School Syllabus

It was recently announced that a decision on introducing a standardized School syllabus throughout Tamil Nadu would be taken after the Muthukumaran Committee report was complete. The main agenda of current education meetings is to explore ways to improve the prospects of State students in higher secondary examinations at the exam levels of 'SSLC' and 'Plus Two' and to motivate teachers (with a record of low pass percentage) to improve their teaching results.

It was further announced that the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has agreed to assist schools to purchase furniture, construct compound walls and develop the necessary infrastructure. In order to facilitate the admission of students into premier Institutes, it was agreed that local training Institutes would hereafter shift their focus on preparing students for such exams as the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE).

Water Supply

Sathanur Dam in Tiruvannamalai District was constructed in 1958 and is about 30 kms from the town of Tiruvannamalai and it one of the main sources of freshwater in the District.

It is positioned across the Thenpennai River in Chengam Taluk among Chennakesava Hills and has a capacity of 7321 million cubic feet (Full level 119 feet).

It is famous as a tourist spot and also as the venue for many Indian movie shoots. Its actually a lovely drive from Tiruvannamalai as it takes one through many rustic villages and agricultural lands.

Deposition

In 1938 the authorities of Arunachaleswarar Temple filed a law suit regarding the ownership of Arunachala Hill which was being claimed by the Government as Forestry Department property. As the Temple authorities cited Sri Ramana Maharshi as a witness, on May 9, 1938, the Court sent a Commission to record Sri Ramana Maharshi's deposition.




"There is an aitikya that this hill is linga swaroopam, that is to say, that this hill itself is Swamy. This aitikya is not to be found anywhere else. That is the cause of the glory of this place. The aitikya of this place is that this hill is Easwaraswaroopam and that the Swaroopam is full of thejas. Every year Deepothsavam is celebrated in the form of Deepam. Authority for this is found in the Vedas, the puranas and stotras of devotees. Also giripradakshina is done following this aitikya that the above said hill is Siva swaroopam. I also have faith in giripradakshina and have experience of it. There is no sastra to separate the hill from the temple.

This aitikya is observed during Karthikai deepam. That this festival is conducted both at the top of the hill and in the temple as the same time proves this. Moreover, proving that the abovesaid hill is Easwaraswaroopam, the Arunachaleswarar who is in the form of a vigraham in the temple also performs giripradakshina twice every year.

Also, in accordance with the aitikya that the hill is Easwaraswaroopam, the Devasthanam is conducting abhishekam to the tip of the hill in the same way that it would to a lingam. For the last 10-12 years the cauldron for lighting the deepam at the top of the hill is carried to the top every year during the festival. Previous to this the cauldron was left there itself for a very long time.

I am a devotee of Arunachaleswarar . . . The hill continues to represent the Lord."

[Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi]

Temple Compound

Yesterday went to downtown Tiruvannamalai to call in at the phone company. After finishing my business I remained chatting to the Store Manager, whereupon looking out of the large glass shopfront noticed Rocco, the Temple Elephant, standing outside. I love Rocco, and particularly enjoy watching her walk around free and relaxed during her regular parade around Arunachaleswarar Temple. The Temple is set in a 25 acre compound so the surrounding perimeter roads cover a long distance. By the time I dashed out of the store, got my camera ready for the photo, all I got was sweet Rocco's backside as she majestically proceeded on her way.

As always Rocco was followed by the statue of Annamalaiyar and Unnamalai; the deities of the Arunachaleswarar Temple. Fortunately I was in time to get a very nice photo of them.

Eager to get some more Rocco and Deity darshan, I quickly made my way to the South Gopuram of the Temple so I could run through and exit at the West Gopuram in time to catch the frontside of Rocco and the Deity parade as they continued their promenade. However once in the Temple compound I lost all my energetic enthusiasm and just wanted to remain and enjoy the amazing peace and silence of this wonderful Temple. So I just stayed a while and took some nice photographs. Below is a photo of some of the detail of one of the Temple Gopurams.

