Marriage of Shiva and Meenakshi

Right-click on photographs to view enlargements:

This year the marriage of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Meenakshi was celebrated on 16th April, 2011. Interestingly, the day before I visited Arunachaleswarar Temple and whilst sitting outside the Shiva Sannidhi watched as various palanquins were being prepared for the Marriage Festival to be held the next day.

The Marriage is celebrated throughout South India particularly at such Siva Sthalams as Arunachala. However, according to legend it is Madurai that is believed to be the actual site where the wedding between Shiva and Meenakshi took place and it is at Madurai that the Marriage is celebrated in a grand and huge manner over a period of 8-10 days.

The legend of Meenakshi and her marriage to Lord Shiva goes thus:

Marriage of Lord Shiva and Meenakshi

The legend

Once Indra killed a demon, even though the demon had done no harm. This act brought a curse upon Indra which he was freed from through the power of a Shiva Lingam in a forest, at which site he built a small Temple.

At that time in South India there was a Pandyan King called Malayadhwaja Pandiyan ruling a small city by the name Manavur, which was near the Shiva Lingam. When the King came to know about the Shiva Lingam he decided to build a large Temple for Shiva in that Forest. The King also developed the region into a fine princely state which was to be known as Madurai.

As the King was childless, he prayed and performed numerous yagnas for God to give him a child. The result was a three year old girl was born to him, who had three breasts and beautiful eyes like those of a fish (Meenakshi = eyes like a fish). The disappointed King who had been hoping for a boy, was told that when the child would meet her future husband, her third breast would fall off.

When her father died, the Princess ruled the kingdom and, as a ferocious warrior, led armies on a number of successful expeditions. On one of them she reached the Himalayas and encountered the God Shiva. Immediately her third breast fell off, and she became docile, ready to be a wife.

Shiva told her to return to Madurai where he would come to marry her.

He arrived accompanied by enormous crowds.

Wedding Procession

And it was at the wedding celebrations that Lord Shiva as Nataraja performed his majestic, cosmic dance.

Nataraja and Cosmic Dance

Saint Blesses a Thief

For most of the day Sri Bhagavan used to sit on his sofa, which was adjacent to a window. Squirrels would occasionally come in through the window and run around near him. Sri Bhagavan would often respond to them by lovingly feeding them cashews or other foodstuffs with his own hand. One day Sri Bhagavan was feeding the squirrels when a Muslim devotee, who had been watching him, gave him a note in which was written:

"The squirrels are very fortunate because they are getting the food from your own hands. Your grace is so much on them. We feel jealous of the squirrels and feel that we also should have been born as squirrels. Then it would have been very good for us."

Sri Bhagavan couldn't help laughing when he read this note. He told the man, "How do you know that the grace is not there on you also?" And then, to illustrate his point, he started to tell a long story.

One saint had the siddhi of correct predictive speech. That is, whatever he said came true. In whatever town he went to, the local people would come to him to have his darshan and to get his blessings. The saint, who was also full of compassion, removed the unhappiness of the people by blessing them. Because his words always came true, the blessings always bore fruit. That is why he was so popular.

During his wanderings he came to a town where, as usual, a lot of people flocked to him to get his blessings. Among the blessing seekers there was a thief. He went to have darshan of the saint in the evening and asked for his blessings. When the saint blessed him, the thief was very happy. He felt certain that because of these blessings, when he went out to steal at night, he would be successful. But it turned out otherwise. Whenever he went to break into a house, somebody or other from that house would wake up and he would have to run away. He tried in three or four places but he could not succeed anywhere.

Because of his failure, the thief got very angry with the saint. Early the next morning he went back to him and angrily said, "You are an impostor! You are giving false blessings to the people."

The saint very peacefully asked the reason for his anger. In reply the thief narrated in detail how unsuccessful he had been during his attempts to steal the previous night. Having heard his story, the saint commented, "In that case, the blessings have borne fruit."

"How?" the thief asked with astonishment.

"Brother, first tell me, being a thief, is it a good or a bad job?"

