The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) has announced special bus services for devotees heading to Tiruvannamalai for the Girivalam during full moon days. Here are the details for these special arrangements.
TNSTC Full Moon Days Special Buses Key Announcements
- Bus Operations from Koyambedu: Starting May 24, buses to Tiruvannamalai will operate from Koyambedu, adhering to the demands of regular temple visitors. Previously, these services were operated from Kilambakkam.
- Special Buses for Pournami Festival: Special buses from Kilambakkam to Tiruvannamalai will run on May 22, 2024, for the Pournami festival.
- Booking Details: TNSTC bus tickets can be booked online on AbhiBus or through the TNSTC official mobile app.
Tiruvannamalai Girivalam
- Unique Significance: Tiruvannamalai is renowned for having the most number of Mutts in Tamil Nadu and is a significant pilgrimage site.
- Girivalam Path: The 14-kilometre path around Tiruvannamalai is walked by devotees as a form of devotion and penance, stopping at various Lingams for prayers.
- Best Time for Girivalam: For the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May), the ideal time for girivalam is from 7:16 PM on May 22 to 7:51 PM on May 23.
Special Bus Arrangements
- Bus Operations:
- 330 buses from Chennai Kilambakkam bus station.
- 225 buses from various locations in Tamil Nadu.
- 30 AC buses with seat and sleeper facilities from Chennai and Kilambakkam.
- Additional Bus Services: Government buses to Tiruvannamalai will also be available from Chennai, Madurai, Salem, Coimbatore, Erode, Tirupur, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Thenkasi, Thoothukudi, and Bengaluru.
Devotee Customs
- Monthly Pilgrimage: It is customary for devotees to visit Annamalai on the full moon day every month, as the temple is considered one of the Agni Sthalas among the Pancha Bootha Sthalas.
- Significance: The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here in the form of Arunachaleswarar.
New Train Service
- Chennai to Tiruvannamalai EMU:
- The Southern Railways has extended the Chennai Beach – Vellore Cantonment MEMU service to Tiruvannamalai starting May 2, 2024.
- Departure: Chennai Beach at 6 PM, arriving at Tiruvannamalai at 12:05 AM.
- Return: Departing Tiruvannamalai at 4 AM, arriving at Chennai Beach at 9:50 AM.
This comprehensive transport arrangement aims to facilitate the smooth travel of thousands of devotees visiting Tiruvannamalai during the full moon days for the girivalam.
Source : news9live
