Burning Ground

This is a funeral procession on its way to the burning ground - which in this case is out in the open and about one kilometre further down the road. The corpse is tied onto a platform at the back of the vehicle.

This is a small procession - the size generally depends on the number of family and friends and finances. When such processions are larger, there will be several musicians accompanying the retinue and also men walking at the front setting off fire-crackers and throwing flower garlands in front of whatever vehicle is used to transport the corpse. Ladies remain at home and only men accompany the body to the burning grounds.

Water Haul

There are still some homes that have an erratic water supply and some that have no independent water supply at all. Such households depend on municipal taps which are liberally placed throughout Tiruvannamalai. Ladies gather around such taps and fill up their large pots. This lady is on her way home. Often the ladies will simultaneously balance one pot on the head and a pot on the hip with an arm crooked around it. It's very hard work!

Archakar School

Discussions are currently underway regarding setting up an Archakar training school in Tiruvannamalai to impart training in priesthood.

A committee constituted by the Tamil Nadu Government visited the Annamalayar temple at Tiruvannamalai on Tuesday (27th July), to identify suitable locations for the school. The team is said to have visited the Kannikaparameswari Temple and explored the possibility of setting up the school on the Temple premises itself. The team also discussed the syllabus for the proposed school.

Monk Prayer

There is nothing I can give you which you have
not but there is much, very much, that while
I cannot give it, you can take.
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts
find rest in today.
Take heaven!

No peace lies in the future, which is not hidden
in the present instant.
Take peace!

The gloom of the world is but a shadow.
behind it, yet within certain reach, is joy.
There is a radiance and glory in the darkness
could we but see; and to see, we have but
to look.
I beseech you to look!

Life is so generous a giver but we, judging
its gifts by their covering, cast them away as
as ugly, or heavy or hard.
Remove the covering and you will find beneath
it a living splendour, woven of love, by
wisdom, with power.
Welcome it, grasp it, and you touch the angels
hand that brings it to you.

Everything we call a trial, a sorrow or a duty,
believe me, that angels hand is there, and the
wonder of an over-shadowing presence.
Our joys are too. Be not content with them
as joys; they too conceal divine gifts.

And so, at this time, I greet you, not quite as
the world sends greetings, but with profound
esteem and with the prayer that for you, now
and forever, the day breaks and the shadows
flee away.

Consciousness

The ideas behind the statements expounded in the Arunachala Mahatmya, that Arunachala is the centre of the universe and the darshan of the beacon on its top is Siva-Darshan, Vision of Siva are:

Arunachala is the transcendental Light of Consciousness, beyond the reach of intellect, so it is impossible to approach unless one gives up the sense of separate individuality. It is apprehended only when one searches for ones own source with complete self-surrender.

That which is the Source of the limited I, the ego, is the centre of the entire universe, and that is Arunachala. The syllables, A, RU and NA denote Existence-Consciousness-Bliss Absolute and ACHALA signifies its all-pervasiveness. On approaching Arunachala, all obstacles to Self-knowledge disappear together with their root, the ego.

[Viswanathan Swami]

Arunachala Ashtakam

Verse 3:
When I approach Thee regarding Thee as having form, Thou standest as a Hill on earth.

If with the mind the seeker looks for Thy essential form as formless, he is like one who travels the earth to see the ever-present ether.

To dwell without thought upon Thy boundless nature is to lose ones separate identity like a doll of sugar when it comes in contact with the ocean of nectar.

And when I come to realize who I am, what else is this identity of mine but Thee, O Thou Who standest as the towering Aruna Hill?

[By Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi]

Service to Arunachala

The Sage Gautama relates to the Goddess Parvati, who has come to him to hear of the Glory of Arunachala, more instances of how non-humans have received benefit by service (albeit rendered unknowingly), to Arunachala.

A thirsty elephant, uprooting trees and whatsoever was in his path, accidentally caused honey to be spilt on Arunachala and in so doing became liberated and was transformed into the Lord of Ganas.




Cows yielding streams of milk on remembering their calves whilst standing at Arunachala have attained salvation.

A certain crow, eager to snatch prasad from an offering, fluttered its wings and the wind arising therefrom swept the place in front of Arunachala and thus immediately secured the crow liberation.

Gopal - my autodriver

This is a photograph of my auto rickshaw driver, Gopal. He has some interesting stories about different work he has done at Tiruvannamalai. The most fascinating of which is his story about the time he worked at a huge iron factory.

