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Coordinates: 12.22° N 79.07° E

Tiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai
State  - District(s)	Tamil Nadu  - Tiruvanamalai
Coordinates	12.22° N 79.07° E
Area  - Elevation	- 171 m
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001)  - Density	130,301  -
Municipal chairman	R. Sridharan

Tiruvannamalai (Tamil: திருவண்ணாமலை) is a pilgrimage town and municipality in Tiruvanamalai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Tiruvannamalai district. Tiruvannamalai is home to Arunachaleswara Temple located at the foot of the Arunachala hill. Tiruvannamalai has long been associated with many yogis and siddhars,^[1] and more recently the 20th century guru Ramana Maharshi.

Contents 1 Pilgrimage 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Transport 4.1 Road 4.2 Rail 4.3 Air 5 References 6 External links

Tiruvannamalai is one of the panchabhootasthalas representing the fire element along with Chidambaram, Sri Kalahasti, Thiruvanaikoil and Kanchipuram representing sky, air, water and earth respectively.

As much as four Brahmotsavams are celebrated ever year, the one celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthigai (November/December) is the most famous. The ten day event culminates on the day of Karthigai Deepam. That evening, a huge lamp is lit on a cauldron with three tons of ghee at the top of the Annamalai hills.^[2]

Every full moon night, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Shiva by circumambulating the Arunachala hill barefoot. The circumambulation covers a distance of about 14 km.^[3]

Advaita Vedanta guru Ramana Maharishi lived in Tiruvannamalai for fifty years until his death in 1950. His ashram named Ramanashramam is near the Arunachala hill to the west of the town.

Tiruvannamalai is located at 12.22°N′79.07 E°′{{{6}}}^[4]. It has an average elevation of 171 metres (561 feet). Tiruvannamalai is situated 185 km from Chennai and 210 km from Bangalore. Saathanoor Dam across Thenpennai River is near Tiruvannamalai.

As of 2001 India census^GRIndia, Tiruvannamalai had a population of 130,301. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Tiruvannamalai has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 68%. In Tiruvannamalai, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Tiruvannamalai is well connected to many cities and towns in Tamil Nadu,Karnataka andAndhra Pradeshby road.The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operates many services to the different towns and cities in Tamil Nadu,Chennai(130 km),Puduchery(114 km) and Bangalore(200 km).National Highway 66 between Bangalore and Puduchery passes through Tiruvannamalai.

A railway line between Vellore and Villupuram passes through Tiruvannamalai,where passengers can board a passenger train to Vellore(up) or Villupuram(down). The nearest major railway stations are at Tindivanam(72 km)(Chennai-Madurai railway line) and Tiruppatur(82 km)(Chennai-Palakkad railway line).

The nearest airport is at Chennai.

1. ^ The temple town of Tiruvannamalai
2. ^ The Hindu: 10 lakh devotees witness Tiruvannamalai Deepam
3. ^ Tiruvannamalai at Tamil Nadu tourism website
4. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Tiruvannamalai

• Tiruvannamalai Town
• Om Arunachala
• Arunachala Samudra
• Tiruvannamalai City of Enlightenment

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