Here is a panel of the same Gopuram in more detail. It is from the third tier of the Gopuram on the rightside, two images inwards. If you look at the above photograph you can make out where the detailed panel fits in.

The below is a very serene photograph taken from inside the Compound with Arunachala as background.

Below is a picture of railings closing off access to one of the Temple Tanks. The railings around both Temple Tanks were installed about 3 years ago. Prior to that access to the Tanks was freely available and sadhus and pilgrims would bathe in the Tanks and even wash and dry their clothes on the stone steps. It used to be possible to sit on the flagstones and dangle your feet in the water while all the tank fish would swim nearby waiting to be fed bread and snacks. Hope those fish are doing okay without all that attention!

Here is a nice lad wearing red because he and his family are Shakti Ma worshippers. His family are sitting nearby having a picnic.

One of the very few shops in the huge Temple Compound. This is one dedicated to holy pictures and religious paraphanelia,

Its was beginning to get dark and lights all around the Temple compound were being switched on.

As I exited from the main Gopuram gate, this wonderful cow was standing motionless with head bowed directly in front of the gateway. Ramana Maharshi always used to say that many holy people return to Arunachala in secret guises and often in the body of an animal. When one sees something like this beautiful cow, prostrating for a long time in such a holy spot; it certainly makes one wonder; Who Are You or at least Who Were You?

Also right outside the main gate are stationed the lucky flower ladies, who nowadays also sell little ghee (clarified butter) lamps, camphor (for pujas) and other items necessary Temple worship. They are in a prime position, so without a doubt, do great business; good neighbourhood too!

To finish off my evening, the last photograph I took was of a rather magnificent looking sadhu. And no, I didn't get to see Rocco, the Temple Elephant again; I'll just have to go back and start all over again!

So a very good evening to all and a HAPPY PONGAL from Arunachala and Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Animal Programme

The Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, aimed at controlling stray dog population, has started in Tiruvannamalai District with the opening of the Animal Care Centre on the Chengam Road named Karuna Society for Animals and Nature. The Centre will perform sterilisation surgery on dogs and provide post-operative care.

Tiruvannamalai Municipality, which is the first Municipality in the State to implement such a programme, as partner in the endeavour would send stray dogs to the Centre. The President and Founder of Karuna Society, Clementien Paus, said they had been implementing the ABC programme in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, for several years, and now; "Now there are no puppies. Only adult dogs can be seen in Puttaparthi."

Maneka Gandhi, honorary president of the Karuna Society, had sent a message hailing the move.

Nithyananda Birthstar

Today, January 12th, Swami Nithyananda is currently at Tiruvannamalai celebrating his 30th birthstar celebrations. In this respect a large function has been arranged in town for this evening during which he is expected to give a speech as part of the celebration.

Nithyananda was born in Tiruvannamalai on January 1, 1978. It is reported that he evinced an interest in spirituality from a young age and after enduring years of penance, at the age of 22 years experienced the final flowering of consciousness.

He says of Arunachala:

"Arunachala is a spiritual incubator . . . This does not mean that every one born in Tiruvannamalai in the neighbourhood of Arunachala is an incarnation or is bound to be enlightened. Far from it. Ramakrishna says:

'dozens of flies crowd around a cow and drink its blood; it is only the calf that comes in perhaps twice a day that goes straight to its mother's udder to drink milk.'

It is likely that most of those who are born and live around the Arunachala are the flies; the calves who come to imbibe the milk of spirituality are precious few."

Noise pollution

This week an awareness rally on the hazards of noise pollution was taken out in Tiruvannamalai on Monday January 8th. The Arunachala Education and Environment Development Trust organised the campaign, which covered Tiruvannamalai town and the villages around it; including Anaipiranthan, Oosalimedu, Kaveriyampoondi, Athiyandal and Adi Annamalai. The participants distributed hand bills, highlighting the dangers of noise pollution and the statutory regulations, to Panchayat presidents, union councillors, members of SHGs and school students.

In this respect 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 above 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 was 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.

On this extremely important point of Noise Pollution at Arunachala I will keep posts updated till hopefully the Courts rule on the side of 'peace preservation'!

