Arunachala Grace News, April 2009

The current issue of Arunachala Grace News, will be sent out tomorrow direct to subscribers email inbox. If you wish to receive this bi-monthly Newsletter please fill out the subscribe facility at the left column of this page.


This month's Newsletter has narratives about; Mahashivaratri, the Athi Rudra Maha Yajnam recently performed at Ramana Ashram, the visit of Joyce Meyers (a licensed psychotherapist from the U.S.) to Tiruvannamalai, news of the Shanthimalai Trust education sponsorship programme, a news round up under 'Arunachala Tidbits', stories and anecdotes, and Sri Ramana's answer to the question, 'Is everything ordained?' As well as the above, the featured bird in this current Newsletter is the migratory Grey Heron, and the herb, the indispensable Coriander (Cilantro -- as is more commonly known in the Americas).


In addition to the above there is also information about a large agricultural parcel of land for sale a short distance south of Arunachala.

Arunachala Grace News -- January 2009

The latest issue of Arunachala Grace News, the free Newsletter delivered straight to subscriber's email inbox, was sent out several days ago. The issue included a report on Deepam 2008, a narrative on the origins of Deepam, an article by Virginia Lee entitled 'A Women's Pilgrimage to Arunachala,' which describes the visit of eight ladies to Tiruvannamalai in November, 2008, a description of a bird commonly found throughout this area i.e. the Fork-Tailed Black Kite and the medicinal and ayurvedic properties of Wrightia Tinctoria, also known as the 'Snowflake Tree.'

As well as many narratives the current issue of Arunachala Grace News also includes anecdotes by Anthony Mello, the story of the famed archer Ekalavya, a report on the new luxury Sparsa Tiruvannamalai resort hotel, and a section dedicated to Arunachala Tidbits.

If you are not yet a subscriber, please check out the facility at the left hand column of this page and become a free subscriber, and you will automatically receive a copy of the current issue of this Newsletter.

Arunachala Newsletter -- October

The October issue of Arunachala Grace News will be sent out within the next few days direct to subscribers’ email inbox. If you do not yet have a subscription please check out the ‘subscribe facility’ at the left hand column of this page.

This October issue of Arunachala Grace News has an article about the ongoing Navaratri Festival and an extract from the related Durga mythology of the slaying of the demon Mahishasura at Arunachala. As well as the usual section of Arunachala Tidbits, this October Newsletter features the Tiruvannamalai herb “Withania Somnifera” – often called the ‘Indian equivalent to Ginseng’.

The bird in this issue is the ubiquitous, noisy crow (both House Crow and Jungle Crow), and the Navagraha in this month’s Arunachala News is 'Shukra' which is identified with the planet Venus. As well as the usual pot-pourri of inspiration, poems and extracts, this month’s Newsletter also has a lively, amusing story about an Arunachala monkey called “Buddy,” from Apeetha Arunagiri who is currently associated with the reforestation programme of Arunachala Greening.

Krishna Janmashtami

Shri Krishna Janmashtami, or Sri Krishna Jayanti, celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna. It is observed as Dahi Handi in Maharashtra, the formation of the huge human pyramids to break the pot hung high up. The festival is also known as Gokulashtami and Krishnashtami. In 2008, the date of Sri Krishna Jayanti in North India and East is August 24. In some parts of South India and in some parts of western India it is on August 23.

Shri Krishna is today one of the most widely revered and most popular of all Hindu Gods. He is worshipped as the eighth incarnation or avatar of Lord Vishnu. Krishna is also worshipped as a supreme god in his own right by numerous sects around the world.

To read the rest of this post go to this link here

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

Krishna is one of the incarnations of Vishnu, the God who features very prominently in Arunachala mythology. This month's Arunachala Grace News will be featuring various narratives connected with Vishnu and his association with the Hill.

The September, 2008 issue of Arunachala Grace News will be sent out this upcoming week, so if you do not yet have your copy please go to the left margin of this page to the 'free subscribe' facility, in order to sign up for your subscription which will be delivered direct to your email inbox.

