Sri Ramana's Power

Sri Ramana's astonishing spiritual powers were observed by others but never remarked upon by Ramana himself. It must have been a golden time at Arunachala for devotees to be able to meet both Sri Ramana and the great avadhuta Sri Seshadri Swamigal.

In South India, Alick McInnes, a Scottish scientist, witnessed the strange spectacle of Sri Ramana Maharshi on his evening walk. Within seconds of his leaving his house, cattle tied up in stalls in the village half a mile away would struggle to get out of their ties. When released, they careered along the road to accompany the old man on his walk, followed by all the dogs and children of the village. Before the procession had gone far, wild animals and even snakes joined it from the jungle. Thousands of birds appeared, almost blotting out the sky. There were tiny tits, huge kites, heavy-winged vultures and other birds of prey, all flying in harmony around the Maharshi on his walk. When he returned to his room, said McInnes, all the birds, animals and children would quietly disappear.


[The Secret Life of plants by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird]

Noise pollution

A Writ Petition seeking the authorities to prevent the use of loud speakers along the 14km giripradakshina path around Arunachala was filed in the Madras High Court on September 29th.

The Petition was filed by the Arunachala Education and Environment Development Trust and referred to the indiscriminate use of loud speakers during the numerous festivals celebrated by people of 13 villages in Tiruvannamalai District and by some religious establishments on the giripradakshina path. The arbitrary use of loud speakers is causing severe noise pollution to devotees coming to Tiruvannamalai to perform prayful circumbulation of the Hill.

The Arunachala Education and Environment Development Trust also handed over a Petition to the District Collector and Environment Engineer of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), Vellore. This Petition had sought to prohibit the use of loud speakers along the Girivalam path on July 28 and September 11 this year, but it received no response.

The Trust presented its case to the Court by adding that there are around 13 Ashrams, 8 Lingams, 34 Temples, and 20 Schools along the giripradakshina pathway and hence action must be taken to uphold the directions of the Supreme Court regarding the use of loud speakers during festivals and meetings.

The Madras High Court adjourned the matter, seeking reply from the Respondents, i.e. District Collector and Environment Engineer of the TNPCB within four weeks.

Previously Temples would hire musicians to play celebratory music during Festivals but the sound was localised as there were no loud speakers to broadcast throughout the countryside. However nowadays with the availability of electricity, sound systems and powerful amplifiers, many Shrines and Temples around the Hill broadcast a continuous din throughout the day.

It is very distressing to the animals, the ambiance of the countryside, its residents and also to the many pilgrims coming from long distances to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Arunachala.

When I previously lived in the built up area of Ramana Nagar (near Ramana Ashram and Seshadri Ashram), several Temples on the Chengam Road would start up sound systems and loud speakers at 3.30 a.m. each morning. I've heard in some metropolitan areas in north India there have been many successful legal challenges to this sort of raucous disturbance. I'm delighted that a local Trust is now Petitioning the Court on this matter and have no doubt that most locals hope they succeed in curtailing this noise pollution.

Blogroll

I hope in the month to add a blogroll to Arunachalagrace filled with some really interesting and excellent Blogs. If you have some suggestions about Blogs to appear on the upcoming blogroll please email me your ideas.

Charitable ambulance

A charitable ambulance, which will charge nominal fees, was launched at Tiruvannamalai on Thursday, October 26th. The ambulance which is jointly sponsored by the State Bank of India and the Red Cross Society, will be maintained by the Red Cross Society.

The ambulance is available for hire at a reasonable rate to those who need to urgently move patients to Pondicherry or Vellore for medical care. Fare details to major destinations are to be announced shortly.

Ambulance contact information: 944-32-52187, (0)4175-224222, (0)4175-224555.

It's not exactly air-helicopter but we are definitely making progress with our infra-structure!

Skandashram

This cave is not far from Virupaksha Cave and is also situated in a spot that has a perennial spring with good water.

The Ashram was developed by Kandaswami who undertook to build the main part of what has become Skandashramam. In front of a natural cave two small rooms have been built lengthwise. There is also a terrace in front of the Ashram with coconut palms and foliage and a breathtaking panoramic view of Arunachaleswarar Temple and Tiruvannamalai.

