Postings of my Arunachala Blogs from July 28 to September 1, 2013

Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from Sunday July 28, 2013 to Sunday September 1, 2013.

Arunachala Grace

Pondicherry Retreat: Pondicherry Programme for Retreat organised by the Fowai Forum for the study of scriptural texts.

Pictures from Ramana Ashram 25 August 2013 Mahakumbhabhishekam: Photographs and report of happenings during the last day of the Mahakumbhabhishekam Function at Ramana Ashram

Mahakumbhabhishekam -- Ramana Ashram -- August 25, 2013: Photographs from an official photographer of the Mahakumbhabhishekam on roof of Ramana Ashram.

Roof of Ramana Maharshi Ashram: Photographs taken on roof of Ramana Ashram the day before the major function, showing final preparations of the Gopuram and two Vimanas.

Ramana Ashram Function 23rd August, 2013: Photographs of homams performed in the Yagasala as part of the 3 day Function at Ramana Ashram. 

Who is Shiva?: Speech by Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Lord Shiva, the Divine Consciousness:

Pradosham Dates, Arunachala: Dates of the remaining 2013 Pradoshams to be celebrated at Shiva Temples at Tiruvannamalai.

Kumbhabhishekam Event at Sri Ramana Ashram, August 2013: Information about the Function at Ramana Ashram.

August 20, Arunachala Poornima: Photographs of August 2013 Poornima crowds at Temple and Girivalam.

Mahakumbhabhishekam Sriramanasharam: Official schedule of Function

Mosquito Repellent Advice Tamil Nadu: Information and suggestions about natural organic, non-toxic mosquito repellents for Tamil Nadu and South India.

Moorvi Compound Completed: Pictorial posting about the now completed Ramana Ashram, Moorvi Compound.

Shakti Fire Walking: Photographs and information about the once yearly fire walking as performed in front of the Unnamulai Shrine, at Arunachaleswarar Temple, Arunachala.

Worship of Divine Mother: Photographs and information about the Parvathi Amman Utsavam Festival as performed at Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Voice of Sri Ramana: Why there is no recording of the voice of Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Adi Pooram Fire Walking Schedule: Full programme of the Fire Walking Function to be performed at Arunachaleswarar Temple in front of Mother Shrine. 

Bamboo Wall Completed: Photographs of the completed bamboo wall in my House Compound at Tiruvannamalai.

Pradosham August 4, 2013: Significance of Nandi during the Pradosham Function.

Kuthuvilakku Puja, Arunachaleswarar Temple: In the month of Adi, communal pujas such as the Kuthuvilakku Puja are performed on Tuesdays and Fridays at various Shakti Temples throughout the State.

Silver Dress for Goddess Durga: Process of how artisans crafted dress covering for Goddess Durga at Ramana Ashram made out of precious metal.

10 Day Parvathi Amman Utsavam 2013: Photographs and information about the beginning of Adi Kodietram, the beginning of the 10 Day Parvathi Aman Utsavam. Flag Hoisting etc.

Replacing Bamboo Leaves at House: Photographs of the process of replacing Bamboo leaves at my house here in Tiruvannamalai.

Arunachala Birds 

White-Browed Wagtal: Narrative with photographs of a very pretty bird who is often nicknamed “dhobin” (or washerwoman) which corresponds to the bird’s name in French i.e. Lavendiere. Believed to have been derived because of its of its fondness for water and comparison with its wagging tale to the battering action by the laundrywoman of clothes on the rocks. 

Coppersmith Barbet: Series of photographs of the Coppersmith Barbet. Descriptive Narrative and Video.

Arunachala Mystic 

Miracle that gave Guruji Siddhis: Narrative about the miracle that occurred in the life of Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar that gave him the siddhi to read people’s minds.

Sun will soon flip its Magnetic Field: Information about ". . . an event that occurs once every 11 years, the magnetic field of the sun will change its polarity in a matter of months.” according to information from accredited observatories. NASA video and explanation. 

Somasutra Pradakshinam 2: Further explanation with diagram of the correct way to peform Somasutra Pradakshinam (special form of Pradosham circumambulation)

Arunachala Land 

Compound Available for Lease: Beautiful 3 acre compound with buildings available for long term Lease in Arunachala Countryside.

Arunachala Postings: 7-27 July, 2013

Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from Sunday July 7, 2013 to Saturday July 27, 2013. 

