for morning chanting?
Be at the gate by 5:30 am. The daily routine lists Aksharamanamalai at 6:00 am and the milk offering at 6:45 am.
When are the 2025 Pournami Girivalam dates?
Check the running list of Girivalam 2025 dates. For festival-day darshan, confirm Arunachaleswarar Temple timings.
Can I hike to Virupaksha Cave and Skandashram on my own?
Yes. Start early, wear proper shoes, carry water, and keep voices low. The paths are well-used and begin near the ashram. On hot days, be back by 10:30 am.
How do I get to Tiruvannamalai from Chennai?
Buses run from Koyambedu and Kilambakkam – check TNSTC Online Booking. Trains sell out around Pournami; book in advance.
Is photography allowed inside the ashram?
Keep cameras away in prayer spaces. A quick phone shot in outer courtyards is usually fine, but always ask a volunteer if you’re unsure.
What should I wear?
Simple, modest clothes – cotton is your friend. Shawl for the hall if air feels cool. Comfortable sandals for walking.
what I’d tell a friend the night before
Keep it simple. Sleep early, wake before dawn, and let the Tiruvannamalai Ashram set your pace. Sit through one full parayana without checking your phone. If crowds swell, step outside and watch Arunachala change color – it’s a show that never gets old. Walk Girivalam if your feet feel strong. If not, sit in the Samadhi Hall and breathe with the chant. Pack light, drink water, and be kind to your schedule. When you’re ready to weave this stop into a longer Tamil Nadu culture trail, tap us at Xploreall – we’ll line up meals, rooms, and timings so you can focus on the quiet that brought you here.
About the Author
Vikram Reddy, Food & Culture Travel Journalist
Vikram combines his love for regional cuisine with cultural exploration. A certified food critic and travel writer, he documents authentic local eateries, street food, and culinary traditions across Indian destinations. His “Eat Like a Local” series has helped thousands discover hidden food gems in tourist cities.
Email: rajesh.kumar@xploreall.com