Two of Tamil Nadu's great temple towns. Kanchipuram has the temples of silk weavers, Pallava sandstone and Vishnu, and Tiruvannamalai has a vast Shiva temple at the foot of the sacred Arunachala hill. The 14 km barefoot walk around the hill, the Girivalam, is unforgettable on a normal evening and a mass pilgrimage on a full moon.
Step 2 of 6Next: Route↓Kanchipuram, planned for you
Day-by-day timings, the route, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.
- Day 1 Chennai to Kanchipuram to Tiruvannamalai
- TravelChennaiFree
- TravelKanchipuram₹80
- TravelTiruvannamalai₹120
- Day 2 Arunachaleswarar Temple & Girivalam to Ramana Ashram & Skandashram to Return
₹49 once, 5 pages. Secure payment by Razorpay, instant download. Already bought? Get your download
The route, stop by stop
The whole route first. Tap any stop and the map zooms to just that place.
Route
Stops
Chennai → Kanchipuram → Tiruvannamalai → Arunachaleswarar Temple & Girivalam → Ramana Ashram & Skandashram · Directions in Google Maps ↗
- 1Start Map ↗
- 2Bus or train, 2 h. Ekambareswarar, Kailasanathar, Kamakshi Amman, Varadharaja Perumal Map ↗
- 3Bus via Vandavasi, 3 h Map ↗
- 4Walk the 14 km hill path in the evening or at dawn Map ↗
- 5A short hike up the hill from the ashram Map ↗
- 6Bus to Chennai (4 h) or Bengaluru (5 h) Map ↗
Travel legs add up to about ₹450 per person.
Step 3 of 6Next: Cost↓What it costs
Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.
A do-it-yourself budget: trains and buses, simple lodges and temple meals. Paid darshan and donations are extra.
What to book ahead
Where to stay and eat
Stay
Kanchipuram for the first night if you are coming from Chennai, or Tiruvannamalai near the temple or the ashram. Tiruvannamalai has everything from ashram rooms to guesthouses.
Food
Kanchipuram idli and temple-town meals. Tiruvannamalai has cafés for the long-stay spiritual travellers around the ashram.
Photos
Questions people ask
How many days do you need for Kanchipuram?
2 days · 1 night, starting from Chennai or Bengaluru.
What is the best time for Kanchipuram?
October to February. Tiruvannamalai's full moon brings lakhs of people for the Girivalam, and Karthigai Deepam (November–December) is the largest crowd of the year.
How much does Kanchipuram cost?
From about ₹2,200 per person doing it yourself, with the travel legs adding up to roughly ₹450.
What needs to be booked in advance?
Tiruvannamalai hotel on full moon (must book): Rooms sell out and prices spike on full-moon days and during Karthigai Deepam. Silk sarees: Buy from weavers' co-operative societies in Kanchipuram. They carry government silk marks. Karthigai Deepam hill climb: Hill access during the festival is restricted and pass-based. Check the district's arrangements.
Where do pilgrims stay?
Kanchipuram for the first night if you are coming from Chennai, or Tiruvannamalai near the temple or the ashram. Tiruvannamalai has everything from ashram rooms to guesthouses.
What about food?
Kanchipuram idli and temple-town meals. Tiruvannamalai has cafés for the long-stay spiritual travellers around the ashram.
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By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 · source · Photo: Sai Subramanian · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Balu 606902 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: N. Vivekananthamoorthy · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
