tiruvannamalai

In Hinduism, Parvati, wife of Shiva, once closed the eyes of her husband playfully in a flower garden at their abode atop Mount Kailash. Although only a moment for the gods, all light was taken from the universe, and the earth, in turn, was submerged in darkness for years. Parvati performed penance with other devotees of Shiva, and her husband appeared as a big column of fire at the top of Annamalai hills, returning light to the world. He then merged with Parvati to form Ardhanarishvara, the half-female, half-male form of Shiva.{{Cite book |last=Kingsbury |first=Francis |author2=Godfrey Edward Phillips |title=Hymns of the Tamil Śaivite saints |year=1921|page=13 |publisher=Bishop of Dornakal |location=New York }} The Annamalai, or red mountain, lies behind the Annamalaiyar temple, and is associated with the temple of its namesake.{{Cite book |last=Abram |first=David |author2=Nick Edwards |author3=Mike Ford |author4=Daniel Jacobs |author5=Shafik Meghji |author6=Devdan Sen |author7=Gavin Thomas |title=The Rough guide to India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEhJBfbhTAAC&q=tiruvannamalai&pg=PA542 |year=2011 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=978-1-84836-563-6| page= 456}} The hill is sacred and considered a lingam, or iconic representation of Shiva, in itself.{{Cite book |last=Goodman |first=Martin |title=On Sacred Mountains |year=2002 |publisher=Heart of Albion Press |location=UK |isbn=1-872883-58-3| pages= 38–39}}

Another legend is that once, while Vishnu and Brahma contested for superiority, Shiva appeared as a flame, and challenged them to find his source. Brahma took the form of a swan, and flew to the sky to see the top of the flame, while Vishnu became the boar Varaha, and sought its base. The scene is called lingothbava, and is represented in the western wall at the sanctum of most Shiva temples. Neither Brahma nor Vishnu could find the source, and while Vishnu conceded his defeat, Brahma lied and said he had found the pinnacle. In punishment, Shiva ordained that Brahma would never have temples on earth in his worship. In Tamil, the word Arunam means red or fire and Asalam means hill. Since Shiva manifested himself in the form of fire in this place, this name Arunachalam came to be associated with Annamalai hill and the city. The first mention of Annamalai is found in Tevaram, the seventh century Tamil Saiva canonical work by Appar and Tirugnanasambandar.

The history of Tiruvannamalai revolves around the Annamalaiyar Temple. The recorded history of the city dates back to the ninth century, as seen from a Chola inscriptions in the temple.{{cite web|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abcity_Historical%20Moments.htm |title=Tiruvannamali Historical moments |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |publisher=Tiruvannamalai Municipality |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191523/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abcity_Historical%20Moments.htm |archive-date=29 October 2013 }}{{Cite book |last=Southern Circle|page=5 |title=Epigraphy |year=1903 |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |location=Madras }} Further inscriptions made before ninth century indicate the rule of Pallava kings, whose capital was Kanchipuram.Mack 2008, pp. 88–90 The seventh century Nayanar saints Sambandar and Appar wrote of the temple in their poetic work, Tevaram. Sekkizhar, the author of the Periyapuranam records both Appar and Sambandar worshiped Annamalaiyar in the temple.{{cite web|url=http://www.tiruvannamalai.tn.nic.in/|title=Arunachaleswarar Thirukoil|year=2012|access-date=2012-12-29|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|archive-date=24 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924193702/http://www.tiruvannamalai.tn.nic.in/|url-status=dead}} The Chola Kings ruled over the region for more than four centuries, from 850 to 1280, and were temple patrons. The inscriptions from the Chola king record various gifts like land, sheep, cow and oil to the temple commemorating various victories of the dynasty.{{Cite book |last=Aiyar|first=P.V.Jagadisa |title=South Indian Shrines: Illustrated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC&q=tiruvannamalai&pg=PA190 |year=1982 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-206-0151-3|pages=191–203}} Madhva saint Vadiraja Teertharu of sixteenth century has mentioned about this place in his travelogue work Tirtha Prabandha.