Bhagavan remained in this Ashram with his devotees until his mother Alagammal died on 19th May, 1922 and it was at the end of that year that Sri Ramana permanently made his home at the bottom of the Hill in what is now Ramanashram. It is believed that Sri Ramana's mother actually attained samadhi at her death in 1922 and Bhagavan himself confirmed that two devotees, namely Mother Alagammal and Lakshmi the Cow did in fact attain samadhi at their death.

Skandashram is maintained by Ramana Ashram and is open throughout the daytimes for visits and meditation. The Ashram can be reached by a beautiful scenic pathway originating from the back of Ramana Ashram and winding its way gently up the slope of Arunachala to Skandashram. The Ashram can also be reached by going up a pathway starting opposite the West Gopuram of the Big Temple.

The construction of Skandashram would not be allowed nowadays because it entailed vigorous quarrying of stone from the face of Arunachala itself. Now that the area has been deemed Reserve Forest it is in fact becoming increasingly difficult for sadhus to spend time in caves on the Hill, (other than caves in a specific area on the southeast slope above Arunachaleswarar Temple).

Narayana Swami (Hill Swami), who lived on the summit of Arunachala for 16 years permanently descended the Hill because of reasons of ill health; however had it not been for that reason, without a doubt he and his entourage would have had to vacate their colony on the top of Arunachala sooner or later.

Regarding Sri Ramana Maharshi and his own experience at Skandashram, I herein quote an extract from a book entitled 'Thiruvanamalai; The Power and glory of The Mountain Path' by A.D.M. Panneerselvam:

"Here follows yet another proof to show that the Mountain itself is Lingam. No one can dare to carry on quarrying on the Hill for its (granite) stones. And Annamalaiyar proclaimed it to the world through an incident.

Once the devotees of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi cut a stone slab from the hill and honoured their guru by seating him on it. And Ramana, the saint of the first order, had to suffer from cancer. It was a sport of Lord Siva."

Arunachala Trees

[Photograph above of the Cassia Fistula tree]

These trees are reputed in the Skanda Purana to be particularly loved by Arunachala.

Kesaras: (Rottleria tinctoria)
Nagas: (Mesu Rox Burghii)
Aragvadhas: (Cassia Fistula) Golden Shower Tree/Indian Laburnum: Golden shower
Punnagas: (Mallotus Philippinensis) Monkey-face Tree
Kurabakas: (A kind of Barleria)
Cutas: (Mango Tree)
Patalas: Trumpet Flower Tree
Maluras: (Feronia Elephantum) Wood Apple

Nearly Deepam

I really enjoyed the scene in 'The Lord of the Rings; The Return of the King' when a beacon light is lit on mountain peaks throughout a vast range of mountaintops. When I watched it, I was immediately reminded of the Deepam light at Arunachala and my first thought was, 'Oh! Look! Deepams; lots of Deepams!'

Talking about Deepam; there is already a buzz going on around town. For me Deepam starts on the first night of the lighting of the flame which will be dusk on December 3rd, but for a lot of people it begins with the festivities and functions that start 10 days before December 3rd.

In Arunachaleswarar Temple the preparation for the festival begins with the Pandalkal Muhurtham, a simple ceremony held to mark the commencement of the various arrangements. Invitations are printed and arrangements made, ornaments and vessels are polished and the Cauldron in which the Deepam will be lit is taken out and cleaned.

On the first three days of the Festival the various deities are propitiated. On the first day there is the hoisting of the flag i.e. Dwajarohanam, which ushers in the ten-day festival. On the night of the fifth day, the Lord with His consort is taken on his mount, the Rishaba (the bull) made of silver. The eighth day festival is the day of the Maha Ratham (great chariot car) when Lord Arunachala and Goddess Unnamalai are taken round the main streets along with the other deities each in their own chariot.

Two long chains made of iron links are connected to the chariot. The men hold one side of the chain and the ladies the other.

The tenth day of the Festival marks the day of the great Deepam. In the morning one can witness the Bharani Deepam inside the Temple compound as a prelude to the Maha Deepam or Karthikati Deepam on top of Arunachala.

Around 10 a.m. the Cauldron will be carried out of the South Gate of Arunachaleswarar Temple and be hauled by carriers up the south slope of the Hill. Hundreds of people will already be at the top of the Hill and hundreds more will follow the Deepam Cauldron all the way up. My plan is to watch the Cauldron going up past the Virupaksha Cave afterwhich I plan on pradakshina around the outer path along with all the other pilgrims. Should be quite a day!