Arunachala Grace News

The July issue of Arunachala Grace News will be sent direct to subscribers' email inboxes within the next couple of days. This month's issue has articles on various ecological programmes currently underway in the area, the usual round-up of Arunachala news, narratives and quotes about the upcoming Guru Poornima, the Indian Pond Heron as the featured bird and Cassia Auriculata as this month's shrub including its ayurvedic and medicinal properties. The short story featured in the upcoming issue, is a very amusing Nasruddin anecdote entitled, 'Humble'.

If you are not yet a subscriber to this FREE Newsletter, please go to the relevant sign up facility at the left hand column of this page.

Newsletter, June -- 2008

Yesterday, Arunachala Grace News for June, 2008 was sent out direct to subscribers' email inboxes. This month there is an extract from the Arunachala Mahatmyam, talking about the nature and glory of the Hill, Arunachala Tidbits full of local news and information about whats happening in the area, a short story about God's Will, poems and inspirational quotes. This month, information is given about the Drongo, a commonly found bird of this area and the properties and uses of the Papaya (which curiously enough is not indigenous and was actually brought in from Mexico). To become a free subscriber to the Newsletter please use the subscribe facility at the left margin of this page, and you will be sent a copy of the current issue.

Animal Shelter Update

At the Arunachala Animal Sanctuary there are seven staff members and a part-time cook (lots of doggie meals to make!). In the below photograph, the two Animal Shelter vets, both with post graduate degrees from the renowned Chennai (Madras) Veterinary College. Dr. Pushpalata (the lady) focuses primarily on clinic duties and Dr. Rajasekaran’s main focus is the ABC Sterlization Programme.

This is a before photograph of a little monkey named Baby, currently resident at the Shelter. You can read more about him at this link.

And now below the wonderful 'after' photographs of Baby. He is sitting with a friend (another injured monkey brought into the Shelter by a member of the public). Baby is in the foreground and see how all those terrible wound have healed -- his new friend is sitting in the back with a very loving hand on Baby's arm.

There is even a third young monkey resident in the 'monkey cage' at the Animal Shelter. So lots of playtime!

Below one of the resident Shelter dogs, checking out all the noise and commotion coming from the 'monkey cage'.

The Shelter comprises two main buildings. One houses a sterile operating theatre, a modern clinic examination/treatment room, a small isolation ward, a small dispensary, a reception verandah, and a large retaining cage. The other building has three large retaining cages -- and a fully equipped kitchen.

A painting on the outside wall of the Animal Sanctuary, shows Mahatma Gandhi with his famous humantarian words: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

In utilising an ABC and Anti-Rabies Programme, the Animal Shelter aims to control population and eliminate rabies. Homeless street dogs are captured, brought in, sterlized, given anti-rabies injections and allowed to remain at the Shelter for up to six days to recuperate and are then returned to their original territory. Since the opening of the Centre well over a 1,000 dogs have been sterlized and given anti-rabies injections.

In addition to ABC sterlization programmes for homeless dogs, many locals bring in dogs (both street dogs and pets) to the Shelter’s Clinic for veterinary attention. As well as dogs, all small animals (and sometimes farm animals in emergency situations) are provided with care and assistance. The Arunachala Sanctuary is open seven days a week and provides emergency services 24 hours a day.

The Shelter also provides hospital facilities especially in the case of animals who need isolation or have to be kept in retaining areas. For animals that cannot survive on their own, the Shelter offers them sanctuary for the rest of their lives. Dying animals are given intensive loving care at the Shelter; including IV’s, pain killers, antibiotics and lots of good food.

The grounds of the Shelter are now grass-covered and filled with plants and saplings. Around the grounds are coconut leaf huts for dogs to hide during those hot summer days. Lots of space and room for puppy and doggie games and fun.

Below is a photograph of Leslie Robinson, co-founder of the Animal Shelter. A lover of animals who hails from Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. He worked as an Actuary in the States until he met his guru, Swami Muktananda in 1975. The meeting was to totally change his life and Leslie travelled with Swami Muktananda and spent ten years in Swami’s ashrams in the States and India. Leslie is currently living at Tiruvannamalai.

And here is Gina Suritsch, co-founder of the Shelter. Gina was born in Vienna, Austria. In the late 70's Gina relocated to Findhorn, Scotland where she lived for five years. After several years in Italy living at Ananda Community, Gina started visiting India in 1985. She now spends much of her time at Tiruvannamalai.

