Deepam Origins

Giripradakshina of Arunachala is regarded as most auspicious but to perform circumbulation of the Hill on the first night of the lighting of the Deepam flame (this year December 3rd) is regarded as the most blessed day, regarded holiest in the Arunachala calendar.

The 'Skanda Purana' tells of the legend in which the Goddess in order to expiatiate her sin of slaying the demon Mahisasura, completes her austerities of atonment on the evening when Krittika was in conjunction with the Moon in the month of Karthika (November-December). The Goddess says to the Lord:

"O Lord of Devas, this refulgence has been shown by you who are endowed with grace. It has been seen by Devas and human beings directly in the month of Karttika at the great festival of the conclusion of my holy observances. Let your great refulgence be seen (on the day) with the constellation named Karttika. By seeing this supreme brilliance every year, let all the creatures be liberated from all sins."

In further propiation of the Goddess' penance the Lord and the Goddess merge into each other with their bodies uniting into the form of Ardhanarisvara; showing the form of Shiva and Parvati.

"It was as though two objects were simulataneously perceived in close proximity. In one half it was as white as camphor and in the other half it is as red as red lead. The body of a single unit was highly wonderful. In one-half there was flowing tresses. In the middle of the necklace there was a flower. The body of the crescent moon-crested Lord had silk in one-half that was beautuiful with a single anklet, ear-ring and bracelet. The body of the companion of Kubera shone with a single breast . . ."

Siva said: " . . . This Durga, the destroyer of Mahisa, the deity born of your part, shall be present here itself, yielding the Siddhi of Mantras to men . . . Here in the sacred place of Aruna I shall also remain by the name of Aruna. You shall also be here by the name of Arunadevi. Since Aruna and the Lord are always present here, all the siddhis will be easily accedssible in this holy spot of Aruna to those who entertain a desire for them."

The Deepam festival follows the moon calendar so each year the date is different however it always falls when the star Krittika is in conjunction with the Moon in the month of Karthika (November-December). To find out the dates of upcoming Poornimas (full moons) and Deepams through to the year 2009, please check the following link:

http://www.arunachalasamudra.org/fullmoon.html

Sri Ramana's Power

Sri Ramana's astonishing spiritual powers were observed by others but never remarked upon by Ramana himself. It must have been a golden time at Arunachala for devotees to be able to meet both Sri Ramana and the great avadhuta Sri Seshadri Swamigal.

In South India, Alick McInnes, a Scottish scientist, witnessed the strange spectacle of Sri Ramana Maharshi on his evening walk. Within seconds of his leaving his house, cattle tied up in stalls in the village half a mile away would struggle to get out of their ties. When released, they careered along the road to accompany the old man on his walk, followed by all the dogs and children of the village. Before the procession had gone far, wild animals and even snakes joined it from the jungle. Thousands of birds appeared, almost blotting out the sky. There were tiny tits, huge kites, heavy-winged vultures and other birds of prey, all flying in harmony around the Maharshi on his walk. When he returned to his room, said McInnes, all the birds, animals and children would quietly disappear.


[The Secret Life of plants by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird]

Noise pollution

A Writ Petition seeking the authorities to prevent the use of loud speakers along the 14km giripradakshina path around Arunachala was filed in the Madras High Court on September 29th.

The Petition was filed by the Arunachala Education and Environment Development Trust and referred to the indiscriminate use of loud speakers during the numerous festivals celebrated by people of 13 villages in Tiruvannamalai District and by some religious establishments on the giripradakshina path. The arbitrary use of loud speakers is causing severe noise pollution to devotees coming to Tiruvannamalai to perform prayful circumbulation of the Hill.

The Arunachala Education and Environment Development Trust also handed over a Petition to the District Collector and Environment Engineer of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), Vellore. This Petition had sought to prohibit the use of loud speakers along the Girivalam path on July 28 and September 11 this year, but it received no response.

The Trust presented its case to the Court by adding that there are around 13 Ashrams, 8 Lingams, 34 Temples, and 20 Schools along the giripradakshina pathway and hence action must be taken to uphold the directions of the Supreme Court regarding the use of loud speakers during festivals and meetings.

The Madras High Court adjourned the matter, seeking reply from the Respondents, i.e. District Collector and Environment Engineer of the TNPCB within four weeks.

Previously Temples would hire musicians to play celebratory music during Festivals but the sound was localised as there were no loud speakers to broadcast throughout the countryside. However nowadays with the availability of electricity, sound systems and powerful amplifiers, many Shrines and Temples around the Hill broadcast a continuous din throughout the day.

It is very distressing to the animals, the ambiance of the countryside, its residents and also to the many pilgrims coming from long distances to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Arunachala.

When I previously lived in the built up area of Ramana Nagar (near Ramana Ashram and Seshadri Ashram), several Temples on the Chengam Road would start up sound systems and loud speakers at 3.30 a.m. each morning. I've heard in some metropolitan areas in north India there have been many successful legal challenges to this sort of raucous disturbance. I'm delighted that a local Trust is now Petitioning the Court on this matter and have no doubt that most locals hope they succeed in curtailing this noise pollution.

Blogroll

I hope in the month to add a blogroll to Arunachalagrace filled with some really interesting and excellent Blogs. If you have some suggestions about Blogs to appear on the upcoming blogroll please email me your ideas.

Charitable ambulance

A charitable ambulance, which will charge nominal fees, was launched at Tiruvannamalai on Thursday, October 26th. The ambulance which is jointly sponsored by the State Bank of India and the Red Cross Society, will be maintained by the Red Cross Society.

The ambulance is available for hire at a reasonable rate to those who need to urgently move patients to Pondicherry or Vellore for medical care. Fare details to major destinations are to be announced shortly.

Ambulance contact information: 944-32-52187, (0)4175-224222, (0)4175-224555.

It's not exactly air-helicopter but we are definitely making progress with our infra-structure!

Skandashram

This cave is not far from Virupaksha Cave and is also situated in a spot that has a perennial spring with good water.

