Visit from Russian Group to Tiruvannamalai

This week a group of 18 arrived from Russia to enjoy a 10 day stay at Siva Sannidhi here at Arunachala. Its interesting to note how representatives from so many diverse countries and cultures are nowadays arriving in even larger numbers at Tiruvannamalai. For Arunachala Grace’s Russian readers, you can view the spiritual website of the leader of this group at this link here.

The group arrived from Mahabalipuram and on the 29th of this month will leave for a visit to Auroville.

Coach Arrives at Tiruvannamalai

16 seater with two additional seats in front

Driver cab in front

Using Google Translate, the posting of the group leader’s on her website regarding their spiritual tour of India reads: “Advaita, that is not two - duality. Advaita is a Sanskrit origin, and nowadays used to refer to the One Being, Reality. 

Traveling to India and not only acquainted with the Advaita masters from different countries, touching the teachings of the master left the body, have all contributed to the fact that the experience of non-duality, unity of all things naturally manifested. 

Satori or enlightenment spilled grace in life. The unity of all existence, presence, silence filled with love, understanding and outside the mind - all this is the true nature of every living being. 

This outlook on life, read about the Masters, the experience of enlightenment, materials and written words and sounding from the very essence of life, and therefore endowed with the power and presence.” 

Russian group

Heading towards Siva Sannidhi

Arunachala Grace arranged a local coach to pick up the Russian group at Mahabalipuram for their trip to Tiruvannamalai. It is safer and no more expensive to arrange transportation originating from Tiruvannamalai to pick up visitors at arrival point in India. Several weeks ago a lady on her way to Tiruvannamalai engaged a taxi from Chennai Airport to bring her to Arunachala. The taxi was involved in a serious accident hospitalising both the passenger and driver with injuries. 

Taxi drivers resident in Tiruvannamalai drive to and from Chennai airport and other spots many times a week and know the road and routes very well. The drivers and their families are also familiar to us, so engaging a local taxi from Tiruvannamalai is not the lottery ticket of hiring a taxi from Chennai. Arunachala Grace (email at top left of this page) is always happy to arrange car and/or coach transportation on behalf of visitors and pilgrims to this place. 

Battery Car in Temple

“A battery car service was launched at Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple here on Thursday, April 5th. The purpose of the electric car is to carry the old and disabled between Rajagopuram and the golden flag mast, free of cost. The electric car, which can accommodate seven, costs about Rs. 3.75 lakh and was purchased from Temple funds. If necessary, more such vehicles would be launched. 

On a suggestion that a battery car service could also be introduced for Girivalam during non-Pournami days to keep the path pollution-free, he said that the idea would be considered. Official sources said that battery car services would soon be launched in four more Temples, including Tiruvarur, Tiruchendur, Palani and Tiruttani.” 

I personally think running motorised vehicle inside the Temple is a poorly thought out idea. It can hardly be safe, and it certainly does not fit in with the atmosphere and ethos expected in such a grand, powerful Temple. Why be so modern – if special facilities are needed for the old and disabled, provide a free wheel chair service! Do we really need golf carts zipping around the compound of Arunachaleswarar Temple? 

And don’t even get me started on the kind of funfair drivers that will get hired to drive the vehicle. And does one really believe that it is the old and disabled that will be the primary occupants of the carts? And one more thing to spoil as the vehicle path in the map above, shows it driving through all the pretty gardens inside the perimeter wall of the Temple, which will mean a nasty disturbance for the bird life and monkeys inhabiting the area -- as I have no doubt that the state-of-the art vehicle has a very old fashioned, noisy, Indian volume horn attached!

New Autorickshaw

Everyone who has visited India, is familiar with the autorickshaws plying in all the major towns and cities. Where would we be without them? Indispensable part of ordinary life. Tiruvannamalai is small but too big to move about entirely by walking. Nowadays the autos are getting bigger and fancier. This is one of the new models that are manufactured in Pune. Lots of legroom!

Whenever one buys something in this country, particularly if it is going to be used for business or transporation, its traditional to perform a puja at one's favourite Temple. This autorickshaw went through the 'puja' formalities yesterday and is now ready for the open road.

Its never going to look this good again!