"It is bad," the thief admitted, but then he defended himself by saying, "what about the stomach that I have to feed?"

The saint continued with his explanation:

"To be unsuccessful in bad work means that the blessings have indeed borne fruit. There are so many other ways of feeding the stomach. You should accept any one of them. To come to this conclusion it was necessary that you be unsuccessful in your thieving work."

The thief understood and informed the saint that in future he would take up some other honest work. He prostrated before the saint and left.

Having narrated the above story, Sri Bhagavan asked the Muslim devotee,

"Do you mean to say that if everything goes according to your desires, only then is it possible to say that the grace of a saint has worked?"

"I don't understand," replied the Muslim.

Sri Bhagavan explained in more detail:

"The blessings of a saint perform the purificatory work of life. These blessings cannot increase impurity. One whose understanding is limited will ask for blessings so that he can fulfill certain desires, but if the desires are such that their fulfillment will make the seeker more impure rather than purer, the saint's blessings will not enable him to fulfill the desires. In this way the seeker is saved from further impurities. In that case, are not the saint's blessings a gift of compassion?" The Muslim finally understood and was satisfied by these words.

[By Chhaganlal Yogi]

Agathi Keerai

I was on my way home from the Doctors on Monday, completely forgetting that it was the beginning of Full Moon. A day that one definitely tries to avoid shopping and errands. Well, I was committed so had to press forward to my destination which was a shop to purchase food for my dogs, adjacent to the Agni Tirtham.

Agni Tank

Pilgrims coming from the town

Walking Westward on Chengham Road

In front of the Agni Tirtham, some enterprising ladies had set up a stall selling the leafy green, Agathi Keerai for pilgrims to purchase and feed the nearby tethered cows. I felt very proud that the ladies were clever enough to sell a leafy green (readily available for free throughout the countryside) for Rs.5 a bunch thereby making money, ensuring their 10 cows were fed for free and also making the Pilgrims very happy to be able to offer food to the cows during their sacred girivalam. Well done to all.

Agathi Keerai

Agathi Keerai Plant

One of the reasons the Agathi Keerai caught my eye, was because it is one of my favourite green leaves. Yummy. Not only is it used extensively in India and throughout Southeast Asia as food for livestock, the leaves and white flowers of this plant are also widely used in recipes in the kitchen.



Agathi Keerai

Agathi Keerai (Sesbania Grandiflora) is also known as Hummingbird Tree Leaves or August Tree Leaves. It is highly edible and used as fodder for livestock and also in cooking throughout India and Southeast Asia. There are two kinds of this Tree - one with red flowers and the other with white flowers. However it is leaves of the Tree with the white flowers that is used for food.


As well as being delicious for both humans and livestock to eat, this plant is also commonly known for its health properties. Its benefits include: tonic, cooling properties and aid to digestion, cure for ulcers, aid to night blindness and dimness of vision, balances pitta and kapha, antidote for poisons, laxative qualities, cures fever and believed to restore equilibrium to mind. It can also be applied externally as a poultice and applied to bruises and sprains.

For an extensive, scholarly research of this leaf, including its medicinal qualities go to this link here.


And to check out some very tasty recipes using Agathi Keerai go to links here and here.

AIADMK wins in Tamil Nadu

Very happy news for many in Tamil Nadu, is that the AIADMK has won a resounding victory in the recent State elections. The victory for many is a symbol that there will be greater transparency and a return to more stable and traditional values in the State.

In a way the response in Tamil Nadu to Jayalalithaa and the AIADMK is very similar to the response in the U.K. when Tony Blair was elected and in the United States to the election of Barack Obama as President. Although both Western victories heralded a ‘new start’ we hope and believe that the upcoming tenure of Jayalalithaa will be a greater success than either of the aforementioned Western premiers.








In a previous election victory Jayalalithaa was reported to have said:

"People of Tamil Nadu consider me their mother . . . only a mother knows what a child wants," she said adding "I will prove to be a good mother."