He is a strong young lad but he tells me that every night of the years he worked there, he would return home with his arms and shoulders aching and on fire. There is still a look of horror on his face as he talks of those days! Maybe I will be able to get inside the Dickensian factory and take some snaps.

Pradakshina Anthill

This is the front view of a rather magnificent anthill on the pradakshina road. It obviously has a very diligent minder, as it's being maintained very nicely. Often these vacated anthills get a snake as the new tenant - if that is the case here, then everyone would be very happy - including the snake.

Curiously in India there is a great distinction made between 'wild' snakes and 'worshipped' snakes - the former is greatly feared as there are many snake-related deaths throughout India each year - and the latter, i.e. the 'worshipped' snake is right on the gravy train - lots of fresh milk, raw eggs and other such delectables to tempt its snake's palate!

This is the back view of the same anthill. It's rather interesting the way the dirt seems to pour over the rocks - obviously, some very artistic ants used to be the residents of this pradakshina anthill!

Protect Bio-Diversity

Tiruvannamalai District:

As it is the responsibility of the urban community to protect bio-diversity, people living in cities should be sensitised so as to support traditional varieties of food grains, said scientist Dr V Arivudai Nambi, at a Workshop organised by the Tamil Nadu Science Forum.

Speaking at Chengam on Monday (24th July), he said that the Government under the National Bio-diversity Act, 2002, had set up a National bio-diversity authority. According to the Act, a Bio-Diversity Management Committee would be set up in every local body.

The main function of the BMC was to prepare a Peoples Bio-Diversity Register in consultation with the local people. The register should contain comprehensive information on the availability of local biological resources, like medicinal use of herbs, animals in their habitats, etc.

By maintaining such a register, societies could claim their rights in the particular area, Nambi said and added that before these developments took off, societies should be sensitised about them and fine-tuned towards the protection of bio-diversity.

India was rich in flora and fauna genetic resources. Without these resources newer and hybrid varieties could not be produced. We, therefore, cannot afford to lose these varieties, he said, adding that gene banks were preserving traditional seeds of crops like paddy.

This arrangement will ensure extended life to seeds but this method, called ex-ritu conservation, cannot preserve them for ever. Only by cultivation called in-situ conservation, these varieties can be preserved for the future, he said.

Only if urban societies bought and consumed traditional rice varieties cultivated using traditional organic farming pattern, farmers could cultivate those varieties, he said. So, we should speak about bio-diversity to the urban community and not to rural custodians of bio-diversity, he added.

Nomadic tribes were helping in the preservation of rich animal genetic resources and if societies allowed them to vanish the resources would also go away with them, he added.

Divine Wrath

Devi said:

This is always the abode of pious devotees. Those who do evil to others here will, after suffering ills, be destroyed. Wicked persons will be completely bereft of their power to do evil here. Do not fall into the burning fire of the anger of Lord Arunachala, who has assumed the form of the Hill of fire.

[Skanda Purana]

Poppy

This is Poppy. My favourite from the large cow nursery next door. She is always sooo happy to see me, but I think her fascination stems from the fact that I seem to have an inexhaustiable supply of delicious eatables. Clever little un!

Fishing Family

I recently visited the very nice gent Subramanian in his home near the Big Temple. In the above photograph he is surrounded by some of his adoring great-grandchildren. Subramanian is the head of the fishing family responsible for lighting and maintaining the flame during the yearly Deepam festival. The Arunachala Puranam relates the story between Siva and the Asuras which explains the historical reason why a fishing family is in charge of this very auspicious work (more about the Puranam story in later postings).

Subramanian is 75 years old and has been going on top of Arunachala for this work for the last 55 years. He is now a great grandfather, and it is his own five sons: Ramesh, Samandan, Annamalai, Bala Gandhi and Rajendran, who take turns (in revolving years) to be in charge of the Deepam Flame.

However, Grandfather Subramanian still ascends Arunachala EACH Deepam to oversee everything is taken care of in the proper way.

Arunachala Shiva

'One day I was walking on Arunachala with the Maharshi when he stopped and picked up a small stone from the path and held it out to me saying: “Someone from abroad has written asking for a stone from the most sacred part of the Hill. He does not know that the whole Hill is sacred. It is Siva Himself. Just as we identify ourselves with a body, so Siva has chosen to identify Himself with the Hill. Arunachala is pure Awareness in the form of a hill. It is out of compassion to those who seek Him that He has chosen to reveal Himself in the form of a hill visible to the eye. The seeker will obtain guidance and solace by staying near this Hill.'

