The temple has six daily rituals at various times from a.m. to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The "Karthigai Deepam" festival is celebrated during the day of the full moon between November and December, and a huge beacon is lit atop the hill. It can be seen from miles around, and symbolizes the Shiva "lingam" of fire joining the sky. The event is witnessed by three million pilgrims. On the day preceding each full moon, pilgrims circumnavigate the temple base and the Arunachala hills in a worship called "Girivalam", a practice carried out by one million pilgrims yearly.