Tiruvannamalai Rail

On Sunday (July 27th) I met with R. Venkatesan at his family home in a Tiruvannamalai suburb in order to learn about the development of Tiruvannamalai Railways. R. Venkatesan has been working as Station Master for Southern Railways since 1995 and is currently one of two Station Masters at Tiruvannamalai Station, at which the ticket booth for Indian Rail reservations is still open.

What will be the 'old' entrance to Tiruvannamalai Railway Station

Due to ongoing development work, Tiruvannamalai Railway Station closed to all train traffic on the 1st June, 2006. Current work entails converting the previous metre gauge tracks to broad gauge, thus substantially increasing the load bearing capacity of both passenger and goods trains. The cost of improvements is calculated at 3 crore per km (includes land acquisition). The new trains will be multi-unit diesel with an increased passenger capacity from 1,000 to 1,700 per train. The service will be increased from three pairs (Villupuram-Katpadi via Tiruvannamalai to and fro) to eight pairs of passenger trains daily.

Indian Railways booking office still open for business

The metre gauge Tiruvannamalai goods trains carried 950 tonnes and travelled at 40 k.p.h and once the broad gauge tracks have been laid, the goods trains will be able to carry 2,000 tonnes and travel at 75 k.p.h. One wagon on metre gauge carried 28 tonnes compared to the 45 tonnes load on broad gauge. Integral Coach Factory (ICF) located in Perambur, a suburb near Chennai, is manufacturing the coaches to run on the new broad gauge lines.

A rather genteel sign
The new Tiruvannamalai Station is scheduled to be running from May, 2009, and will comprise a parking area, garden, 2 footbridges, 3 platforms and 4 railways tracks (for passengers and goods). The front entrance of the Railway Station will be a mock Raja Gopuram (same as Arunachaleswarar Temple).

At this time there are two further proposals in regards to the development of Tiruvannamalai Rail. The first proposal i.e. electrification of the line has run into a delay. The second proposal concerns the development of a direct Chennai route. In this respect land has already been acquired and currently four proposals are being considered regarding possible routes. One of those four proposals is anticipated to be accepted.

It is projected at today’s price, the cost of a new Tiruvannamalai Line connecting to Chennai via Tindivanam Station will cost 195 crores (includes land purchase). Currently in use is a roundabout route to Chennai through Tindivanam via Villupuram. The new direct rail route to Chennai will be 40 kms shorter and it is anticipated that tickets will cost approximately Rs.20/-

A sea of gravel

View of Arunachala from outside Railway Station
There will be more in-depth information on the above in this month’s Arunachala Grace News which will be sent out direct to subscriber’s email inboxes within the next few days. If you wish to receive this monthly Newsletter please fill out the facility at the left margin of this page for your free subscription.

Durga's Silver Dress

Here is the Ganesha idol at the Mother's Shrine at Ramana Ashram today.

And here is a very special statue of Durga, which is a big favourite for alot of devotees

And in close up.

A devotee is arranging to have a silver dress and ornaments made for the Goddess, and in this respect a couple of gents have travelled from Salem in order to take a wax impression of the idol. Below in one cauldron is a large quantity of pure beeswax and in the other cauldron, lots of hot water.

The wax is slowly softening up in the hot water.

And now it is being crushed, kneaded and further softened.

An Ashram priest already cleaned and washed the idol and now one of the Brahmin experts from Salem is covering the idol with the softened wax.

Its now completely covered, including the buffalo head underneath Durga's feet which was visible in the second photograph of this series.

After a short time the wax has hardened enough to give a good impression for the experts and they gently take the covering off the idol and examine it carefully. They are satisfied with the impression and after taking several smaller individual impressions of Mother's hand etc., they leave to return to their place and within 40 days will return with the silver dress and ornaments.

To get an idea of what the silver dress and ornaments will look like, I am posting the gold dress recently made for Sri Rajarajeshwari at one of my favourite Mother Temples at Arunachala i.e. Sri Rajarajeshwari Koil, located off the GiriValam roadway just before Adi Annamalai. She looks absolutely exquisite. Just hope Sri Durga ends up with an equally gorgeous dress, albeit a silver one.

