Thai Full Moon

For those planning to peform Arunachala giripradakshina during the upcoming Full Moon, it will be interesting to know that the next Full Moon (January 21st) is called ‘Thai Poosam’. The special significance is the star Pushya (Poosam) is considered to be the most auspicious star for spiritual development. Pushya means "nuture" and is in the sign Cancer owned by the Moon, the Mother. The deity associated with Pushya is also Brihaspati, the Guru or teacher and has the property of inspiring spiritual growth.

Vallalar

It is believed that on Thai Poosam in 1874 Swami Ramalingam (popularly known as Vallalar) made his final merger with Light. This Saint who was thought to be able to transform his physical body into a body made of Light, lived and maintained his body of light for 1½ years for all to witness. And then on January 30th 1874 and Full Moon day, he made his final merger with the light complete and physically disappeared from the earth plane. No traces of his body were ever found. As Arunachala is a manifestation of light it is not surprising that several Vallalar Shrines and Centres have been established at Tiruvannamalai in recent years.

Mythology states that it was on Thai Poosam that Goddess Parvati, presented the Shakti Vel, (Divine Spear) to Lord Muruga to defeat the demon Surabhaduman. For many, Thai Poosam is the most powerful day to pray to the Vel and Muruga for destruction of all enemies, diseases and debts. The Vel (spear) is also known as Jyoti, or Light.

You Tube

There is an increasing number of videos about Arunachala and the saints/satsang teachers associated with it available on You Tube, so remember to check it out. In the meantime thought the below chart of 'The Top 10 Gurus of YouTube', rather interesting.

Of the 10 Gurus listed above Paramahansa Nithyananda was born at Tiruvannamalai and both Gangaji and Eckhart Tolle have visited Arunachala Hill. Also a longstanding rumour has it that when Sri Sathya Sai Baba was around 16 years old he also visited the sacred Hill.

Jallikattu Banned

All animal lovers will be happy to learn that the Indian Supreme Court has just banned Jallikattu, the annual bull taming held across Tamil Nadu, as a part of Pongal (the harvest festival) celebrations. The Court on rejecting the Petition of bull owners, stated that the bull taming is too barbaric to continue.

“We cannot continue with such an event if it is barbaric . . . We cannot allow any event involving cruelty towards the animals,” a Bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan said rejecting a plea by the Tamil Nadu Government.”

“Jallikattu is wild bull taming which takes place in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal festivities. Albeit sounding similar to the Spanish bull fights, in Jallikattu, the bull is not killed and the matadors do not use any weapons as in the case of the former. But in recent years, the owners are reported to have resorted to punching their bulls, rubbing lemon juice in the bulls’ eyes and injecting them with chilli powder in an effort to rile them up. This has come under a lot of flak from the animal rights activists who had sought a ban on the sport.

The term Jallikattu comes from the term ‘Salli’ kassu (coins) and Kattu (meaning a package) tied to the horns of the bulls as the prize money. Eventually, this term got changed to Jallikattu during the colonial period. Jallikattu, essentially held on the eve of Mattu Pongal, one of the four days of Pongal celebrations, is also known as Manju Virattu, meaning chasing the bull. According to legend, in olden days women chose the successful matadors as their husbands.

In Jallikattu, an agitated bull is set to run in an open space, where several people, empty handed, try to tame it by controlling its horns. The winner gets a prize, which is generally tied to the horns of the bull. But now, the rules have slightly changed so that all that the contestants do is to try to hang onto to the bull past a 30-foot marker. Prizes are awarded to the contestants who can hold onto the bull from the entrance of the pen to the marker. If the bull shakes them off, the prize goes to the bull’s owner.

The largest and bloodiest Jallikattu competitions are held in the villages of Palamedu and Alanganallur in Madurai, where as many as 600 bulls, 600 participants and 10,000 spectators collide in a day-long festival of machismo, blood and mayhem. The other locations that are famous for the sport are Tiruvapur in Pudukottai, Thammammpatti in Salem and Sravayal near Karaikudi.

