Premananda Arunachala Retreat 2008

We have been asked to post details of the upcoming Retreat at Arunachala of spiritual teacher Premananda.

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An intensive three weeks Retreat focusing on Self Enquirywith the spiritual teacher Premananda - 30th Dec 2007 to 20th Jan 2008

"Satsang offers an end to suffering
It points to your true nature,
unencumbered by believing
you are someone you are not."

In Satsang we experience a profound connection to the stillness within ourselves. Arising from this stillness we experience a deep sense of peace and bliss that simply wells up from within. For no reason at all. Through years and years of not understanding, not Knowing, and at the same time, having inside ourselves some sense of almost Knowing, or of a knowledge that had been known and since lost, we have been searching. Satsang is the experiencing, that in fact, we are uniquely connected to everything. There is no separation. We are one with the whole existence.

Teacher Premananda
with ajja-ananda

Arunachala in Mist

Bullock Ride

Participants' Kids in previous Retreat

Puja at Ramana Ashram

Swami Dayananda

Dialogue and Laughter

Compilation

Morning Meditation on
Sri Nannagaru Ashram rooftop

Guided Tour of

Inner Mountain Path

Teacher Premananda

Teacher Premananda

with Tanzen

2008 Retreat and Travel Information:
Arrival date: 29 December 2007
First day of Retreat: 30 December 2007
Last day of Retreat: 20 January 2008
Departure date: 21 January 2008

Venue:
Sri Nannagaru Ashram
Ramana Maharshi St. 2
Rajiv Gandhi Nagar
Chengam Rd, Tiruvannamalai
Tamil Nadu 606603 India

Info & Booking:
Satsang Office
Tel: 0049 2173 40 99 204
Mobile: 0049 178 44 13 704

E-Mail:

office@premanandasatsang.org

Website:
http://india.premanandasatsang.org/

Recommended Blog

If you love Arunachala, Animals and Sri Ramana Maharshi, then please visit the recommended blog entitled Ramana's Meditator Creatures of which this is the current posting:

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The Light on the Hill Top

This was the first time that the little cubs were seeing the Deepam light on the top of the Arunachala Hill. They were all awe-struck at the sight.

The older cubs were telling the youngest one, six-month old Spotty, the story behind the fire on the hill-top.

Each one was telling his own version of the story and little Spotty was listening to each version with complete belief, unmindful of the inconsistencies.

Arunacub, who loved the Mahabharata, was telling Spotty of Vishnu and Brahma fighting with bows and arrows. Tirucub talked of Nandi the bull as Nandi the Hippo.

Mum Lioness had a difficult time controlling her laughter at this one. To read more, go here.

Temple Chariots

If you wish to get a full list of processions during the Deepam Festival please check the earlier posting at here:

Today, 28th November actually marks the end of processions for this year's Deepam with Sri Chandikeswarar Festival this morning and Sri Chandikeswarar Utsavam in the evening. Although the processions may be over, the light on top of Arunachala (lit on November 24th) is still alight and remains so for anywhere between 8-10 days. I hope to post a couple of photographs of the light on top of the Hill over the next few days.

In the meantime a collection of photographs of various functions of the Deepam Karthigai Festival.

Generally I don't promote photographs of Rukku, the Temple Elephant, but in this case as she is getting lots of nice exercise and looks extremely perky, am happy to do so.

Arunachaleswarar and his Goddess Unnamulai on the Silver Bull - Periyar Rishaaba Vaganam of the fifth day.

On the same day Ambal on a Silver Bull.

Below an amazing photograph of the biggest and grandest processon which takes place on the 7th day of the Karthigai Festival of the Maha Radham (Big Wooden Chariot) which is pulled by devotees around the perimeter of the 26 acre Big Temple and through town.

The below is of the Thanga Rishaba Vaganam (Golden Bull) which is taken out late in the evening of the 10th day (the same day of the lighting of the Deepam).

10th Day Deepam Murthis

Today I met with Bhaskaran a local photographer who is making a pictorial chronicle of this year's Karthigai Deepam. The photographs I am now posting were taken by him and his photographer father Sethu. Hopefully in the course of the next few days I will be able to get more photographs of this year's Deepam including aerial shots of the resplendently lit Arunachaleswarar Temple, pictures of the crowd climbing Arunachala Hill and also the actual lighting of the Deepam flame. I haven't reduced the photographs before posting, so when you click them they will open up to their original enlarged size.

In the meantime the following:

Photographs of the murtis of the morning of the 10th day of Karthigai Festival. The first picture is of Sri Vinayaka.