Arunachala Grace 

Mahashivaratri Retreat 2014: Information about Torsten Brugge and Padma Woolf Retreat at Mahashivaratri 2014. Venue Sri Nannagaru Ashram, Tiruvannamalai. 

Shani Pradosham July 20, 2013: Photographs of Shani Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple. Mythology of Shani Pradosham Vrata Mahatmyam. Mahakaleshwar Temple and Lingam.

Gods at Ayyankulam Teertham: Function marking the end of the Ani Brahmostavam Festival. Information and photographs about the Arunagirinathar Temple. 

Abhishekam of Lord Nataraja: Lord Nataraja brought in procession to the Thousand Pillared Hall at the Big Temple. 

Guru Poornima 2013: Photograph and Mantra dedicated to the Guru. 

Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar: Narrative on life of this Nayanar and video of the Sri Rudram: Namakam-Chamakam in Devanagari, English translations 

5th day Ani Brahmostavam Festival: Rishaba (Bull) Chariot Procession through Tiruvannamalai on fifth day of Festival. 

Ani Brahmostavam 2013: Photographs of the flag hoisting at Arunachaleswarar Temple at the beginning of Festival. 

Arunachala Birds 

Indian Birds’ Nests Part 2: Narrative with photographs of unconventional nests of four Indian Birds.

Peacocks at Arunachala: Series of photographs of the Peacock at Ramana Ashram. Links to previous postings. 

Arunachala Mystic 

Uttarayana and Dakshinayana: Esoteric significance of the seasonal calendar delineations of Uttarayana and Dakshinayana. 

Visit to Country Ashram: Visit to the countryside Ashram of Sri Siva Jothi Mona Siddhar, some 20 kms from Tiruvannamalai 

Arunachala Land 

Duplex at Vediappanur: Photographs and information about Duplex for sale at Vediappanur, off Girivalam Roadway, Tiruvannamalai 

Jackfruit Tree: Photographs, mythology and information about the popular Jackfruit Tree of Tamil Nadu. 

Postings: 4th week June, 2013

Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from the fourth week of June: Saturday June 22, 2013 to Saturday June 29, 2013. 

 

Arunachala Grace 

Ani Brahmostavam: Invitation for upcoming Festival at Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Samudram Eri: Early morning walk on the dry lakebed, Samudram Eri. 

Ramana Ashram Clinic: Narrative and photographs of Ramana Ashram Dispensary.

Arunachala Birds 

The Southern Grey Shrike: Information and photographs of an occasional visitor to the Arunachala area, the Southern Grey Shrike 

Arunachala Mystic

Arunachala Mystic Relationship between Saints: Connection between the Arunachala saints’ Seshadri Swamigal and Ramana Maharshi 

Arunachala Land 

Silk Cotton Tree: Narrative and photographs of the tallest tree in Arunachala.

Postings: 3rd week June, 2013

Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from week Saturday June 15, 2013 to Saturday June 22, 2013. 

Arunachala Grace 

Murugan Shrine: Small Murguan Shrine located on hillock off Perubakkam Road near Arunachala. 

Sri Tirumular Nayanar: Story of Sri Tirumular a Nayanar from the Periapuranam and his great work the Tirumandiram with link.

Solstice and Pradosham: Synchroncity of these two auspicious events at Arunachala.

Arunachala Birds 

Bird Stories: Narratives illustrating the power the great Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal had over birds at Arunachala. 

Red Vented Bulbul: Narrative, video and photographs of this Arunachala beautiful bird of the Bulbul family.

Arunachala Mystic 

Healing Miracles of Sri Seshadri Swamigal: Inspirational stories of the great healing miracles of the avadhuta Sri Seshadri Swamigal. 

Postings: 2nd week June, 2013

Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from week Saturday June 8, 2013 to Saturday June 15, 2013. 

Arunachala Grace 

Mahabhishekam Somaskanda, Big Temple: Information and photographs of  Mahabhishekam Puja performed on the Somaskanda manifestation of Lord Shiva. 

Siva Sannidhi Accommodation Facility: Information about the completed new annexe building of the Shiva Sannidhi with its new forty-nine modern accommodation rooms. 

Peaceful Adiannamalai Temple: Photographs of the famed Shiva Temple on the Northside of the Hill 

Arunachala Birds 

The Asian Koel: Information about the Koel, the most familiar of Indian Cuckoos found at Tiruvannamalai District. 