In 2007, for the first time, both the bulls and the matadors of the famed Alanganallur Jallikattu were subjected to breathalyser test to ensure that they had not consumed alcohol. For, it had become a general custom for the contestants (along with a few bulls) to become inebriated on arrack before entering the ring. This had resulted in serious injuries and even death, including that of a 14-year-old boy, which drew much flak from the media, lawmakers and activists. This had prompted the animal rights activists to seek a ban on the sport, which has been upheld by the Supreme Court.”

[from Sify.com]

Mantra-Jam Sextet Concerts

Here at Tiruvannamalai over Pongal there will be 2 Concerts by

THE MANTRA-JAM SEXTET
Composed of
Vocals: J Jayaraman [ashram]
Slide Guitar: pt. Prakash Sontakke [Bangalore][www.prakashsontakke.com]
Electric Guitar: Bruce Lee Mani [Bangalore] [of www.ThermalAndAQuarter.com]
Electric Bass: Rzhude [Bangalore] [Thermal and a Quarter]
Jazz & Carnatic Percussion: Kartik Mani [Karnataka College of Percussion]
Tabla: Adarsh [Bangalore]

Concert-1 RAMANA ROCKS

An Unbroken East-West fusion-jam of
(i) mantras and
(ii) excerpts from Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi's Hymns to Arunachala [Monday chanting]
and Hymns to Ramana [Saturday chanting] and Hymns from Sankara [Friday chanting]
in Tamil and Sanskrit

on PONGAL DAY - Jan 15th, 2008
at The New Hall
Sri Ramanasramam
606603
Time: 8.15 to 9.15PM

***************************************************************

Concert-2
ARUNAI ROCKS

An unbroken unrehearsed East-West fusion-jam of
Vedic Mantras & Bhajans, and chants from various native traditions

on MAATTU PONGAL DAY - Jan 16th, 2008
at the
Open-air Amphitheatre
Hotel Arunai Anantha
NH-66, Tiruvannamalai
Time: 8.15pm onwards

Concert-2 ARUNAI ROCKS

Musician-ensemble
As above with:
special invitees including:
Kumar Ambayiram: didgeridoo
Uphaar: flute
and others...

All Are Welcome
'free-for-all'

Happy Pongal

Pongal was originally a Festival for the farming community but today it is celebrated by all. It follows the solar calendar and is celebrated on the same days each year. Pongal has astronomical significance: it marks the auspicious beginning of Uttarayana, the Sun's movement northward for a six month period and all important events are scheduled during this 6-month period. Four festivals will be celebrated at Tiruvannamalai (and throughout Tamil Nadu) for four consecutive days during Pongal Festival. 'Bhogi' on January 13th, 'Pongal' on Jan 14th, 'Maattuppongal' on Jan 15th, and 'Thiruvalluvar Day' on Jan 16.

On Bhogi old clothes and materials are thrown away and set on fire, marking the beginning of a new life. The second day, the Pongal day, is celebrated by boiling fresh milk early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel - a tradition that is the literal translation for Pongal. People also prepare savouries and sweets, visit each other's homes, and exchange greetings. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cows and buffaloes, as they are used to plough the lands. On the last day, Kanum Pongal, people go out to picnic.

In Hindu Temples; bells, drums, clarinets and conch shells herald the joyous occasion of Pongal. To symbolize a bountiful harvest, rice is cooked in new pots until it boils over. Some of rituals performed in Temples include the preparation of rice, chanting of prayers and offering of; vegetables, sugar cane and spices to the Gods. Devotees then consume the offerings to exonerate themselves of past sins. Pongal signals the end of the traditional farming season, giving farmers a break from their monotonous routine. Farmers also perform puja to some crops, signaling the end of the traditional farming season.

To learn more about Pongal click here.