The Ashram was developed by Kandaswami who undertook to build the main part of what has become Skandashramam. In front of a natural cave two small rooms have been built lengthwise. There is also a terrace in front of the Ashram with coconut palms and foliage and a breathtaking panoramic view of Arunachaleswarar Temple and Tiruvannamalai.

Bhagavan remained in this Ashram with his devotees until his mother Alagammal died on 19th May, 1922 and it was at the end of that year that Sri Ramana permanently made his home at the bottom of the Hill in what is now Ramanashram. It is believed that Sri Ramana's mother actually attained samadhi at her death in 1922 and Bhagavan himself confirmed that two devotees, namely Mother Alagammal and Lakshmi the Cow did in fact attain samadhi at their death.

Skandashram is maintained by Ramana Ashram and is open throughout the daytimes for visits and meditation. The Ashram can be reached by a beautiful scenic pathway originating from the back of Ramana Ashram and winding its way gently up the slope of Arunachala to Skandashram. The Ashram can also be reached by going up a pathway starting opposite the West Gopuram of the Big Temple.

The construction of Skandashram would not be allowed nowadays because it entailed vigorous quarrying of stone from the face of Arunachala itself. Now that the area has been deemed Reserve Forest it is in fact becoming increasingly difficult for sadhus to spend time in caves on the Hill, (other than caves in a specific area on the southeast slope above Arunachaleswarar Temple).

Narayana Swami (Hill Swami), who lived on the summit of Arunachala for 16 years permanently descended the Hill because of reasons of ill health; however had it not been for that reason, without a doubt he and his entourage would have had to vacate their colony on the top of Arunachala sooner or later.

Regarding Sri Ramana Maharshi and his own experience at Skandashram, I herein quote an extract from a book entitled 'Thiruvanamalai; The Power and glory of The Mountain Path' by A.D.M. Panneerselvam:

"Here follows yet another proof to show that the Mountain itself is Lingam. No one can dare to carry on quarrying on the Hill for its (granite) stones. And Annamalaiyar proclaimed it to the world through an incident.

Once the devotees of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi cut a stone slab from the hill and honoured their guru by seating him on it. And Ramana, the saint of the first order, had to suffer from cancer. It was a sport of Lord Siva."

Arunachala Trees

[Photograph above of the Cassia Fistula tree]

These trees are reputed in the Skanda Purana to be particularly loved by Arunachala.

Kesaras: (Rottleria tinctoria)
Nagas: (Mesu Rox Burghii)
Aragvadhas: (Cassia Fistula) Golden Shower Tree/Indian Laburnum: Golden shower
Punnagas: (Mallotus Philippinensis) Monkey-face Tree
Kurabakas: (A kind of Barleria)
Cutas: (Mango Tree)
Patalas: Trumpet Flower Tree
Maluras: (Feronia Elephantum) Wood Apple

Nearly Deepam

I really enjoyed the scene in 'The Lord of the Rings; The Return of the King' when a beacon light is lit on mountain peaks throughout a vast range of mountaintops. When I watched it, I was immediately reminded of the Deepam light at Arunachala and my first thought was, 'Oh! Look! Deepams; lots of Deepams!'

Talking about Deepam; there is already a buzz going on around town. For me Deepam starts on the first night of the lighting of the flame which will be dusk on December 3rd, but for a lot of people it begins with the festivities and functions that start 10 days before December 3rd.

In Arunachaleswarar Temple the preparation for the festival begins with the Pandalkal Muhurtham, a simple ceremony held to mark the commencement of the various arrangements. Invitations are printed and arrangements made, ornaments and vessels are polished and the Cauldron in which the Deepam will be lit is taken out and cleaned.

On the first three days of the Festival the various deities are propitiated. On the first day there is the hoisting of the flag i.e. Dwajarohanam, which ushers in the ten-day festival. On the night of the fifth day, the Lord with His consort is taken on his mount, the Rishaba (the bull) made of silver. The eighth day festival is the day of the Maha Ratham (great chariot car) when Lord Arunachala and Goddess Unnamalai are taken round the main streets along with the other deities each in their own chariot.

Two long chains made of iron links are connected to the chariot. The men hold one side of the chain and the ladies the other.

The tenth day of the Festival marks the day of the great Deepam. In the morning one can witness the Bharani Deepam inside the Temple compound as a prelude to the Maha Deepam or Karthikati Deepam on top of Arunachala.

Around 10 a.m. the Cauldron will be carried out of the South Gate of Arunachaleswarar Temple and be hauled by carriers up the south slope of the Hill. Hundreds of people will already be at the top of the Hill and hundreds more will follow the Deepam Cauldron all the way up. My plan is to watch the Cauldron going up past the Virupaksha Cave afterwhich I plan on pradakshina around the outer path along with all the other pilgrims. Should be quite a day!

Sadhus

This is a really nice looking group of Sadhus; a lot of character and colour there for sure! In this photograph the sadhus are sitting on a bench on the outer pradakshina path. Going around the Hill on any day you will meet a great assortment of sadhus, itinerants and stall wallahs.

I remember when I first came to Arunachala, it was impossible to even get a glass of water till you arrived in town on the other side of the Hill; well, that has certainly changed! Nowadays there is a huge range of shops and stores from which to buy fruit, biscuits, eatables, snacks and hot and cold beverages.

Necklet of 9 Gems

When one enquires into the meaning of Arunachala, which is lustrous like red gold and bestows Liberation, one finds that the word 'Aruna' means Sat, Chit and Ananda (Existence, Consciousness and bliss), the identity of the individual self and the Supreme Self and that the word 'Achala' means perfection.

[Ramana Maharshi]

Female Literacy Programme

The Central Government-sponsored Female Literacy Programme has been launched in 16 Tamil Nadu State Districts, through which one million women in the 15-35 age group will benefit.

The Districts are; Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Erode, Vellore, Madurai, Pudukottai, Theni, Sivaganga, Virudunagar, Perambalur, Villuppuram and Cuddalore.