Click on this photograph for enlargement

Samudram Village Puja

The following is an extract from Richard Clarke's posting entitled: Indian Village Life - Samuthiram Village Prays for Rain:

"This week we were invited to another Indian Village function–an annual ceremony where they ask the gods to bring rain. This is always held on the same day of the year. So on June 23, 2008 we went into Samuthiram Village to see the ceremony.

The rain is particularly needed this year. There are two monsoons that bring the bulk of the rain to the area. The Northeast Monsoon in October and November, and the Southwest Monsoon in the summer. The Northeast Monsoon failed to come last fall, and so far the Southwest Monsoon has failed to arrive as well.

Tamil Nadu has vast agricultural areas, much of which are rice fields farmed as small plots by village farming families. The rice fields can grow three crops each year, but they use lots of water. The English, when they came to India, said that these South Indian fields were the most productive in the world. They depend each year on the monsoons. Now we may have had two monsoon failures in a row." To read the rest of the post and view photographs, please click on this link here.

Villagers gathered at the small Shrine


Man carrying decorated puja item

Tiruvannamalai Rail Work

Tomorrow have arranged to meet a retired Railway Station Master to get information about gauge conversion and electrification work being undertaken at Tiruvannamalai Railway Station and hopefully some interesting historical railway anecdotes. There will be information on this in the upcoming Arunachala Grace Newsletter (August, 2008) due to be sent out within the week. If you wish to receive a copy of this monthly newsletter please go to the facility at the left column of this page in order to sign up for a free subscription sent direct to your email inbox.

Idyllic railway station before work


First view of Arunachala coming out of railway station


Gauge work undertaken at Tiruvannamalai station last year

To get an idea of rail travel during another era, when it was the primary source of transportation in India, am posting a fascinating extract from Mahatma Gandhi's book, 'Third Class in Indian Railways' written in 1917, which revealed his experiences with the rail journey he took from Mumbai to Madras.

“On the 12th instant I booked at Bombay for Madras by the mail train and paid Rs. 13.9. It was labelled to carry 22 passengers. These could only have seating accommodation. There were no bunks in this carriage whereon passengers could lie with any degree of safety or comfort. There were during this night as many as 35 passengers in the carriage during the greater part of it. Some lay on the floor in the midst of dirt and some had to keep standing. There were two nights to be passed in this train before reaching Madras.

After reaching Raichur the pressure became unbearable. The rush of passengers could not be stayed. The fighters among us found the task almost beyond them. The guards or other Railway servants came in only to push in more passengers. On the way passengers got for tea tannin water with filthy sugar and a whitish looking liquid so-called milk, which gave this water a muddy appearance. I can vouch for the appearance, but I cite the testimony of the passengers as to the taste.

Not during the entire journey was the compartment once swept or cleaned. The result was that every time you walked on the floor or rather cut your way through the passengers seated on the floor, you waded through dirt. The closet was also not cleaned during the journey and there was no water in the water tank. Refreshments sold to the passengers were dirty-looking, handed by dirtier hands, coming out of filthy receptacles and weighed in equally unattractive scales. These were previously sampled by millions of flies.

On reaching the station I found that the 'ghari-wala' would not take me unless I paid the fare he wanted. I mildly protested and told him I would pay him the authorised fare. I had to turn passive resister before I could be taken. I simply told him he would have to pull me out of the 'ghari' or call the policeman. One of the Punjabis had already travelled three nights and was weary and fatigued. But he could not stretch himself. He said he had sat the whole day at the Central Station watching passengers giving bribe to procure their tickets. Another said he had himself to pay Rs 5 before he could get his ticket and his seat.

I have got down at Raichur, Dhond, Sonepur, Chakradharpur, Purulia, Asansol and other junction stations and been at the 'mosafirkhanas' attached to these stations. They are discreditable-looking places where there is no order, no cleanliness but utter confusion and horrible din and noise. Passengers have no benches or not enough to sit on. They squat on dirty floors and eat dirty food. They are permitted to throw the leavings of their food and spit where they like, sit how they like and smoke everywhere. The closets attached to these places defy description. I have not the power adequately to describe them without committing a breach of the laws of decent speech. Disinfecting powder, ashes, or disinfecting fluids are unknown. The army of flies buzzing about them warns you against their use. But a third-class traveller is dumb and helpless.