If you are not yet a subscriber to the monthly Arunachala Grace News, please check out the facility at the left margin of this site. This month we are featuring information on Wesak, the upcoming Buddha Festival, Arunachala Tidbits, a short narrative on a very unusual Bear, narratives on the Indian Treepie (common in Tiruvannamalai District), and Erythrina Indica and its properties (Indian Coral Tree). As well as some features about the mythology of Arunachala -- Arunachala Grace News will also have a narrative on the history of the Animal Shelter and why Leslie Robinson and his friends felt compelled to create the Sanctuary. Arunachala Grace News, May 2008, issue will be sent out direct to subscribers email inboxes within the next few days -- remember to sign up for your free subscription.

Arunachala Grace News - April, 2008

This month’s newly designed Arunachala Grace News will be sent out around the end of the month. April Newsletter has the Red Wattled Lapwing and Oregano as its featured Arunachala Bird and Herb respectively. As well as Arunachala Tidbits, poems and inspirations, the Newsletter will also have the next part of the Dakshinamurti narrative and an inspirational narrative about what an IT education means to those attending the Don Bosco Siharam programme.

This month there will be a special section dedicated to the moon and its relevance at Arunachala. In conjunction there will also be a very charming story about the time the Sun, Moon, and Wind went out to dine with their uncle and aunts Thunder and Lightning and how what happened that night resulted in the Moon's light becoming soft, cool, and beautiful.

To become a free subscriber and receive a copy of Arunachala Grace News directly into your email inbox, please sign up at the facility on the left hand column of this page.

Newsletter March, 2008

This month's Arunachala Grace News will be sent out direct to subscribers email addresses within the next few days. The reason for the delay is an interesting one, and that is after years of suggesting that visitors get even small wounds on their feet treated, I myself have succumbed to the very unpleasant 'cellulitis' which is an inflammation of the connective tissue underlying the skin, usually caused by a bacterial infection. So a good opportunity to remind visitors to India, watch your feet!

If you wish to receive a copy of this month's Arunachala Grace News, there is a subscribe facility at the lefthand margin of this page. This month's free Newsletter has narratives about the Lord Venkateshwara Temple, the Ribhu Gita and Mahashivaratri. The local bird and herb discussed in this month's issue are respectively the beautiful Blue-Tailed Bee Eater and Ginger.

As well as the usual section 'Arunachala Tidbits' and 'Inspiration and Poems,' the short story is entitled 'Lesson from a Snake,' with the moral being, 'People prize goodness most of all.'

Arunachala Grace News, February 2008

This day, the February issue of Arunachala Grace News was sent direct to subscribers email inboxes. The issue includes a narrative and explanation of the Thiruvoodal Festival, an important Festival at Arunachala but hitherto mostly unknown to non-Tamil speakers as a result of lack of availability of information in English. There are also interesting narratives on Dakshinamurti, the relevance of 'colour' in our daily lives, a delightful short story entitled, 'A priest who worshipped luck,' which explores the adage; 'A fool's curse can be a wise man's blessing!' and an essay on 'Life Purpose'. Our indigenous bird and plant/fruit of the month; are the Brahminy Kite and the ayurvedic and health properties of the versatile Coconut. As usual we have a section on 'Arunachala Tidbits', inspiration and poems.

For a free subscription to this monthly Newsletter, please go to the facility at the lefthand margin of this website frontpage.

Newsletter - January 2008

Arunachala Grace News, January 2008 was sent out yesterday in time for New Year. If you are not yet a subscriber, please visit the facility at the left margin of this Blog, for a free subscription of the monthly Newsletter delivered direct to your email inbox.

This month as well as the usual local news in the section 'Arunachala Tidbits', we have; an indepth narrative on Ardhanarishvara and its particular relevance at Arunachala, the importance of January's Pongal celebration, the impact of the imported Eucalyptus Tree in the area, information on the Myna Bird and a fascinating article on Jewellery and its utilisation in the adornment of Temple idols. The newsletter also has inspirational quotes, poems, hymns and sayings. This month the short story is entitled 'Prince Five-Weapons' with its 'moral' being 'The only weapon you need is hidden inside you'.

