Nomadic Gypsies

The Arcot Lutheran Church (AlC) work with nomadic gypsies legally categorised as a “scheduled tribe” in the designated ‘Vahiri Ministry’. A colony of these nomadic people live at Madampoondi about 40 kilometres from Tiruvannamalai. They live in tents and huts and support themselves by making jewellery and selling cosmetics to homes. In previous times these nomads also hunted however recently the Government cancelled the tribe’s licence to hunt.

Traditionally the tribe placed no value on education and would only marry within their own group. The majority of the nomads are baptised and live as Christians. There is a camp of these people located in the township of Tiruvannamalai at a place called Canon Nagar

The Tamil Nadu Government, in an effort to give importance to these uneducated people, has arranged assistance in the form of free land at Madampoondi. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Dr.M.Karunanidhi, asked that officials give a proper place to these people and that Patta Land (freehold, titled land) be given to the leader of the tribe (Devaraj) to hold on behalf of his people.

Mr.G.Ebenezer Irai Amirtham (a pastor of ALC) is in charge of organising social programmes for these nomads. Of prime importance is imparting to the group of 180 people the value of education. From this group 60 youngsters go to Government School. The pastor visits the nomads 3 days a week and conducts ‘Faith in Christ’ programmes, prayers for healing and a spiritual and secular Sunday School.

The people of this nomadic tribe are non-vegetarians and the ladies work selling from big baskets, door to door and place to place. Another source of income is making beaded necklaces and malas. Previously the tribe were forced to work for exploitive wages of Rs.8 for the production of 12 chains. However recently a better rate of Rs.200 per 12 chains (an average day’s production) has been negotiated. The tribe also make decorative flowers in paper, plastic and cloth.

The social approach of the Vahiri Ministry is; Awareness Programmes, Importance of Education, Family Counselling, Cleanliness and Exposure Programmes. It is hoped that at least 20 children of this group will reach Higher Studies (Engineering and Medicine).

Newsletter - October Issue

The October issue of Arunachala Grace News will be sent out this upcoming week. In this issue there are articles on the upcoming Navaratri Festival, a narrative by the Dalai Lama, a delightful Zen story on a bull named 'Delightful' and lots of information on parrots - which are found in great abundance throughout this District and also have some interesting connections with the mythology of Arunachaleswarar Temple. As usual the Newsletter contains inspirational quotes, poems and a section entitled Arunachala Tidbits.

To become a free subscriber of this monthly Newsletter and receive it direct into your email inbox, please use the subscribe facility at the left hand margin of this Blog.

Village Puja

Tiruvannamalai District is indeed a conglomerate of lots of little villages which have retained their customs, traditions and folklore. In the below photographs; villagers from a small colony Northside of Arunachala and just off the girivalam road, celebrate the land and harvest in an all-inconclusive village puja.

The villagers are celebrating in their village puja . . .

As well as celebrating the harvest, the villagers also take the opportunity to dedicate their agricultural implements to the Divine . . .

Immersion

Immersion of a very sweet, but ecologically 'toxic' Ganesha idol

Yesterday was the immersion of Ganesha idols and one hopes that people paid attention to the request made by officials to immerse ONLY MUD idols in Municipal waterways, wells and tanks. Terracotta idols (commonly on sale) have a large chemical constituent and are ecologically dangerous to immerse in water bodies (including wells).

To get an idea of the environmental Impact of Ganesh Chaturthi and what we can do to make such happy festivals ecologically safe please check out this link:

Land Information

Up to 5 years ago it was possible to buy prime agricultural land (with a good water source) within a couple of kilometres of the Hill for under 2 Lakhs an acre. The main reason for this undervaluing of land was due to the fact that 'Tiruvannamalai' is classified as a 'backward area'. In this respect even now official Land Registry prices of both urban and agricultural land is priced very low.

Over the last years due to a variety of factors, land prices are experiencing a continuous and steep vertical rise. Land which cost Rs.100,000 an acre just five years ago is now selling for between Rs.12-15 Lakhs nowadays. (A Lakh is a 100,000)

Reasons for price rise:

1) Professional out-of-town brokers and speculators artificially inflating land prices.

2) Certain groups of financiers, such as Jains and Chettiars, buying land for investment purposes.

3) The District Collectorate moving to this area and thereby making Tiruvannamalai the District Headquarters.

4) Development and promotion of the area for tourist purposes by the Tiruvannamalai Municipality.

5) Increasing fame of Arunachala and the huge increase of new high income residents.

