# @stringreveals on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DVnYQOKEaa3
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/61455787-stringreveals-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/53a0024da8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-03-08T07:38:05.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Vinodh Kumar (@stringreveals) — https://gondola.cc/stringreveals

## Caption

Arunachalam #Girivalam Experience: 
Back in 2015, during my first Girivalam, I saw an Avadhoota walking extremely slowly - even slower than my steps. My friends laughed and said, “At this pace, he won’t finish even in this lifetime.”

An elderly passerby overheard us and corrected us saying: “this is actually the right way to do Girivalam” and told us a line I will never forget:

“Take every step like a pregnant woman.”

That moment changed something in me. I stopped my usual casual gossiping and walking and tried to imitate the Avadhoota’s way of walking. The moment I did, I felt chills run down my spine and goosebumps all over my body.

However, I couldn’t continue that way back then. I was worried about how long it would take to complete the entire path if I walked like that.

After many years, today (7th March 2026) I finally took the time to try it again.

What I experienced is beyond words. At a few points during the walk, I was completely drenched in ecstasy. I even found myself crying like a baby.

To be honest, I couldn’t maintain that exact style of walking the entire time because it caused intense, unbearable pain in my legs. I stopped slow steps at Kubera Lingam and walked normally from there. 

Here is the time it took for me: 
5:55pm - Starting Point (Brahma Teertham inside Rajagopuram)
6:00am - I gave up slow walking at Kubera
7:30am - I reached Rajagopuram (normal walk)
10am - Darshan of Arunachaleshwara (2hrs standing in queue)

Total Duration: 16hrs 

Conditions: I Stopped at every Lingam and few temples where i felt wanted to rest. Also I intentionally walked with eyes closed at few places. You may finish it faster but even if you take bathroom breaks etc, the overall process will take more than 15hrs. 

I asked my friend to record this because I strongly want to recommend this approach to anyone doing Girivalam:

Walk every step like a pregnant woman while chanting “Om Arunachaleshwaraya Namaha.”
If not the entire Girivalam, do it for as long as you can.

Must share with every Arunachala devotee. This can transform your Girivalam.🙏
-String Vinodh

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## Tags

girivalam

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