Accommodation in Tiruvannamalai
Please Note:
You should book at least three months in advance for accommodation from November to February.
Seasonal Information:
November to February - the winter months - this is the busiest time of the year, when average daytime temperatures rarely exceed 28 celcius and nightime temperatures can fall as low as 18 celcius. This is also the time when Karthikai Deepam, Bhagavan's Jayanti, Deepavali and Pongal are celebrated. To obtain good accommodation at this time of year, you MUST book well in advance.
February to March - this period is often busy but there is generally accommodation available in the town.
April to July - this is the quiet period during the hottest months. During April and May the average daytime temperatures will reach 43-46 degrees celcius in the shade and nightime temperatures will not fall below 32 degrees. From July/August onwards the temperature will reduce when seasonal rain comes to the coastal areas of India.
August to October - this is also a quiet period and marks the start of the rainy season throughout India. Temperatures at this time start to fall. Devotees who cannot tolerate the higher temperatures should book accommodation during this period.
General Information:
The temperature information above is only a guide. Rain fell in Tiruvannamalai almost every week throughout 2004 until November and temperatures remained below 30 degrees for most of the year; 2005 has seen very little rain and the temperatures have been very high throughout the year. 2006 saw temperatures in the mid forties from March to August.
The monsoon period for South India is generally in October/November, but the gathering monsoon clouds from June onwards sometimes help to reduce the average temperatures, even though the rain does not come until later in the year.
Accommodation - Accommodation is available inside ashrams throughout the year, but is usually limited to a few days only. During the winter months accommodation outside ashrams is quite expensive, varying in price from Rs.150 to Rs.350 per day for a room in a lodging house, and from Rs.3,000 up to Rs.30,000 per month for a small house. Out of season these prices fall considerably. There is no booking agency for outside accommodation and devotees normally look for it when they arrive.
A new website has been launched to provide devotees with information on the accommodation available for rent outside of ashrams - this is an independent service having no connection with any ashram or other organisation in Tiruvannamalai, however, you should be aware that your emails might not be answered immediately - it can be found at:
www.arunachala-property.com