[Dr. T.N Krishnaswamy - Ramana photographer]

August Newsletter

This week the August issue of Arunachala Grace News will be sent out to those who have submitted their email address. This month we cover news on reforestation, conservation, municipal regeneration and eco-friendly innovations of the Arunachala area. We also have writings of devotees and news of current events. If you are not yet receiving your monthly Newsletter, then please send email (left side of this Blog) to get on the e-zine list.

Arunagiri Yogi

In the early days of his time at Arunachala, Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi used to roam a good deal on the Hill. One day he found in a dried up watercourse a banyan leaf of such enormous size that it set him wondering what tree could produce such a leaf. Proceeding further he saw, from a distance, a huge banyan tree growing on what looked like sheer rock. Thinking the tree must be the one mentioned in the Mahatmyam, he tried to get closer to investigate, but was prevented getting near by a large swarm of hornets that blocked his path.

According to the Mahatmyam, Siva is reputed to sit permanently under a banyan tree on the north slope of Arunachala in the form of a siddha called Arunagiri Yogi.

Power of Pilgrims

It is said in the Puranas that the Gods themselves come to Arunachala to watch the progress of the pilgrims giripradakshina and that whoever goes around the Hill with a mind fixed on the Lord, will get the benefit of the Lords Grace to such an extent that the dust kicked up by their feet will serve as an instrument of immortality and when they leave, their feet will thereafter sanctify the roads of their own place.

E-Bike Information

Further to an earlier post about energy efficient electric scooters and motorbikes, for fuller information regarding the Company producing these for the South East Asia market, please check out the following two websites:

http://indochina.en.ec21.com/

http://www.planet-7.co.in/

Cauldron Facts

Last year during Karthigai Deepam, the flame on top of Arunachala, remained alight continuously for 11 days and at no time was the flame allowed to go out. Each day over 150 kgs of ghee (clarified butter) were fed to the flame, the ghee was donated by Arunachaleswarar Temple, although pious devotees continuously ascend the Hill to submit their ghee oblations.

Only on the first day are there cloths in the cauldron (in the form of a wick), on the second day the cloth remnants are taken out of the Cauldron and thereafter the pot is filled only with ghee. Other than the original cloths (wick), camphor and ghee, no other oblations are ever put into the Cauldron.

The giant cauldron takes 10 men (from the fisherman caste) more than three hours to haul to the top of Arunachala. The Temple of Arunachaleswarar plays no part in the proceeding. Women are not involved in carrying the Cauldron or tending it whilst it's on the Hill. However women are always welcomed on the Hill during the Deepam Festival.

Each Cauldron is used for about 10 years before being replaced. The current one was first used in 2004. The old Cauldrons are taken to metal workers to be broken up and recycled in the production of the new pot. Each pot takes around Rs.10,000 to make. After Deepam the Cauldron is taken down the Hill by the same fisher-folk and kept in storage at the Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Crossing Arunachala

Since Arunachala itself is the Lord and the Shiva Lingam, pilgrims are forbidden to cross It. Once Vali, son of Indra, was flying over the mountain and although, he saw the great Arunachala worshipped by all Gods, he ignored it. When Vali ventured to cross over the mountain, he lost his strength and fell to the ground! Then, commanded by Indra to make amends by worshipping the Shiva Lingam, Vali acted accordingly and regained his strength and powers.

Once a Gandharva named Pushpaka, tried to cross the mountain and instantly got the face of a tiger. His followers were wonderstruck by the extraordinary phenomenon. Brahmarshi Narada came to his rescue and enlightened him about the sanctity of the mountain. With great repentance, Pushpaka offered puja to the Lord of Arunachala and quickly recovered his looks.

Sarkarai Tank

This beautiful tank, situated on the corner of Sannidhi and Car Street, in front of the Arunachaleswarar Temple, has been recently restored to its former glory by The Paribalana Trust.

Shiva in Disguise

Arunachaleswarar is reputed to always be on the mountain in disguise. There is a mysterious and sacred banyan tree on the Northern peak of the mountain and Maheswara, disguised as a Siddha, is believed to be always at the root of that great banyan tree. The shade of the tree is itself supposed to very mystical and conforming to the shape of a mandala.

Blog Address

Due to problems with ISP servers, currently we have a situation in this country that certain websites (mostly with a blogspot address) are difficult to connect to. This is a problem being particularly experienced by people with Reliance mobile internet connections. If you ever have problems accessing this site with the normal address, then please use alternate address:

http://www.pkblogs.com/arunachalagrace

Cow Day

Picture of the cow nursery next to my home. Even though these young 'uns have been taken away from their Mums, still they have a nice peaceful, clean environment to live in, lots of good food and plenty of company. My farmer neighbour has 28 cows at this time, and about 20 of them are babies.