Swami Nithyananda Birthstar

As is his custom, each year Swami Nithyananda visits his birthplace Tiruvannamalai at the time of his Birth Star, which this year fell on January 2nd.

He travelled with two busloads of devotees to Tiruvannamalai and after evening worship and celebrations at Arunachaleswarar Temple, Swami Nithyananda took his devotees around Arunachala showing them places of significance where he spent his childhood days and had several spiritual experiences. For more photographs of his visit go here.

Nattukotai Chettiars

Recently found an interesting narrative (of which the below is part) about the Nattukotai Chettiars who are the main group of benefactors to support the continual maintenance and development of many major Shrines at Tiruvannamalai. The most important of which is the Arunachaleswarar Temple at the foot of Arunachala.

"The Chettiars (also Chetty, Chetti, Setty, Chitty, Shetty and Shettigar) is a title commonly used by people of south Indian origin in India and abroad. It is usually derived from trading social groups. Nattukottai Chettiars are people of Indian origin, well known for their financial dealings and hospitality. They are Hindus and worship the Shiva and Muruga deities of the Hindu faith. Many of the Nattukotai Chettiars proclaim the fact that they are fervent Shaivites by wearing a rudraksham fruit usually set in gold around their necks. Of late, wealthy Chettiars have spent large sums upon several of the famous Shaivite shrines, notably at Chidambram, Madura and Tiruvannamalai.

The Nattukotai Chettiars hail from a place called Chettinad in south India, an area situated in the southeastern region of Tamil Nadu. Originally, Chettinad was the name given to a group of 96 villages situated in the Devakottah revenue division of Ramnad district and the Pudukottah revenue division of Tiruchirapallai district.

Chettiars belong to a prolific business community which moved out of India to foreign lands like Burma, Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam (Saigon) and spread their culture in those lands. They travelled to these countries for the sole purpose of making money. They did a considerable amount of business in trade and money-lending in these countries. Nattukottai Chettiars are basically 'bankers' who lend money at nominal interest. They are considered as the pioneers of modern banking. They are the first to introduce what is called pattru (debit), varavu (credit), selavu (expenditure), laabam (profit), nashtam (loss) — which are all, collectively, known as ivnthogai (trial balance).

Chettiars are noted for their gifts to temples and public charities and have generously contributed to the restoration of famous temples in south India, especially at Madurai. In all important towns of those countries outside India where the Chettiars have settled permanently or for business purposes, they have established their own temples and charitable organisations. The members of the community contribute annually a certain percentage of their profits or the capital invested, for the maintenance of their temples and institutions. They have also spent large sums of money in establishing centers of religious learning, poor houses, hospitals, schools and colleges in India."

[By Khalid Akhter]

Newsletter - January 2008

Arunachala Grace News, January 2008 was sent out yesterday in time for New Year. If you are not yet a subscriber, please visit the facility at the left margin of this Blog, for a free subscription of the monthly Newsletter delivered direct to your email inbox.

This month as well as the usual local news in the section 'Arunachala Tidbits', we have; an indepth narrative on Ardhanarishvara and its particular relevance at Arunachala, the importance of January's Pongal celebration, the impact of the imported Eucalyptus Tree in the area, information on the Myna Bird and a fascinating article on Jewellery and its utilisation in the adornment of Temple idols. The newsletter also has inspirational quotes, poems, hymns and sayings. This month the short story is entitled 'Prince Five-Weapons' with its 'moral' being 'The only weapon you need is hidden inside you'.

A HAPPY JOYOUS 2008 TO ALL

To start off 2008 nicely, have created a new video pod for this Blog which contains 4 nice videos exploring the limits of the Universe and of one of its inhabitants, man. The videos are:

Pale Blue Dot - An exploration by Carl Sagan of our beautiful Planet Earth talking about its uniqueness and fragility

Abide as the Self - Part 1 of an exposition by Ram Dass on the nature of Sri Ramana's Teachings and our Inner Limits.

