Arunachalam Giri Pradakshina

 Arunachalam Giri Pradakshina

Its been a long time wish to perform Giri Pradakshina of Arunagiri in Arunachalam.

By God's grace, the permission is granted and able to secure the Train reservations. Its like a path being opened to enter. When I searched earlier couldnt get tickets. But on one fine day got availability before 2 weeks of the Journey.

We alighted at Katpadi railway station after a long train journey. By bus another 2.5 hours to Arunachalam from here.

Finally entered Tiruvanamalai and the glimpse of the the Raja gopuram at a height of 217 feet gives goose bumps. This had been built by the king Krishnadevaraya.

We got accomodation at Siva Sannidhi opposite to Ramana Ashramam with the help of my Friend Ashok. Its convinient for telugu people to stay and they provide Breakfast & Meals included.

Next day myself and my wife woke up early at 3 AM and started the Giri Pradikshana from Ramana Ashramam at 4.30 AM.

We prayed Ganapati first and started our Journey.

The cool breeze had gave us energy to perform the Giripradakshina. 

Devotees perform the 14 kms Giri Pradakshina and compulsory visits Asta(Eight) Siva lingas installed by the Asta Dikpalakulu. There are many other devotional places along this Giri Pradakshina.

We had the darshan of 8 Nandis all looking towards the ArunaGiri.

Most of the Devotees prefer barefoot to perform Giripradakshina. Few Devotees due to their health conditions wears socks and shoes.

Along the path there are lots of Sadhus sitting. Some dont ask for any money. Even if we offer 1 rupee they just say sivoham. 

The Filter coffe stop, one cant have enough of it the famous tamilnadu filter coffe served in brass tumblers.

We had visited Adi Annamalai temple which is the first temple in Arunachalam which is older than the Main temple. The Architecture is simple superb. 

Here there are statues of all the 63 Nayanars, the great shiva devotees who had attained salvation. Here I am able to visit Asta Mukha Sivalingam which is very rare.

We continued our pradakshina, till now its dark and we couldnt get darshan of ArunaGiri to which we are performing pradakshina. Once the Light slowly started coming, we had the Majestic Darshan of Arunagiri.

With clouds passing from the top, in reddish color , the Arunagiri Darshan had been very wonderfull and we felt blessed.

This is the Place Ramana Maharshi used to sit and view the Arunagiri.

Idduki Pilliayar or Moksha Margam. There is a narrow structure through which devotees struggle to come out. It is said that one who passes through this structure will not have another Janma. It replicates the baby being born from the womb of the mother.

At 9 AM 3/4th of the Pradakshina completed and we came near the Raja Gopuram. 

                                 

We entered the Main temple for Darshan of ArunaChala. 

From Raja Gopuram, we entered the BallaDeva Gopuram and Killi Gopuram. 

                                          

We visited the Pathala Lingam where Raman Maharshi had meditated a long time before establishing the Ramana Ashramam.

The Picture gallery on life of Ramana Maharshi is very detailed and maintained by the Ramana Ashramam.

The Devotees Rush had ben heavy being the New Year Vacation time, it took 4 hours to complete the Darshan

Able to see the Shankam Sadhu, who visits temple every day and performs ShankaNadam before all the subtemples and main temples. He brings biscuits and feeds the fishes, ducks and other animals in the temple compund.

Had the Darshan of Arunachala and Ammavaru and came out of temple from Ammani Amman Gopuram at 1 PM.

This Gopuram had been built by Ammani Amman by collecting donations. When people say we dont have money, she used to say the exact money they are having in their house. 

We continued our pradakshina and completed at RamanaAshramam at 2 PM. We had our lunch and took rest.

In the Evening visited the Ramana Ashramam. Its very peacefull and very convinient for doing meditation.

There are lot of foriengner devotees attired in the Indian traitional dresses and performing Meditation in New & Old Halls.

The Majestic statues in the Ramana Ashramam

This needs another blog to explain Ramana Ashramam. For more details have a look at the below link

https://www.sriramanamaharshi.org

We visited the Seshadri Swami Ashramam Just beside RamanaAshramam. 

This is the person who rescued Ramana Maharshi when he spent lot of time in Meditation at Pathala Lingam of main temple and his body had been biten by ants & insects.

Later we visited Yogi sarath kumar Ashramam. 

Here bhajan is going on and 90 percent are foriegners. He roamed 17 years in Arunachala town and attained salvation. His words are simple and hearttouching.

"Where there is faith, there is no fate! Have faith. Fate will become inoperable"

Thus ends the first day in Tirruvanamalai.  Wait for the 2nd Day Blog :) Skandasramam Trek blog.

Tips for Elderly:

For people who cant walk for 14 kilometers due to health conditions can avail for Auto Services.

There are Autos from Main Temple which take to all these temples. They charge around 300 to 400 per head. They stop at all the 8 siva linga temples and will show all the main visiting temples in the Giri Pradakshina. Just dont wear the footwear even while you are travelling in an Auto. 

Do post your comments on how you felt.

Sivoham.

Chiranjeevi

Chiru.nvv@gmail.com