The Hoysala kings used Tiruvannamalai as their capital beginning in 1328 as their empire in Karnataka was annexed by the Delhi Sultanate and fought off the invasions from Madurai Sultans and Sultanate governors in the Deccan until 1346.{{Cite book |first= Krishnaswami S. |last=Aiyangar |title=South India and Her Muhammadan Invaders |year=1991 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-206-0536-5|page=174}} There are 48 inscriptions from the Sangama Dynasty (1336–1485), two inscriptions from Saluva Dynasty (1485-1405), and 55 inscriptions from Tuluva Dynasty (1505–1571) of the Vijayanagara Empire, reflecting gifts to the temple from their rulers.Mack 2008, p. 82 There are also inscriptions from the rule of Krishnadeva Raya (1509–1529), the most powerful Vijayanagara emperor, indicating further patronage. Most of the Vijayanagara inscriptions were written in Tamil, with some in Kannada and Sanskrit.Mack 2008, p. 81 The inscriptions in the temple from the Vijayanagara kings indicate emphasis on administrative matters and local concerns, which contrasts the inscriptions of the same rulers in other temples like Tirupathi. The majority of the gift related inscriptions are for land endowments, followed by goods, cash endowments, cows and oil for lighting lamps. The city of Tiruvannamalai was at a strategic crossroads during the Vijayanagara Empire, connecting sacred centers of pilgrimage and military routes.Mack 2008, pp. 71–72 There are inscriptions that show the area as an urban center before the precolonial period, with the city developing around the temple, similar to the Nayak ruled cities like Madurai.{{cite web|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abcity_city.htm |title=Tiruvannamalai – About the city |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |publisher=Tiruvannamalai Municipality |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125023644/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abcity_city.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 }}

During the 18th century, Tiruvannamalai came under the dominion of the Nawab of the Carnatic. As the Mughal empire came to an end, the Nawab lost control of the city, with confusion and chaos ensuing after 1753. Subsequently, there were periods of both Hindu and Muslim stewardship of the temple, with Muraru Raya, Krishna Raya, Mrithis Ali Khan, and Burkat Ullakhan besieging the temple in succession. As European incursions progressed, Tiruvannamalai was attacked by French Soupries, Sambrinet, and the English Captain Stephen Smith. While some were repelled, others were victorious. The French occupied the city in 1757 and it came under the control of the British in 1760. In 1790, Tiruvannamalai city was captured by Tippu Sultan, who ruled from 1782 to 1799.{{Cite book|last=Hunter |first=Sir William|title=Imperial gazetteer of India: Provincial series, Volume 18 |year=1908 |publisher=Superintendent of Government Printing |location=Calcutta |pages= 129–130}} During the first half of the 19th century, the city came under British rule.

File:திருவண்ணாமலை.jpg

Tiruvannamalai is situated {{convert|196|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the state capital Chennai and {{convert|210|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Bangalore. The height of the Annamalai hill is approximately {{convert|2669|ft|m|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.tiruvannamalai.tn.nic.in/girivalam.html|title=Girivalam details|publisher=Tiruvannamalai district administration|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-date=18 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818111905/http://www.tiruvannamalai.tn.nic.in/girivalam.html|url-status=dead}} Tiruvannamalai is located at {{Coord|12|N|79.05|E|}}. It has an average elevation of {{convert|200|m|ft}}. The city is located to the east of Eastern Ghats. The topography of Tiruvannamalai is almost plain sloping from west to east. The temperature ranges from a maximum of {{convert|40|°C|°F}} to a minimum of {{convert|20|°C|°F}}. Like the rest of the state, April to June are the hottest months and December to January are the coldest. Tiruvannamalai receives scanty rainfall with an average of {{convert|815| mm|in|abbr=on}} annually, which is lesser than the state average of {{convert|1008| mm|in|abbr=on}}. The southwest monsoon with an onset in June and lasting up to August brings scanty rainfall. Bulk of the rainfall is received during the northeast monsoon in the months of October, November and December. The average humidity of the city is 77% and varies between 67% and 86%. During the summer months of April to June, the humidity ranges from 47% to 63%. The municipality covers an area of {{convert|16.3|sqkm|ha|abbr=on}}.Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, pp. 74–76{{cite web|title=About city |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abcity_city.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |access-date=2012-12-29 |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125023644/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abcity_city.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 }}

{{Weather box

| location = Tiruvannamalai (2002–2021)

