The circumambulation of Arunachala is known as Giri Pradakshina in Sanskrit and Giri Valam in Tamil. Performing pradakshina of Arunachala is considered to be beneficial in all ways. Typically, pradakshina is done in bare feet, with the Hill on the right. Sri Ramana Maharshi once explained the meaning of the word pradakshina and how it should be done by a devotee: "The letter "Pra" stands for removal of all kinds of sins; "da" stands for fulfilling the desires; "kshi" stands for freedom from future births; "na" stands for giving deliverance through jnana. If by way of Pradakshina you walk one step it gives happiness in this world, two steps, it gives happiness in heaven, three steps, it gives bliss of Satyaloka which can be attained. One should go round either in mouna (silence) or dhyana (meditation) or japa (repetition of Lord's name) or sankeertana (bhajan) and thereby think of God all the time. Throughout the year, pilgrims engage in a practise called giri valam (circumambulation of Annamalaiyar temple and Annamalai hill 14 km in circumference), considered to be a simple and effective form of yoga. The circumambulation is started from the temple with barefoot and is considered a sacred act.The central government of India asked the Tamil Nadu government through the supreme court to direct the path of girivalam under the provision of the proposed Tamil Nadu Heritage Conservation Act. There are 8 small shrines of lingams located in the 14 km circumference of the hill, each one associated with the 12 moon signs. These are collectively termed as Ashtalingam (meaning 8 lingams) and is considered one of the rituals of worship during the girivalam (circumambulation of the hill).
======================================================================
| Lingam | Direction | Moon Sign | Distance from the starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indra Lingam | East | Vrishabha, Tula (Taurus, Libra) | 50 m |
| Agni Lingam | South East | Simmam (Leo) | 1.5 Km |
| Yama Lingam | South | Viruchigam (Scorpio) | 3 Km |
| Niruthi Lingam | South West | Mesham (Aries) | 6 KM |
| Varuna Lingam | West | Makaram, Kumbam (Capricorn, Aquarius) | 8 KM |
| Vayu Lingam | North West | Kadagam (Cancer) | 9.5 KM |
| Kubera Lingam | North | Dhanush, Meenam (Sagittarius, Pisces) | 11 KM |
| Eesanya Lingam | North East | Mithunam, Kanni (Gemini, Virgo) | 13 Km |