Arunachala Newsletter, November 2007

The November issue of Arunachala Grace News will be sent direct to inboxes within the next few days. If you are not already a subscriber to this Arunachala Newsletter, you can sign up for free at the left hand column of this blog. This month we have the second part of information on Adiannamalai Temple and news on Arunachala Kattu Siva Plantation's efforts to get parts of Arunachala designated a National Park. In this November issue we also describe some of the legends associated with the upcoming Tamil festival of Deepam. As well as poems, Arunachala tidbits, inspiration and a short story about a jewelled begging bowl entitled 'The Sage and the Thief', we also have interesting narratives on the indigenous Peacock and the Bael Tree.

Newsletter - October Issue

The October issue of Arunachala Grace News will be sent out this upcoming week. In this issue there are articles on the upcoming Navaratri Festival, a narrative by the Dalai Lama, a delightful Zen story on a bull named 'Delightful' and lots of information on parrots - which are found in great abundance throughout this District and also have some interesting connections with the mythology of Arunachaleswarar Temple. As usual the Newsletter contains inspirational quotes, poems and a section entitled Arunachala Tidbits.

To become a free subscriber of this monthly Newsletter and receive it direct into your email inbox, please use the subscribe facility at the left hand margin of this Blog.

Newsletter Information

Due to computer problems, I have been unable to make up-to-date postings on this blog, but hopefully these difficulties will be resolved over the next few days, at which time I hope to recontinue with regular Blog postings.

The September issue of Arunachala Grace Newsletter is due to be sent out this week, so if you are not yet a free subscriber to the monthly Newsletter, please become so by clicking on the subscriber facility at the left hand margin of this Blog.

This month's Newsletter contains Arunachala tid-bits, the second part of information on the beautiful Rajarajeshwari Temple, information of developing resources at Swami Nithyananda's Arunachala Ashram, information on Lord Ganesha; his upcoming Chaturthi and a link to information about the sad ecological results of his grand festival. As usual in the Newsletter we give information about a plant locally produced in this area, this month we focus on the homely 'garlic' with news about its medicinal properties and also Sri Ramana Maharshi's talk on the history of garlic. The Arunachala animal focussed this month is the quaint and quirky white crested water hen.

As well as the above, there is also the usual narratives, inspirational quotes and poems.

Pachaiamman Koil Abhishekam

This Sunday 24th June, a yagna homa (fire worship) followed by abhiskeham (ritual worship) will be conducted at the Pachaiamman Koil in Tiruvannamalai. The homa will start at approximately 9.30 a.m. and after its completion around noon, the abhiskeham will commence at the Mother's shrine inside the Temple. All are welcome.

Over the last several years the Temple has been undergoing renewal and expansion. The work, which in part is funded by Shantimalai Trust, is still underway. This month's Arunachala Grace News, (which will be sent out around 27th June) will be carrying information about the history of this favourite and favoured Mother Temple at Arunachala. We will also be giving a progress report regarding the renewal work. If you are not already a subscriber to this free monthly newsletter, you can sign up at the lefthand side of this Blog underneath the 'email' logo.

More news on this Blog after the Sunday function.

May Newsletter

The May issue of Arunachala Grace Newsletter will be sent out directly to your inbox at the end of the week. If you do not already have a free subscription to Arunachala Grace News; which gives updates and information about this month at Tiruvannamalai, then you can use the 'subscribe' facility on this Blog which you will find at the left hand column underneath the 'email' banner.

This month's Arunachala Grace News, includes an article on the legend of the upcoming Wesak, which is globally believed to occur during the most powerful full moon of the yearly calendar. A narrative about a Herbal Farm on the girivalam road and our usual article on a specific herb/fruit (this month we concentrate on the properties of 'amla', the Indian Gooseberry). May issue of Arunachala Grace News also includes poems, sayings, a short story about a 'non-fighting bird' and information about new hotels and ashrams in this area. We also give an update on the attempts of a local organisation that is spearheading an anti-noise pollution campaign in the Arunachala area.

AGN: March Issue

The March issue of Arunachala Grace News will be sent out in the next few days. This month we have an article on 'sphinxes' at Arunachala, the herbal properties of Cassia Fistula, the meaning of 'true pradakshina', and news of the 3 star hotel being built in this area.

As well as the above we also have a short story entitled 'The Carrot', poems, sayings, and informational tidbits of local news. To receive your free copy of the monthly Arunachala Grace News, please subscribe at the facility on this Blog underneath the Email banner on the left hand margin.