What Is The Nearest Railway Station To Arunachalam? Know How To Reach Arunachalam Temple By Train
Arunachalam Temple, one of the most revered Shiva Temples in the world, is now gearing up for the Kartigai Deepam Festival. So, it is the best time to discuss how well-connected this Pancha Bhoota Sthala is with other major cities in South India.
Tiruvannamalai Railway Station, the Arunachalam nearest railway station, makes the temple accessible via train. In this Dream and Travel Guide, we will discuss the details about railway connectivity to the Arunachalam Temple if you want to take part in Girivalam in this Kartigai Deepam season.
What Is The Arunachalam Temple Nearest Railway Station?
The distance from Tiruvannamalai Railway Station to Arunachalam Temple is 4 km. Once you reach the railway station, you can take a local auto or taxi to reach the temple.
The Tiruvannamalai Railway Station was renovated, and the renovated station was inaugurated in May 2025 under the Amrit Bharat station scheme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the railway station.
Renovated at a cost of 8.27 crores, this railway station now has PF shelters, new waiting rooms, CCTV surveillance, a new terminal, a festival area, LED lights, lifts, escalators, and more amenities.
Moreover, the South Eastern Railway now plans to transform the Tiruvannamalai Railway Station into a full-fledged Platform Train Examination Terminal (PFTR).
All these changes indicate the need for improved train services with a growing number of pilgrims to the Arunachalam Temple.
Arunachalam Distance From Major Cities: A Summary Chart
As I mentioned earlier, the Arunachalam Temple is well-connected to many other major cities in South India by train. Before I share the train journey details, here is a summary chart of the distances between various cities in South India and the Arunachalam Temple, listed in kilometers.
| Cities in South India | Aruanchalam Temple Distance (in Km) |
|---|---|
| Hyderabad | 709.9 |
| Chennai | 197 |
| Vellore | 87 |
| Bangalore | 202 |
| Vijayawada | 608 |
| Tirupati | 194 |
| Pondicherry | 111 |
| Coimbatore | 336 |
| Madurai | 313 |
| Guntur | 470 |
| Nellore | 328 |
| Anantapur | 320 |
| Kanipakam | 146 |
| Villupuram | 60 |
How To Reach Arunachalam Temple By Train From Different Cities?
The Tiruvannamalai Railway Station receives trains frequently from many cities and railway stations.
However, for some long-distance travel routes, you have to first reach the Villupuram or Katpadi Junction and then take a train to Tiruvannamalai Railway Station.
Here are brief details of the trains sourced from IRCTC.
1. What Is The Nearest Railway Station To Arunachalam When Traveling From Hyderabad?
Katpadi Junction is the nearest railway station if you are traveling from Hyderabad to Arunachalam Temple. You have to first take a train to Katpadi from Secunderabad Junction or Kacheguda.
Then, you will get many trains from Katpadi Junction to Tiruvannamalai. You will find more details about the Hyderabad to Tiruvannamalai Railway Station journey in my Hyderabad to Arunachalam Distance guide.
2. How To Travel The Chennai To Arunachalam Distance By Train?
If you are in Chennai, you will have to reach the Perambur Station from the MGR Chennai Central Station by train or by road.
The train journey from Chennai to Arunachalam Temple takes around 3.5 hours.
3. How To Travel From Vellore To Arunachalam Temple By Train?
Many trains run between the Katpadi Junction and the Tiruvannamalai station. You will also board most of these trains from the Vellore Cantonment, where the train timings are 15-20 minutes behind the schedule of trains at Katpadi Junction.
The travel time for the Vellore to Arunachalam Temple journey by train is around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
4. How To Reach The Arunachalam Temple Railway Station From Bangalore?
If you are traveling from Bangalore to Arunachalam Temple by train, you will have to catch a train from Chik Banavar.
Chik Banavar is at a distance of around 18 km from Bangalore City.
5. How To Reach The Arunachalam Temple From Vijayawada By Train?
The options for trains between Vijayawada and Arunachalam Temple are limited. Also, it is a long train journey, requiring 10-11 hours to cover the distance.
6. How To Travel From Tirupati To Arunachalam Temple By Train?
If you are traveling from Tirupati to Arunachalam Temple, you will have to board a train from the Tirupati Main (TPTY) station.
There are multiple travel options, and the train ticket prices start from just INR 95.
7. How To Travel From Pondicherry To Arunachalam Temple By Train?
You can board a train from the Pondicherry Railway Station to Tiruvannamalai. Chalukya Express is the best train on this route, running on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays. Covering the distance within 1 hour and 40 minutes.
The PDY HWH SF EXP (12868) is another train on this route. However, it only runs on Wednesdays.
8. How To Travel From Coimbatore To Arunachalam By Train?
There is no direct railway connectivity between Coimbatore and Tiruvannamalai by train. You will have to take a train from Coimbatore Junction to Villupuram Junction or Katpadi Junction first.