A special meeting was held at the State Adult Education Wing, Chennai for all District Programme Co-ordinators in this regard.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development has proposed a plan to increase the female literacy rate in India. According to the Census, the current female literacy rate is 54.28% at the National level and 64.55% in Tamil Nadu.

Election Report

Local Elections

The DMK party is poised to win the prestigious Tiruvannamalai Municipal Chairman post for the second consecutive term.

In the 39-member council, two key candidates of the DMK won unopposed and elections were held in the remaining 37 wards. Out of which both the DMK and the AIADMK won 16 wards each, Congress 1 ward and Independents 4 wards. As such the DMK alliance gained a majority with the support of 19 councillors.

Of the four Independent councillors K. Mohan of the 8th ward was an official candidate of the DMK and M Jamilabeevi of the 34th ward was successfully persuaded to join the DMK party before the elections.

Both these candidates, though officially called as Independents, would in fact represent the DMK in the Council thus bringing the DMK's strength in the Council at 21.

Vandavasi Chairmanship

With the DMK and its ally PMK winning 13 wards in the 24-member Vandavasi Municipal Council, the DMK is set to wrest the Chairmanship from its ally, Congress.

The DMK won 10 wards on its own, (marking a dramatic comeback from zero in the outgoing Council) while the PMK won 3. While the incumbent Congress failed to win even a single ward, Independents emerged victorious in seven wards keeping up the legacy of the Council of having a greater number of Independents.

AIADMK ended up in winning one ward, the DMDK gained two Councillor posts and the MDMK now has one Council member.

Town Panchayats

Except in Polur, where the DMK won by a clear majority, Independents will be playing the key role in deciding the President of their respective local bodies in the remaining nine Town Panchayats in Tiruvannamalai District.

Out of 145 wards and 10 town panchayats, Independents won in 51 places, with remaining wards as follows: the DMK 38, AIADMK 32, PMK 9, Congress 7, DMDK 6 and MDMK 2.

Not only in total, but also in most individual Town Panchayats, Independents were the highest scorers and thus hold the crucial position as both main political parties are tied in terms of numbers.

Yogi Ramsuratkumar

December 1, 1918 to February 20, 2001

One of the recent Mahatmas of Arunachala was Yogi Ramsuratkumar who inspite of his undoubted spiritual attainments in speech, always cultivated humility and self-effacement. He always spoke of himself as, 'this dirty beggar', 'this useless madcap fellow', 'this great sinner' and of His Father (i.e. The Lord) as, 'very great'.

He always acknowledged with reverence his huge debt to sacred Arunachala and Arunachaleswarar Temple, saying: 'This Hill and this Temple, they have saved this beggar,' and with the utmost gratitude for the sanctity of Mount Arunachala, he would say:

'This beggar wandering here and there, tired of wandering but having no home; Arunachalesvara, in the form of this hill, had mercy on this miserable sinner. So he gives thanks, a thousand thanks, to this holy hill, this holy temple. Oh, the magnanimity of the Lord! He has given me shelter for twenty long years. Whereas others who come are enabled to stay only days or weeks . . . For thousands of years the hill has given shelter to so many dirty sinners like me; and Arunachala will give us shelter for thousand of years to come.'

When Yogi Ramsuratkumar used to walk around the Hill, out of humility, he would always walk in the opposite direction of all the other pilgrims.

Many times Yogi Ramsuratkumar would say: 'The mountain helps us'. He himself spent many years wandering on the mountain, taking shelter in its caves. Based on his own comments, his transformation seems to have been connected in part to his subtle relationship to the divine force within Arunachala.

Where is the Fire?
The Fire is there on the hill there.
But I don't see it there.
You can see it if you are really bent upon seeing it.
Are you afraid of being engulfed by it?
Then you can't see it
Have courage, no fear
You are sure to see it

[Yogi Ramsuratkumar]

The 'Fire' referred to by Yogi Ramsuratkumar (as poet) is the mystical Fire of Creation, the light that is perceived burning within Mount Arunachala as the embodiment of Shiva:

'This holy Fire burned at the core of the beggar's absolute certainty: his faith in a Power that governs everything, controls everything.'

[Yogi Ramsuratkumar]

His samadhi is enshrined at the Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram on the southside of Arunachala and in close proximity to Chengam Road and Sri Ramana Ashram and Sri Seshadri Ashram.

For more of his life please check link at:
http://www.arunachalasamudra.org/yogiram.html

3 Yojanas

Siva said:

'I ordain that residence within a radius of three Yojanas of this Hill shall be itself suffice to burn off all defects and effect union with the Supreme.'

[Skanda Purana]

(Yojana is an ancient unit of measurement equivalent to about 16 kilometers)

Road Ahead

An analysis of Tamil Nadu was brought out by the Human Development Centre recently entitled 'The Road Ahead: Tamil Nadu in the New Millennium'. One very interesting section of the report was on 'Income, Employment and Poverty' particularly as the Tiruvannamalai District economy is primarily based on agriculture.

The report begins by the recommendation to:

'Develop agriculture through systematic and cost effective watershed approaches, with people's participation.'

The next proposal shows a much higher degree of intelligence compared to the current insanity of the West with its emphasis on open markets and thereby the destruction of its own indigenous agricultural communities and independence. The Tamil Nadu report's emphasis is on 'ensuring food security'; a lesson for other countries to learn!

'Encourage the cultivation of commercial crops with market advantage while ensuring food security with the stabilisation of rice cultivation in about 2 million hectares.'

'Encourage agro-based industries through the cultivation of agro-forestry and horticultural crops in wastelands for employment generation and income enhancement in the rural sector.'

I'm not sure about the next recommendation as I expect it was for this reason a milk processing plant is going to be set up at Tiruvannamalai District:

http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2006/08/milk-plant.html

'Ensure quality of livestock products and effectiveness of support services to improve livestock development by encouraging private enterprises and farmers.'

No reason to encourage building in Tiruvannamalai as that's going on very well by itself. In fact there is so much money being invested in construction in Tiruvannamalai, that many contractors are having to come not just from out-of-town, but also from out-of-State!