| metric first = Y

| single line = Y

| Jan record high C = 35.3

| Feb record high C = 39.8

| Mar record high C = 42.8

| Apr record high C = 44.4

| May record high C = 45.0

| Jun record high C = 44.3

| Jul record high C = 40.9

| Aug record high C = 39.4

| Sep record high C = 39.6

| Oct record high C = 39.2

| Nov record high C = 35.8

| Dec record high C = 35.0

| year record high C = 45.0

| Jan high C = 29.2

| Feb high C = 32.0

| Mar high C = 35.0

| Apr high C = 37.1

| May high C = 38.5

| Jun high C = 36.3

| Jul high C = 34.6

| Aug high C = 34.0

| Sep high C = 34.0

| Oct high C = 33.0

| Nov high C = 29.5

| Dec high C = 28.3

| year high C =

| Jan low C = 18.2

| Feb low C = 19.2

| Mar low C = 21.3

| Apr low C = 24.8

| May low C = 26.3

| Jun low C = 26.0

| Jul low C = 25.1

| Aug low C = 24.6

| Sep low C = 24.1

| Oct low C = 22.9

| Nov low C = 20.8

| Dec low C = 19.2

| year low C =

| Jan record low C = 10.2

| Feb record low C = 12.0

| Mar record low C = 12.1

| Apr record low C = 13.8

| May record low C = 18.1

| Jun record low C = 19.6

| Jul record low C = 18.8

| Aug record low C = 18.7

| Sep record low C = 18.7

| Oct record low C = 15.6

| Nov record low C = 12.1

| Dec record low C = 9.3

| year record low C = 9.3

| Jan precipitation mm = 9.0

| Feb precipitation mm = 7.1

| Mar precipitation mm = 5.9

| Apr precipitation mm = 21.8

| May precipitation mm = 83.9

| Jun precipitation mm = 71.0

| Jul precipitation mm = 117.0

| Aug precipitation mm = 200.9

| Sep precipitation mm = 200.6

| Oct precipitation mm = 250.9

| Nov precipitation mm = 400.2

| Dec precipitation mm = 150.6

| year precipitation mm = 1800.9

| Jan precipitation days = 0.8

| Feb precipitation days = 0.5

| Mar precipitation days = 0.4

| Apr precipitation days = 1.3

| May precipitation days = 4.7

| Jun precipitation days = 5.3

| Jul precipitation days = 6.6

| Aug precipitation days = 7.8

| Sep precipitation days = 7.6

| Oct precipitation days = 9.4

| Nov precipitation days = 7.7

| Dec precipitation days = 3.9

| source 1 = India Meteorological Department,

{{cite web

|url=http://www.mausam.gov.in/WEBIMD/ClimatologicalAction.do?function=getStationDetails&actionParam=1¶m=2&station=thiruvanamalai

|title=Climatological Information for arani, India

|publisher=India Meteorological Department

|access-date=2012-12-29

}}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

|date=August vellore has an tropical wet and dry climate, reaching high temperatures during summer.{{cite news|title=Hot climate report|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/23/stories/2009082350350200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108044128/http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/23/stories/2009082350350200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 November 2012|date=23 August 2009|work=The Hindu|access-date=2012-12-29}} }}

{{bar box|title=Religious census|titlebar=#ddd|left1=Religion|right1=Percent(%)|float=left|bars={{bar percent|Hindu|Orange|82.57}}{{bar percent|Muslim|Green|14.07}}{{bar percent|Christian|purple|2.79}}{{bar percent|Jain|Blue|0.4}}{{bar percent|Sikh|yellow|0.01}}{{bar percent|Buddhist|Gold|0.01}}{{bar percent|Other|grey|0.13}}{{bar percent|No religion|violet|0.01}}}}{{Historical populations

|align = right

|state=

|1951|35912

|1961|46441

|1981|89462

|1991|109196

|2001|130350

|2011|145278

|footnote=Sources:

• 1951 – 2001{{cite web|title=Population Details |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_population.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227113738/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_population.htm |archive-date=27 February 2014 }}
• 2011

}}

File:Thiruvannamalai, Arunachalesvara Temple, City, India.jpg

According to the provisional population totals of the 2011 census,{{Ref|b| b}} Tiruvannamalai UA had a population of 145278, with 72406 males and 72872 females. The sex ratio of the city was 1,000 and the child sex ratio stood at 960. Tiruvannamalai had an average literacy rate of 81.64% with male literacy being 85.6%, and female literacy being 77.7%. A total of 14,530 of the population of the city was under 6 years of age.{{cite web|title= 2011 census|publisher=Directorate of census operations|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|page=13|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29 }} Tamil Is The Official Language.

According to 2011 census, Tiruvannamalai had a population of 145,278 with a sex-ratio of 1,006 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.{{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/index.html|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|year=2013|access-date=26 January 2014}} A total of 15,524 were under the age of six, constituting 7,930 males and 7,594 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 12.37% and 1.22% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the city was 78.38%, compared to the national average of 72.99%. The city had a total of 33,514 households. There were a total of 50,722 workers, comprising 583 cultivators, 580 main agricultural labourers, 994 in house hold industries, 44,535 other workers, 4,030 marginal workers, 84 marginal cultivators, 105 marginal agricultural labourers, 421 marginal workers in household industries and 3,420 other marginal workers.{{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals – Tiruvannamalai|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=682105|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|year=2013|access-date=26 January 2014}} As per the religious census of 2011, Tiruvannamalai had 82.57% Hindus, 14.07% Muslims, 2.79% Christians, 0.01% Sikhs, 0.01% Buddhists, 0.4% Jains, 0.13% following other religions and 0.01% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.{{cite web|title=Population By Religious Community – Tamil Nadu|year=2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html|format=XLS|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|access-date=13 September 2015}}