Then, you will get the trains to Tiruvannamalai from these two connecting railway stations, or you can travel from Katpadi or Villupuram to Arunachalam Temple by road.
9. How To Travel From Madurai To Arunachalam Temple By Train?
Madurai is also an important name in the landscape of spiritual tourism in India as it is home to the famous Meenakshi Temple. It is also called the “Athens of the East.”
Madurai has direct railway connectivity to Tiruvannamalai, and the trains depart from the Madurai Junction. RMM TPTY EXP (16870), TEN PRR SF EXP, and MDU KCG SPL (07192) are the train options.
Furthermore, many people also visit the Murudeshwar Temple from Madurai. Murudeshwar Temple is also a revered Shiva Temple, and it is located at a place where the cloth covering of the Atma Lingam, which Ravana was carrying to Lanka, was found.
10. How To Travel From Guntur To Arunachalam Temple By Train?
You can take the HYB CAPE SPL (07230) train from Guntur Junction to reach Tiruvannamalai. The train is only available on Wednesdays. The travel time is 13 hours and 30 minutes.
11. How To Travel From Nellore To Arunachalam Temple By Train?
The Nellore Railway Station is one of the most important stations in Andhra Pradesh. You will get train options such as HWH PDY SF EXP (12867) on this route, and the journey takes around 6 to 7 hours.
Other popular trains are PRR TEN SF EXP (22605) and NS TNM SPL (07219).
12. How To Travel From Anantapur To Arunachalam Temple By Train?
The KCG MDU SPL (07191) train runs from Anantapur to Tiruvannamalai. It is only available on Tuesdays. The travel time by this train is 9 hours and 20 minutes.
13. How To Travel From Kanipakam To Arunachalam Temple By Train?
The Chittor Railway Station is the nearest to Kanipakam. It is located at a distance of around 12 km.
Train options are available from Chittor to Tiruvannamalai, and the travel time is around 4 hours. The train options are PAMANI ExPRESS (17407), HYB CAPE SPL (07230), NS TNM SPL (07219), and KCG MDU SPL (07191).
14. How To Travel From Villupuram To Arunachalam Temple By Train?
Villupuram, like the Katpadi Junction, is a major connecting railway station to Tiruvannamalai, the closest station to the Arunachalam Temple.
You will get daily trains from Villupuram to Tiruvannamalai, and the travel time is around 46 minutes to 1 hour. The train options are PAMANI EXPRESS (17408), VM KGP SF EXP (22604), PDY HWH SF EXP (12868), etc.
What Is The Significance Of The Arunachalam Temple And Hill?
The Aruanchalam Temple, one of the most famous temples in South India, is located at the base of the Arunachalam Hill. The hill has a special significance, and the devotees worship it as the manifestation of Lord Shiva himself.
The Girivalam or Giri Pradakshina here has a special significance with the Astalingams or the shrines of eight Shiva Lingams present in the route.
Further, the temple itself houses the Agni Lingam, or the Shiva Lingam, which stands for the element of fire. Thus, it is also one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams. The temple is even unique in its architecture, with its Dravidian style.
It shows the influence of the Vijaynagara Empire, the Nayakas, and the Hoysala Dynasty, which had its seat in the Hassan District.
Moreover, worshipping at the Arunachalam Temple holds deep spiritual significance, and it is said that worshipping here leads to the purification of the soul and emancipation.
Arunachalam Nearest Railway Station: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about the nearest railway station to the Arunachalam Temple.
The Thiruvannamalai City is the closest to the Arunachalam Temple. The distance is around 3 km, and the journey by road takes around 10 minutes.
Along with being close to spiritual destinations such as the Arunachalam Temple and the Ramana Ashram, Tiruvannamalai City is also famous for being an important location for the Chola Dynasty.
You can easily book the Special Darshan tickets for the Arunachalam Temple online.
Visit the annamalaiyar.hrce.tn.gov.in website and click on the “Temple Booking Services” Tab.
Then, you will see the “Temple Services” button; click on it to find the Special Darshan ticket, available at INR 50.
Next, click on the Special Darshan tab to select a date and book the ticket by providing your details.
Once you enter all your details and the captcha, and click the submit button, you will be directed to Review Confirmation, and finally, you will have to make the payment via net banking, cards, or UPI.
Yes, you can complete the Girivalam by car. You will also get an auto to make a round of the 14 km path.
There is no fixed rule about the order of Darshan and Girivalam. However, usually, people do the Darshan of the Lingam and then start the Pradakshina or Girivalam.
You can start the Girivalam after taking a bath and the Darshan. You will do the Pradashina in a clockwise direction, and you must stick to the left during the walk, as cars and autos will also pass by.
Furthermore, wear comfortable clothes and enjoy the barefoot walk in silence or chanting of Lord Shiva. Remember, this is an almost meditative experience. So, enjoy the Pradakshina slowly and mindfully, and look at the Arunachalam Hill’s peak to feel the magnificence of Lord Shiva.
