Ayyankulam Tank Perimeter

This morning I attended a function at Arunagirinathar Temple, next to Ayyankulam Tank. As I frequently visit this Temple, while there I also take the opportunity to explore the area.

The perimeter of the huge Ayyankulam Tank, is filled with Temples, Shrines, houses, colonies and neglected curious compounds.

As the view of Arunachala from the front of the Tank is obscured by development, I decided to walk around to the back of the Tank for Hill darshan.

In spite of rampant development the view of Arunachala with the Raja Gopuram of Arunachaleswarar Temple in the foreground is still spectacular and rather better than I anticipated.

As is usual at tanks, many local housewives line up to wash their clothes in the tank water.

Throughout there were fascinating passages and shrines, and traditionally built Indian cottages, which I took the opportunity to explore.

It would be fascinating to learn the history of these Shrine and Temples. Many of them are currently in the condition that the now famous shrines such as the Asta Lingams, Pavala Kundru, Kannapar Temple, Arunagirinathar Temple etc., were in as recently as 25 years ago before their renovation was taken up.

So maybe some of these deserted compounds, neglected Shrines and dilapidated Temples, will also be given a ‘new life’.

Photographs of Arunachala Girivalam

From some excellent photographs taken by Richard and Carol Clarke of girivalam (walking around Arunachala Hill) check out this link here.

Hill Structures

The latest poll on Arunachala Grace Blog asked the question 'What construction should be allowed on Arunachala?' From the response 56% believe that there should be absolutely no construction on the Hill, 32% polled responded that Temples and Shrines should be allowed with a further 9% believing that it was also acceptable to have Ashrams on Arunachala Hill. 24% respondents polled answered that illegal structures and encroachments should be demolished.

Hill Round

Whenever Sri Nannagaru visits Arunachala he will take the opportunity of going around the Hill and stopping at a few of his favoured shrines and holy places. Many of Sri Nannagaru's devotees follow him on his girivalam, thereby making the hill round a festive occasion.

The first stop of this Sri Nannagaru hillround is a Ganesha Shrine. In the below photograph devotees of Swamiji are crowding around (thereby hiding him from view) at the front of the Ganesha shrine.

Sri Nannagaru at the Ganesha Shrine

Even though Sri Nannagaru performs his hillround as a private affair, he is also courteous and friendly with many of the people following him on his girivalam. Sometimes Swamiji will take the time to stop and bless various followers.

Another favourite Swamiji stop over is Ramana's Bridge (passed Adi Annamalai Village) which is an area reputed to have been greatly favoured by Sri Ramana Maharshi when he used to perform pradakshina around Arunachala. (Sadly due to road modernization, the actual bridge where Ramana used to sit, has now disappeared).





The view of Arunachala from Ramana's bridge.

Sri Nannagaru actually performs his hillround by car. A whole convey of autorickshaws, trucks, vans and two wheelers, hotly pursue the lead car of Sri Nannagaru, vying with one another to get first in line after Swamiji's car.

Sri Nannagaru leaving Ramana Bridge and heading for Kubera Lingam.

The below photograph is particularly interesting because in it, one can see the new pavement meant for pilgrims performing pradakshina. Sadly many people believe that the material used on the pavement is not suitable because it actually makes barefoot walking quite painful. Whoops!

At the Kubera Lingam, a sannyasin sits quietly at the gateway of the Shrine.

It is Sri Nannagaru's practice to stop at Kubera Lingam and enjoy silent sitting for up to an hour. Some of his devotees, aware of this preference, go straight to Kubera Lingam for a good seat and await the arrival of Swamiji. He often gives a discourse or a spiritual talk while at this Lingam stopover.

This particular day Swami did not give a discourse and his devotees were able to enjoy a period of quite sitting at one of the famous asta lingams of Arunachala.

Performing hillround with Sri Nannagaru is a great experience and if you have the opportunity, definitely take it. Its certainly a unique and blessed way to perform Arunachala girivalam.

On August 15th, Sri Nannagaru left Arunachala for his native place Jinnuru, Andhra Pradesh. He will be returning to Arunachala around November 20th, in time for Bharani Deepam which takes place on November 24th. Swamiji is expected to remain at Arunachala at that time for up to 10 days.

For more information about this realised Master, please visit his website here.