Pavalakunru

This is a photograph of Pavalakunru Temple, the site of which is famous since ancient times, as the place Goddess Parvati performed her penance when she came to Arunachala. Although the Temple is famous it is one that is infrequently visited, probably due to its rather hidden access located in the busy downtown area of Tiruvannamalai.

Of the current Temple incarnation, Sri Ramana Maharshi remarked that whatever Temple may have originally existed at Pavalakunru has now disappeared, (probably on account of the invasion of the famous Tippu Sultan) and that the present Pavalakunru Temple was built at the end of the 19th century. In the above photograph the Temple looks resplendent because an extensive renovation programme was recently completed.

Ramana once discovered the remains of an old cannon (which was carried away by the Government and kept as a relic) between Pavalakunru and the northern wall of the Big Temple. It is believed that Tippu Sultan placed cannons near Pavalakunru and attacked the northern wall of the Temple which was then utilised as a fort. The north wall of Arunachaleswarar Temple still bears traces of cannon shots.

Ramana Samadhi

"For an enlightened Master, the powers or energies of expression are inexhaustible through any means. For example, for an ordinary human being, the grief emotion or joy emotion exhausts when expressed through tears; the pitha (fire element) of the body exhausts through anger; the lust energy exhausts through the sexual act, the power of speech exhausts in his very saliva the moment they are uttered.

An enlightened Master's energy of expression, cannot be exhausted through any of these means, because he is Existence, the inexhaustible source of Energy in human form. Purely by virtue of this, Masters can continue to do the things they do normally, even without being manifested in their body. And the garbha energized by them and consecrated, will cause things to function just like they do, radiating inexhaustible energy to nurture every being that seeks it. Only a Master who can function without the help of his body is capable of creating a true garbha, one that will materialize things exactly like the way he does."

[By Swami Nithyananda]

Deepam Vignette

Extract from Apeetha Arunagiri's essay on the ostensibly other-worldly Deepam festival which she calls 'a tremendous affirmation of life on Earth'.


"Hawkers come with their wares: food in particular and pictures of gods, film stars and politicians. They bring spiritual books, protective talismans, plastic toys and bunches of grapes, things to hang on your rear vision mirror and stand on your TV, and wind chimes, socks, belts, warmers for heads, underpants, bangles, molded plastic divinities, fruit trees, pillows and blankets, jewels, hair clips, watches, fruit trees and motor bikes. The religious festival becomes a vast marketplace. The Holy Hill is garlanded with opportunities.

Beggars come by the busload with their leprous legs and stumpy arms and little vehicles, and their begging bowls. Sadhus come in orange, the mendicant's uniform. Businessmen also come. Families come with plastic carry bags of clean clothes and blankets. With their shaven scalps smeared with turmeric paste, they wash their saris, dhotis and shirts in the tanks beside the 'hill-round road route', and walk with one wet end tied modestly about their body, the other held by a family member up ahead, the cloth streaming out to dry in the breeze. Skinny people with big feet and wide eyes: these are the true-blue pilgrims. Groups come with musical instruments and flower garlands, voices joining footsteps. The Hill becomes garlanded in humans, encouraged by the voices of the hawkers and the loudspeakers blaring from the frequent stands selling tapes of devotional music."

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Apeetha Arunagiri who used to be a long time resident of Arunachala is currently living in Australia. As Co-ordinator of the Arunachala Katthu Siva Plantation involved in extensive reafforestation here at Arunachala, Apeetha Arunagiri is responsible for generating funding for the work of the Organisation. In this respect her numerous essays on Arunachala, written over a period of 30 years are available to readers on a subscription basis. For more information please visit:

Introduction to other essays


Her website can be accessed at:
www.hotkey.net.au/~apeetha

Vocational Training

The Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society set up by Sylvia Wright comprises the Rangammal Memorial Hospital
at Athiyandal Village (off NH-66 Bangalore Road some 6-8 kms northwest of the centre of town and the
Rangammal Memorial School for the Hearing Impaired
at Sambanthanur Village; off Chennai Road and some 6 kms south of Tiruvannamalai.