Compare the lot of the first class passengers with that of the third class. In the Madras case the first class fare is over five times as much as the third class fare. Does the third class passenger get one-fifth, even one-tenth, of the comforts of his first class fellow? It is but simple justice to claim that some relative proportion be observed between the cost and comfort.”

Ganapati Muni Day

Tomorrow, July 25th, Ramana Ashram celebrates Kavya Kanta Ganapati Muni Day. Ramana Maharshi’s prominent devotee, Ganapati Muni, popularly addressed as Nayana, was a mighty spiritual personality in his own right and had a large following of illustrious disciples.

One day assailed by troubles and doubts, Ganapati Muni climbed Arunachala and found the young sage sitting outside Virupaksha cave. Ganapati Muni prostrated and said, "All the scriptures that have to be read, I have read. All the mantras and japa that have to be done, I have done. Still I have no peace. Please save me." The young Swami silently gazed at him and then said:

"If one watches whence the notion 'I' arises, the mind is absorbed in That; that is tapas. When you recite a mantra, watch where the sound is coming from, within you; when you sing a song or prayer, watch where it is emanating from: your Heart. Put your attention on That. That is tyaga, that is Tapasya, that is all.”

Sri Ramana and Ganapati Muni

It was Ganapati Muni that renamed the young sage, whose former name was Venkataraman as Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.

About a year after his first meeting with Sri Bhagavan, while sitting in meditation in Ganapati Temple of Ganapati at Tiruvottiyur, Ganapati Muni longed intensely for the presence of Bhagavan. At that moment Sri Ramana entered the Temple. Ganapati prostrated himself before him and, as he was about to rise, felt the Maharshi's hand upon his head and a force coursing through his body from the touch. Confirming the astral incident in later years, Sri Ramana Maharshi said:



"One day, some years ago, I was lying down and awake when I distinctly felt my body rise higher and higher. I could see the physical objects below growing smaller and smaller until they disappeared and all around me was a limitless expanse of dazzling light. After some time I felt the body slowly descend and the physical objects below began to appear. I was so fully aware of this incident that I finally concluded that it must be by such means that Sages using the powers of siddhis travel over vast distances in a short time and appear and disappear in such a mysterious manner. While the body thus descended to the ground it occurred to me that I was at Tiruvottiyur though I had never seen the place before. I found myself on a highroad and walked along it. At some distance from the roadside was a temple of Ganapati and I entered it."

To read more about Ganapati Muni go to this link here.

Museum Progress

Wondering how progress on the Museum/Visitors Centre at the Mountain of Medicine was going, so decided to drop by and have a look. The Park is located a short distance on Chengam Road, west of Ramana Ashram. Below is the front gate of the Mountain of Medicine.

Currently work is underway on improving the beginning of the (inner) mountain path around Arunachala and developing walkways; trees are being planted, and lovely paintings of local birds and wildlife are being placed in strategic spots around the walks and parks.

Lots of young saplings and plants both for the Mountain of Medicine and for sale to the general public for their own homes and land.


And the next series of photographs show the progress of the Visitors Centre.


The Visitor's Centre will be the focal part of the Mountain of Medicine eco-park. As soon as agreement was reached with the District Collector regarding the development of this Centre, an architect set to work and came up with a concept envisaging three separate blocks in one harmonious complex.



The blocks will house; a museum, environmental centre and office with herbarium of Hill plants, library, craft shop and cafe. To make use of the cooling mass of the earth, the buildings will be into the ground around the base of a small hillock in the eco-park.

Cow Lakshmi Puja Photos

As mentioned in my own posting, there was a Puja at the shrine of Cow Lakshmi on Monday morning, July 14, which is her Samadhi Day by the Hindu Calendar. To view the official Ramana Ashram photographs of the function click here and to watch the video of the puja go to this link here.