The maximum decadal growth of population in Tiruvannamalai was observed during 1971–81 and had reduced growth rate from 1981 due to the increased amount of industrial activity that took place outside the city. The density of the city was 45 per hectare during 1971 and increased to 90 during 1999.Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, pp. 76–79 A total {{convert|446.2|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (32.75%) of the land is used for residential, {{convert|48.77|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (3.58%) for commercial, {{convert|22.34|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (1.63%) for industrial, {{convert|39.35|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (2.88%) for public & semi public, {{convert|30.38|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (2.22%) for educational and {{convert|678.77|ha|acre|abbr=on}} (56.94%) for non-urban purposes.Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, p. 80[http://loksabhaph.nic.in/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/2840.htm lok shaba website]{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/Senguntha_mithiran_August_2020|title=செங்குந்த மித்திரன் - ஆகஸ்ட் 2020|via=Internet Archive}}

Tiruvannamalai is a temple city and a major pilgrimage centre in Tamil Nadu. The city is the marketing and service city for the surrounding places. Being the administrative headquarters of the Tiruvannamalai district, Tiruvannamalai has a lot of tertiary sector activities. Trade and commerce and service activities are the major contributors to the economy of the city. In 1991, 7.93% of the population was involved in primary sector, 21.34% in secondary sector and 70.73% in tertiary sector activities. The city had a female work participation of 11%. Due to the urbanisation from 1971, there has been dip in primary sector activities and a proportional increase in the tertiary sector activities. There is limited agricultural activity within the city limits. The secondary sector involves manufacturing and construction, whose growth has remained stable over the decades. There are a number of oil mills, rice mills and agro based industries within the Tiruvannamalai city limits. The tertiary sector activities of trade, commerce, transport, storage, communication and other services has been increasing due to the increasing number of tourists to the city. The patronage to Girivalam has increased informal economic activities around the city.{{cite report|title=Brief Industrial Profile of Thiruvannamalai District 2012-13 |year=2012|url=http://dcmsme.gov.in/dips/IPS_Thiruvannamalai_2012_tr.pdf|publisher=Ministry of MSME, Government of India|pages=4–14}}Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, pp. 85–88{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai industries |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_industry.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218063524/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_industry.htm |archive-date=18 February 2013 }} The major commercial activities are concentrated around Car Street, Thiruvoodal Street, Kadambarayan Street, Asaliamman Koil Street, Sivanpada Street and Polur Road.{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai markets |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_markets.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217231650/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_markets.htm |archive-date=17 February 2013 }}

All major nationalised banks such as State Bank of India, Vijaya Bank, Union Bank, Bank of India, Indian Bank, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra and private banks like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, DBS Bank, Tamilnad Mercantile Bank, IDBI Bank, Bank of Baroda, Karur Vysya Bank and City Union Bank have their branches in Tiruvannamalai. All these banks have their automated teller machines located in various parts of the city. Apart from major banks, the city also has many small finance banks and their automated teller machines.{{cite web|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_bank.htm |title=Banks in Tiruvannamalai |publisher=Tiruvannamalai Municipality |access-date=2012-07-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202049/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_bank.htm |archive-date=29 October 2013 }}

{{Main|Annamalaiyar Temple|Tirumalai (Jain complex)|l2 = Tirumalai}}

File:Tiruvannamalai Temple.jpg

The Annamalaiyar Temple is the most prominent landmark of Tiruvannamalai. The temple complex covers an area of {{convert|10| ha|acre|abbr=on}}, and is one of the largest temples in India.{{Cite book |last=Bajwa |first=Jagir Singh |author2=Ravinder Kaur |title=Tourism Management |year=2008|publisher=S.B. Nangia |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-81-313-0047-3|page=1069}} It houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the eastern tower, with 11 stories and a height of {{convert|66|m|ft|abbr=on}}, making it one of the tallest temple towers in India. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls; the most notable is the thousand-pillared hall built during the Vijayanagar period.{{Cite book |last=Ebert |first=Gabriele |title=Ramana Maharshi: His Life |year=2006|publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=1-4116-7350-6|pages=35–36}}{{Cite book |last=Nārāyaṇasvāmi |first=Veṅkaṭarāma |title=Thiruvannamalai |year=1992 |publisher=Manivasagar Noolagam |location=Madras |page=24}}

