Planning your full moon walk around Arunachala next year? This page lists all the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam dates 2027, with the exact Pournami (full moon) tithi start and end times for every month, the Tamil month each falls in, and the special festival days you should know about. Bookmark it: it is the one calendar you need for a full year of Girivalam.
All times are in Indian Standard Time and were calculated astronomically for Tiruvannamalai. Temple-announced Girivalam windows usually match these to within a few minutes, but always check the official announcement a few days before you travel.
Girivalam Dates 2027: Full Month-by-Month Calendar
Girivalam is traditionally done while the Pournami tithi is in force, so the window below (begins to ends) is the auspicious period for your walk.
| Month | Pournami Begins | Pournami Ends | Tamil Month | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2027 | Thu, 21 Jan 2027, 9:30 PM | Fri, 22 Jan 2027, 5:47 PM | Thai | Thai Pournami |
| February 2027 | Sat, 20 Feb 2027, 7:59 AM | Sun, 21 Feb 2027, 4:53 AM | Masi | Masi Magam |
| March 2027 | Sun, 21 Mar 2027, 6:21 PM | Mon, 22 Mar 2027, 4:13 PM | Panguni | Panguni Uthiram |
| April 2027 | Tue, 20 Apr 2027, 4:51 AM | Wed, 21 Apr 2027, 3:57 AM | Chithirai | Chitra Pournami (very busy) |
| May 2027 | Wed, 19 May 2027, 4:03 PM | Thu, 20 May 2027, 4:29 PM | Vaikasi | Vaikasi Visakam season |
| June 2027 | Fri, 18 Jun 2027, 4:35 AM | Sat, 19 Jun 2027, 6:14 AM | Aani | |
| July 2027 | Sat, 17 Jul 2027, 6:49 PM | Sun, 18 Jul 2027, 9:15 PM | Aadi | Aadi Pournami |
| August 2027 | Mon, 16 Aug 2027, 10:29 AM | Tue, 17 Aug 2027, 12:59 PM | Aadi / Aavani | |
| September 2027 | Wed, 15 Sep 2027, 2:49 AM | Thu, 16 Sep 2027, 4:33 AM | Aavani | |
| October 2027 | Thu, 14 Oct 2027, 6:49 PM | Fri, 15 Oct 2027, 7:17 PM | Purattasi | |
| November 2027 | Sat, 13 Nov 2027, 9:55 AM | Sun, 14 Nov 2027, 8:56 AM | Aippasi | Annabhishekam to Lord Shiva |
| December 2027 | Sun, 12 Dec 2027, 11:56 PM | Mon, 13 Dec 2027, 9:39 PM | Karthigai | Karthigai Deepam (biggest of the year) |
Need the remaining dates for this year? See our Girivalam dates 2026 calendar, plus the detailed guides for November 2026 (Karthigai Deepam) and December 2026.
Best Time to Start Girivalam in Each Month of 2027
Most pilgrims prefer to walk at night, when the 14 km road is cooler and the full moon lights the hill. Use the Pournami window to choose your start:
- January: night of 21 Jan into 22 Jan (start after 9:30 PM)
- February: night of 20 Feb into 21 Feb (finish before 4:53 AM on 21 Feb)
- March: night of 21 Mar into 22 Mar (start after 6:21 PM)
- April: night of 20 Apr into 21 Apr (finish before 3:57 AM on 21 Apr)
- May: night of 19 May into 20 May
- June: night of 18 Jun into 19 Jun
- July: night of 17 Jul into 18 Jul (start after 6:49 PM)
- August: night of 16 Aug into 17 Aug
- September: night of 15 Sep into 16 Sep (finish before 4:33 AM on 16 Sep)
- October: night of 14 Oct into 15 Oct (start after 6:49 PM)
- November: night of 13 Nov into 14 Nov
- December: night of 12 Dec into 13 Dec (start after 11:56 PM)
If the tithi begins early in the morning, many devotees still prefer to walk that evening or night, as long as they finish before the tithi ends. Read more in our guide to Girivalam timings and the best hours to walk.