The next photograph is of Arunachaleswarar and the Goddess Unnamulai.

The third photograph is of the Goddess Ambal.

Bharani Deepam

The below photographs are taken of the 10th day of Karthigai Deepam Festival.

"The chief priest has just finished a simple ritual called Bharani Deepam and now ceremoniously waves a huge camphor flame in the direction of nearby Arunachala mountain. Although he is chanting Sanskrit slokas, he cannot be heard amidst the deafening furor of devotion that surrounds him. Finally, he touches the flame he is holding to the wicks of five huge, earthen, ghee-filled pots, representing the sacred elements earth, air, fire, water and ether. As these five flames loom up with red-yellow light, the famous, one-day, South Indian festival of Krittika Deepam officially begins."

"A flame taken from the five earthen pots that were lit just after the early morning temple ceremony of Bharani Deepam is kept burning in the Temple throughout the day as a symbol of the merging of manifestation back into God, the one source of all."

The priest under the umbrella is now holding the Bharani Deepam that will be transferred into a protected container and then brought up the mountain by the fishermen and used to light the huge Deepam Cauldron in the evening.

Investment in Tamil Nadu

The below report does not specify the location of the intended mining operation in Tiruvannamalai District. Taking into consideration the scarring of the land, contamination of the water supply and disturbance of the eco-system, one would wish that the operation does not take place in Tiruvannamalai District or anywhere else. From the report it certainly sounds like objections are expected.

Indian Press News Report
Monday, 26 November, 2007

The Sajjan Jindal-owned JSW group, with interests in steel, power and industrial gases, has chalked out an ambitious plan to expand its steel plant capacity and also start a power plant in Tamil Nadu at a total outlay of Rs.7,500 crore.

Addressing a press conference in Chennai, JSW Steel Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Sajjan Jindal, said the Company proposed to double the capacity of its Salem-based Southern Iron and Steel Company (Siscol) from the present one million tonne at a total investment of Rs.3,000 crore*. Siscol, which produces round and long products for construction and engineering applications, was recently merged with JSW Steel. The company was acquired by JSW Steel in 2004.

The Company's plant at Mecheri in Salem would become the largest integrated steel facility in South India once the capacity was expanded. The expansion would be taken up involving an investment of Rs 3,000 crore.

However, the total investment of Rs.7,500 crore depended on Tamil Nadu Government's permission to grant iron-ore mining rights in Salem and Tiruvannamalai Districts in the State and approval for setting up a 1,000 MW power plant. The Company had announced its intention to invest Rs.700 crore in this project and start mining operations after two years recently.

Sajjan Jindal plans to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi later on Monday evening to finalise mining rights in the Districts where 640 hectares* and 340 hectares of land had been identified respectively. If the state government allowed mining, the Company would set up a Rs.400-crore plant for segregating low-grade iron ore that remained unexplored in these Districts.

The Company would also seek approval from the Chief Minister for building a 1,000 MW coal-based power plant, to be set up preferably near the Ennore Port in North Chennai with an investment of Rs.4,000 crore.

* A hectare is 2.471 acres
* One Crore Rupees is U.S.$ 251,290
* Rs.3,000 Crore = U.S.754 Million

Episode at Mahadeepam

It is estimated a crowd in excess of a million attended the 2007 Mahadeepam lighting function at Arunachala. However the occasion was not completely without incident.

Just before the lighting of the flame which occurred shortly after 6 p.m. on November 24th, a flame appeared on the Hill directly below the area containing the Deepam cauldron. The flame was so large that some people even thought that it was the Deepam light itself.

Miscreants allegedly set fire to the dry grass on the Hill, a few minutes before the sacred lamp was lit.

Six photo-journalists, who covered the lighting of the Karthigai Mahadeepam on Saturday, found themselves in the midst of a fire which broke out on the hilltop.

One photo-journalist said; “We were scared when the fire encircled us. There was no way of escape for us except to backtrack on our path. Luckily, it changed course. We reached the plains after a lot of difficulty since we missed the path while trying to avoid the fire,” Devotees also faced difficulties due to the fire.

A New Beginning

During the Deepam Period, I attended a beautiful puja at the Animal Shelter to celebrate the establishment of their new Trust; “Arunachala Animals Sanctuary and Rescue Shelter”. It seems like every time I drop in at the Shelter that there is a new addition, more trees and more puppies. Its like a little colony of LOVE. Its so beautiful to see mangled dogs, beaten up by life, all of a sudden be offered a permanent sanctuary of peace and kindness.