File:Tiruvannamalai temple.jpg

The Annamalaiyar temple is one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, or five Shiva temples, with each a manifestation of a natural element: land, water, air, sky or fire.{{Cite book |last=Ramaswamy |first=Vijaya |title=Historical dictionary of the Tamils |year=2007|publisher=Scarecrow Press, INC.|location=United States|isbn=978-0-470-82958-5| pages= 301–302}} In Annamalaiyar temple, Shiva is said to have manifested himself as a massive column of fire, whose crown and feet could not be found by the Hindu gods, Brahma and Vishnu.{{Cite book |last=Blavatsky |first=Helena Petrovna |title=The theosophical glossary |year=1892 |publisher=The Theosophical Publishing Society |location=London | page= 189}} Aathara Stala are Shiva temples which are considered to be personifications of the Tantric chakras of human anatomy. The Annamalaiyar temple is called the Manipooraga stalam,{{Cite book |last=Kamalabaskaran |first=Iswari |title=The light of Arunachaleswarar |year=1994 |publisher=Affiliated East-West Press Pvt. Ltd. }} and is associated with the Manipooraga chakra.{{Cite book |last=Spear |first=Heidi |title=The Everything Guide to Chakra Healing: Use Your Body's Subtle Energies to promote Health, Healing and Happiness |year=2011 |publisher=Adams Media |location=USA |isbn=978-1-4405-2649-7| page= 121}} The temple is revered in Tevaram, the Tamil Saiva canon and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 276 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon.{{cite web|url=http://www.thevaaram.org/en/thirumurai_1/songview.php?thiru=1&Song_idField=1010&padhi=136+&button=Please+go |title=Muthalam Thirumurai Translation|year=2012|access-date= 2012-12-29|publisher=Thevaaram.org}}

File:Tirumalai Neminatha Statue.jpg in Tamil Nadu in Tirumalai temple|alt=image of a religious sculpture in standing pose]]

The most important festival of the Annamalaiyar temple is celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthikai, between November and December, concluding with the celebration of Karthikai Deepam. A huge lamp is lit in a cauldron, containing three tons of ghee, at the top of the Annamalai hills during the Deepam.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/14/stories/2005121406840500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219060430/http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/14/stories/2005121406840500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 February 2006|title= 10 lakh devotees witness Tiruvannamalai Deepam|date=14 December 2005|work=The Hindu|access-date=2012-12-29}}{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/164 164]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}} To mark the occasion, the festival deity of Annamalaiyar circumambulates the mountain. Inscriptions indicate that the festival was celebrated as early as the Chola period (850–1280) and was expanded to ten days in the twentieth century.Mack 2008, pp. 72–74

Every full moon, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Annamalaiyar by circumambulating the Annamalai hill barefoot.{{Cite book |last=Bradnock |first=Roma |author2=Robert Bradnock |title=Footprint India |year=2009|publisher=Patrick Dawson |location=USA |isbn=978-1-904777-00-7| pages= 827–828}} The circumambulation covers a distance of {{convert|14|km|mi}}, and is referred as Girivalam.{{cite web|url=http://arunachaleswarar.org/girivalam.html |title=Tiruvannamalai temple – Girivalam details |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |publisher=Tiruvannamalai Temple Administration |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829022609/http://arunachaleswarar.org/girivalam.html |archive-date=29 August 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abcity_Place%20of%20interest.htm |title=Tiruvannamalai – Places of interest |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |publisher=Tiruvannamalai Municipality |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824234839/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abcity_Place%20of%20interest.htm |archive-date=24 August 2013 }} According to Hindu legend, the walk removes sins, fulfils desires and helps achieve freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Offerings are made in a string of tanks, shrines, pillared meditation halls, springs and caves around the hill.

Tirumalai is an ancient Jain temple complex in the outskirts of Tiruvannamalai that houses three Jain caves, four Jain temples and a {{convert|16|ft|m}} high sculpture of Neminatha dated from the 12th century and the tallest Jain image in Tamil Nadu.{{cite web

|url=http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/index.php/donations/to-jain-tirths/111-arihantagiri-tirumalai

|title=Arihantagiri – Tirumalai

|publisher=Jain Heritage centres

|access-date=2012-12-29

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107091818/http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/index.php/donations/to-jain-tirths/111-arihantagiri-tirumalai

|archive-date=7 November 2012

}}

The Ramana Ashram and ashram of Yogi Ramsuratkumar, located around the Annamalai hill are popular visitor attractions of Tiruvannamalai. The Sathanur Dam over the Thenpennai river located {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of the city is a prominent picnic spot. This 786.37 m Dam is 44.81m high and can store 7,321,000,000 cu ft or 207,300,000 cubic meters of water. A scenic park is also present adjacent to this dam.{{cite web|url=http://citypatriots.com/asia/india/tamil-nadu/tiruvannamalai/sathanur-dam |title=Sathanur Dam |access-date=2015-05-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722213719/http://citypatriots.com/asia/india/tamil-nadu/tiruvannamalai/sathanur-dam |archive-date=22 July 2015 }} Ulagalantha Perumal Temple in Tirukoilur, situated {{convert|36|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Tiruvannamalai and Thiruvarangam are prominent Vishnu temples that are located around Tiruvannamalai.