[view of Arunachala from Sambanthanur Village]

Tiruvannamalai is situated in a rural area and is surrounded by mainly agricultural villages. There is no appreciable industrial development, thus the main source of revenue is farming and work related to the area's importance as a pilgrim and tourist centre. Most town residents are employed as lay-labourers with a consequent high rate of unemployment. Thus the work possibilities for 'special needs' people is bleak. As there is no such thing as unemployment benefit or social assistance the economic burden on the family of 'special needs' people is great.

[St. Francis statue in front of Centre]

For this reason a Vocational Training Centre, was opened adjacent to the Rangammal Memorial School to teach trades and skills compatible with a young person's mental and physical abilities and interest. Because of the lack of vocational and training schools in the Tiruvannamalai area, in certain cases, ordinary students that are not categorised as 'special needs' are admitted into courses.

[stitching class]

The trades and skills offered include computer skills,tailoring, embroidery, electrical and plumbing skills and Arts and Crafts.

[handicraft class]

The young people spend one to two years at the Vocational Centre after completing their education, learning to survive in the world.

[catering class]

On leaving the Society, help is given to them setting up a cottage industry or to find the young person employment.

[plumbing and electrical theory]

Currently the Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society is liaising with a local Engineering College in order to devise a software programme which will help to develop learning opportunities for the profoundly deaf children.

Pilgrimage

This beautiful quote from the writings of the South American writer Paulo Coelho brilliantly explains the working of the process of pilgrimage.

'When you travel, you experience, in a very practical way, the act of rebirth. You confront completely new situations, the day passes more slowly, and on most journeys you don't even understand the language the people speak. So you are like a child just out of the womb. You begin to attach much more importance to the things around you because your survival depends upon them. You begin to be more accessible to others because they may be able to help you in difficult situations. And you accept any small favour from the gods with great delight, as if it were an episode you remember for the rest of your life.

At the same time, since all things are new, you see only the beauty in them, and you feel happy to be alive. That's why a religious pilgrimage has always been one of the most objective ways of achieving insight. The world "peccadillo," which means a "small sin," comes from pecus, which means "defective foot," a foot that is incapable of walking a road. The way to correct the "peccadillo" is always to walk forward, adapting oneself to new situations and receiving in return all of the thousand blessings that life generously offers to those who seek them.'

[Paulo Coelho]

Pongal Festival

India is bestowed with the bliss of festivity. A major segment of the population here depends on agriculture, so as a result, most of the festivals are also related to the agricultural activities of the people. Pongal is a highly anticipated festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu which marks the harvesting of crops by farmers and is the first festival beginning off each New Year in this State.

Pongal, will be held next week between January 13th to 16th (the dates are calculated by the solar calendar so don't change from year to year like festivals calculated by the moon calendar). The Festival is the time when people thank God, Earth and their Cattle for a wonderful harvest and celebrate the occasion with joyous festivities and rituals.

The first day of the festival, known as Bhogi, begins on the last day of the month of Margazi. On Bhogi people clean out their homes collect unwanted goods and in the evening, light bonfires and burn old, used and unwanted items signifying the destruction of memories and associations. The slate is thereby made clean and one is now ready to start the New Year.

The second day of the festival, Surya Pongal, which is the day on which the celebrations actually begin, is the first day of the Tamil month Thai. On this day, Surya, the Sun God is worshipped and women wake early to create elaborate kolam on the grounds in front of their doorway or home.

The lady starts of by sweeping in front of the house, then sprinkles water all over the ground and lays a covering paste of cow dung. Once the dung is dry, she will proceed to make wonderful, intricate, geometric patterns in white power. Previously ladies would use powdered rice; thereby providing a nice tasty treat for the ants. Unfortunately nowadays few people opt for rice and instead use powders in different colours that have all sorts of chemical additives; which instead of feeding the ant would probably finish them off quickly! If you want to enjoy an early mind-boggling experience at Pongal, watch a lady prepare her intricate kolam that morning!