A local farmer on his way through the now waterless lakebed. Bullocks are still are major 'work' resource and are still used for transporting all types of loads, and they are still used for ploughing land - however tractors are beginning to be used by an increasing number of farmers.

The Sankaracharya

Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, the 68th Sankaracharya of Kanchi, used to be referred to as 'Periyaval', the great one. He is remembered as one of the foremost religious teachers of the 20th Century and for his work towards upholding the Eternal Dharma, revitalising the study of the Vedas and for unifying Hinduism. The Sankaracharya always had a great love for Arunachala and in December 1929, visited Tiruvannamalai and attended the Deepam festival. He stayed for more than a month, and whilst at Arunachala, performed regular giripradakshina, attended pujas and ceremonies at Arunachaleswarar Temple and also gave spiritual discourses.

It was in 1931 whilst staying at Chingleput (Tamil Nadu), that a famous meeting with Paul Brunton occurred. The details of the meeting are mentioned in Bruntons, 'A Search in Secret India', a book which has been responsible for bringing many pilgrims and seekers to Arunachala. It was during that meeting the Sankaracharya advised the Englishman to go to Arunachala, as it was there he would meet his spiritual master and Guru, Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Hill Fires

The main work and accomplishment of the organisation The Mountain of Medicine, has been to combat the fires on Arunachala that rage each summer, leaving the Red Mountain black. Many are of the opinion that the slopes of the Hill are nearly barren, but some time spent upon them will reveal the opposite to be true. There are countless little remnant pockets of the forests that would have once covered the Hill and all over the slopes small trees are regenerating naturally, both from root stock of cut trees, and from seeds born by birds and the wind.

If this regeneration process is allowed to carry on unhindered, it dwarfs any efforts that could be made through plantings. The Mountain of Medicine, in conjunction with other local concerned bodies and individuals, has put a great deal of effort into a variety of strategies to prevent the Mountain from burning. Three years into the process, and the organisation is (cautiously) optimistic about the way things are going.

Whereas previously the entire Hill would burn each summer without anybody doing anything about it, now there is a situation where, in the event of fire, gangs of schoolboys go upon the slopes to fight it. The boys are accompanied by workers of The Mountain of Medicine and the State Forest Department. Preventive strategies have ensured that fewer fires start in the first place. In 2004 less than 25% of the Hill was burned, in 2005 less than 15% and so far this year less than 3%.

[Thanks to Govinda Bowley for this post)

Miracle of Arunachala

Sri Siva:

Arunachala . . . abides as the bestower of all Siddhis - such as regaining eyesight to the blind, the ability to walk on (one's own) feet to the lame, begetting a son to the childless, ability to talk (fluently) to the dumb, conferment of all types of siddhis, dispelling all ailments and quelling of all sins."

[The Skanda Purana]

Lady Weavers

These are the ladies of the family who live in the Saint's compound. They are bamboo workers and are currently working on making shovel-like plates, which are used for winnowing and cleaning raw rice. It's fascinating to watch the transformation of the bamboo. The whole trunk will arrive in one piece, and the workers set upon it stripping it down bit by bit into whatever size they want. In the background you can someone fashioning long strips of bamboo which will be softened in water and then made into whatever the weaver wishes.

This is the weaver's mother. They told me she is over 70 years old and although she does in fact look it, I doubt she is that age. Indian ladies are deservedly renowned for their great beauty, however because of the harsh demanding life, the women in this country (particularly country ladies) do age quickly. As well as that, the ladies often experience problems with their backs, hips and internal organs even at a young age, very often because of harsh physical labour.

Mahan Sajarat

This is a favourite place of mine and one that is curiously undiscovered by most people. The samadhi is located in a large Moslem compound, which is inhabited by a family of basket weavers.

The actual name of this saint is Mahan Sajarat and the samadhi is called, The Baba Valle Durbha. Hopefully I will be able to get more information on this enigmatic and mysterious Master.

What follows is a short extract taken from the book In Days of Great Peace by Mouni Sadhu. Apart from the chapter in this book, the mystical powers of this spot have been referred to many other times and in particular by Ramana Maharshi devotees.