Visiting Tiruvannamalai - A jolly and happy video of a devotee (and his friends) experience of Tiruvannamalai and Arunachala

Voyage Through the Universe - A wonderful video narrated by Morgan Freeman trying to describe the vastness of the Universe - the Outer Limits.

Mother Meera to visit Tiruvannamalai

Mother Meera will visit South-India beginning 2008 and give Darshans between 13th January to 21st February at her Ashram in Madanapalle. She will be in Tiruvannamalai on January 10th for one Darshan, which is expected to be held at Meenakshi Kalyana Mandapam starting 6 p.m.

Samadhi of Swami Ramananda

In an earlier posting, we wrote about the death of Swami Ramananda

To find out more about the Samadhi ceremony for Swami Ramananda held at Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram (including photographs) please check this link here:

Classic Autorickshaw Race

'The Ceat Classic Autorickshaw Motor Race 2007' Rally will start off from Chennai on December 31st, 2007. The Rally aims at spreading awareness and raising funds for child education in rural India.

This Autorickshaw race which spans over eight days and involves a total distance of 1,024 km, will witness 65 participants from nine countries (including India, UK, USA, Hungary, Bosnia, Croatia, Ireland and Canada). The rally, which will commence from Chennai, will traverse through southern regions such as Puducherry, Thanjavur, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Tuticorin and Courtallam, before concluding at Kanyakumari on January 8th, 2008. In addition to navigating each stage of the Rally and keeping the Autorickshaws on the road, it is also planned for participants to visit schools and distribute books and other study materials.

This year organisers of the Rally have also implemented a carbon off-setting scheme, which will see the planting of over 6,000 trees at Tiruvannamalai in association with the NGO 'Trees for the Future'.

Temples in Tamil Nadu

An article entitled, "For the record, TN temples bigger" appeared in National papers throughout India. The following narrative is taken from 'Hindustan Times, Friday, December 28, 2007':-

**************************************************

"Have officials of the Guinness Book of Records committed a blunder by declaring Delhi’s Akshardham Temple as the largest Hindu temple complex in the world? It appears so. Officials of the famous Meenakshi Temple in Madurai maintain that Delhi's Akshardham is smaller than at least three different temple complexes in Tamil Nadu alone.

Meenakshi Temple

“Even if one considers the measurements of the Akshardham Temple given by the Guinness officials, Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple and the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai are definitely larger temple complexes,” said B Raja, joint commissioner of the Meenakshi Temple.

He pointed out that the outermost wall of the Meenakshi Temple is 850 ft long and 800 ft wide. The total area of the complex is 17 acres or 7.40 lakh sq ft. This is much larger than Akshardham which, press reports have indicated, is only 356 ft long and 316 ft wide, its grounds covering merely 86,342 sq ft.

Akshardham Temple

When informed that the entire Akshardham complex was spread over 30 acres, Raja said, "A temple is a place for prayer. It is incorrect to include facilities for non-religious activities such as restaurants or boating arrangements as the Akshardham complex has, as part of a temple, just because they happen to be in the vicinity."

Raja also noted that the Tiruvannamalai Temple dedicated to Lord Siva is even larger — at 25 acres or 10.89 lakh sq ft — than the Meenakshi Temple. “However, the built-up area in Madurai covers a wider area than Thiruvannamalai,” he said. Also the main tower at Tiruvannamali is 217 ft high.

Tiruvannamalai Temple

Even these two temple complexes are dwarfed in size when one takes into account the massive Sri Ranganthaswamy Temple complex in Srirangam near Tiruchy, a noted historian pointed out.

“Srirangam, surrounded by the waters of river Kaveri, is a 600-acre island-town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami Temple. There are 21 gopurams, among which the Rajagopuram is the tallest in South India — it is 72 metres (about 220 ft) in height, and dates to the 17th century, although it was fully completed in 1987. The temple complex measures 950 metres by 816 metres (about half a square mile) along its outer perimeter,“ writes Prof VS Seshadri.