'Encourage the informal sector building industry, specially in rural areas, through appropriate fiscal policy measures.'

Tiruvannamalai has a good Computer College with a record of specialist employment for graduates. Also as the town is District Headquarters and local Government is based here, there will be lots of related opportunities in the future.

'Improve the skills of the workforce in view of the changing market demand in the industrial and service sectors as a result of greater automation and the advent of IT.'

Happy Diwali

A HAPPY AND AUSPICIOUS DIWALI FROM ARUNACHALA AND INDIA

The Queen

In 1997, during her visit to India, H.M. Queen Elizabeth II presented the M.B.E. to Sylvia Wright in recognition of her dedication and achievements with the Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society.

Rangammal Hospital

Rangammal Hospital is very well organised with a 200 bed capacity but in case of emergencies can accept 250 patients. The Hospital runs at 99% occupancy. Many out-patients also attend Rangammal and during the day the place is a hive of activity. The staff numbers 265. This is a picture of their CAT scan.

The Hospital has its own 'Chapel of All Faith' and is a welcome oasis for people to sit and receive inspiration from their own God. This photograph at the Hospital sums up their multi-faith attitude.

While I was visiting the technicicans were cleaning up in the Dialysis Room, where they have eight Dialysis machines. It was late in the afternoon and most of the patients' sessions were over. Treatment cost, depending on the financial status of the patient, falls into three different categories:

(1) Free
(2) Rs.500/- per session (US$11)
(3) Rs.750/- per session (US$17)

Forty-five people are signed up for the programme and each person comes in three times a week for a session on the Dialysis machines. (A session lasts about four hours).

Even though there are CAT scans and Dialysis Machines, this is India and we love paperwork in this Country. So here is part of the Patients records, in the old-fashioned way!

If you've ever visited India you will know only too well how rare Ambulances are over here. Well at Rangammal Hospital they have two and also a very nice Bus that they use as a shuttle service for their nursing staff.

A very nice Hospital, kept impeccably clean and staffed by enthusiastic and friendly folk. A Hospital also that has won many awards in this country for their outstanding service and record.

Sylvia Wright

The Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society was started by an English lady named Sylvia Wright. Who recalls:

'I came to India in 1981 in response to our Lord's call to "Go, sell all that you have, give it to the poor and follow Me".'

And now 25 years later and nearly 70 years old she remains completely committed to the Organisation she set up, The Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society:

Her original inspiration has now become an organisation of four hundred staff and approximately 70,000 patients treated every year as both in-patients and out-patients at the Rangammal Hospital, in addition to handicapped people helped in the Organisation's related Schools and Community Programmes.

The Hospital is a unit of the Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society and includes; the Rangammal Hospital, Rangammal Memorial Higher Secondary School for the Hearing Impaired, Vasavi Industrial School, Rangammal Memorial Teacher Training School for Hearing Impaired, Rangammal Memorial Day Care Centre for the Mentally Retarded and Cerebral Palsy, Outreach Community Programme, Village Clinics, RSVY Programme and a Pension Scheme.

Arunachala Samudra

Sorry for any inconvenience to visitors to our website http://www.arunachalasamudra.org For a couple of days our Hosting Company was experiencing technical difficulties but we are glad to report all is now working okay and the website is back online.

The site has been recently redesigned and will be populated with alot of new material over the upcoming months; including health sections on Rangammal Hospital, Dr. Manickam and his work with herbs, modern day Arunachala saints, the innovative ecological work done by Apeetha Arunagiri and her NGO, Arunachala Kattu Siva Plantation, an interactive site map of Arunachaleswarar Temple, narratives on Arunachala history and mythology, ancient Arunachala poems, sections on the nature of Sacred Power and Inspiration and finally a helpful Tourism section.

So keep checking back to:

http://www.arunachalasamudra.org for improvements and ongoing website additions.

For new blog visitors; you can sign up for a free subscription to our monthly Arunachala Grace News, at the left-hand column of this Blog under the 'email' banner.

Finally for more updates of Arunachala, please visit another Blog we are authoring: www.arunachalanews.com

Polling Over

The second phase of Tiruvannamalai Revenue Division local polling was successfully completed on Sunday, October 15th. According to preliminary estimates around 70% of polling was registered in Villages, 75% in Town Panchayats and approximately 80% in the three Municipalities that went for polling in the second phase.

In the second phase, elections were held in three Municipalities; Arni, Cheyyar and Vandavasi, three town panchayats; including, Kannamangalam, Desur and Peranamallur and in eight panchayat unions; Anakkavur, Arni, Cheyyar, Peranamallur, Thellar, Vandavasi, Vembakkam and West Arni.

The first phase of polling held on Friday, 13 October was for Tiruvannamalai Municipality and 10 Town Panchayats; including Chengam, Chetpet, Kalambur, Kilpennathur, Polur, Pudupalayam and Vettavalam and 10 Panchayat Unions; Tiruvannamalai, Chengam, Chetpet, Jawadu hills, Kalasapakkam, Kilpennathur, Polur, Pudupalayam, Thandarampattu and Thurinjapuram.

Turnout for the first phase was estimated to have exceeded 70 percent in Tiruvannamalai District with a respectable 64% poll percentage in Tiruvannamalai Muncipality.

Barring some sporadic incidents, no untoward events were reported in the entire District during either of the polling phases. Considering how volatile local polling is in other parts of India, the whole process was marked with very high turnouts and also with a remarkable absence of controversy.

A Devotee

'. . . So, I am a simpleton. Not only can I not define (even to myself), but that lifelong obsession of mentally grasping has dropped; even the desire to 'know' this or that has dropped. It is futile. The mind will never, and can never know anything except its own concepts. So ultimately all we can do is to describe a concept, and from a literary point of view it can be entertaining, but I don't think there is anything truly revelatory or long lasting about it all. It doesn't really make an impact and that is why, whatever really does is a complete mystery and cannot be described. And Arunachala does make an impact, it is a chemical, so subtle, like a breeze. And so, for my life, to be here close to the fire of this holy place, this ancient embodiment of Shiva, who could possibly express their thanks for this destiny?