Special Girivalam Days in 2027
Thai Pournami (January)
The cool January weather makes Thai Pournami one of the most comfortable walks of the year. Crowds are steady but manageable compared to Deepam.
Chitra Pournami (April)
Chitra Pournami is one of the most crowded Girivalam days after Karthigai Deepam. Expect lakhs of devotees, heavy traffic on all approach roads and special buses from Chennai, Bangalore, Vellore and Villupuram. Walk late at night or before dawn to avoid the hottest hours, as April temperatures are high.
Aadi Pournami (July)
The Tamil month of Aadi is devotionally intense and draws large crowds, especially from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Monsoon-edge weather makes it humid but pleasant at night.
Karthigai Deepam 2027 (December)
In 2027 the Karthigai Pournami falls in mid-December, so Karthigai Deepam 2027 is expected around 12 to 13 December 2027, when the Maha Deepam is lit on the summit of Arunachala at dusk. This is the single biggest Girivalam of the year. The official date is announced by the temple administration; we will update this page as soon as it is confirmed. Meanwhile, read how the festival works in our Karthigai Deepam festival guide and our tips for Girivalam during Deepam.
How Girivalam Works: A Quick Refresher
- Distance: about 14 km around the base of Arunachala hill. See our Girivalam distance guide.
- Direction: clockwise, keeping the hill on your right, starting and ending at the Arunachaleswarar Temple area.
- Time: 3 to 5 hours on foot depending on pace, crowd and how many shrines you stop at.
- Shrines on the way: the eight Ashta Lingams, Adi Annamalai Temple and many small temples and ashrams. Follow our Girivalam route map with all 8 Ashta Lingams.
- Customs: many walk barefoot and in silence or chanting. Learn the full Girivalam rules and procedure.
Practical Tips for Girivalam in 2027
- Book stays early for Chitra Pournami and Karthigai Deepam months. Ordinary Pournamis can usually be managed with a few days’ notice. Browse our hotels in Tiruvannamalai guide and ashram stay options.
- Carry water and a small towel. Free water and annadanam stalls are common on Pournami nights, but carry your own bottle.
- Go light: a small bag, phone, ID, some cash in small notes, and a torch or phone light for the darker stretches.
- Barefoot walkers: the road can stay hot for hours after a summer day. In March to June, start after 9 PM.
- Travel: special TNSTC and SETC buses run on Pournami days. See how to reach from Chennai and from Bangalore.
- Temple darshan: queues at Arunachaleswarar Temple are longest on Pournami. Check temple timings and the special darshan ticket option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Girivalam dates in 2027?
There are 12 Pournami Girivalam dates in 2027: 22 January, 21 February, 22 March, 21 April, 20 May, 19 June, 18 July, 17 August, 16 September, 15 October, 14 November and 13 December (dates show the day the Pournami tithi ends; it begins the previous day in most months). See the table above for exact times.
When is Karthigai Deepam in 2027?
Based on the Karthigai Pournami, Karthigai Deepam 2027 is expected around 12 to 13 December 2027. The official date is announced by the Arunachaleswarar Temple administration.
Can I do Girivalam on a day that is not Pournami?
Yes. Girivalam can be done on any day, and many devotees walk on Sundays, Mondays, Pradosham or their birthday nakshatra. Pournami is simply the most auspicious and most popular day.
Which Girivalam is the most crowded in 2027?
Karthigai Deepam (December 2027) and Chitra Pournami (April 2027) will draw the largest crowds. Aadi Pournami (July) and Thai Pournami (January) are also very busy.
Are these timings official?
These are astronomically calculated tithi timings for Tiruvannamalai. The temple administration announces the official Girivalam window each month; it typically matches within a few minutes.
Plan Your 2027 Girivalam
Pick your month, note the Pournami window, and book your travel early for the festival months. New to Tiruvannamalai? Start with our one-day trip plan and top places to visit. Om Namah Shivaya, and have a blessed Girivalam.
Related guides: Girivalam January 2027 | Maha Shivaratri 2027 | Adi Annamalai Temple guide