The Guru

But a Guru need not always be in human form. First a person thinks he is an inferior and that there is a superior, all-knowing and all-powerful God who controls his own and the world’s destiny, and worships him or does bhakti. When he reaches a certain stage and becomes fit for enlightenment, the same God whom he was worshipping comes as Guru and leads him on. That Guru comes only to tell him. “The God is within yourself. Dive within and realise.” God, Guru, and the Self are the same.”
[Ramana Maharshi]

Guru Poornima

The day of full moon, in the month of Ashadh is traditionally observed as Guru Poornima. This year, that day falls on Friday, July, 2008 (1:29 p.m. in India) and celebrates the anniversary of Sage Vyasa’s birth. (Vyasa is believed to have edited the four Vedas, written the 18 Puranas, Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavata).

Ganesha is believed to have written the Mahabharata to Veda Vyasa's dictation. When the sage asked Ganesha to write down the epic, the learned god agreed on condition that his pen should not stop moving until the story was completed. Vyasa agreed but said that Ganesha should write only if he completely understood what was dictated. So whenever Ganesha stopped to consider Vyasa's complicated compositions, the sage would use the time to compose more verses.

Spiritual Gurus are revered on this full moon day by remembering their life and teachings. And a period of 'Chaturmas' (four months) begins at this point. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.


“Guru is understood to be the awakener of the dormant spirit of the aspirant to the consciousness of the immortal Self or God. Guru is the guide and the leader. What does the Guru say to the soul in tribulation? He exhorts: “Go within yourself and behold therein the splendour and glory of the eternal Truth. Therein resides your ultimate home of perfect release, happiness and peace. Therein find the life that never fades, that never changes, but ever blesses and sanctifies. Be in tune with that Reality, if you sincerely crave of the highest consummation of life.” It is thus the Guru awakens you, and thereafter you are always awake. This is the real conception of a Guru.”
[Swami Ramdas]

A Mother's Love

Bonnet Macaque monkeys can be found throughout Tiruvannamalai District. The ones that frequent Tiruvannamalai and the outlying suburbs, are smart and socialised. They have little fear of people, but are wary of dogs in large groups. As they are so intelligent and opportunistic, its very important not to tempt them with interesting looking bags and packages. They also seem to relish nice shiny things like watches and glasses. I feel its a honour and blessing sharing this place with them.

These photographs were taken yesterday early morning at Ramana Ashram. Mothers having a chat while comparing notes on young infants. The Mums also seem to be having some kind of medical consultation!

Not only was this group sitting at the well, there were also a number of monkeys in the trees, wandering on the grounds and also peering from the roof of the Temple Shrine.

Dhal is sprinkled on the ground in front of the office every morning, an event the monkeys impatiently await for each day. Here one mother with youngster is making a grab of some dhal before the peacocks arrive.

The monkeys and peacocks have a interesting relationship in which they tolerate each other most of the time, but occasionally a skirmish breaks out between them.

And above a youngster exploring the world. He seems absolutely fearless.

Interview with V. Ganesan

We have been supplied with the following information, which we are sharing with readers of Arunachala Grace.

V. Ganesan, will be sharing stories about the life and teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi with an interviewer this Tuesday, the 15th July at 11 a.m. (USA Eastern Time Zone = GMT -5) on WCOM 103.5 FM Carrboro (North Carolina, U.S).

Or live world wide streaming webcast at:

http://www.communityradio.coop/Programs/touchstones.html

Archives @:

http://www.wordtrade.com/essays/touchstones/touchstonesA.htm

V.Ganesan

V. Ganesan grew up till the age of fourteen in the presence of his great uncle, Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. After the mahanirvana of Bhagavan in 1950, Ganesan went on to get a Master’s Degree in Philosophy. After to return to Arunachala, where he was able to absorb reminiscences of Bhagavan that had never been recorded before. In addition to this, his close contacts with saints, sages and seers like Yogi Ramsuratkumar, Nisargadatta Maharaj and J. Krishnamurti, helped him to deepen and widen his understanding of the essence of Bhagavan’s Teachings.