Who can even comprehend the grace to be here: to have the eyes fall upon this Arunachala at any moment; being outside, going to town the hill is there, doing pradakshina or just sitting in a field, it is there. Looking out the bedroom window, it is there; in the darkness the silhouette of its shape stands out. The many moods of light and cloud upon the surface of the Hill, now green, soon brown and again the monsoon and green again. It is a palpable life force ever present, our father and mother. Sometimes pure fire, sometimes sweet tenderness. It is alive and full of power and you drink it in whether aware or not aware, this energy permeates my very being down to the smallest cell. Atom to atom it fills me and transforms the heart in secret, unknown ways. Such a mystery this Silence of the Hill, such a mystery.'

[Nan Richards]

Tamil Nadu

To give you an idea of Tamil Nadu and the exact location of Tiruvannamalai District here follows a short profile of the State and a map of its current delineation into Districts:

Tamil Nadu, the southern most State of India, has a very ancient history going back some 6,000 years. The State represents Dravidian culture, which preceded Aryan culture. The four great kingdoms of the Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas and Pallavas that ruled this area until the 10th Century A.D., left behind a rich legacy in art, architecture, music and literature and created lasting political, economic and agrarian systems. An intervening period of unstable Muslim rule that allowed the State to slowly disintegrate into several petty kingdoms coincided with the arrival of the East India Company in Madras in 1639. Soon most of south India came under the hegemony of the British.

In 1947 when India attained independence, the Madras Presidency comprised of present day Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. The agitation for a separate State for the Telegu speaking region forced the central government to bifurcate the Madras Presidency and create Andhra Pradesh. Under the State Reorganisation Act of 1956, Madras was divided further and the States of Kerala and Mysore (Karnataka) came into being. In 1967 Madras State was renamed Tamil Nadu; today it is the fourth largest State of the country. It has a population of approximately 70 million, about 6% of the total Indian population, and 30 Administrative Districts.

Child Labourers

More than 50 child labourers from several tribal villages in Jawadu hills were rescued in Tiruvannamalai by the Terre Des Home Core Trust over this last week.

The children, mostly girls, were about to be sent to cotton fields near Attur in the Salem District. The children who are between the ages 10-14 were compelled to give up their school studies to work. All the rescued children have now been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee.

A spokesman for the Terre Des Home Core Trust has reported that a member of their Trust keeps watch at Tiruvannamalai Bus Stand for incidents of child trafficking and that local people, (including auto rickshaw drivers) have also been asked to be vigilant in reporting cases of the suspicious transit of young children from the Bus Stand. The spokesman for the Trust reports that it has been their increased vigilance in Tiruvannamalai that has exposed this child trafficking trade and have insisted that action be taken against the perpetrators.

The main reason for the exodus of children from hill villages is poverty. Previously there have been sporadic instances of child labourers being rescued. But what makes this trafficking of young children to the cotton fields more serious is the inherent dangers of working in such heavily contaminated areas. For more information here is an extract from a report entitled: "Children's development undermined by pesticide use in India":

'A unique study investigated the chronic impacts of pesticides on children in India.

In 2003, researchers with Greenpeace India tested almost 900 children living in cotton-growing areas in six States for their developmental abilities, using a range of tests designed to measure analytical abilities, motor skills, concentration and memory. They found that children living in regions in which pesticides are widely used performed significantly worse in these various developmental abilities than children in a control group living elsewhere.

The investigation reveals that children from regions as diverse as Tamil Nadu and Punjab, who have nothing in common but their exposure to pesticides, appear to share an inability to perform simple play-based exercises; such as catching a ball or assembling a jigsaw puzzle; simply because they have been exposed to pesticides over a period of time.

Cotton uses some of the most highly toxic pesticides, including significant levels of organophosphates, which affect the nervous system. The quantities of chemicals applied are massive: while cotton occupies less than 5% of cultivated land in India, it uses more than 50% of all agricultural pesticides. India is a major user of pesticides . . .'

To read the full report please check link:
http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/pn65/pn65p12.htm

Base Map

Tiruvannamalai, which is 13.64sq km and southwest of Chennai (previously known as Madras), attracts visitors and pilgrims in their hundred thousands every full moon day. As the town is the only urban centre in the region of a radius of 25km and the major trade centre for 50 villages, there is a tremendous strain on the town's infrastructure particularly during Full Moon and Festivals.

An urban renewal plan for Tiruvannamalai has been planned as intervention in the problems being experienced due to the huge influx of visitors. Part of the physical intervention plan to improve the Town's infrastructure, has been to create a Base Map of Tiruvannamalai showing all existing features and contour levels.

Tiruvannamalai Municipality doesn't have an authentic town Base Map with land details. For implementation and maintenance of service projects the knowledge of the town topography is a necessity. For this reason a Base Map for the town showing all natural and manmade features is being prepared using IKNOS, satellite imagery and ground surveys which when complete will serve as the basis for all future engineering works in Tiruvannamalai.

The Polls

The first phase of local polling in Tiruvannamalai Revenue Division passed off peacefully yesterday, Friday, October 13. The second phase of polling takes place tomorrow, Sunday, October 15.

But for three minor incidents reported in the first phase, there were no major law and order problems anywhere in the State during these local elections.

One of the three incidents reported in Tiruvannamalai District and was of a clash between two groups in Melvahaipadi for which cases have been registered and there is an ensuing investigation.

In other parts of Tamil Nadu there were some incidents of booth capturing; a wonderful euphemism which translates into 'somebody stole the ballot box from the polling booth! Help!' An occurrence that happens with some frequency at local elections. However, it's good to hear that Tiruvannamalai District, apart from the above-mentioned lone incident, was almost 100% peaceful during polling.

Other parts of Tamil Nadu had road blockages occurrences for which rival political parties were responsible, but in all cases the barricades were broken up quickly by the authorities and there were no reports of related traffic problems.