To read an interesting article about Jayalalithaa, entitled, “Tamil Nadu election results: Jayalalithaa's massive comeback”, go to this link here

During her election campaign, Jayalalithaa had predicted that with her allies, she would win upwards of 185 of the 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu assembly. Her prediction proved insufficiently ambitious, as the final tally of Tamil Nadu assembly seats show that her party with allies, won 199 of the State's 234 assembly seats.

Party sources say that Jayalalithaa was so confident of returning to power that she had booked the Madras University Centenary Hall for her swearing-in as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

In the case of Tiruvannamalai District, although the AIADMK won six seats in Tiruvannamalai District, the DMK held on to the prize seat of Tiruvannamalai as per the below results.







I know many were hoping that the AIADMK rout would continue also in our own Tiruvannamalai, but sadly it was not to be so. However, we hope that the new State Government will also affect positive and auspicious changes in Tiruvannamalai.

India Census 2011

The India population census is now online at this link here:


For specific information about Tamil Nadu, go to this link here.


And for those wondering about the population of Tiruvannamalai District, the current figures are:

Population 2011: 2,468,965

Population Growth 2001: 7.01%
Population Growth 2011: 12.94%

Density/km2 2001: 353
Density/km2 2011: 399

Moonlight -- A Legend

One day Sun, Moon, and Wind went out to dine with their uncle and aunts Thunder and Lightning. Their mother (one of the most distant Stars you see far up in the sky) waited alone for her children's return. Now both Sun and Wind were greedy and selfish. They enjoyed the great feast that had been prepared for them, without a thought of saving any of it to take home to their mother - but the gentle Moon did not forget her. Of every dainty dish that was brought round, she placed a small portion under one of her beautiful long finger-nails, that Star might also have a share in the treat.

On their return their mother, who had kept watch for them all night long with her little bright eye, said, "Well, children, what have you brought home for me?" Then Sun (who was eldest) said, "I have brought nothing home for you. I went out to enjoy myself with my friends - not to fetch a dinner for my mother!" And Wind said, "Neither have I brought anything home for you, mother. You could hardly expect me to bring a collection of good things for you, when I merely went out for my own pleasure." But Moon said, "Mother, fetch a plate, see what I have brought you." And shaking her hands she showered down such a choice dinner as never was seen before.







Then Star turned to Sun and spoke thus, "Because you went out to amuse yourself with your friends, and feasted and enjoyed yourself, without any thought of your mother at home--you shall be cursed. Henceforth, your rays shall ever be hot and scorching, and shall burn all that they touch. And men shall hate you, and cover their heads when you appear." And that is why the Sun is so hot to this day. Then she turned to Wind and said, "You also who forgot your mother in the midst of your selfish pleasures - hear your doom. You shall always blow in the hot dry weather, and shall parch and shrivel all living things. And men shall detest and avoid you from this very time." And that is why the Wind in the hot weather is still so disagreeable.

But to Moon she said, "Daughter, because you remembered your Mother, and kept for her a share in your own enjoyment, from henceforth, you shall be ever cool, and calm, and bright. No noxious glare shall accompany your pure rays, and men shall always call you 'blessed."

And that is why the Moon's light is so soft, and cool, and beautiful even to this day.

[An old legend]

Moon at Arunachala

Shiva is known as Chandrasekhara, which means, one crowned by the Moon. Lord Shiva wears on his head the crescent of the fifth-day moon. In some cultures the appearance of the new crescent moon has been celebrated as a return of the moon from the dead.

The moon is a powerful influence on the human psyche. Its influence which is always available at Arunachala is celebrated in disparate ways during Shivaratri and Poornima.







Shivaratri is the fourteenth day of the lunar fortnight, when the moon is waning and the sun is in the sign of Aquarius. It is a night of consecration and illumination. Each month there is Shivaratri and once a year a Mahashivaratri. Chandra, who is the deity of the moon and presiding deity of the mind loses one sixteenth of his brilliance every day after the full-moon day and continues waning until, by Shivaratri, he is left with just one sixteenth of his power. It is on this night of the waned moon (Shivaratri) that it is believed the mind is most tractable and can be easily conquered.