Sadhus

This is a really nice looking group of Sadhus; a lot of character and colour there for sure! In this photograph the sadhus are sitting on a bench on the outer pradakshina path. Going around the Hill on any day you will meet a great assortment of sadhus, itinerants and stall wallahs.

I remember when I first came to Arunachala, it was impossible to even get a glass of water till you arrived in town on the other side of the Hill; well, that has certainly changed! Nowadays there is a huge range of shops and stores from which to buy fruit, biscuits, eatables, snacks and hot and cold beverages.

Necklet of 9 Gems

When one enquires into the meaning of Arunachala, which is lustrous like red gold and bestows Liberation, one finds that the word 'Aruna' means Sat, Chit and Ananda (Existence, Consciousness and bliss), the identity of the individual self and the Supreme Self and that the word 'Achala' means perfection.

[Ramana Maharshi]

Female Literacy Programme

The Central Government-sponsored Female Literacy Programme has been launched in 16 Tamil Nadu State Districts, through which one million women in the 15-35 age group will benefit.

The Districts are; Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Erode, Vellore, Madurai, Pudukottai, Theni, Sivaganga, Virudunagar, Perambalur, Villuppuram and Cuddalore.

A special meeting was held at the State Adult Education Wing, Chennai for all District Programme Co-ordinators in this regard.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development has proposed a plan to increase the female literacy rate in India. According to the Census, the current female literacy rate is 54.28% at the National level and 64.55% in Tamil Nadu.

Election Report

Local Elections

The DMK party is poised to win the prestigious Tiruvannamalai Municipal Chairman post for the second consecutive term.

In the 39-member council, two key candidates of the DMK won unopposed and elections were held in the remaining 37 wards. Out of which both the DMK and the AIADMK won 16 wards each, Congress 1 ward and Independents 4 wards. As such the DMK alliance gained a majority with the support of 19 councillors.

Of the four Independent councillors K. Mohan of the 8th ward was an official candidate of the DMK and M Jamilabeevi of the 34th ward was successfully persuaded to join the DMK party before the elections.

Both these candidates, though officially called as Independents, would in fact represent the DMK in the Council thus bringing the DMK's strength in the Council at 21.

Vandavasi Chairmanship

With the DMK and its ally PMK winning 13 wards in the 24-member Vandavasi Municipal Council, the DMK is set to wrest the Chairmanship from its ally, Congress.

The DMK won 10 wards on its own, (marking a dramatic comeback from zero in the outgoing Council) while the PMK won 3. While the incumbent Congress failed to win even a single ward, Independents emerged victorious in seven wards keeping up the legacy of the Council of having a greater number of Independents.

AIADMK ended up in winning one ward, the DMDK gained two Councillor posts and the MDMK now has one Council member.

Town Panchayats

Except in Polur, where the DMK won by a clear majority, Independents will be playing the key role in deciding the President of their respective local bodies in the remaining nine Town Panchayats in Tiruvannamalai District.

Out of 145 wards and 10 town panchayats, Independents won in 51 places, with remaining wards as follows: the DMK 38, AIADMK 32, PMK 9, Congress 7, DMDK 6 and MDMK 2.

Not only in total, but also in most individual Town Panchayats, Independents were the highest scorers and thus hold the crucial position as both main political parties are tied in terms of numbers.

Yogi Ramsuratkumar

December 1, 1918 to February 20, 2001

One of the recent Mahatmas of Arunachala was Yogi Ramsuratkumar who inspite of his undoubted spiritual attainments in speech, always cultivated humility and self-effacement. He always spoke of himself as, 'this dirty beggar', 'this useless madcap fellow', 'this great sinner' and of His Father (i.e. The Lord) as, 'very great'.

He always acknowledged with reverence his huge debt to sacred Arunachala and Arunachaleswarar Temple, saying: 'This Hill and this Temple, they have saved this beggar,' and with the utmost gratitude for the sanctity of Mount Arunachala, he would say:

'This beggar wandering here and there, tired of wandering but having no home; Arunachalesvara, in the form of this hill, had mercy on this miserable sinner. So he gives thanks, a thousand thanks, to this holy hill, this holy temple. Oh, the magnanimity of the Lord! He has given me shelter for twenty long years. Whereas others who come are enabled to stay only days or weeks . . . For thousands of years the hill has given shelter to so many dirty sinners like me; and Arunachala will give us shelter for thousand of years to come.'