***********************

One day, a friend invited me to attend worship in the mosque of Tiruvannamalai. I went and was told the strange story of a North Indian Mohammedan saint, generally called Haji here. A few days before his death he said to his pupils:

When I leave my physical form, my Spirit will remain with you. Let everyone, without any difference of creed and social status, come to my grave whenever he may be in need of help. Let him express his need or wish as clearly as he would, were he facing my present visible form. I shall certainly hear his entreat and shall transmit it to the Most High, who will fulfil it for the sake of His servant .....

For me, the tomb of the Mohammedan saint proved to be one of these magnetic spots. in a few moments, after having excluded the visible words from my consciousness, I became aware of the Hajis presence. It was like that of a sweet and extremely kind person asking me what were my needs and wishes and urging me to express them frankly without any shyness or reservation .....

During the next weeks I returned several times to this silent shrine, having some entangled and difficult problems to solve. One of them seemed utterly hopeless, for its solution from the physical point of view was impossible. And yet, within three days after my last visit and request for the Hajis help, a happy and unexpected solution came of itself without intervention on my part.

Deus Monde

There are several large and well attended churches in Tiruvannamalai for the benefit of the sizeable Christian contingent in the city. This is the Catholic Church - Deus Monde - God of the World. It's quite beautiful, with a large well maintained compound. Inside the Church there is a lovely mural of the Mother Mary.

Wild Black Pig

This is a nice family outing - but the Mum looks much too junior to have produced such a brood - she definitely needs to do some more munching. There are fewer of these wandering pigs in the streets of Tiruvannamalai, as the city is getting more developed and there are less marshy, secluded spots for these pigs to take refuge in.

The pigs generally spend the days rooting around looking for food through the garbage and rubbish lying on the streets. There is a caste in Tamil Nadu that eat this pig - but other castes won't touch it - as it is very much regarded as unclean by most of the community. The sows are not culled - they are left alone to breed and repopulate the pig colonies - however the boars, sorry (!), head straight for the cooking pot once they've got nice and chubby.

Railway Station

The traditional method of travel to Arunachala used to be by rail. The sign (nowadays written in Tamil, Hindi and English), is the first thing one would have see after alighting from the train.

And this is the view of Arunachala from outside the Railway Station. Even with the electric cables and jumble of houses, a spectacular sight!

All Change!

This is the new and supposedly efficient way (efficient - with all that pollution?). But please teach the drivers not to overtake and also teach them how to drive without leaning on their horn!

And this is the old way. Yes, more leisurely and less polluting - but pity the poor working beast. I'll even take the truck if it means that these underfed, overburdened and often abused creatures don't have to come into the busy, dangerous, noisy town. Keep them in the countryside p-l-e-a-s-e.

Puja times

Arunachaleswarar Temple:

1. Ushathkala 05-30 a.m.
2. Kalasanthi 08-00 a.m.
3. Uchikalam 11.30 a.m.
4. Sayarakshai 05-30 p.m.
5. Irandamkalam 07-30 p.m.
6. Ardha Jamam 09-00 p.m.

Apart from the above, special pujas known as Panchaparuva Pujas, namely, Amavasai, Kiruthigai, Pradosham, Pournami, Sathurthi, Sukravaram and Somavaram are celebrated.

Temple Services

An elaborate protocol of worship services mark each day at the Arunachaleswarar Temple where about a hundred and fifty people are attached to it, including; priests, musicians, singers, carpenters, potters, washermen, palanquin bearers, garland makers, administrators and watchmen.

The day begins with the ceremonial arrival of Ganga (holy water) to the shrine, from a tank in the Southern part of the town on an elephant through the Southern, Tirumanjana Gopuram. This water cleanses the entrance to the second prakaram, and then the next ritual involves the waking up of Shiva and Parvati in their bedchamber. The Shiva-Meru returns to the Annamalaiyaar shrine while the image of Parvati returns to the Unnamulaiamman shrine.

Six other pujas are offered at the temple, the first one at 5.30 a.m., and the last one at night where the Shiva Meru and the image of Parvati are brought in a procession into the bed chamber. Each service is accompanied by chants of dedication and praise. In the south west corner of the prakaram, the sacrificial fire ritual takes place, ending with the consecration of vessels of water which are used in the ablution of Annamalaiyaar and Unnamulai Amman.

Temple Origins

To resolve a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu, Sri Siva created a limitless Pillar of Light and challenged the Gods to find the Columns top and bottom. Brahma and Vishnu both failed in their tasks and subsequently prayed to the Lord that the blazing Pillar should establish itself as a Hill, and that Sri Siva should take the form of a Lingam on the east of the Hill. They also entreated that, as a remembrance of the Fiery Column, a Jyothi should appear every year on the top of the Hill during the time of Karthigai (i.e. period of Deepam).

