Girivalam · The Ashta Lingam
The eight lingams of Girivalam
Around the base of Arunachala stand eight shrines, one for each direction of the compass ~ the Ashta Lingam. A walking guide to each, in the order you meet it on the path: its direction, its guardian, its planet, and what it is said to give.
The short version
- What they are
- Eight Shiva lingams around Arunachala, one in each direction, each set by that direction's guardian deity.
- The order
- Indra (E) → Agni (SE) → Yama (S) → Niruthi (SW) → Varuna (W) → Vayu (NW) → Kubera (N) → Esanya (NE).
- How to visit
- On the Girivalam walk, clockwise, hill on your right. Pause at each if you wish ~ there is no obligation.
- Finding them
- Modest roadside shrines, marked with signs (Tamil and English).
New to lingam worship? See what the lingam is and means for the background.
One of the quiet structures underlying the Girivalam walk ~ easy to miss on a first circuit, and a source of real depth once you know it ~ is the ring of eight lingams set around the hill. In the old understanding, each of the eight directions of space has a guardian deity, a dikpalaka, and each of these guardians came to Arunachala and worshipped Shiva by establishing a lingam at his own quarter of the compass. Walk the full circuit and you pass all eight in turn, a slow procession through the directions of the world.
You do not need to know any of this for the walk to hold you. But knowing it gives the fourteen kilometres a shape ~ eight stations, each with its own character and its own blessing ~ and turns a long walk into something closer to a rosary told with the feet. Here is each, in the order you meet it, starting from the great temple and going clockwise with the hill on your right.
Indra Lingam
East- Guardian
- Indra, king of the gods
- Planet
- Sun (Surya)
- Significance
- The first lingam on the path, associated with sovereignty, prosperity and long life.
- On the walk
- The usual starting stretch after the temple; the path is built-up here, so it is easy walking.
Agni Lingam
South-east- Guardian
- Agni, god of fire
- Planet
- Venus (Shukra)
- Significance
- The direction of fire ~ fittingly, on the mountain of fire. Associated with purification and the burning away of impurities.
- On the walk
- Near a tank on the route; a natural early pause.
Yama Lingam
South- Guardian
- Yama, lord of death
- Planet
- Mars (Mangala)
- Significance
- Associated with release from the fear of death and the ending of cycles. The samadhi of the recent siddha Swami Yogananda lies near here.
- On the walk
- One of the quieter, more contemplative stretches.
Niruthi Lingam
South-west- Guardian
- Nirṛti, guardian of the south-west
- Planet
- Rahu
- Significance
- Associated with protection from harm and negativity, and with overcoming obstacles.
- On the walk
- The path opens out; carry water on the exposed sections.
Varuna Lingam
West- Guardian
- Varuna, lord of the waters
- Planet
- Saturn (Shani)
- Significance
- The water element among the guardians; associated with emotional balance and the easing of troubles.
- On the walk
- Near the Adi Annamalai side of the hill; a good point to rest.
Vayu Lingam
North-west- Guardian
- Vayu, god of wind
- Planet
- Ketu
- Significance
- The air element; associated with vitality, breath and life-force. Devotees speak of a breeze often felt here.
- On the walk
- A pleasant, often breezy stretch of the walk.
Kubera Lingam
North- Guardian
- Kubera, lord of wealth
- Planet
- Jupiter (Guru)
- Significance
- Associated with abundance, prosperity and the improvement of one's circumstances.
- On the walk
- The path is returning towards town by now; refreshment stalls are more frequent.
Esanya Lingam
North-east- Guardian
- Ishana (a form of Shiva)
- Planet
- Mercury (Budha)
- Significance
- The last of the eight, in the most auspicious direction; associated with peace of mind, clarity and spiritual growth.
- On the walk
- Close to the completion of the circuit ~ a natural place to gather yourself before returning.
Two more: the Surya and Chandra lingams
Alongside the eight directional lingams, the tradition also honours two further shrines associated with the Sun (Surya) and the Moon (Chandra) ~ the luminaries that govern day and night, and, in the old cosmology, the celestial and the nether realms. Some pilgrims include them, making a set of ten; most speak simply of the eight. Either way, they are part of the fuller devotional map of the hill.
Walking the lingams: a few honest notes
A handful of practical things worth knowing before you go looking for them:
- They are modest. These are roadside shrines, not grand temples ~ watch for the named signs rather than expecting soaring gopurams. Part of their charm is their plainness.
- You needn't stop at all eight. Many pilgrims offer a brief prayer at each; many others walk the whole circuit in silence without pausing. The merit is traditionally in the walk itself. Do as feels right to you.
- The planetary associations vary. Different sources pair the lingams with the nine planets (Navagrahas) and their blessings in slightly different ways ~ this is living tradition, not a fixed catalogue, and you will hear variations from different guides and books. Treat the associations above as a widely-held guide, not a rulebook, and hold them lightly.
- Go with the practical guide too. For timing, footwear, what to carry and the shape of the whole walk, read our complete Girivalam guide.
The directions, guardian deities and order of the lingams follow the accounts of Sri Ramanasramam and long-established tradition; the shrines were renovated in recent decades and are marked along the path. The planetary and benefit associations are drawn from widely-shared devotional understanding, which varies between sources ~ we have noted this honestly rather than presenting one version as definitive.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Ashta Lingams of Arunachala?
Eight Shiva lingams placed around Arunachala hill, one in each direction, each established by the guardian deity (dikpalaka) of that direction and associated with a planet and a blessing. Pilgrims visit them in order while walking Girivalam.
What is the order on the Girivalam path?
Clockwise from the temple, hill on your right: Indra (east), Agni (south-east), Yama (south), Niruthi (south-west), Varuna (west), Vayu (north-west), Kubera (north), Esanya (north-east).
Do I have to stop at every lingam?
No. Many pause briefly at each; many walk the whole circuit without stopping. The merit is traditionally in the circumambulation itself ~ the lingams enrich it rather than being compulsory.
How will I recognise them?
They are marked with signs, generally in Tamil and English. They are modest roadside shrines rather than grand temples, so watch for the signs ~ or simply ask a fellow pilgrim.
Last updated 9 September 2026. Directions and order follow Sri Ramanasramam and tradition; planetary associations vary between sources and are given as a widely-held guide.