Ramana Ashram New Library

One of the current building projects undertaken at Ramana Ashram is now finished and the new Ashram Library is open. The new Library, which is circular in shape and comprises the upstairs of the building, has a much larger shelf capacity than the old Library. The new Library is known as the Sri Ramana Granthalaya. 

Front View of the Library

Upstairs contains the Library books

Access to the Library

Better view of ramp

New Ramana Library 2012

One of the current construction projects being undertaken at Ramana Ashram is the development of a new library (to be known as the Sri Ramana Granthalaya) at the site between the Ashram dining hall and the back wall adjacent to the lower slopes of Arunachala.

The downstairs of the library is to be dedicated to meetings, talks and workshops with the library and reading room located upstairs.

Work has been nearly completed on this structure.




Main Front Door of Library


Ashram Wall with Arunachala
in background



Front Door of Library from Outside


Front Door of Library from Inside


Ornate Pillars at Library Front


Ashram storerooms located at
front left of Library


Open Downstairs of Library


Ramp on side of building
going to next floor


Side View of new Library





Photograph of new Medical Building
at Ramana Ashram


Hotel being construction directly
opposite Ashram side gate

The next two photographs are of the increasingly busy Chengam Road, which runs directly in front of Ramana Ashram.

Ramana Ashram Building Projects

Right Click on photographs to view enlarged version

The first four photographs of the below sequence are of the very busy NH66 Chengham Road which runs from town directly passed Ramana Ashram. Over the last several years there has been a huge increase in traffic throughout Tiruvannamalai.






















Work on two major Ramana Ashram building projects have recently commenced. One of the projects is the construction of a new library (to be known as the Sri Ramana Granthalaya) at the site between the Ashram dining hall and the back wall adjacent to the lower slopes of Arunachala (photographs to come).

The other Ramana Ashram building project is the major renovation of the Morvi Guest House compound.

The below photograph is of the entrance to the Morvi Guest House Compound.











Demolition of the previous cottages and rooms of the Compound has almost been completed.


A Ramana Ashram Bulletin explains the renovation of the Morvi Guest House thus:

“The Morvi Guest House project block will radically change what is one of the most important accommodation facilities of the ashram. Many of the present structures require major renovation due in particular, to the poor drainage facilities that have rendered quite a number of the ground floor rooms unusable during the monsoon season. It was decided to do a complete makeover rather than piecemeal restoration.



















The historical central building will be preserved. The modules of the guest rooms will surround the heritage central block and create a buffer for free movement and circulation for devotees away from the increasingly noisier main road.













The rooms (of the new development) will be divided into three categories: 20 single occupancy rooms; 20 double occupancy rooms and 12 family cottages with living room and bedroom concept. With an open communal space it will instil a sense of community. The well will be preserved and there will be other services along with parking facilities. The entire block is set for completion by April 30th, 2012.”

Back of the Morvi Guest House

The Well

The Current Ramana Ashram Library
behind green curtain

Law of Attraction

I remember how the Self Help New Age Guru, Dr.Wayne Dyer came into my life some 5-6 years ago. I was at Ramana Ashram library looking for something positive, upbeat, and helpful to read. Something that was practical, up-to-date and with which I would connect. On checking I found a Norman Vincent Peale book (with who I was familiar) and nearby, two Wayne Dyer books on the library shelf. So, I was led to check out – “You’ll see it when you believe it”. Ever since then Wayne Dyer's writings and videos have become an important part of my life. Nowadays I have most of his published books and many of them have been read, re-read and heavily inked and bookmarked.

Yesterday I was reading an interview on his website entitled “You Are God: An In-Depth Conversation with Dr. Wayne Dyer,” and am including here a short excerpt on the ‘law of attraction.’

‘. . . I think the law of attraction has been misstated. You do not attract what you want. You attract what you are. That's how the law of attraction works.

Twenty-five centuries ago in ancient China, Lao-tzu said there were four virtues. If you live them - if you live in a place of God-consciousness -- the Universe will give you God-consciousness. If you live in a place of ego-consciousness, though, the Universe will give you more of that.

One virtue is reverence for all of life. You revere all life. You never kill, you never harm, you never wish harm, and you never have thoughts of harm directed toward yourself or others.

Another virtue is natural sincerity, which is manifested as honesty. Just be honest with who you are. Don't pretend to be something you're not. Don't be a phony. Walk your talk. That's how God works, so doing it is emulating how Source works.

The third virtue is gentleness, which manifests as kindness toward all others.

The fourth virtue, which is relevant here, is supportiveness. If you say to the universe, "Gimme, gimme, gimme," which is what a lot of the work around the law of attraction says because of a misinterpretation, then the Universe gives you back what you offered out. You get more "gimme, gimme, gimme." "Gimme" means you don't have enough. You have a shortage. The Universe just keeps giving you more shortage because of what you're thinking and saying.

If, on the other hand, you say to the Universe again and again, "How may I serve? How may I serve? How may I serve?" and you live a life of constancy reflecting that principle, the Universe will respond back, "How may I serve you?"’

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.