The Puducherry – Krishnagiri national highway, NH 77 and the Vellore – Tuticorin Port National highway NH 38 pass through Tiruvannamalai. The city has eight arterial roads that connects it to other towns. The Tiruvannamalai municipality maintains a total length of {{convert|75.26|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The city has {{convert|9.068|km|mi|abbr=on}} concrete roads, {{convert|50.056|km|mi|abbr=on}} BT roads, {{convert|7.339|km|mi|abbr=on}} of WBM roads and {{convert|8.797|km|mi|abbr=on}} earthen roads. A total of 452 roads is maintained by the State Highways Department.{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai roads |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_roads.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125011212/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_roads.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 }}

File:Tiruvannamalai_Central_Bus_Station.jpg

Tiruvannamalai is served by the city bus service operated by the TNSTC, which provides connectivity within the town and the suburbs. There are private operated mini-bus services that cater to the local transport needs of the town. The main bus stand covers an area of {{convert|2|acre|sqm|abbr=on}} and is located in the heart of the town.{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai bus stand |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_busstand.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218011437/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_busstand.htm |archive-date=18 February 2013 }} There are regular inter-city bus services to Tiruvannamalai. The TNSTC operates daily services connecting various cities to Tiruvannamalai. The corporation operates a computerised reservation centre in the bus stand of the town.{{cite web|title=S.E.T.C. Tamil Nadu Ltd., Computer reservation centres|url=http://www.tnstc.in/counter_address.html|publisher=Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd.|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-date=16 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616204353/http://www.tnstc.in/counter_address.html|url-status=dead}} The SETC operates long-distance buses connecting the town to important cities like Chennai, Puducherry and Bengaluru. The major inter city bus routes from the town are to cities and towns like Chennai, Bengaluru, Vettavalam, Villupuram, Puducherry, Arani, Tindivanam, Gingee, Tirukoilur, Avalurpet, Kanchipuram, Chengam, Sathanur, Sankarapuram and Manalurpet.{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai bus routes |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_bus.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822072727/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_bus.htm |archive-date=22 August 2013 }}

Tiruvannamalai railway station is located in the rail head from Katpadi to Villupuram and falls under the Tiruchchirapalli division of the Southern Railway. The Rameshwaram-Tirupati bi-weekly expresses connects Tiruvannamalai to the cities of Madurai and Tirupati in either directions. There are also passenger trains running either side from Katpadi to Villupuram.{{cite news|title=Passenger train stops at Tiruvannamalai|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article2152805.ece|work=The Hindu|date=2 July 2007|access-date=2012-12-29}}{{cite news|title=Special trains for Tiruvannamalai kumbabhishekam|url=http://www.hindu.com/2002/06/22/stories/2002062200860500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190433/http://www.hindu.com/2002/06/22/stories/2002062200860500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2013|date=21 January 2002|work=The Hindu|access-date=2012-12-29}}

The nearest airport is at Chennai, which is located {{convert|172|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the town.{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai – how to reach |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abcity_How%20to%20reach.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822072656/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abcity_How%20to%20reach.htm |archive-date=22 August 2013 }}

{{Further|Bhagavan Bridge}}

• Ariyathur
• Kilnathur
• Mel-chengam
• Nallavanpalayam
• Pallikondapattu
• Saron, Thiruvannamalai
• Thenimalai
• Thenmathur
• Thenral Nagar
• Voividanthangal
• Vengikkal

{{update|section|reason=The information on elections and elected officials is outdated|date=August 2023}}

The Tiruvannamalai municipality was established in 1886 during British times. It was promoted to a second-grade municipal municipality in 1959, first grade in 1974, selection grade in 1998 and special grade in 2008.{{cite web|title=About the municipality |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abus_municip.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |access-date=2012-12-29 |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125023654/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abus_municip.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 }} The municipality has 39 wards and there is an elected councillor for each of those wards. The functions of the municipality are devolved into six departments: general administration/personnel, Engineering, Revenue, Public Health, city planning and Information Technology (IT). All these departments are under the control of a Municipal Commissioner who is the executive head.{{cite web|title=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration |url=http://www.tn.gov.in/cma/chart5.htm |publisher=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration |access-date=2012-12-29 |year=2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106103849/http://www.tn.gov.in/cma/chart5.htm |archive-date=6 November 2012 }} The legislative powers are vested in a body of 39 members, one each from the 39 wards.{{cite web|title=Councillors of municipality |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/who_councilors.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |access-date=2012-12-29 |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125025211/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/who_councilors.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 }} The legislative body is headed by an elected chairperson assisted by a deputy chairperson.