Brahma's and Vishnu's prayers were granted and the blazing Pillar of Light became a Hill and a Lingam soon appeared at its foot on the south east side. For the purpose of worshipping that Lingam, which is no different to the Mountain, the Gods caused a great Temple to be built around it. A sacred tank was dug and filled with a mixture of all other Tirthas (sacred watering places) to provide water for the ablution of the Lord as Lingam. And nearby, for the abode of those striving for spiritual achievements, a great city Aruna (previous name for Tiruvannamalai) was built.

Pots and Pans

It's Friday morning and this gent is on his way to the market place. He has just come from canvassing homes either trying to sell some of his new shiny utensils or purchasing old metal scraps and implements that householders may have lying around. I checked out the big circular tub in the middle of the utensils - and it's full of metal scraps. Also lots of metal bits and pieces on top of his pyramid!

Everything is recycled and if you go down to some side streets close to the Big Temple you will see such men (as the above) with small charcoal fires melting pieces of scrap metal and pouring them into moulds to make either statues of idols or pieces of bric a brac.

Electric Fusion!

This jumble of electric wires is a common sight on the streets of Tiruvannamalai - it looks like every electrician's nightmare! But saying that, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board are providing excellent service. Some years back the City was plagued with power shortages and hours of electricity rationing - not anymore! This summer the electricity supply ran with hardly a blimp - very nice too!

E-Bikes Tiruvannamalai

E-Bikes bring good news to people interested in conserving energy, keeping Tiruvannamalai as pollution free as possible, and also helping their own pocket book!

This is the first time environment-friendly battery operated bikes have been available at Tiruvannamalai. These attractive little E-bikes, don't have petrol tanks, emit smoke or produce the roaring sound of a typical two-wheeler in the market. Four 12v high-end batteries attached to the vehicle feed the motor propelling the vehicle on the road. The batteries can be recharged time and again.

The owner of Sun E-Bikes, Tiruvannamalai told us that fully charged batteries will run the vehicle up to 50km at a maximum of 50kph. Since the batteries consume merely 0.8 unit of electricity, travelling 50km will cost Rs.1/-. Most importantly as the motor capacity of E-Bikes is below 50cc, there is no legal compulsion to either register the vehicle or possess a licence to operate it.

The Pondicherry Company (Planet-7 International) provides a one-year warranty for the vehicle. If well maintained, the 4-pack battery kit will last for at least 25,000 kms - new battery kits can be purchased later on. The Bike comes in lots of styles and colours. This definitely seems to be a step in the right direction in combating road pollution at Tiruvannamalai.

Pool looking inviting!

The new swimming pool being built at the Arunai Anantha Hotel is nearly complete. The official opening day is 23rd of this month (July) and everything appears to be on schedule. The pool certainly looks v-e-r-y inviting from this snap!

Arunachala Service

In the Skanda Purana Sri Siva explains to his consort the efficacy of engaging in Arunachala service. He tells of the unimaginable blessings received by people who display their reverence and obedience to the Divine and illustrates the extent of those blessings by giving examples of the result of Arunachala service:

A spider, going about her business, spun a cobweb of threads in some spot around Arunachala. This inadvertent act was sufficient for the spider to reincarnate as a devotee with memory of its previous birth. The devotee returned to Arunachala with offerings of opulent silk cloths.

A glowworm of green colour came and made its nest in a branch nearby the Hill. The worm attained salvation because unintentionally its glow served in the place of a jyothi illuminating and worshipping Arunachala throughout the night.

A mouse inadvertently dragged a cluster of jewels into the sanctum sanctorum of the Siva Lingam of Arunachaleswarar Temple and thereby brightened the shrine. The worship was enough for the mouse to attain instant liberation.

Yoginis

There is little information available on lady saints who have come and performed tapas at Arunachala. In fact so little information is available its almost impossible to believe that there have in fact been many holy women who have lived at Arunachala performing intense sadhana.

In the 40s and 50s several eminent ladies occupied hermitages and caves on the South East slope of Arunachala. Amongst these women was the revered and highly respected Lakshmi Devi who dressed in saffron and lived on the mountain. Lakshmi Devi kept a vow of silence for 12 years and responded by making signs in answer to questions from a constant stream of visiting devotees and pilgrims. At the end of a 12 year vow of silence she returned to her native place near Mysore. However her love of the peace she experienced at Arunachala drew her back and she returned to the caves and hermitages of the mountain.