When Yogi Ramsuratkumar used to walk around the Hill, out of humility, he would always walk in the opposite direction of all the other pilgrims.

Many times Yogi Ramsuratkumar would say: 'The mountain helps us'. He himself spent many years wandering on the mountain, taking shelter in its caves. Based on his own comments, his transformation seems to have been connected in part to his subtle relationship to the divine force within Arunachala.

Where is the Fire?
The Fire is there on the hill there.
But I don't see it there.
You can see it if you are really bent upon seeing it.
Are you afraid of being engulfed by it?
Then you can't see it
Have courage, no fear
You are sure to see it

[Yogi Ramsuratkumar]

The 'Fire' referred to by Yogi Ramsuratkumar (as poet) is the mystical Fire of Creation, the light that is perceived burning within Mount Arunachala as the embodiment of Shiva:

'This holy Fire burned at the core of the beggar's absolute certainty: his faith in a Power that governs everything, controls everything.'

[Yogi Ramsuratkumar]

His samadhi is enshrined at the Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram on the southside of Arunachala and in close proximity to Chengam Road and Sri Ramana Ashram and Sri Seshadri Ashram.

For more of his life please check link at:
http://www.arunachalasamudra.org/yogiram.html

3 Yojanas

Siva said:

'I ordain that residence within a radius of three Yojanas of this Hill shall be itself suffice to burn off all defects and effect union with the Supreme.'

[Skanda Purana]

(Yojana is an ancient unit of measurement equivalent to about 16 kilometers)

Road Ahead

An analysis of Tamil Nadu was brought out by the Human Development Centre recently entitled 'The Road Ahead: Tamil Nadu in the New Millennium'. One very interesting section of the report was on 'Income, Employment and Poverty' particularly as the Tiruvannamalai District economy is primarily based on agriculture.

The report begins by the recommendation to:

'Develop agriculture through systematic and cost effective watershed approaches, with people's participation.'

The next proposal shows a much higher degree of intelligence compared to the current insanity of the West with its emphasis on open markets and thereby the destruction of its own indigenous agricultural communities and independence. The Tamil Nadu report's emphasis is on 'ensuring food security'; a lesson for other countries to learn!

'Encourage the cultivation of commercial crops with market advantage while ensuring food security with the stabilisation of rice cultivation in about 2 million hectares.'

'Encourage agro-based industries through the cultivation of agro-forestry and horticultural crops in wastelands for employment generation and income enhancement in the rural sector.'

I'm not sure about the next recommendation as I expect it was for this reason a milk processing plant is going to be set up at Tiruvannamalai District:

http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2006/08/milk-plant.html

'Ensure quality of livestock products and effectiveness of support services to improve livestock development by encouraging private enterprises and farmers.'

No reason to encourage building in Tiruvannamalai as that's going on very well by itself. In fact there is so much money being invested in construction in Tiruvannamalai, that many contractors are having to come not just from out-of-town, but also from out-of-State!

'Encourage the informal sector building industry, specially in rural areas, through appropriate fiscal policy measures.'

Tiruvannamalai has a good Computer College with a record of specialist employment for graduates. Also as the town is District Headquarters and local Government is based here, there will be lots of related opportunities in the future.

'Improve the skills of the workforce in view of the changing market demand in the industrial and service sectors as a result of greater automation and the advent of IT.'

Happy Diwali

A HAPPY AND AUSPICIOUS DIWALI FROM ARUNACHALA AND INDIA

The Queen

In 1997, during her visit to India, H.M. Queen Elizabeth II presented the M.B.E. to Sylvia Wright in recognition of her dedication and achievements with the Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society.

Rangammal Hospital

Rangammal Hospital is very well organised with a 200 bed capacity but in case of emergencies can accept 250 patients. The Hospital runs at 99% occupancy. Many out-patients also attend Rangammal and during the day the place is a hive of activity. The staff numbers 265. This is a picture of their CAT scan.

The Hospital has its own 'Chapel of All Faith' and is a welcome oasis for people to sit and receive inspiration from their own God. This photograph at the Hospital sums up their multi-faith attitude.