It is also on this day that Chakkara Pongal, a delicacy of harvest rice cooked with jaggery, ghee and cashew nuts is offered to the Sun God.

This is a picture of a previous Pongal, in which ladies are doing a 'communal cook' of their pongal dish. Once the dish is prepared the ladies take it home to eat with their family. But by coming together in this 'communal cook' the ladies maintain a link with the ethos of village cooperation during harvest times.

The third day Maatu Pongal (maatu=cattle) is devoted to paying homage to cattle. Cows and Bulls are decorated with paint and bells and people pray to them. The fourth day, termed Kaanum Pongal, is the one on which people travel to see other family members and friends.

Magnetic Mountain

'There is a magnetic mountain which attracts all living beings. The moment one thinks of it, it controls the actions of all beings who think of it and attracts them towards itself. Not only it attracts to itself but makes them motionless. How wondrous is the power of this magnetic mountain which takes such sacrifices.'
[Arunagiri Yogi Viyayathe]

'Arunachala is the most sacred holy place of all. It is the heart of the world. Know it to be the secret and sacred heart-centre of the God Shiva. Meditate then that in the Heart of Arunachala surges the spirit glory, within which is contained all the worlds. I ordain that residence within a circle of thirty miles of this Mountain shall alone suffice to burn off all defects and blend a person with the Supreme Spirit.'
[The Skanda Purana]

Neem Tree

The word Neem is derived from Sanskrit Nimba which means 'bestower of good health'. Neem or Margosa is a botanical cousin of mahogany and belongs to the family Meliaceae. The Latinized name of Neem, 'Azadirachta Indica' is derived from the Persian and literally means 'The Free Tree of India'. The name it goes by in Tamil Nadu is Vembu.

The Neem is a broad-leaved, evergreen tree which can grow up to 30m tall and 2.5m in girth. Its trunk is 30-80 cm in diameter. Its spreading branches form a rounded crown of deep-green leaves and honey-scented flowers as much as 20m across.

The tree which is known to cure many diseases, is a pest control agent as well as fertilizer. It is an intelligent pest repellent as it does not affect useful species only harmful pests. Furthermore because of its complex molecular structure pests do not become immune to it! The Neem releases more oxygen than other trees and thus is used in many areas to prevent desertification. It's completely safe and causes no harmful side-effects. It has also been used as a health and beauty aid in India for more than 5000 years!

This tree is found in abundant numbers throughout Tiruvannamalai District is the Neem tree holds an important place in Siddha and Ayurvedic medicine preparation. In fact the ancient Vedas called Neem 'sarva roga nivarini', which means 'one that cures all ailments and ills'.

The tree is considered to be of divine origin. According to Indian mythology, amrita (ambrosia or the elixir of immortality) was being carried to heaven and a few drops of it fell on the Neem tree. Another story tells of the time the Sun took refuge in the Neem Tree to escape from the awesome powers of the demons. Planting three or more Neem trees during one's lifetime was considered a surefire ticket to heaven!

Local Projects

A State Minister recently laid the foundation stone for a boat house at Thamarai Kulam Tank in Tiruvannamalai, as part of a Rs.75 Lakh (US$170,000) facelift to the Water Tank.

I don't know the history of this particular tank. From what I understand it is not regarded as a sacred tirtham but is connected with the history of rulers and monarchs of the area. In this respect the Tank has two Manadapams (small ceremonial halls)on the tank edge.

As well as the boat house, work was also inaugurated at Tiruvannamalai Bus Stand in an important renovation project which is estimated will cost Rs.38 Lakh (US$85,000). Both projects are to be implemented under tourism development schemes.

The Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation has given its consent for the implementation of 40 other projects which were previously proposed by Tiruvannamalai Municipality. In this respect the Corporation's contribution to the implementation of the projects will be Rs.1.12 (US$251,100) and the cost to the Municipality will come to Rs.12 Lakh (US$27,000).

As well as the above announcements, the Minister called upon the newly elected Municipal officials to raise the status of Tiruvannamalai Municipality and make it the 'cleanest municipality in the Nation'!