6) The attraction of New Age Gurus developing Ashrams at Tiruvannamalai.

For the above reasons good land (with water supply) located within 3 kilometres of the base of Arunachala is priced at between 15 to 30 Lakhs an acre. Urban land for the purpose of individual house units costs anywhere from Rs.200-Rs.600 a square foot.

If the above prices are already too steep for some wishing to relocate to Tiruvannamalai, then one has to travel up to 12 kilometres from the base of Arunachala to start finding available land at pre-boom prices and where it is still possible to find tracts of agricultural land at under 3 Lakhs an acre. Land prices will NOT be going down in price and one doubts that land prices will plateau and stabilise for at least another 2-3 years. Prices will continue to go and stay up.

Indian readers of this Blog know only too well; that the exorbitant land and property prices in metropolitan/tourist areas like Chennai, Bangalore and Bombay, make parcels of land within City boundaries affordable ONLY to large Companies, Developers and Financiers. To the non-Indian readers of this Blog who remembers with nostalgia the cheapness of prime land at Arunachala, be assured bargain basement days are over and you now have to pay SERIOUS money for what you want.

If you need help or assistance in finding out more about real estate in this area, you are welcome to get in touch with:

arunachalameenakshi@rediffmail.com

In the below link some beautiful ‘urban land’ available for plots and houses at reasonable prices.

http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2007/09/walk-about.html

Quo Vadis Inauguration

iThis week on the 15th September, the evening of Ganesha Chaturthi, the inauguration of Quo Vadis, the new Interfaith Dialogue Center in Tiruvannamalai, was celebrated.

While waiting for guests and visitors for the evening function, a few last minute touch-ups in the library and reading room.

While last minute touchups are going on, in preparation for the 'cutting of the ribbons' upstairs, some traditional music is being played by members of Quo Vadis Harmony Group.

A guest from the U.K. is one of the first to experience the Internet facility.



In the below photograph, part of the collection of local paintings waiting to be placed around the Quo Vadis facility.

As always, in Indian functions there is the traditional and symbolic jyoti lamp, rangoli and flowers.




Dignitaries, included the Bishop of Arcot, Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon Devanesan R.J.

A close-up of the jyoti lamp and display.

The meditation hut.

Below is Ole Madson from Denmark who has just finished a 6 month tenure representing Danmission as administrator at Tiruvannamalai during the setting up of Quo Vadis. He has done an amazing job. Thanks Ole and we will totally miss you.

And finally on the roof of Quo Vadis, a couple of lads setting up a small screen for the showing of a short presentation movie on Quo Vadis.

Officially Quo Vadis is now open to visitors. It is anticipated that over the next few weeks; all facilities comprising: 2 restaurants, internet room, library and meditation hall will be in full operation. Soon information will be available about regular weekly and monthly Quo Vadis programmes.

Sri Seshadri, Madambakkam

A devotee of Sri Seshadri Swamigal, has built a Temple at Madambakkam, near Tambaram, Chennai, and has named it Sathguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal Brindavnam Trust.

"A Universal Shrine at Madampakkam near Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Dedicated to the Mother Goddess in her form as the Maha Meru as per the ancient Sri Vidya tradition, to 18 Siddha Purushas masters of infinite enlightment and to the Sathguru the Universal Temple is today a temple of peace and solace to hundreds of disciples from varied classes, castes, religions and nationalities."

Sri Seshadri Swamigal was a proponent of Sri Vidya and a devotee of Sri Kamakshi whose main Temple is located at Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. His ashram at the base of Arunachala at Tiruvannamalai is located a stone's throw from the ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi and in fact their lives interacted in many ways.

As to the Temple dedicated to Sri Seshadri at Madampakkam it certainly seems uniquely interesting - you can find out more about it at this link.

Pathless Path

I maintain that Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. That is my point of view, and I adhere to that absolutely and unconditionally. Truth, being limitless, unconditioned, unapproachable by any path whatsoever, cannot be organized; nor should any organization be formed to lead or to coerce people along any particular path. If you first understand that, then you will see how impossible it is to organize a belief. A belief is purely an individual matter, and you cannot and must not organize it. If you do, it becomes dead, crystallized; it becomes a creed, a sect, a religion, to be imposed on others. This is what everyone throughout the world is attempting to do. Truth is narrowed down and made a plaything for those who are weak, for those who are only momentarily discontented. Truth cannot be brought down, rather the individual must make the effort to ascend to it.