The poll percentage has been roughly estimated to have exceeded 70% in Tiruvannamalai District with a respectable 64% poll percentage in the Muncipality. Which is indeed a very healthy polling rate for any country.

Arunachala Stuti

'The Primordial Lord of the Universe, whose form is unbroken consciousness, whose feet are adored by the Vedas, who destroys sins of those who bow to him, the Lord of the Mountains! Bestow on me a sidelong glance with thy eyes moistened with compassion, lest I should end my life living like an animal.

Arunachala, the embodiment of the 8-fold form of the Universe, in order that the worldly afflictions may cease to torment me, please cast they look of Grace to help cut asunder the ego-knot without feeling its pangs.'

[By Ramana Maharshi]

Inner Peace

When people talk about Arunachala, they often talk about how it brings peace into their lives. In this respect here is a beautiful description by the famous wandering lady, Peace Pilgrim, of the signs of inner peace:

A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.

An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

A loss of interest in judging other people.

A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.

A loss of interest in conflict.

A loss of the ability to worry.

Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.

Contented feeling of connectedness with others and nature.

Frequent attacks of smiling.

An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

[Peace Pilgrim]

Sacred Sites

The famous sacred sites anthropologist Martin Gray asserts that according to his studies, he had been led to identify 32 separate categories of power places according to the factors contributing to the presence of energy fields at those places. These categories include; sacred mountains, healing springs, ancient astronomical observatories etc.

But whatever the catgegory of the sacred site, it is the actual combination of different factors that catalyzes the psychological and physiological effects in humans.

These factors are the geophysical characteristics of the sacred site location, the visual beauty of the sacred site location and the location of sacred sites according to regional configurations of sacred geography.

Arunachala Ashtakam

Ah! What a wonder! Arunachala stands as an insentient Hill. Its action is mysterious, past human understanding. From the age of innocence it had shone within my mind that Arunachala was something of unsurpassing grandeur, but even when I came to know through another that it was the same as Tiruvannamalai, I did not realize its meaning. When it drew me up to it, stilling my mind, and I came close, I saw it unmoving.

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 form as formless, he is like one who travels the earth to see ever-present ether. To dwell without thought upon Thy boundless nature is to lose one's 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?

Extract from Eight Stanzas on Sri Arunachala
Sri Ramana Maharshi

Perandai

Perandai [Cissus quadrangularis]

Perandai is an indigenous medicinal plant of India found in great quantities all around Arunachala. The use of this plant (by common folk) for promoting fracture healing is an old practice. It has been prescribed in ancient Ayurvedic texts by Bhava Prakash and Chakra Dutta as a general tonic especially for the fracture patient.

It contains high amount of vitamin C, carotene A, anabolic steroidal substances and calcium. These anabolic steroidal principles promote fracture-healing by influencing early regeneration of all connective tissues. In clinical trials Perandai has been found to cause reduction in the healing time of fractures by 55-33%. It is shown to neutralize the anti-anabolic effect of steroids like cortisone in healing of fractures.

Postmenopausal women are at particular risk to osteoporosis because the loss of estrogen associated with menopause leads to bone loss. Perandai (cissus quadrangularis) is likely to exert beneficial effects on recovery of bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

The stem of perandai is recommended in Ayurveda for the treatment of irregular menstruation, asthma, as an analgesic in eye and ear diseases and for complaints of the back and spine. Scientific studies have revealed perandai extract to possess cardiotonic and androgenic property.

It will improve appetite, remove constipation, kill stomach worms, cure piles and is also act effective for loose motion, or dysentry.

The quantity regarded as optimum by herbologists is a gramme. In Tamil homes perandai is often taken with clarified butter or in the form of a tasty chutney.

Chutney: Tender perandai add tamarind, chillies, cumin seeds and ghee, salt, fresh garlic and onion and grind till smooth. Very tasty as a condiment eaten with rice.

Panther update

Further to my earlier posting of October 7, about the wild animal, thought to be a Panther, attacking livestock in the area; the latest report is that the mysterious animal, which killed some cattle in the District last week, has now been identified from footprints found in the forest, as a hyena.

Around 20 forest department personnel and 100 locals are currently in search of the animal in the Nedungunam reserve forests.

Again I repeat how sad that an area only 50 years ago replete with tigers, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, panthers, wild antelope and even elephants has become so sanitised and cleansed of indigenous forest life, that the possibility of the presence of ONE HYENA is regarded as so inimical to man's welfare and interests; that over 120 people armed with weapons, metal traps and snares are in pursuit to catch and kill it! What a tragedy that we have come to this.

Hill Temple

A beautiful photograph to enjoy of the Arunchaleswarar Temple in the foreground and the Hill of Arunachala at the back. You can notice from this photograph how the architects from ancient times, perfectly aligned the Temple at the southeast slope of the Hill.

Yeh T'ai Poem

[This poem was written by Yeh T'ai, a Chinese Mountain Hermit. It was written about another place and another time; but the words are completely Arunachala.]


At a true site . . . there is a touch of
magic light. How so, Magic?
It can be understood intuitively, but
not conveyed in words. The
hills are fair, the waters are fine, the
sun handsome, the breeze mild;
and the sky has a new light: another
world. Amid confusion, peace;
amid peace, a festive air. Upon
coming into its presence, one's
eyes
are opened; if one sits or lies, one's
heart is joyful. Here the breath
gathers, and the essence collects.
Light shines in the middle, and
magic goes out on all side. Above
or below, to right or left, it is
not thus. No greater than a finger,
no more than a spoonful; like
a dewdrop, like a pearl, like the
moon through a
a crack like the
reflection in a mirror. Play with it,
and it is as if you can catch it;
put if off, and it cannot be got
rid of.
Try to understand!
It is hard to describe.

Work of AKSP

'Wilderness needs to be allowed to be. The wildest part of Arunachala is being regenerated by the Arunachala Kattu Siva Plantation, a group of rural men and women from villages surrounding the feet of Siva.