If you are visiting Tiruvannamalai please drop by the Shelter on the Chengam Road, about 1 km west of Ramana Ashram and visit with the staff and dogs of this lovely sanctuary.

Below is the important cook of the Shelter who prepares the 100% vegetarian meals for the dogs and whatever other animal is resident (at this time there is also a lovely old bonnet macaque monkey).

A favourite place of mine - the puppy corner. The last time I visited the Shelter, I spent about 10 minutes locked in with over 20 puppies. What lovely little rascals, and all looking for a loving home and a kind master. Why not come and adopt one of these lovely scamps?

Below the puja for the incorporation of the new Trust.

In the below photograph Shanti, one of the indispensable workers at the Shelter and a real dog lover. As well as the Shelter affecting the lives of so many animals, it is also changing and enriching the lives of people too. In the case of Shanti, she was working in a supermarket and had no outlet to express the love she had for our animal friends. Now her life has been transformed because of her association with the Shelter. It seems like every time I see her she has a smile on her face.

The little white fluffy dog is very old and was tossed out onto the street by its master. When he arrived at the Shelter a couple of months ago he was cross, suspicious and tired. But now he has been transformed into a vivacious, cheerful and friendly little fellow. And one who definitely thinks he is the guy in charge! In this photograph he is watching the harmonium player with very careful attention.

In the upcoming Arunachala Grace Newsletter there is a lot more information about the Animal Shelter. For your free subscription, please go to the left hand margin of this Blog and click on the link.

10th Day - Arunachala Deepam

This afternoon left my home and headed for Sri Nannagaru Ashram to attend the festivities associated with the 10th day of the Deepam Festival. Decided to walk the back way through the hills and met up with a nice group of local farmers who were dressed in clothes for their upcoming pilgrimage to Lord Iyyapan at Sabrimala.

The other day when visiting the Arunachaleswarar Temple I bumped into a group of men dressed in light beige clothes. I asked them where they were going - and they told me that they were in fact 'coming' on pilgrimage from Palani (famous for Lord Murugan) to Tiruvannamalai.

In the same way traditions associated with Deepam are beginning to become entrenched in association with the Big Temple at Arunachala, so too, it seems like Tiruvannamalai is fast becoming the 'pilgrimage' destination of choice for many groups of sadhakas.

Beautiful pathway with Arunachala peeking behind the small hillock on the right. One of the neighbours dogs has decided to accompany me on my walk.

The Cattle Fair is so crowded, that some vendors have brought their cattle into the Hills.

The below is part of a shrine to Lord Munishwara, which has been recently built in this spot. Rather a fascinating looking idol!


After a pleasant walk in the afternoon's sun, I arrive at Sri Nannagaru Ashram. In the distance Chengam Road (which is part of the giripradakshina hillround roadway) is already packed with pilgrims performing their circumbulation of Arunachala.



The view of Arunachala from Sri Nannagaru Ashram.



And below Sri Nannagaru giving a spiritual discourse to his devotees. If you want to learn more about this Advaitic Master please check this link.

Sri Nannagaru hails from Andhra Pradesh and only visits us here at Arunachala about 4 times a year. When he comes he generally stays from between 7-10 days. His programme is not made a long time in advance but he traditionally visits Arunachala (which he regards as his Guru) over the Deepam period.

His speech is over and now some of his devotees are preparing a 'Deepam' inside the Ashram Compound, which will be kept alight while the light remains on top of Arunachala Hill.

Devotees sitting and waiting for the upcoming dusk and the lighting of Deepam.

It is now dusk and suddenly the light on top of Arunachala appears and you can hear the cheers and noise of crackers and fireworks resounding from all over Tiruvannamalai.

Later I go up on the roof of the Ashram and take a photograph of Arunachala outlined in the night sky. Through the haze one can see the glimmer of the Deepam light on top of the Hill.

And at Sri Nannagaru Ashram, devotees (left of photograph) are lighting little deepam lamps in front of a small Shrine and at the right the Ashram's own 'Deepam' is attracting the loving attention of devotees.

Wonderful afternoon enjoying Swamiji's presence and speech and later watching the Deepam festivities at Sri Nannagaru Ashram along with his devotees. After enjoying some very delicious prasad, I wandered up to Chengham Road to check out how crowded it is --- wall-to-wall people!

HAPPY AND JOYOUS DEEPAM TO ONE AND ALL AND MAY YOU ONE DAY COME AND EXPERIENCE THE JOYOUS DELIGHT OF DEEPAM AT THIS SACRED PLACE.