[J. Krishnamurti]

Arunachala Status

For many years a legal conflict regarding the status of Arunachala, passed between the High Court, Chennai to the Supreme Court, Delhi. The Archaeological Survey of India and Retired High Court Judge (Chennai) Justice Arunachalam of Sri Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram were untiring in their efforts to preserve the sanctity of Arunachala by requesting severe legal restrictions be imposed limiting development around Arunachala Hill and surrounding countryside.

Sadly their efforts and those of many similarly minded folk failed and on October 03, 2005 the definitive Order (in pdf format) regarding the status of Arunachala was passed by the Supreme Court (Delhi), the highest Court of the land, which declared, ‘We accept the suggestions contained in the Affidavit of Commissioner of Thiruvannamalai Municipality and set aside the impugned judgement constituting the Committees and issuing various directions.’

To read the above mentioned Affidvait of Thiruvannamalai Municipality and better understand their vision for the future of this area, you can refer to this link of the Affidavit in pdf format.

Many visitors to Arunachala, may have noticed in 2005 a sudden rush to build all around the Hill and specially on the Girivalam Path (hillround roadway). This was a consequence of the Supreme Court's decision to leave the administration and development of Arunachala primarily in the hands of Tiruvanamalai Municipality.

Regarding the future expansion and development of this area, there will doubtlessly be many controversial and unpopular decisions. However, in respect of the current Nithyananda Ashram controversy on Pavala Kunru Arunachala hillock, some say that work did in fact proceed after all proper permissions had been received, but because the commencement of construction was met with such a high level of local disapproval, it was deemed appropriate for construction to halt and this particular case now awaits a ruling in the Courts.

Ganesha

WISHING YOU A HAPPY, JOY-FILLED GANESHA CHATURTHI

WITH BLESSINGS OF LIGHT AND GRACE FROM ARUNACHALA

Romanian Magazine

To all Romanian speaking Ramana devotees, there is a new monthly magazine in that language available, details of which you can access here.

Ananda Niketan

For information about this quiet retreat centre located in the Arunachala surrounding countryside please refer to the earlier posting on Ananda Niketan.

You can make enquiries about Ananda Niketan at: gopi.chitra@yahoo.com

Walk About

Even though there is a rapid urbanization of the Tiruvannamalai area, still there are several pockets of unspoiled, idyllic, countryside close to the southside of Arunachala and near to major ashrams and facilities. One of these favourite idyllic spots is the area which lies between the parallel roads of NH-66 (to Bangalore) and the lower lying Perumbakkam Road.

In the below photograph a traditional rustic farmhouse.

While visiting with the family I even got to name the little baby cow - Meenakshi.

If you would like more information about this area, please get in touch at:

arunachalameenakshi@rediffmail.com

Ganesha Chaturthi

The main day of the festival of Ganesha Chaturthi this year falls on September 15. Ganesh Chaturthi is the occasion on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees

There is a curious tale about the birth of Ganesha. It is believed that once while Parvati was bathing, she created a human figure from some unguent and balm, gave him life and asked him to guard the door while she bathed. After a long period of meditation on Mountain Kailash (Shiva’s abode), Shiva chose that very moment to visit his wife, but was abruptly stopped by the man-god Parvati had posted at the door. Outraged by the impudence of this stranger, Shiva cut off his head only to discover that he had killed Parvati’s son! For fear of enraging his wife, Shiva immediately dispatched his ganas (attendants) to get him the head of the first living creature they could find, which happened to be an elephant.

As instructed, the head was chopped off and brought back to Shiva, who placed it on Parvati’s son’s body, bringing him back to life. This elephant-headed God was welcomed into the first family of the Hindu heavens and named Ganesha or Ganapati, which literally means the chief of the ganas, or the attendants of Shiva. Ganesha is the foremost God of the Hindu pantheon and the most auspicious God of new beginnings. He is worshipped during every festival and before people undertake a journey or embark upon a new venture. You will also see him carefully guarding entrances to Temples and homes and gracing marriages and important occasions.

Wedding Day

This morning I attended the marriage festivities of Gopal, my autorickshaw driver. He is a very popular young man, so the function, which was held on the grounds of Sri Seshadri Ashram, was well attended.

Some of the invitees were waiting in the hall for the wedding festivities.

Traditional musicians, sitted on a dais at the back of the wedding hall, played the usual marriage music .

The below photograph shows the entrance to the Hall. The Hall incidentally can be used for any function and in fact is occasionally the venue for satsangs and talks of such teachers as John De Ruitter, who last time he visited Arunachala, conducted his meetings here.