V. Ganesan is a wonderful story teller with a great memory and a very clear insight into the teachings of Bhagavan. So to those not familiar with V. Ganesan, the interview will be fascinating and highly recommended.

Lakshmi the Cow

As mentioned in an earlier posting, I attended Cow Lakshmi's Ardhana function this morning at Ramana Ashram. It was a very sweet event, especially for those attendees who know something of the history of this cow.

In the below, the President of Ramana Ashram, Sri Sundaram is in front of a chair with a photograph of Bhagavan and Lakshmi.

After the short puja, I thought it would be nice to visit some of the 163 cows that live at the Ashram, some of who are Lakshmi's descendants. The below is of a lovely Rajasthan cow, who was waiting for some bananas to be passed through the gate.

These Rajasthan cows and bulls are exquisite, with skin like silk and a gentle, sweet disposition.

The next photograph are of Punitha's calves. Punitha, who is now deceased was a HUGE favourite with devotees and visitors. Lets hope the kids grow up to be as lovely as their Mum.

Lots of cows everywhere, and here an idyllic scene of several cows hanging out under some trees at the Gokulam.

On Mattu Pongal (Festival of the Cows) celebrated yearly in mid-January in Tamil Nadu, domestic animals are decorated and fed with Pongal. Below follows a narrative of a special Mattu Pongal in which Lakshmi played a prominent part. The narrative is particularly interesting because the writer tries to explain the unique connection Cow Lakshmi had with Sri Ramana Maharshi:

“In the Asramam also yesterday morning several varieties of sweetmeats were prepared and, with garlands made of those sweetmeats, puja to Nandi was performed by drawing ornamental lines with lime powder before the cowshed, by tying plantain trees around the pillars, by hanging garlands of green leaves, by bathing all the cows, by placing tilakam (vermilion marks) on their foreheads and garlands around their necks, and by feeding them with Pongal. Finally pujas was performed to the chanting of mantras and the breaking of coconuts.

Lakshmi is the queen amongst the cows, is she not? You must see her grandeur! Her forehead was smeared with turmeric powder, and adorned with Kumkum. Around her neck and horns were hung garlands made of roses and several other flowers, as also those made of edibles, and sweets, Besides these, garlands made out of bananas sugarcane pieces and coconut kernels, were put around her neck. Not satisfied with these, the person in charge of the animals brought from his own house another garland made out of some savoury preparation like murukku and placed it on the neck of Lakshmi. When Niranjananandaswami asked him what it was for, he replied with justifiable pride that that was his mamool (yearly custom) to do so. When I saw Lakshmi thus decorated like Kamadhenu, I was overjoyed and felt extremely happy.

Bhagavan, who went out at 9-45 a.m., came to the Gosala (cow-shed) at 10 a.m., to shower his blessings on his children there. While he sat on a chair by the side of Lakshmi, enjoying the sight of the beautiful decorations on her, the devotees gave arati with camphor, chanting Vedic hymns such as “Na Karmana” etc. Some devotees said that they would take a photo of Lakshmi. She was then led into the middle of the Gosala after asking the devotees who had gathered in to a big group, to step aside. Lakshmi stood there, tossing her head in a graceful manner. Bhagavan also got up, came, and stood by the side of Lakshmi, patting her head and body with his left hand, and when he said, “Steady, please, be steady”. Lakshmi slowly closed her eyes and remained absolutely quiet as if she was in a samadhi (trance). Sri Ramana then placed his right hand on her back, and with his walking stick in this left, stood in a dignified manner by the side of Lakshmi, when the photographer took two or three photos. One must see that sight to appreciate its grandeur fully.