. . . we are contributing towards the covering of a sacred mountain with living forms so that our artesian basin will regenerate. We are engaged in this because it is our contribution to the future inhabitants of this sacred place, which we believe has an unimaginable potency entirely irrelevant to ecological considerations. We are doing this because we want to, because we believe that the maha mangalam absorbs the illusory conditioned mind.

We are encouraged to believe it a good thing for other persons devoted to Arunachala to know about our work and for this purpose have created the website:www.aksp.org.'

The Babies

This is the little dairy next to my house. It has got larger now with nearly 40 cows and lots of calves. Mooo!

Its very tragic to see how cows in South India are treated. Theirs is always a life of imprisonment. For instance in this photograph each of the cows is tied up to a railing or a peg. And thats how it is day and night, and night and day. It's so rare for cows to just be allowed to be cows and wander around.

I will keep talking with the owners of the dairy and hope to get a lifestyle improvement for the cows. But compared to other cows in this area; these little ones have a grand life! At least its nice and peaceful, the air is clean and fresh and there is lots of good grub. But my question is, 'How is it possible for man to care so much for his own comfort and so little for the comfort of others'?

Statistics

Tiruvannamalai District was formed by bifurcation of the 188 year old North Arcot District on September 30, 1989. The total geographical area of the district is 6355.61 sq kms. Tiruvannamalai and Cheyyar are the two Revenue Divisions in the District. There are 6 Taluks namely Tiruvannamalai, Arni, Chengam, Cheyyar, Polur and Vandavasi. There are 18 Panchayat unions covering 875 Panchayat villages with 1067 Revenue villages. The District has 4 Municipalities namely Tiruvannamalai, Arni, Cheyyar and Vandavasi.

Bandh

A couple of days ago Tiruvannamalai was affected by a Statewide bandh taking place in the neighbouring State of Karnataka. All Government and private vehicles, including Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation buses, were stopped at Hosur and not allowed to continue onwards.

The bandh which was called by parties sympathetic to the ongoing State boundary issue between Maharashtra and Karnataka, affected all interstate traffic between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The most affected were labourers from Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore and Villupuram. More than 50,000 people from these areas on returning to Bangalore for their work, were left stranded at Hosur because of the bandh. The bandh also affected more than 20,000 Hosur-based employees, working in night shifts at various industries in Bangalore.

Thankfully the above bandh although inconvenient to many, did go off peacefully; but sometimes bandhs can become nasty and violent. In affect a bandh is a General Strike and in an important one, even small shop-keepers will not dare break open their shops for fear of reprisals from strike organisers.

It is not unheard of when a Chief Minister or important movie star dies, that a bandh will be called. Some mourning bandhs have involved extreme and tragic displays of grief even, in some cases, leading to self-immolation.

Panther

A few days ago a number of cattle were found killed at Nandhiyambadi near Chetpet in the Tiruvannamalai District. The cattle had been missing for sometime and when found in the forest the carcasses of the dead beasts bore the trace of an animal attack.

Forest officials have not put out any official word regarding the mutiliated cattle but villages suspect a panther may be on the prowl in the area.

How sad it is that in the last 50 years we have eradicated so many species of wonderful creatures in this area. Until recently there were leopards, cheetahs, tigers, wild antelopes and even elephants in great numbers throughout what is now Tiruvannamalai District.

Our success in obliterating these wonderful creatures is so excellent that the possibility of a stray panther is news. Sadly for the panther no doubt the villagers will be out on a hunting spree to catch the 'dangerous beast'!

All is One

This is an inspirational story submitted by Susan that shows how each of us are a vital thread in another person's life tapestry. Our lives are woven together for a reason and when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved AS ONE in this journey called life:


A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. 'What food might this contain?' The mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning. 'There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!'

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, 'Mr.Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.'

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, 'There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!'

The pig sympathized, but said, 'I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers.'

The mouse turned to the cow and said, 'There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!' The cow said, 'Wow, Mr.Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose.'

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap; alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.

The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbours came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.

The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

Invitation

I would like to invite stories, experiences, impressions, poems or narratives from devotees of Arunachala for possible inclusion in either our recently redesigned website:
www.arunachalasamudra.org or in our monthly Newsletter, Arunachala Grace News.

For new visitors, there is a monthly Newsletter; Arunachala Grace News with a free subscription facility on the left hand side margin of this Blog.

Indian Wild Boar

Body Length: 3-6.6 ft
Shoulder Height: 1.8-3.6 ft
Tail Length: 6-16 in
Weight: 91-711 lb.


The Indian wild boar has a brownish coat that is coarse and bristly, usually turning with age. Their wartless head is long and pointed with upper canines forming tusks that curve out and upwards. The lower canines are like razors, self-sharpening by rubbing against the upper canines.

Wild boars rest in tight groups with bodily contact. The resting place is used several times before being abandoned. These are excellent swimmers, and have been seen swimming up to 6-7 kms. The main diet of this animal is seeds, roots, tubers, fruits, nuts, carrion, eggs and insects.

Their Life span is 21 years. Sexual Maturity is gained usually at 18 months. Their mating occurs round the year. An adult male is solitary animal. Just prior to giving birth, the female isolates herself and builds a large nest lined with vegetation. Maternal families have on average 20 members, but can be of a maximum of 100 animals.

Solar fencing

Over the past several years many farmers have made complaints of extensive damage caused by wild boars in the Radhapuram reserve forest area and demanded Government action to protect their lands from the boars. The wild boars are thought to be damaging crops such as groundnut (peanut), sugarcane and root vegetables in the forests around Tiruvannamalai.

In response to demands of fencing or trenches to control the movement of the boars around the village of Keel Vanakkambadi near Tiruvannamalai, the Forest Department has initially erected 2km of solar fencing (that means a solar powered electric fence) at a cost of Rs.320,000/- in the Radhapuram reserve forest area.

A representative from the District Forest Office said that the low voltage power passing through the fence would be a deterrent to wild animals, however he assured the community that the current was not of sufficient voltage to pose a threat to people. It is expected that more solar fences will be added in the area.