Another sadhaka who lived on the Hill during the same time period was Srimati Radhabai Ammeyar, who was known as Ammal of Vadalur. Ammal was a faithful disciple of Ramalinga Swamigal and originally she and Lakshmi Devi shared a cave but Ammal eventually moved to a small rocky cleft higher up the hill. The little cave was so low and narrow one had to remain seated, and even then ones head practically touched the roof.

Ammal of Vadalur, always wore white, and lived in the rocky cleft for three years in perfect silence, her only possessions being an oil lamp and a book of the hymns of her Master Ramalinga. She took a daily meal during the afternoon which consisted of a few handfuls of rice-flour, roasted and mixed with curd. After three years she moved into a small nearby hut with a women disciple. Ammal of Vadalur was also much revered and visited during her time at Arunachala.

The yellow tin boat

Its been so long since I have seen the man in his yellow tin boat, but here he is! The front of his boat is periliously close to the water edge's and he seems in danger of dunking himself, watch out Mr. Fisherman.

On the shore stands the mans bamboo leaf hut, at least he is nice and close to his work! One of my dogs is standing guard outside. Good job Oscar!

Hillock Quarry

This photograph shows a large hillock spur in front of Arunachala. On the top of the spur there is a massive configuration of rock. It is this place which is home to a large colony of bonnet macaque monkeys, and also I suspect, from where our lonely exiled monkey friend (from yesterday's blog) hails from.

The tragedy here is two-fold: one, for the monkeys and the other for Arunachala devotees. The hillock spur is leased by a granite quarry which is harvesting stone from the hillock. On the face of the spur you can see differences in the colouration; these are the places where the granite was recently dynamited in order to break it up into smaller, more manageable pieces.

One had hoped that with the rapid urbanisation of this area the quarry would have, by now, discontinued its activities on this Arunachala spur. Unfortunately there is insufficient public and official interest to halt this sad desecration of both an Arunachala spur and also the home of a large group of monkeys.

Bishop for Vellore

New Delhi (ICNS) Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Father Soundaraj Periyanayagam as the new bishop of Vellore diocese, which has been without a bishop for more than a year.

The appointment was announced simultaneously in India and the Vatican on July 11. The new bishop, a Salesian born in 1949, is a native of Vellore. After his schooling, he had his initial years of Salesian training in Yercaud.Father Periyanayagam has been severing as the rector of Don Bosco Boys' Home in Katpadi, Gandhi Nagar, since 2004. The priest who holds a doctorate in economics also worked in Sacred Heart College in Tirupattur and St. Joseph's College in Tiruchirapalli.

The diocese of Vellore, created in 1952, now comprises both the civil districts of Vellore, Tiruvannamalai formerly known as North Arcot Ambedkar and Tiruvannamalai Sambuvarayar districts.

Shivas Proclamation

Sri Siva said:

Since I manifested myself in the form of a lingam in the field of battle, this place will be known as Lingasthana. (18)

O sons, this column without root or top will henceforth be diminutive in size for the sake of the vision and worship of the world. (19)

The lingam emblem confers enjoyment. It is the only means of worldly enjoyment and salvation. Viewed, touched or meditated upon, it wards off all future births of the living beings. (20)

Since the lingam emblem rose high resembling a mountain of fire, this shall be famous as Ruddy (Aruna) mountain. (21)

Many holy centres will spring up here. A residence or death in this holy place ensures liberation. (22)

The celebration of chariot festivals, the congregation of devotees, the presentation of ordinary as well as sacrificial gifts and offering of prayers at this place shall be millionfold efficacious. (23)

Of all my sectors this sector shall be the greatest. A mere remembrance of me at this place shall accord salvation to all souls. (24)

Hence this sector shall be greater than all other sectors, very auspicious, full of all sorts of welfare and according salvation to everyone. (25)

Worshipping me in my supreme lingam form at this place and performing the other sacred rites shall accord the five types of salvation. May all of you achieve all your cherished desires. (26)

Vidyesvarasamhita
Sivapurana, Chapter 9

Bonnet Macaque

On our daily walk through the conservation area, I was startled to see a lone monkey scampering through the underbrush. I have never seen a monkey in this area before as there is too much open, exposed flat land and not enough high trees to clamber up for safe sanctuary.