While I was visiting the technicicans were cleaning up in the Dialysis Room, where they have eight Dialysis machines. It was late in the afternoon and most of the patients' sessions were over. Treatment cost, depending on the financial status of the patient, falls into three different categories:

(1) Free
(2) Rs.500/- per session (US$11)
(3) Rs.750/- per session (US$17)

Forty-five people are signed up for the programme and each person comes in three times a week for a session on the Dialysis machines. (A session lasts about four hours).

Even though there are CAT scans and Dialysis Machines, this is India and we love paperwork in this Country. So here is part of the Patients records, in the old-fashioned way!

If you've ever visited India you will know only too well how rare Ambulances are over here. Well at Rangammal Hospital they have two and also a very nice Bus that they use as a shuttle service for their nursing staff.

A very nice Hospital, kept impeccably clean and staffed by enthusiastic and friendly folk. A Hospital also that has won many awards in this country for their outstanding service and record.

Sylvia Wright

The Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society was started by an English lady named Sylvia Wright. Who recalls:

'I came to India in 1981 in response to our Lord's call to "Go, sell all that you have, give it to the poor and follow Me".'

And now 25 years later and nearly 70 years old she remains completely committed to the Organisation she set up, The Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society:

Her original inspiration has now become an organisation of four hundred staff and approximately 70,000 patients treated every year as both in-patients and out-patients at the Rangammal Hospital, in addition to handicapped people helped in the Organisation's related Schools and Community Programmes.

The Hospital is a unit of the Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society and includes; the Rangammal Hospital, Rangammal Memorial Higher Secondary School for the Hearing Impaired, Vasavi Industrial School, Rangammal Memorial Teacher Training School for Hearing Impaired, Rangammal Memorial Day Care Centre for the Mentally Retarded and Cerebral Palsy, Outreach Community Programme, Village Clinics, RSVY Programme and a Pension Scheme.

Arunachala Samudra

Sorry for any inconvenience to visitors to our website http://www.arunachalasamudra.org For a couple of days our Hosting Company was experiencing technical difficulties but we are glad to report all is now working okay and the website is back online.

The site has been recently redesigned and will be populated with alot of new material over the upcoming months; including health sections on Rangammal Hospital, Dr. Manickam and his work with herbs, modern day Arunachala saints, the innovative ecological work done by Apeetha Arunagiri and her NGO, Arunachala Kattu Siva Plantation, an interactive site map of Arunachaleswarar Temple, narratives on Arunachala history and mythology, ancient Arunachala poems, sections on the nature of Sacred Power and Inspiration and finally a helpful Tourism section.

So keep checking back to:

http://www.arunachalasamudra.org for improvements and ongoing website additions.

For new blog visitors; you can sign up for a free subscription to our monthly Arunachala Grace News, at the left-hand column of this Blog under the 'email' banner.

Finally for more updates of Arunachala, please visit another Blog we are authoring: www.arunachalanews.com

Polling Over

The second phase of Tiruvannamalai Revenue Division local polling was successfully completed on Sunday, October 15th. According to preliminary estimates around 70% of polling was registered in Villages, 75% in Town Panchayats and approximately 80% in the three Municipalities that went for polling in the second phase.

In the second phase, elections were held in three Municipalities; Arni, Cheyyar and Vandavasi, three town panchayats; including, Kannamangalam, Desur and Peranamallur and in eight panchayat unions; Anakkavur, Arni, Cheyyar, Peranamallur, Thellar, Vandavasi, Vembakkam and West Arni.

The first phase of polling held on Friday, 13 October was for Tiruvannamalai Municipality and 10 Town Panchayats; including Chengam, Chetpet, Kalambur, Kilpennathur, Polur, Pudupalayam and Vettavalam and 10 Panchayat Unions; Tiruvannamalai, Chengam, Chetpet, Jawadu hills, Kalasapakkam, Kilpennathur, Polur, Pudupalayam, Thandarampattu and Thurinjapuram.

Turnout for the first phase was estimated to have exceeded 70 percent in Tiruvannamalai District with a respectable 64% poll percentage in Tiruvannamalai Muncipality.

Barring some sporadic incidents, no untoward events were reported in the entire District during either of the polling phases. Considering how volatile local polling is in other parts of India, the whole process was marked with very high turnouts and also with a remarkable absence of controversy.