Another photo was taken when Bhagavan was feeding her with his own hands fruits and sweetmeats. You can see the photos when you come here. I was reminded of Lord Krishna in Repalle when I saw the grand spectacle of Bhagavan standing in the midst of the cows in the Gosala. Not only this, in Brahma Vaivartha Purana it is stated that Krishna is the Paramatma, the Lord of the cow world, and that Radha is Prakriti. The theory in that Purana is that Radha and Madhava are Prakriti and Purusha – the inseparable pair. Standing with his body bent slightly to the left, and with his left hand on Lakshmi, and with the walking stick in his right hand, looking as if it was a flute, with a sparkling smile on the face like the foam on the waves of the ocean of ananda, with a compassionate look towards the group of devotees that had gathered along with the herd of cows, Sri Ramana, the embodiment of grace, it is no surprise of one were reminded of Lord Krishna Himself standing with crossed legs, resting on his toes and playing exquisitely on the flute. If that Krishna is Ramana, what are we to say of our Lakshmi who appears to have been completely oblivious of this world with her ears hanging down, with her eyes closed and enjoying transcendental bliss caused by the touch of Bhagavan’s hands on her body? Shall I say that she is the embodiment of Prakriti in the shape of Radha? Otherwise, how could she understand human language?

It is no exaggeration to say that we, with human eyes, saw in that congregation what is beyond human sight; a world of cows, and its overlord, Prakriti and Purusha. You would perhaps laugh at my foolish fantasies but take it from me, that sight was so lovely. Every year this worship of the cow is being performed, but this year Bhagavan gave us this blissful darshan by standing by the side of Lakshmi, because the devotees said that they would take a photo of Lakshmi. What a great day! I am writing to you, because I just could not contain my joy.”

[Letters from Sri Ramanasramam]

Adiannamalai Temple

The name of this Temple, Adi Annamalai means ‘first’ or ‘ancient’ Annamalai (Arunachaleshwarar). Its size is small and it occupies only ½ acre in size – compared with the 25-26 acre size of Arunachaleswarar Temple on Tiruvannamalai side of the Hill.

The legend of Adi Annamalai recounts that Brahma, after His dispute with Vishnu about the fiery column, made a lingam and went to the other side of the Hill to worship Shiva. Thus, this lingam is supposed to be the first, ancient and original lingam of Annamalai and hence the name Adi Annamalai.

It is reported that the vision of Arunachala from this Temple is known as Siva Yoga Muka Darshan and the great Siddha Thirumoolar saw this darshan. Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi who used to camp at Adi Annamalai for up to 2-3 nights while performing Giri Valam was reported to have said that while there he heard the celestial recital of ‘Sama Veda’.

In spite of its illustrious history and position as one of the foremost Temples at Arunachala, the Adi Annamalai Temple has been sadly neglected this century. The last time Adi Annamalai Temple was renovated was during the years 1903-1918 when work was financed by a group of Chettiar devotees. A subsequent Kumbabhishekam was celebrated in 1967; but the puja was neither proper nor performed in the correct way. Since that time no substantial renovation or maintenance work had occurred at this Temple.

A Swami (well known in this area) would meditate at Adi Annamalai Temple from between 1988-1992 for up to 4 hours a day. While at the Temple he couldn’t fail but notice the whole of it was in a bad condition; there was only meagre lighting as the whole electrical wiring was in a damaged condition and the Temple was full of bats and had a very bad smell. Even though Adi Annamalai Temple falls under aegis of The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, at that time, it was not being properly maintained.

As a result of a near electrocution of an innocent visitor, our Swami became inspired to take action. He found out that the necessary electrical work for the Temple would cost Rs.75,000/-, so went about utilising contacts to raise the amount. Within 6 months money was raised and the work of installing new electrical wiring throughout the Temple completed.

At the electrical inauguration, The Temple Board Deputy Commissioner coincidentally visited Adi Annamalai and while there spoke to Swami saying, “Swami you should now do the full renovation of this Temple and also arrange the subsequent Kumbabhishekam”. Swami was perplexed as he had raised Rs.115,000/- for the electrical work and ceremonies but found that the estimate for the full Temple renovation and lavish Mahakumbabhishekam would come to 30 Lakhs – and there was only Rs.25,000 remaining from the electrical work collection.