Tiruvannamalai comes under the Tiruvannamalai assembly constituency and it elects a member to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly once every five years.{{cite web

|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/Const_map/map.htm

|title=List of Assembly Constituencies

|year=2010

|access-date=2012-12-28

|work=Tamil Nadu

|publisher=Tamil Nadu state government

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614070155/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/const_map/map.htm

|archive-date=14 June 2012

}} From the 1977 elections, the assembly seat was won by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) seven times during the 1977, 1989, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 elections, the Indian National Congress party three times during the 1980, 1984 and 1991 elections.{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/electionanalysis/AE/S22/partycomp44.htm|title=Partywise Comparison Since 1977|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29|year=2011}} The current MLA of the constituency is E.V. Velu from DMK.

During the 1957 elections, Tiruvannamalai was a part of Tiruvannamalai parliamentary constituency and was held by an independent.{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1957/Vol_I_57_LS.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1957 to the Second Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29|page=49}} From the 1962 to 2004 elections, the city was part of Tirupattur constituency. The Dravida Muneetra Kazhagam (DMK) won the seat nine times during the 1962,{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1962/Vol_I_LS_62.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1962 to the Third Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29|page=49}} 1967,{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1967/Vol_I_LS_67.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1967 to the Fourth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29|page=67}} 1971,{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1971/Vol_I_LS_71.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1971 to the Fifth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29|page=71}} 1977,{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1977/Vol_I_LS_77.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1977 to the Sixth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29|page=80}} 1980,{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1980/Vol_I_LS_80.pdf |title=Key highlights of the general elections 1980 to the Seventh Lok Sabha |publisher=Election Commission of India |access-date=2012-12-29 |page=79 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718175926/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1980/Vol_I_LS_80.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2014 }} 1996,{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1996/Vol_I_LS_96.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1996 to the Eleventh Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29|page=86}} 1998,{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1998/Vol_I_LS_98.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1998 to the Twelfth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29|page=85}} 1999{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1999/Vol_I_LS_99.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1999 to the Thirteenth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29|page=85}} and 2004{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_2004/Vol_I_LS_2004.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 2004 to the Fourteenth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29|page=94}} elections and the Indian National Congress won it three times during the 1984,{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1984/Vol_I_LS_84.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1984 to the Eighth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29}} 1989{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1989/Vol_I_LS_89.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1989 to the Ninth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29}} and 1991{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1991/VOL_I_LS_91.pdf|title=Key highlights of the general elections 1991 to the Tenth Lok Sabha|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29}} elections and AIADMK once during the 2014 elections. From the 2009 elections, Tiruvannamalai is a part of the Tiruvannamalai (Lok Sabha constituency) – it has the following six assembly constituencies – Jolarpet, Tirupattur, Chengam (SC), Tiruvannamalai, Kilpennathur and Kalasapakkam.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/03/stories/2009020351070300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211020018/http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/03/stories/2009020351070300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 February 2009|title= Assembly seats increase to 13 in Vellore district|date=3 February 2009|work=The Hindu|access-date=2012-12-29}} The current Member of Parliament from the constituency is C N Annadurai from the DMK party.

Law and order in the town is maintained by the Tiruvannamalai sub division of the Tamil Nadu Police headed by a Deputy Superintendent (DSP). There are three police stations in the town, one of them being an all-women police station.{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai police |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_police.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217214147/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_police.htm |archive-date=17 February 2013 }} There are special units like prohibition enforcement, district crime, social justice and human rights, district crime records and special branch that operate at the district level police division headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP).{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai district police |url=http://www.tnpolice.gov.in/pdfs/cug/tvm.pdf |publisher=Tamil Nadu Police |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-26 |pages=1–4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417053815/http://tnpolice.gov.in/pdfs/cug/tvm.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2012 }}

• T.S. Muthukumarasamy Sengundha Mudaliar: three times elected chairman of Tiruvannamalai.
• A. Ramu Sengundha Mudaliar
• T.V. Devaraja Senguntha Mudaliar
• T.S. Saminatha Sengundha Mudaliar
• D. Pattuswamy Sengundha Mudaliar: ex MP and Chairman.[http://loksabhaph.nic.in/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/2840.htm lok shaba website]
• Palani Pillai
• S. Murugaiyan Senguntha Mudaliar: ex MP, ex MLA and three times elected chairman of Tiruvannamalai.[https://archive.org/details/Senguntha_mithiran_August_2020/page/n20/mode/1up?view=theater&q=%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D Senguntha Muthiran August 2020]
• R. Dharmalingam