While many waited in the hall, others enjoyed a nice breakfast in the adjacent dininghall. Food for over 600 had been prepared and included vadai, pongal, idli with all necessary sauces and chutneys, sweet kesari bath and to finish off - coffee. All very delicious. As today in fact is a very auspicious day for weddings, there were wedding functions all over Tiruvannamalai (and doubtlessly all over Tamil Nadu)!

The below photograph is of the little man I sat next to during breakfast.

And now the Wedding function is in full swing and we are able to appreciate all the time and work that went into arranging this lovely event.

In the next photograph, the highlight of the wedding ceremony, when Gopal places the holy wedding thread (managala sutra) around the neck of his new bride, Navanita.

Outside Seshadri Ashram is the autorickshaw stand that Gopal plies from.

And on this special day, a large roadside poster at the rickshaw stand, proudly announcing to all the wedding of Gopal to Navanita. Navanita, who is from a local village called Aruni, will now relocate to Tiruvannamalai and, as is traditional, live with the family of her new husband. Good Luck to both of you.

Sad Monkey Tale

A Bonnet Macaque Monkey

Monday was a sad day for me, because it was a day in which I saw a monkey die. But although the day was sad it was also beautiful because the bonnet macaque monkey experienced the love of many in its final moments – should we all be so fortunate to meet our end in such a light-filled way. What happened was this, at the Tamil Nadu Housing Estate, some kind but careless person coaxed a monkey out of a tree with the offer of a banana. This was a good and loving thing to do, unfortunately the person did not pay attention to what was happening close by because as soon as the monkey came for the banana – it was set upon by seven street dogs. Monkeys and dogs are bitter enemies mainly because they are food rivals – so you often see clashes and confrontations between them. Anyhow, the folk at the Housing Estate had to vigorously thrash the dogs with sticks to get them off the monkey – but sadly the bonnet macaque was seriously injured.

The monkey was taken to the Animal Shelter where the vets sewed up the monkey’s wounds, gave it antibiotics and pain killers and then put it in a large cage to sleep and recover.

The next day the vets were feeling optimistic that the monkey was going to make a quick recovery. When I arrived at the Animal Shelter, I witnessed most everyone who works there, hanging around outside the cage calling out encouraging words to the monkey. A couple of resident dogs at the shelter were happy to lie outside the cage and the monkey, in spite of its recent traumatic experience with the pack of seven street dogs, didn’t seem to be worried that he had some nice, new canine friends hanging around outside his cage keeping him company.

Shanti, a woman who loves all animals and works at the Shelter brought a bowl of milk for the monkey and some nice, fresh, juicy papaya. The monkey drank his milk and was hand fed his fruit and then lay down. Suddenly it got up and started to move about restlessly. It stood in its cage looking out at his numerous supporters like it was trying to talk and tell us what the problem was. All of us there started to encourage him by calling out, ‘What’s the problem monkey? Tell us what the problem is?’ It was so frustrating for us not to understand, because the monkey kept opening its mouth making guttural noises almost like it was trying to communicate some kind of message to us, but we didn’t understand what it wanted to say. ‘Come on monkey – what’s the problem?’ It tried and we couldn’t figure it out and all of a sudden the monkey slumped to the bottom of the cage and died. Immediately one of the vets arranged for the the cage to be moved into the examination room. Whereupon it was opened and the monkey taken out and the vet frantically tried to resuscitate it. But nothing worked and the monkey remained inert and dead.

Everyone at the Shelter was upset as the monkey had made many friends in the short time it had been there. It was a male, very gentle, elderly (around 20 years old), had really bad teeth, and was obviously socialised as it absolutely no fear of people. Sadly the monkey died because a well meaning, kind person gave it food in an inappropriate manner. So please if you are visiting Tiruvannamalai – where there are many monkeys in the town, on the Hill and on the hillround roadway remember a few tips.

Dogs and monkeys are not friends. Be aware if there are dogs around.

Don’t throw food onto the road – otherwise monkeys lose their fear of the road and of traffic. So always throw the food away to the sides of the road.

As adorable as monkeys are, don’t get too close to them. For the monkeys’ health it is better for them to be less friendly and more suspicious of people as there are bad people around who work for the exotic pet industry or for animal testing laboratories who try and steal monkeys or even kill the mother and take the baby.

Monkeys like things besides bananas – if you really want to give a monkey some nice treats – give it some carrots, crunchy vegetables, seeds or nuts.