Sri Ranganthaswamy Temple

"But we are curious to know if their officials visited our large temples like Srirangam, Madurai Meenakshi, Thiruvannamalai and Thiruvarur temples before arriving at this verdict," said a senior official of the Temple Administration Department.

State Temple Administration officials, however, said they have no immediate plan to challenge the Guinness classification of Akshardham."

Pyramid Societies Movement

An Ahimsa-Dhyana Maha Yagnam is being conducted on the grounds of the Govt. Arts College, Chengam Road, from 25th-31st December. The programe consists of; bhajans, music and group meditations, guest lectures from various spiritual organizations and discussions and information on Pyramids. The Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement, was founded by Brahmarshi Patriji in 1990 under the designation "The Kurnool Spiritual Society." Facilities at the Yagnam have been created to allow a capacity of 15,000 people.

Participants from throughout India have come to Tiruvannamalai to attend this Yagnam. For more information about the work of the Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement, visit their website here.

Swami Ramananda (T.N.Venkatraman)

On Wednesday December 26th, 2007, Swami Ramananda died peacefully in the course of the evening. Swami Ramanananda previously known as Sri T.N. Venkatraman was responsible for much of the current development of Ramana Ashram. He succeeded his father Chinnaswami as President of the Ashram in 1953 and held that position till he took up sannyasa in 1994 and retired from his Ashram duties.

To find out more about Swami Ramananda (previously Sri T.N. Venkatraman) please read the following excerpt from The Silent Power (The Fortunate Boy):-


******************************

“Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi is well known to all as a great Saint. But only a few know of his philanthropy and humanitarianism. Still fewer are those who experienced his paternal and maternal affection.

Of all these one boy alone had the most enviable opportunity of sleeping with Bhagavan and enjoying such paternal treatment. One and only one had that golden privilege.

This was in 1920. Bhagavan had come to Skandasramam from the Virupaksha cave and a small batch of devotees had gathered round him. The greatness of the Saint echoed all over the world. Devotees from all parts of India were coming for his darshan. While males enjoyed the privilege of staying in the Asramam up the hill with Bhagavan the whole day, ladies were not allowed to remain there after sun-set.

Maharshi had a younger brother and sister, his elder brother having passed away prematurely. This younger brother Sri Nagasundaram Iyer who was working as a clerk in Tiruvengadu temple had a small son. Fortunately for Sri Ramanasramam to be and unfortunately for his family, he took sannyasa when his wife died leaving a two year old boy uncared for. When both the parents left this child an orphan, Maharshi's sister, popularly known as `Athai' (aunt), took charge of the child and brought him up with unstinted love, affection and care. It was not only because she had no issue of her own but also because this boy was the only descendant of their whole family.

This lad was taken twice or thrice a year to Tiruvannamalai to see Bhagavan and his father (of the poorvasrama), henceforth known as Sri Niranjanananda Swami, by Athai and her husband,who were living in the far South. They were provided with a house near the hill at Tiruvannamalai. Every morning Athai would go up the hill and return to town in the evening, leaving the boy behind at Skandasramam.

When at first Athai hesitated to do this fearing to cause any kind of inconvenience to the much loved boy, Bhagavan said that he would be well under his protection. In the night the boy would eat from the sacred hands of Bhagavan and Bhagavan would make him lie down beside him, cover him with a blanket and lull him to sleep. He bestowed on him all care that any sincere mother is capable of. Early in the morning he would take the boy to the spring, clean his teeth with powder, and wash his face. Athai would rush up in the morning. Bhagavan with the lad seated on a culvert would tell the child, "There comes your Athai. See in what hurry she runs up to see you." As soon as she came up, Bhagavan would tell her, "Take your boy, see, he is safe and sound."

