Moorvi Compound Completed

This week I visited the Moorvi Compound, which is opposite the main Ramana Ashram. The development of the Compound is now fully complete. The remodelling has entailed the demolition of all the old one-storey accommodation and its replacement by new multi-storey accommodation. In addition the old Ramana Ashram Centenary Library has now been remodelled into a multi-room facility. 

To look at photographs at the beginning of the remodelling, go to these links here and here. In addition to see photographs of the Old Library Building, check out this link here. 

The last part of this remodelling programme has been the renovation of the original building in this compound, the Moorvi Choultry. The renovated Moorvi Building is very similar to the old building, but has been fully restored and modernised. 

As many trees as possible of the old Compound have been retained, and already many new bamboo shoots and other plants are making the Moorvi Compound a very comfortable, green retreat. It looks lovely. A very nice job.

Moorvi Choultry

Another view of the Moorvi Choultry

Back of Moorvi Choultry

Spacious Compound with lots of accommodation

Multi-Storey accommodation Facility

Trees left whenever possible during construction process

Building at end, the Old Library

Spacious and restful Compound

Bamboo shots planted at perimeter of Compound

Many of the original trees still remaining in Compound

Original Well still remaining in Compound

Moorvi Compound Progress

This week I visited the Moorvi Compound, which is opposite the main Ramana Ashram compound. The Compound has been under development for the last year, during which time all the old one-storey accommodation was demolished and new multi-storey accommodation has been built as part of the Ramana Ashram modernisation programme. In addition the Ramana Ashram Centenary Library has now been remodelled into a multi-room facility.

At the beginning of the remodelling, I posted a narrative (with lots of photos) at this link here. The old Library building is being refurbished into separate accommodation rooms. To see photographs of the Old Library Building, check out this link here. Currently there is some heavy equipment being used in one remaining area in the Compound. The Moorvi Choultry, which has not been demolished, will be remodelled, and then all that remains to be done, is gardening work around the compound. 

In spite of the bits and pieces still to complete, rooms are already being allocated in the newly developed Moorvi Compound. 

Multi-storey accommdation

More rooms in Compound

Large Neem tree in Compound

Room in newly developed Moorvi Compound

Moorvi Choultry

Moorvi Choultry centre point

Back of Moorvi Choultry

Upstairs of multi-storey accommodation

Another view of two-storey accommodation

Generator in Moorvi Compound

Ashram Library

A popular spot to spend time at Tiruvannamalai is Ramana Ashram library which is located in the Moorvi Compound across the road from Ramana Ashram. Lots of fascinating spiritual tomes as well as the usual collection of contemporary and classical literature - also several shelves filled with books in languages other than Tamil and English. Also a magazine-stocked reading section.

The photograph below is of J. Jayaram, the very learned and interesting Librarian of the Ashram, who is a writer, musician and an authority on lots of spiritual topics.

There is even a kiddie section at the library.


As well as lots of great books, another stand-out feature of the Library is its fantastic view of Arunachala. I took the below photograph from a library window - it just doesn't get much better than this.

Outside the library there is well maintained compound full of large, leafy trees and creepers. The below is a Rangoon Creeper, which has quickly climbed to the roof the Library building.

Quisqualis Indica (Combretaceae family) is an evergreen, branching climber which originates from tropical Africa, Indonesia and Malaysia. It has a quick growth and can easily reach 10’ – 40’. The climber is also known as Burma Creeper, Chinese Honeysuckle or Rangoon Creeper. The name Quisqualis comes from the Latin quis, "who", and qualis, "what" and was given by an early botanist (Rumphius) as an expression of his surprise at the variability of the plant’s growth and flower colour.

The plant which just loves hot, sunny days, is a freely branching perennial climber with lush lustrous green foliage and pendant clusters of pink, red or white flowers throughout much of the growing season. Rangoon Creeper has an overwhelming, sweet night-time fragrance, which is so captivating that writing this has prompted me to plan on planting it in my own garden.