However after prayful meditation, Swami became convinced that he had the Grace and Blessings of Sri Ramana Maharshi to undertake the work, so went about raising funds and overseeing all renovation and rebuilding work at Adi Annamalai Temple. Ganesha Puja was performed on January 26, 1993 and in February 7, 1994 Temple work officially started. The work to be undertaken: Wiring, Rebuild crumbling stucco idols in all Towers, new flooring, roof tiled with brick tiles, rooms renovated including all doors and the palanquins (for procession of the idols) had to be repaired and painted. The work altogether took 2½ years to complete and cost approximately the 30 Lakhs that was originally estimated.

Previously few pilgrims visited Adi Annamalai Temple, however nowadays during Poornima (when about 5 Lakhs visit Tiruvannamalai) about 50,000 pilgrims come to take darshan at Adi Annamalai Temple.

Lord Siva manifested himself as the Swayambhu Linga (Self Created) on the eastern side of the Hill. The Temple housing this sacred Linga is known as the Arunachaleswara Temple. On the western side of the Hill at the village Adi Annamalai is situated the Temple of Adi Arunachaleswara established by Brahma.

According to legend Brahma got enamoured of Tillottama, his own daughter (i.e. one of his own creations) and in his mood of infatuation went after her in the form of a dove. When she took refuge in Siva, the Lord confronted Brahma in the form of a Hunter and dispelled his delusion. There is even today a temple to the Lord as Hunter, known as Vediyappan Koil, being called wrongly nowadays as Kannapar Koil. To get himself absolved of the sin committed, Brahma installed and worshipped a Linga of Lord Arunachaleswara. This is also called Adi Annamalai.

In the Arunachala Puranam (Tamil), Brahma says to his son Sanaka, “To remove the unabating Karmas I installed and worshipped a Linga of Lord Arunachala, who is called Ani Annamalai (Ani = Beautiful)”.

The month of Maargazhi (December-January) is considered the pre-dawn hour of the gods (Brahma Muhurtha). Saint Manickavachakar sang his immortal “Thiruvembavai’ at Adi Annamalai. This song of bridal mysticism is sung all over Tamil Nadu every morning of Maargazhi month. There is a Temple and pond dedicated to this saint at Adi Annamalai.

Vision of Sri Ramana Maharshi

Describing a vision Bhagavan Sri Ramana once said:

“I was wandering about aimlessly when I found at one place a big cave. When I entered the cave, I saw a number of waterfalls, beautiful gardens with tanks and well laid paths shining with bright lights and everything about it was very pleasing. As I walked more into the cave I saw a Siddha Purusha (realised person) seated like Dakshinamoorthy under a tree on the banks of tank. Around him, a number of saints were seated. He was answering to their deep questions. That placed appeared to me familiar. That is all. I opened by eyes. Subsequently after some time when I saw Arunachala Purnanam in Sanksrit, I found the following slokas where Lord Siva says:-

‘Here I always abide as the Siddha and I am worshipped by devas.

In the interior of my Heart is transcendental glory with all tell the luxuries of the World.

My effulgent form in its mellowed appearance is known as the Aruna Hill. Meditating on this might Linga of mine one should do pradakshina (go around it) slowly.’

In these two slokas that cave and that Siddha Purusha have been described and so I was surprised that what appeared in a trance was to be found in that book. So I wrote their translation in Tamil: ‘Angiyuru Vayumoli Mangugiri yaga’? Its meaning is ‘though you are in the form of Fire, you have kept away the Fire and have taken the shape of a Hill mainly to shower your blessings on the people. You are always living here in the form of a Siddha’. The cave that appeared to me is in you with all the luxuries of the world. Not long after this vision the Temple renovation work at Adi Annamalai started (1903-1918). The workers accidentally uncovered a passage in a covered pit on the eastern part of the Temple. When devotees reported about this to me, I visited the place and was surprised to find that it was this very passage that I saw in the vision. Then I thought, that which is in the Purana appears to be true and that the tunnel is the way to places I have seen. I asked them not to investigate further but to close and seal the entrance.”

[Sri Ramana Maharshi]

With thanks for information of Adiannamalai Temple to Swami Ramananda, to find out more about him and his history with this Temple, go to this link here

[Photographs courtesy of Richard Clarke – to view more excellent photographs of Adi Annamalai Temple go to his link here]