This abundant affection for the boy did not in any way prevent Maharshi from being strict with him. The following incident makes it clear that Bhagavan gave the boy a practical lesson which till now he has not forgotten.

At Skandasramam lived a monkey named Nondi, which was the pet of all. Maharshi had ordered that whatever food was served to his followers should also be served to the monkey, and in case it was absent elsewhere, then its share should be kept separate for its return. In such a case, the food would be kept near a window inside the cave and the shutter closed but not bolted. This was the custom.

On one of his periodical visits to the Asramam one day, the boy had enjoyed the sweet dishes served to the devotees. He had a little more than the usual share. The monkey being absent, its share was kept near the closed window. The boy, having had his share, went up to the window and began to eat out of the monkey's as well. Suddenly, the monkey came and opened the window only to see the boy eating its share. It gave the boy a blow on his cheek. Shocked and terrified, the boy cried out and devotees tried to console him. Bhagavan came to the spot, understood the situation and told the boy: "You deserve it. Why did you want his (monkey's) share. You have had enough already.

You ought to have been contented with that." Instead of appeasing the beloved child, Bhagavan put him right. The boy became silent and heeded Bhagavan's words.

"Do not touch the property of others. Be content with what you have. Share equally what you have. Divide it with one and all around you. Help the needy. Be not blind when a wrong is committed before you. Correct it if possible, or at least speak out for the right." These are some of the golden truths the young boy was able to grasp from the words of the Maharshi that day.

That blessed boy is Swami Ramanananda (Sri T.N.Venkataraman, former president of Sri Ramanasramam)."

Contrasts

Coming out of the Animal Shelter I looked up towards Chengham Road and noticed a funeral procession on its way to the burning ground a couple of kilometres away.

As is traditional in such processions, the ladies stay at home while the gents accompany the body to the burning ground.

While the funeral procession continues on its way, to the right of me are some young lads playing a game of cricket.

India the country of constant contrasts!

Christmas at Animal Shelter

On Christmas Day I visited the Animal Shelter, where as well as receiving a very large piece of cake, was also able to visit with lots of animal friends. What better way to spend such a special day?

The dear monkey at the Animal Shelter still remains, as the necessary paperwork to send him to a secure facility at Bangalore has still not been processed. As the monkey was getting bored and squashed in his tiny cage, the Shelter got a special enclosure made for him - which although is far from perfect is a HUGE improvement from his previous cramped quarters.

And here is Raja, one of the lads working at the Shelter feeding dear monkey with a nice vegetable snack. You might notice the little monkey friend behind Raja!

Monkey has to go slowly with his food as, due to old age, he doesn't have many teeth left - which is one of the reasons he was so vunerable to attack in the outside world.

At the front desk one little puppy recent arrival ontop the table and two snoozy dogs tucked up under the table.

The below dog was confiscated yesterday from its owner because of neglect. The owner kept the dog tied on a short chain 24-7 to act as a guard dog. Dr. Pushpa (the lady vet) thinks it will take at least a month for the dog to start acting and feeling normal.

Below is Dr. Pushpa examining the pet of the man in the check shirt. He brought the dog from the other side of Tiruvannamalai, thereby bypassing the Government Animal Hospital - even without advertising the great reputation of this Animal Sanctuary continues to grow.

The puppy on the left was picked up off the road just a few moments ago. It was so nervous that it was shaking. So in it goes into its nice bed with a new puppy friend.

After visiting some of the dog compounds, I walked around the small facility and noticed how beautiful it looked now that the trees and plants are doing so well.

And ever in the background is Arunachala - a more brilliant location just could not be found. No wonder the Shelter is doing so well - as its living in the shadow of the Lord.

Rapid Urbanisation Poll

In the previous Arunachala Grace poll, a question was asked:

"There have been unsuccessful attempts to get Arunachala designated a National/World Heritage site, thereby protecting it from unbridled expansion. But commercial and private interests have been and still remain too strong to prevent the rapid urbanisation/development of this area. But exactly who should decide upon these essential issues?"