There are 45 elementary schools, 12 high schools and 28 higher secondary schools in Tiruvannamalai. There are seven arts & science colleges, six engineering colleges, 1 law college and 2 medical college in the town.{{cite web|title=Educational Institutions |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_edu.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |access-date=2012-12-29 |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822072732/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_edu.htm |archive-date=22 August 2013 }} Electricity supply to Tiruvannamalai is regulated and distributed by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). The town along with its suburbs forms the Tiruvannamalai Electricity Distribution Circle.{{cite web|title=Important Address |url=http://www.windpro.org/pdf/MISC/TNEB%20Address.pdf |publisher=Indian Wind Power Association |access-date=2012-12-29 |year=2011 |page=3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016045943/http://www.windpro.org/pdf/MISC/TNEB%20Address.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2012 }} Water supply is provided by the municipality of Tiruvannamalai from the Thenpennai river and Samuthiram through feeders located in various parts of the town. In the period 2000–2001, a total of 12.5 million litres of water was supplied every day for households in the town.{{cite web|title=Water Supply Details |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_watersupply.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai Municipality |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125005258/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_watersupply.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 }} About 52 metric tonnes of solid waste are collected from Tiruvannamalai every day by door-to-door collection and subsequently the source segregation and dumping is carried out by the sanitary department of the municipality. The coverage of solid waste management had an efficiency of 75% in 2001.{{cite web|title=Waste management programme |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_solidwastemanagement.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai Municipality |access-date=2012-12-29 |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125011224/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_solidwastemanagement.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 }} The town has underground drainage system which came to existence fully in the year 2013–2014{{cite web|title=Underground Drainge|url=http://www.twadboard.gov.in/twad/urban_sewerage.aspx|access-date=27 July 2016|archive-date=15 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715030535/http://www.twadboard.gov.in/twad/urban_sewerage.aspx|url-status=dead}} and the sewerage system for disposal of sullage is through septic tanks, open drains and public conveniences.{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai sewarage |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_sewerage.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |access-date=2012-12-29 |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125011218/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_sewerage.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 }} The municipality maintains a total of {{convert|192.24|km|mi|abbr=on}} of storm water drains in Tiruvannamalai.{{cite web|title=Storm water drains of Tiruvannamalai |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_stromwaterdrainage.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality |access-date=2012-12-29 |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125011229/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_stromwaterdrainage.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 }} There are three government hospitals, one southern railway hospital, two municipal maternity hospitals, two Siddha hospitals, five health centres and 126 private hospitals and clinics that take care of the health care needs of the citizens.{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai hospitals |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_hospitals.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822005314/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_hospitals.htm |archive-date=22 August 2013 }} There are a total of 13,570 street lamps in Tiruvannamalai: 2,496 sodium lamps, 1061 mercury vapour lamps, 10,010 tube lights and 112 high mast beam lamp.{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai street lights |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_streetlight.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125024121/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_streetlight.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 }} The municipality operates seven markets, namely the Jothi flower market, vegetable market and uzhavar santhai, poomalai market, Angalamman koil market, Perumbakkam road market that cater to the needs of the town and the rural areas around it.{{cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai Markets |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_shopcenters.htm |publisher=Tiruvannamalai Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825011959/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/srv_shopcenters.htm |archive-date=25 August 2013 }}

• {{Note|a}} The municipalities in Tamil Nadu are graded special, selection, grade I and grade II based on income and population.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Mack |first=Alexander|pages=88–90 |title=Spiritual journey, imperial city: pilgrimage to the temples of Vijayanagara|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KA7A4R-bA3wC&q=tiruvannamalai&pg=PA88 |year=2002|publisher=Vedam e-books Pvt. Ltd. |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-7936-004-0|ref=Mack}}
• {{cite report|title=Conversion of City Corporate Plan into Business Plan |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/pdf/THIRUVANNAMALAI.pdf |last=Urban Infrastructure report |publisher=Tamilnadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited |year=2008 |access-date=2012-12-29 |ref=urban |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203094345/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/pdf/THIRUVANNAMALAI.pdf |archive-date=3 February 2013 }}

{{Commons category|Tiruvannamalai}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130125023654/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/abus_municip.htm Municipality of Tiruvannamalai]

{{Municipalities of Tamil Nadu}}

{{Chennai - Suburban Railway, West South|Thiruvannaamalai|Thurinjapuram|Tandarai|51|222.22}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities and towns in Tiruvannamalai district