As far as the above goes my sympathy is not completely with the farmers. I too experience problems with some of the local farmers because of my four dogs (picture above). The culture of 'no fences' has come about probably because of the expense of erecting separating barriers or walls between fields. In the same way I imagine the farmers of the above have open boundary farms; so my suggestion is take responsibility and if you don't want boars on your farm; build your own fence!

Rapid urbanisation has made local farmers aware of the increased value of their land, so if they are proposing to charge land robber prices when they eventually sell their land as building sites a year down the road, then don't bleat 'this is agricultural land' now and expect a whole lot of sympathy.

One would expect farmers to have a better understanding of ecology and the natural order of things. In this respect the wild boar plays a very vital role in the ecosystem. It prefers areas with thick vegetation and is found in reed beds as well as scrub and forest areas. As we extend the scope of our cultivation we also invade the natural habitat of many species.

Our own actions are forcing wild boars and other creatures to get close to human habitats because their own environment is being appropriated by us. Instead of just putting up an electric fence (albeit solar powered!) perhaps this is the time for local communitites to examine their own place in the ecosystem!

Which future?

Arunachala has been a lodestone since time before mind and this will no doubt continue. A realistic prognosis for the future of Thiruvannamalai is towards a chaotic city with a beautiful mountain in the middle.

The mountain in the middle of the future Thiruvannamalai will be as sacred a natural lingam as it has always been, and provided that the Greening is sustained consistently, the area is sufficient to support a healthy wilderness, particularly if safe corridors are conserved between Arunachala and adjacent wilderness areas. [Apeetha Arunagiri]

This is the other aspect of Arunachala which Apeetha Arunagiri refers to above when she talks of, '. . . the future of Thiruvannamalai is towards a chaotic city with a beautiful mountain in the middle'.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the main stay of the economy of Tamil Nadu. It provides livelihood to 65% of the State's population and is responsible for 62% of employment in Tamil Nadu. The total area under cultivation is 314,623 Hectares (one hectare is 2.471 acres).

The important cultivations of the Tiruvannamalai District are paddy (rice), groundnut (peanut), sugarcane and redgram. Another important feature of the district is that it has a Reserve Forest of 106,653 hectares. Items taken from the forest include Sandalwood, Eucalyptus, Bamboo and Tamarind.

The District livestock total (including Buffaloes, sheep and goats) is about 1.6 million and Tiruvannamalai District is a State leader in milk production.

The photograph above is of my neighbour's farming land which is used in crop rotation: rice, groundnuts (peanuts), root vegetables, sugarcane and sunflowers. The dog in the middle of the field is mine: that's no vegetable!

Telemedicine

The Tamil Nadu hospital system may not have helicopters or in fact even that many ambulances but at least efforts are being made by various NGOs and Hospital Trusts to ensure communities distant from metropolitian areas have more access to speciality care.

In this respect, the Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital is attempting to 'break the time-barrier, the cost-barrier and the distance-barrier' in paediatric healthcare with the recent launch of a telemedicine facility. Their new resource is intended to make speciality care more accessible to rural patients.

Apart from allowing videoconference consultation between village primary healthcare centres and specialists in the City, their programme will also aid the training of personnel in remote areas. It is also hoped that it will be helpful in the case of sick babies unable to tolerate the strain of travelling to Chennai for specialist care.

The scheme will allow long-distance post-operative check-ups for outstation patients. The programme envisages links in Tiruvannamalai, Tirupati, Chittur, Arakonam, Chengalpet and Kumbakonam within the upcoming 3-6 months.

A second phase of this enterprise will involve a mobile centre equipped to provide telemedicine facilities across the State.

Intention

'...a potent transformational power is available at sacred sites. While that power will automatically touch anyone who comes into the locality of the sites, we can actually amplify the transformational power of the sites through our own consciously held intention.' [Martin Gray]

In other words we all experience Arunachala in different ways. Maybe that's the reason some people can live here all their lives and remain ostensibly unchanged, whereas others come for a few weeks and experience great transformation.

And what exactly is this 'intention'?

'In the universe there is an immeasurable, indescribable force which shamans call intent, and absolutely everything that exists in the entire cosmos is attached to intent by a connecting link.' [Carlos Castaneda]

So, if we come to Arunachala with a strong objective, the power of the Hill's transformational power will also be amplified and augmented.

In this respect pradakshina is prescribed as the best way of doing this. As it focuses the mind, helps one develop an intimate connection with the Hill, gives the benefit of breathing the Hill's aromatic and powerful herbs and combines in the actual activity every aspect of the mind-body organism.

Heart of World

In the Dravidian region of South India there is the place called Arunachala dearest to Siva. ARUNACHALA IS TO THIS WORLD WHAT THE HEART IS TO THE WHOLE BODY. It is everything for Shiva. For the benefit of the world, Shiva took the form of a mountain and settled himself as Arunachala. If other places are abodes of Shiva, Arunachala is the absolute form of Shiva himself.

[Extract Arunachala Puranam]

Stone Carver

Here is a picture of a stone carver. As you can see he is very talented; as they all are. Many either have a stall by the side of the road or by the pathway leading to Skandashram.

I don't understand why but sometimes it seems Westerners have a mental block when it comes to these carvers and prefer to purchase the identical item in a shop at three times the price. For myself, it seems what they produce is in no way inferior to similar items in the speciality shops. The carvers will make statues to order and all are beautiful. Fascinating to watch them, day by day, sitting on a bench next to their stall, chipping and hammering away.

Recycling

India is a country of recycling. Nothing goes to waste! Your trash is truly someone's treasure. Generally the first one to go through the garbage is the rag picker who sorts out everything into categories: plastic, bottles and metal items. The next visitor is the wandering cow; which is a common site throughout the streets of Tiruvannamalai. Then the dogs come and jump inside the waste receptacles to have a good dig around. And finally young kids and scally-wags have a final check around to see if anything has been missed! Of course black pigs are always invited to the game to have a good sniff around the waste receptacle which is usually a large circular concrete tub. Root around dear little piggies. And who said recycling is a modern day concept?