The poll (which is now closed) offered the reader multiple choice answers. 25% of respondents felt the Municipality should be in charge of decision-making re development of Tiruvannamalai, approximately an equal number of voters thought that decisions should be taken by land owners and local residents. 41% of respondents prefer to see an elected Committee in charge of development decisions with the largest number of those polled, i.e. 45% prefer leaving important matters regarding development of the area to Ashrams and Temples.

Preparing the Cauldron

Here are more photographs of the lighting of the 2007 Deepam on top of Arunachala. The first photograph is of pilgrims climbing the Hill to be as close to the cauldron as possible. During the next 7-10 days (the period the Deepam cauldron will be alight on Arunachala) many will make the climb to the top of the Hill to offer ghee (clarified butter) and their prayers.

[CLICK ON PHOTOGRAPHS FOR ENLARGED VERSION]

The spectacular view of Arunachaleswarar Temple and part of the surrounding township of Tiruvannamalai, taken from near the top of Arunachala.

Lines of devotees pass along buckets, pots and all kinds of receptacles full of ghee to be poured into the cauldron.

A view from closer to the cauldron.

And now the cauldron is full of ghee and pressed on top are lengths of cotton heavily saturated with ghee. The white lumps on top of the cloth are packets of camphor. The fishermen (selected to light the cauldron) will wait until dusk and the time of lighting which will be signalled from the forecourt of Arunachaleswarar Temple down below.

The time has come and the giant cauldron is set alight to signal 2007 Deepam Jyothi at Arunachala.

Mottayan Swamiji (Mooku Podi Swami)

I wasn’t planning on posting this story, but the Manager of Hotel Deepam suggested that it was the right time to do so, and as Swamiji didn’t seem to object to having his photograph taken, maybe its okay. The photograph is of Mottayam Swamiji who is also known as Mookupodi Swamiji. It is believed he hails originally from Kumbakonam and moved to Tiruvannamalai some 40 years ago. Occasionally he disappears from this spot but after a short time returns. Although not famous outside this place, he is well known to traders and merchants near the Big Temple where it seems to be Swamiji’s custom to habituate a particular shop or restaurant for months at a time and then suddenly, for no apparent reason, leave his spot and take up residence at some other place.

Wherever he remains, it is always with the grateful support of the owner of whatever establishment Swamiji has selected. In this respect he moved to his current abode, the restaurant Hotel Deepam on Car Street (near Arunachaleswarar Temple) about 4 months back. He sits quietly in the same corner and rarely notices or looks at anybody. When he wishes to eat he will command whoever he chooses to ‘bring me food’. At night he sleeps on the restaurant floor. Sometimes he will get up and go for a wander about the town; about three times a week Swami will order an auto rickshaw driver to take him around the Hill – but always in an anti-clockwise direction. I have heard of several saints and sages who also have practiced going anti-clockwise around the Hill.

Mottayan Swamiji is sought by a number of devotees who will come and sit at a table near him hoping for a glance, blessing or some sort of signal or recognition. The owner of Hotel Deepam tells me that Swamiji is often offered expensive clothes and gifts, but he will never accept them, instead preferring to remain in his own well worn rags. He also will not receive offerings of food – at the times he wishes to eat he will select who it is that will feed him, and then give his orders.

Whatever may or may not be his spiritual state; I do know that recently at an important decision making juncture of my life, I was drawn to present myself at the Hotel where I sat at a table near Swamiji. Whatever the reason for the impulse that brought me to Swami, I left feeling satisfied that my question had been fully answered.

Some locals feel that Mottayam Swamiji is some kind of Avadhuta much in the same way as Shirdi Sai or Seshadri Swami. As to that I have no opinion, all I can say is that I’m grateful he is available and thankful to be able to spend time in his presence.