The Idea: From Temple Town to Another (But With Detours and Snacks)

You know it’s going to be a trip to remember when the planning starts with, “Bro, let’s drive!”

We were four friends fresh off a Tirupati darshan, still mildly aching from climbing all those steps but high on spiritual energy. One chai stall later, someone dropped the idea of driving to Tiruvannamalai, the town famous for Arunachaleswarar Temple and spiritual seekers from across the world.

I Googled it. 200 km. Scenic routes. Giant mountain. Bonus: chances of spotting babas with better Wi-Fi than us.

We were in.

Packing, Planning, and That One Friend Who Brings a Rice Cooker

Everyone has that friend. Ours was Ravi, who packed a rice cooker “just in case.”

We threw some clothes, snacks, emergency slippers, and Bluetooth speakers into the backseat and were ready. Except… none of us had booked a place to stay.

Thankfully, I remembered cheQin.ai, a hotel booking site where you post your trip details and receive real-time offers directly from hotels.

No spammy filters. No 49 tabs. No confusion. We quickly snagged a clean budget hotel near the Arunachaleswarar Temple — and yes, Ravi checked if they allowed rice cookers.

The Drive Begins: Honking, Hills, and Hiccups

Our journey from Tirupati to Tiruvannamalai kicked off with full volume AR Rahman, too many stops for snacks, and one particularly interesting turn where Google Maps rerouted us through what looked like someone’s backyard.

Scenic Highlights:

Fields that stretched like green carpets
Hillocks peeking through mist like nosy neighbors
Villages with tea stalls that served the strongest filter coffee ever brewed

We took a wrong turn (okay, three), nearly ran over a rooster, and debated for 30 minutes whether we’d passed the same tree twice. But somehow, it was funnier than frustrating.

Arrival in Tiruvannamalai: Temple Bells & Full Bellies

By the time we entered Tiruvannamalai, the town had that peaceful yet electric vibe. Monks, travelers, and chai sellers shared the streets in harmony.

We checked into our cheQin.ai-booked hotel — smooth check-in, AC room, and walking distance to the temple. Even Ravi approved (he plugged in the rice cooker before we unpacked).

Arunachaleswarar Temple: Grandeur, Ghee Lamps & GPS-Lost Friends

This 1,000-year-old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva isn’t just a structure — it’s an experience.

We were in awe of the massive gopurams, intricate carvings, and the sheer spiritual energy. Our group split for darshan, with one friend getting lost and ending up in the wrong queue… twice.

The highlight was the deepam (lamp) lit at the top of Arunachala Hill, visible from miles away.

Pro tip: Visit during early morning or evening for cooler weather and magical ambiance.

Skandashram: Hike, Huff, and Deep Thoughts

Next day, we decided to hike to Skandashram, the cave where Ramana Maharshi meditated.

It’s not Everest, but tell that to our city legs.

Midway, we questioned our life choices, hydration levels, and whether the monkeys were judging us.

But reaching the top? Worth every step. The view of Tiruvannamalai from above, the stillness of the cave, and the breeze that whispered shut up and just be — it got even Ravi to pause Instagram scrolling.

Girivalam Path: Shoes Off, Vibes On

One cannot come to Tiruvannamalai and not walk the Girivalam path — the 14-kilometer sacred circuit around Arunachala Hill.

We started post-sunset, with thousands of fellow walkers, soft chants in the air, and bare feet hitting the earth. Each kilometer passed with conversations, quiet moments, and the occasional complaint about sore soles.

By the end, our hearts were lighter (feet not so much), and we somehow felt… cleaner, inside and out.

The Food Chronicles: Idlis, Sambar and That One Over-Spicy Chutney

We hit a local tiffin center that served fluffy idlis and crispy dosas the size of laptop bags. The sambar was soul-soothing, and the chutney? Let’s just say, one friend cried a little.

Later, we explored:

Gobi Manchurian from a cart that had more spice than the average crime thriller
Pongal at a temple-side stall with heavenly ghee drizzle
Filter coffee at every possible break because, well, coffee is love

Market Wandering & Unexpected Finds

We wandered through local bazaars, picked up souvenirs, incense sticks, a picture of Arunachala that looked like it had Wi-Fi bars, and spiritual books we promised to read (one day).

There was a parrot reader offering future predictions. My future involves more road trips, apparently. Good parrot.

Final Moments: Sunrise, Silence & Sentiment

On the last morning, we sat at the hotel rooftop and watched the sun rise behind Arunachala Hill. It was quiet. It was golden. No one said anything. Even Ravi didn’t bring his rice cooker.

We felt like we’d left something behind — maybe stress, maybe ego, or maybe just the urge to constantly scroll.

Handy Travel Tips for Tiruvannamalai Road-Trippers

Best time to visit: November to March (for bearable weather)
Route tip: Google Maps is a suggestion, not the law. Ask locals.
Must-visit: Arunachaleswarar Temple, Skandashram, Girivalam path, Ramana Ashram
Food tip: Stick to local tiffin joints. They’re fast, fresh, and fabulous.
Hotel hack: Use cheQin.ai to book directly with hotels — saves time, scrolling, and unnecessary arguments.

Final Thoughts: Laughter, Learning & Lord Shiva

The road from Tirupati to Tiruvannamalai gave us everything — breathtaking landscapes, spiritual energy, ridiculous detours, and stories we’ll tell over chai for years.

And hey, when you can book a hotel in 5 minutes (thank you, cheQin.ai) and spend more time on the road and less on logistics, that’s a win in my book.

Tirupati to Tiruvannamalai Journey: Spiritual Road Trip Highlights