Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios)
👥 3–4🧳 2 bags
Budget couple / small-family darshan day trips
Tour Overview
The Sripuram Golden Temple at Vellore and the Arunachaleswarar temple of Tiruvannamalai with its sacred Girivalam hill-round — a powerful short spiritual break.
Vellore Sripuram Golden TempleTiruvannamalai ArunachaleswararGirivalam pathSri Ramana Ashram
📍 Speciality & significance
Tiruvannamalai's Arunachaleswarar Temple is the Fire (Agni) element among the Pancha Bhoota Stalam, set at the foot of the holy hill Arunachala. On full-moon nights hundreds of thousands walk the 14-km Girivalam path around the hill; the town is also home to the Sri Ramana Maharshi ashram, a magnet for seekers worldwide.
Nearby Vellore's Sripuram Sri Lakshmi Narayani temple is sheathed in gold leaf and set in a star-shaped garden path — a striking modern shrine that pairs well with Arunachala's ancient power for a two-day retreat from Chennai or Bengaluru.
🛕 Vellore Sripuram Golden Temple
The Sripuram Golden Temple at Thirumalaikodi, near Vellore, is a modern shrine dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi in her form as Mahalakshmi, distinguished by its sanctum lavishly covered in gold. Set amid landscaped grounds, it was established by a spiritual foundation and has become a widely visited destination since its consecration. The approach to the sanctum runs along a star-shaped path lined with inscriptions of spiritual messages, guiding visitors in a meditative walk towards the gilded shrine at its heart, which draws admiration for its craftsmanship and setting.
The visit involves walking the long star-shaped pathway to reach the golden sanctum, a gentle but extended stroll that most manage, though the distance may tire elderly visitors. A dress code emphasising modest, decent attire is observed. The cooler months are pleasant for the walk through the gardens. The grounds are well maintained and largely level. Its location near Vellore, within reach of Tiruvannamalai, makes it a natural addition to a pilgrimage combining this contemporary shrine with the region's ancient temples.
🛕 Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple & Girivalam
Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai honours Shiva as the element of Fire and stands at the foot of the sacred Annamalai hill, itself revered as a form of the lord. Traditionally, Shiva is believed to have appeared here as an endless column of fire, and the temple is one of the largest in India, with soaring gopurams and immense courtyards. Central to its worship is Girivalam, the barefoot circumambulation of the hill, a practice held to be deeply purifying and undertaken by countless devotees, especially on full-moon nights.
Darshan combines the vast temple with the hill walk, and the Girivalam path of roughly fourteen kilometres passes many smaller shrines along the way. The temple grounds are largely level, but the full circumambulation is long and best suited to the able-bodied, with shorter visits possible for others. The Karthigai Deepam festival, when a great beacon is lit atop the hill, is the grandest occasion. The cooler months are ideal. Modest dress is customary. Tiruvannamalai's ashrams add a contemplative dimension to the visit.
🛕 Sri Ramana Ashram
Sri Ramana Ashram, at the foot of the Annamalai hill in Tiruvannamalai, grew around the revered sage Ramana Maharshi, who lived and taught here in the first half of the twentieth century. Known for his teaching of self-enquiry and the question of the true self, he drew seekers from across India and abroad, and the ashram remains a centre of quiet spiritual practice. It houses his shrine, a meditation hall and the memory of his simple, contemplative life, offering a peaceful counterpoint to the grandeur of the great temple nearby.
The visit centres on meditation, silence and reflection rather than elaborate ritual, and visitors are welcomed to sit quietly in the halls. The grounds are largely level and accessible, and the atmosphere is calm and unhurried. The cooler months are the most comfortable. Modest, respectful dress and a quiet demeanour are expected. Caves on the adjacent hill where the sage once dwelt can be reached by a climb for the able-bodied. Its closeness to the Arunachaleswarar temple makes it an easy and enriching add-on.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: → Vellore Sripuram
The gold-leaf Sripuram Golden Temple and star-path meditation walk.
Day 2: → Tiruvannamalai → return
Arunachaleswarar darshan, Girivalam and Ramana Ashram, then return.
Vehicles for this yatra
Recommended for this circuit — we finalise by your group size and luggage.
Satvik / pure-veg stopover friendlyTemple-timing & dress-code aware driversAll-inclusive tolls, parking & permitsRegional-language drivers (Tamil / Kannada / Telugu / Hindi)
Frequently asked questions
Which temples does the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam & Vellore Golden Temple cover?
The Tiruvannamalai Girivalam & Vellore Golden Temple covers Vellore Sripuram Golden Temple, Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar, Girivalam path, Sri Ramana Ashram, driven from Chennai / Bengaluru over 2 Days / 1 Night.
How do I travel for the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam & Vellore Golden Temple?
This is a direct road trip — a SARA CAB chauffeur-driven vehicle departs from Chennai and runs the entire circuit.
Which vehicle is best for the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam & Vellore Golden Temple?
We recommend Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios), Ertiga / Carens, Innova Crysta / Hycross, chosen by your group size and luggage.
How much does the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam & Vellore Golden Temple cost?
This circuit is quoted on request — airfare, season and permits vary — so share your dates and group size for an exact, all-inclusive quote.
Fare on request
Quote on request
Share your dates & group for an exact, all-inclusive quote.
Get your yatra fare
Pick your dates and vehicle for an exact cab fare.
Booking just the cab? See Chennai To Vellore cab fares · Taxi service in Chennai.