Annabhishekam is an important ritual held in Mahadeva Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. The Annabhishekam ritual and festival at Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple is usually held on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October - November).
In the ritual more than 25 kilograms of rice is cooked and offered to Shiva. The rice is offered along with a special pachadi (vegetable curry). The pachadi is known as chilli pachadi or milgai pachadi and is made using ladies finger (vendakkai), cluster beans (kothavarangai), green chillies and ginger. The rice and the special vegetable mix are spread to cover the Shivling and all around it.
A special offering is made to Pidari Amman worshipped in the third parakarmin the temple. The naivedyam or food offering to the Goddess includes vadai, rice, pachadi, two vegetable curries, and sweet (payasam). This offering is made around 7:30 PM.