Arunachala Mystic 

Aurora of Arunachala: Devotee narrative of the mystic lights of Arunachala 

Arunachala Land 

Hiking in Arunachala Countryside: Photographs of nearby unspoilt countryside hills, with wonderful darshan of Arunachala 

The Tamarind Tree: Information and superstitions regarding the Tamarind Tree, familiar all around Tiruvannamalai. 

Postings: 1st week June, 2013

Below are links and short extracts of postings on my various Arunachala Blogs from week Saturday June 1, 2013 to Saturday June 8, 2013.

Arunachala Grace

Mosquito Repellent Advice Tamil Nadu: Practical information for visitors to Tiruvannamalai (and Tamil Nadu) and advice as to chemical free mosquito protection.

Agnihotra Yagam: Information and photographs of a yearly Yagam performed at Arunachaleswarar Temple during the hot Summer Months. 

Thirujnana Sambhandar: Short biography of one of the four great Tamil Saints, the Nalvars, and a narrative of his visit to Arunachala. 

A Tamil Wedding: Photographs and information about a traditional Tamil Wedding performed at Arunachala.

June 6, 2013 -- Pradosham, Big Temple: Photographs and short narrative of the Arunachaleswarar Temple June 6th, 2013 Pradosham. 

Arunachala Birds 

Common Babbler -- Passerine: Extract from 1902 Book on Indian Birds about the Common Babbler accompanied with contemporary photographs of this bird species. 

 

Arunachala Land 

Frangipani: Description and photographs of the beautiful Frangipani Plant and narrative of the Frangipani in Hindu folklore. 

Arunachala Mystic

Nakshatra Offerings to Arunachala: Information and listing of Arunachala offerings appropriate to each of the 27 Nakshatras in connection with the date of one’s visit to the Hill.

Panchamukha Darshanam: Escoteric significance of the Panchamukha located off the girivalam roadway on the northeast side of Arunachala. 

New Style Blog

Finally made a change to the colour and style of Arunachala Grace Blog and hope that this version is easier to read. The old Blog looked nice, but was actually quite difficult on the eyes and some people suggested I change it. I'm still experimenting with this new version but personally find the colours much more cheerful and pleasing and also the photographs stand out nicely.

This last week at Arunachala has been really cold as we are in the midst of a weather front that has brought with it, chilly weather and lots of rain. The weather forecast has promised us relief by Thursday and I will be delighted to see the back of this freezing cold drizzle.

I visited some newly built houses today to check rents on behalf of friends and was amazed when I heard the prices. Definitely Arunachala has finally moved into modern times! That also applies to land, but curiously it is the foreign visitors who are more shocked by land prices than the Indians. When people come from Chennai or Mumbai and hear the price of an acre, they immediately say, 'Wow, thats cheap!". However, overseas visitors are staggered by land prices at Tiruvannamalai and say, 'That's twice as much as I would pay in my own country!' A wonderful irony that the Indians think the land is cheap and the overseas visitors think it expensive!

Arunachala Land

Arunachala Grace Network will often post news of land for sale, in the hope that the land will be acquired by a single owner (or independent group) who intends using the land for his/their own purpose. Our belief is land at Arunachala is sacred and we need to revere and protect it. PROPERTY DEVELOPERS OR SPECULATORS NEED NOT REPLY TO THIS POSTING.

In this respect we would draw attention to a very beautiful 7 acre piece of land available on the Northwest side of Arunachala. The land is well maintained agricultural land belonging to a local, independent owner who wishes to sell. This is the view of the mountain from the land.

The next photograph is the view of Arunachala from infront of the land's tree lined perimeter boundary.

The below photograph shows some of the land which is currently under cultivation.

Another view of some cultivated acres of the land with a range of Hills (Government controlled) at the back, which fall under 'protected land' category and cannot be built upon.

The land from another vantage point.

Water is in plentiful supply throughout the land.

Below is a photograph of the agricultural well and pump house on the land.

Below a picture of the land currently under paddy (rice) cultivation.

As previously mentioned the above land is approximately 7 acres and is currently owned by a private individual who wishes to sell. The area is very silent, secluded and perfect for a Retreat Centre or Ashram.

If you wish to find out more about this land please get in touch with:
arunachalameenakshi@rediffmail.com or call +91-944-3964710