Free Clothes

Government officials have inaugurated the distribution of free dhotis and saris at Polur in Tiruvannamalai district.

Over the next 10 days, 3.28 crore (32,800,000) people across the State will get free dhotis (gents wraparound skirt) and saris ahead of the Pongal Festival which takes place between January 13th to 16th.

Nine Entrances

There are nine entrances to Tiruvannamalai and as the town is approached from any of these roads, Arunachala can be seen from a distance of over 15 miles. Some of the most sublime and inspirational views of the Hill are those that are seen from a distance. Certainly most who come are strangely moved by the Hill's haunting beauty and believe it possesses a grandeur surpassing all other mountain ranges and holy sites.

The famous Paul Brunton, who did much to introduce aspects of Indian spiritual thought to the West and was largely responsible for popularising the saint Ramana Maharshi, wrote:

'I stand at the door and look up at the Hill of the Holy Beacon; Arunachala, the Sacred Red Mountain. It has become the colourful background of all my existence . . . It is somehow inescapable in this place, but the strange spell it throws over me is more inescapable still. I begin to wonder whether this queer, solitary peak has enchanted me.'

'This lonely hill holds me in a powerful thrall, despite the fact that I have seen others, infinitely more attractive. This rugged piece of nature, with its red laterite boulders tumbled about in disorderly masses and glowing like dull fire in the sunlight, possess a strong personality which emanates a palpable awe creating influence.'

Health Care

Animal Centre

An animal health centre was inaugurated this week at Pazhayanur village in Tiruvannamalai District. The centre was specifically opened in response to the large sheep population in Pazhayanur and its neighbouring villages. Treatment, immunisation, and deworming is to be done at the facility.


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Medical camps

As many as 300 medical camps would be organised in Tiruvannamalai District within the next two years under the Varumun Kappom Scheme. The scheme which was recently launched at Thandarampattu Village this week would be part of a network of camps able to serve 5,000 people in rural areas and 50,000 in urban areas.

The Government has committed to provide Rs.500,000/- (US$ 12,000) to each District Headquarter Hospital as annual maintenance cost and Rs.75,000/- (US$1,700/-) to each primary health centre. The upgrade of 75 health sub-centres have also been sanctioned (2 in Tiruvannamalai District) to Primary Health Centres.

The State Varumun Kappom Scheme, would provide such diagnostic equipment as semi-auto analyzers and ultra sonogram at medical health camps. The authorities have been urged to upgrade the quality of treatment at Government hospitals in Tamil Nadu to match those provided in the neighbouring state of Kerala.

Sacred Geometry

Through a combination of various social reasons, over the last centuries, Temples and Shrines throughout India fell into disuse and decay. This certainly occurred at Tiruvannamalai where the situation became so bad that even the Asta Lingams were taken over by squatters and homesteaders.

In 1968 an Arunachala devotee named Moopanar Swami came to Tiruvannamalai who understood the significance of the neglected, dilapidated condition of the Asta Lingams.

The Hill which is octagonal in shape is surrounded by a total of 8 Lingam Temples (Asta Lingams). Each of these Temples are located at the four cardinal and four inter-cardinal points. Moopanar Swami was convinced that the restoration of the Lingam Shrines was essential to the revitalisation of specific fields of energy and influence surrounding the Hill.

South West, Niruthi Lingam, Growth

Ancients originally constructed the Asta Lingams at their 8 cardinal and inter-cardinal points to represent, characterise and vitalise certain aspects and qualities of life, namely:

East, Indra Lingam, Sun
South East, Agni Lingam, Fire
South, Yama Lingam, Death
South West, Niruthi Lingam, Growth
West, Varuna Lingam, Rain
Northwest, Vayu Lingam, Air
North, Kubera Lingam, Wealth
North East, Easanya Lingam, Peace

North, Kubera Lingam, Wealth

Restoration of the actual Asta Lingams is now complete; although development of attached land still continues. Many people believe that the revitalisation of the Lingams is in some way responsible to the sudden revival of interest in Arunachala. It certainly is a fascinating coincidence!