Massive crowds and long waits at Tiruvannamalai on Pournami (Full Moon) day as devotees lined up for the sacred girivalam and darshan:
🌕 1. Full moon Frenzy: Devotees Flood TiruvannamalaiOn the occasion of Pournami (full moon), lakhs of devotees gathered in Tiruvannamalai to participate in the traditional girivalam — a holy circumambulation around the Arunachaleswarar temple and the sacred hill. The early morning saw devotees walking long distances under the moonlight.🛕 2. Queue for Darshan: Hours of WaitingAt the Arunachaleswarar Temple, devotees waited up to 6 hours in long lines to have darshan of the deity, with huge crowds forming due to holidays and the sacred day’s significance.🚶♂️ 3. Early Morning Spiritual MarathonThe girivalam began in the early hours — around 4 AM to 6 AM, with devotees walking barefoot around the 14 km pilgrimage path in devotional chants and prayer, many starting before sunrise.📍 4. Devotees From Near & FarCrowds included devotees from across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states, drawn by the spiritual importance of the Pournami girivalam tradition at this famous shiva temple.🛡️ 5. Heavy Security & Crowd ControlPolice and local authorities were stationed around the temple and girivalam route to help manage the massive crowds and ensure safety as devotees moved through the narrow lanes and pilgrimage path.💧 6. Comforts Amid the CrowdOrganisers arranged basic facilities like water, shade, and assistance for pilgrims throughout the long queue and circuit to make the waiting somewhat manageable despite the huge turnout.📈 7. Historic tradition ContinuesThe girivalam around Arunachala Hill on Pournami is a long‑standing spiritual practice believed to boost devotional merit and blessings — and this year’s turnout shows the tradition remains deeply alive with unprecedented participation. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.