No idea where he was heading and to begin with thought he was one of my dogs so started to call to him. The monkey seemed to have experienced some degree of human socialization because although he did not actually come, he did appear very interested. Perhaps it was my mad, bad dogs that helped the monkey make his final decision, TO RUN AWAY!

Bonnet Macaque monkeys are not hard to spot at Tiruvannamalai; they are everywhere! Being so smart they have easily made the transition to the increasing urbanisation of this area. They are as easy to spot in the middle of the bustling marketplace in town as they are on the hillside of Arunachala.

Bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) have a grayish brown back and a well-defined circular tuft of hair (hence the derivative of its name bonnet). Their tail is two-thirds the length of its body. The monkeys are diurnal, arboreal, and terrestrial. Bonnet macaques are good swimmers.

They search the ground for insects and chase flying grasshoppers. Their diet consists of fruit, seeds, leaves, flowers, cereals. Bonnet macaques eat approximately 40 different plant species, as well as being necessarily conciliatory at temples and homes to get tasty handouts!

Adult males spend more time on the ground. These macaques sit in contact with others or huddle together when they rest. The monkey is around 35-60 cm long plus a tail of 35-68 cm. Males weigh 5.5 - 9 kg., females 3.5 - 4.5 kg. A Bonnet Macaque monkey can live more than 30 years.

Hill Swami

Swami Narayana, also known as Hill Swami, lived continuously on the top of Arunachala for some 16 years. On April 19th, 2005 he was asked to shift from Arunachala summit (with his assistants). This he did and relocated to the grounds of the Ganesha Polytechnic some 5-6 kms from the base of the Hill. Public opinion ensured Swami was awarded special dispensation by the Authorities to recommence his vigil on the Hill summit and within a week of his enforced departure, Swami returned to his spot on the top of Arunachala.

However on July 17th, 2005 Swami Narayana became ill and had to be helped down Arunachala Hill by devotees. He was admitted to Rangamma Hospital, Tiruvannamalai. Whilst at the hospital Swami received treatment and physiotherapy for arthritic knee joints, a condition brought about by his intense tapas over the last sixteen years at the summit of Arunachala Hill. Swami, who was attended by several devotees, and accommodated in a private Bungalow at the Hospital, maintained almost total silence during his stay and took no food, choosing to subsist entirely on milk.

Before his departure from Rangamma Hospital on 29th July, 2005, Swami remarked:

I have been sitting on Arunachala Hill for all these years allowing people to serve me, now it is time for me to stand up and serve others.

At his departure Swami raised both hands in blessings and uttered the word, Narayana. These few words were almost his total communication during his twelve day Hospital stay. After his discharge Swami left the Arunachala area and is believed to have moved near Tuticorin with some close devotees.

Swami has now decided to share his time between stays at Kerala and Tiruvannamalai. He returned to Tiruvannamalai about 2 weeks ago and is expected to remain for another 6 weeks, afterwhich time he will return to Kerala for a short visit.

Whilst at Tiruvannamalai Swami is staying at Vignesh Polytechnic Hostel on Thandrabuthu Road near Tamari Nagar Housing Colony. Swami is giving his darshan twice a day and is accessible to Indian devotees out of college hours. However it is not known at this time whether he is available to Western Pilgrims.

Rehabilitate Hippo

A Wildlife agency has been asked to rehabilitate the hippopotamus which came from a private circus and is now reportedly abandoned in a village near Polur and languishing without sufficient water. People for Animals (PFA), which sent one of its representatives from Tiruvannamalai to check on the hippo's condition, said that two attendants from the circus were taking care of the animal in a facility owned by the Forest Department.

Raja, the 18-year-old male hippopotamus, is being kept in a shaded tank measuring 4 x 4.5 metres with five feet of water level. The animal has been there for almost nine weeks now. The hippo's morning diet is five loaves of bread, five litres of milk, a bunch of bananas and 40 kg of grass. In the evening, it is provided with carrots, potatoes and rice.

The animal spends most of its time in the tank and comes out only to feed, PFA said. Their spokesman felt it was time the Wildlife authorities intervened and shifted the animal to a suitable place. The circus to which the hippo belonged, has the dubious distinction of abandoning animals. On an earlier occasion, it had abandoned a dozen carnivores including lions and tigers in a village in Tiruvannamalai district, which were rescued and rehabilitated by the Wildlife authorities.

The good news is that the PFA are now involved in this and hopefully will pile on a lot of pressure. I feel so sorry for our dear hippo friend and am hoping the Wildlife authorities do in fact intervene and shift the hippo to some nice muddy river! And while they're at it - how about shutting down that private circus?!