Whereas the nights of Siva are usually associated with mastery of the mind and success of spiritual ambitions, Poornima (full moon) is more about success of boons, vratas and heartfelt prayers. Doing pradakshina on Monday, (the day of the Moon -- Chandra) is particularly helpful if one wishes to start a new project, attain a high elevation in life or rid oneself of the fear of death.

In Sanskrit Chandra means, 'bright and shining'. In Vedic Astrology, Chandra represents brain and mind, emotions, sensitivity, softness, imagination, Queen and mother. The bright moon is considered a benefic, and for this reason answers to prayers connected with the Poornima (full-moon) aspect, are believed to be more easily attained.

Chandra has the following associations: the colour white, gender female, metal silver, gemstones; pearl and moonstone, element water, direction north-west, season Winter, body part blood, food rice, taste salt, day Monday, guna Sattwa.

Hinduism propounds the idea that the (nine) Navagrahas (of which Chandra is one) are 'markers of influence' -- living energies which put out waves which affect our awareness by seizing our consciousness when we come under their influence. Reports of psychics and seers agree that Grahas cause a direct energy influence upon the energy bodies and minds of all life on earth. The nine planets (Navagrahas) are transmitters of Universal, archetypal energy and the qualities of each planet helps maintain the overall balance of polarities in the solar system.

The sun is the indicator of the soul and the moon is the vehicle of the mind that receives the light of the soul. Even though all the Navagrahas are represented at Arunachala, the moon with its particular association with Lord Shiva (Chandrasekhara) is believed to have an extraordinary and particular influence at Arunachala.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

An official medical bulletin issued at Prashanti Nilayam Specialty Hospital announced that Sri Sathya Sai Baba died at 7.40 a.m. this day April, 24th, 2011 due to cardio-respiratory failure.

His body will lie in state at Sai Kulwant Hall, Prashanti Nilayam, for two days (i.e. Monday and Tuesday, 25th and 26th April). Andhra Pradesh has declared 4 days of State mourning in observance of Swami’s death.











The first spiritual teaching Sri Sathya Sai Baba is reputed to have given to the world was at the age of 14 years when he left his home and took a seat on a boulder outside his Puttaparthi village. It was at that boulder (which would later mark one of the boundaries of his vast desert Ashram), that Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai sang:


Manasa Bhajorey Guru Charanam
Dusthara Bhava Sagara Tharanam
Guru Maharaj Guru Jai Jai
Sai Natha Sad Guru Jai Jai
Om Namah Shivaya, Om Nama Shivaya,
Om Namah Shivaya, Shivaya Namah Om
Arunachala Shiva, Arunachala Shiva,
Arunachala Shiva Aruna Shiv Om
Omkaram Baba, Omkaram Baba,
Omkaram Baba Om Namo Baba


"O mind, worship the Lotus Feet of your God and Supreme Teacher that will take you safely across the ocean of life and death. Victory to our Lord and supreme Teacher, Sai Nath!

Mind, also chant and worship; the Divine name of Lord Shiva and Arunachala mountain (which is no different to Shiva) and Baba whose form is OM."

In this bhajan Bhagavan exhorts devotees to worship the feet of the spiritual preceptor and explains that there is no difference between the Pranava Om (which pervades the Universe), Arunachala and the Lord. Bowing to one is as bowing to all.

Since that early age of 14 years and his first teaching, Sri Sathya Sai Baba often encouraged, suggested and even ordered devotees to come to Arunachala. As well as his love of this Holy Place, Sri Sathya Sai Baba often guided people (as did Ramana Maharshi) in the method of Self Enquiry.


"All agitation will cease the moment one enters on the enquiry. 'Who am I?' This was the sadhana that Ramana Maharshi achieved and taught to his disciples. This is also the easiest of all disciplines."
[Sri Sathya Sai Baba]


The following is a speech made by Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Shiva, the Divine Consciousness:


“Who is Shiva?” Divine Consciousness which pervades all living beings is none other than Shiva. This Divine Consciousness permeates not only human beings, but all other creatures. Shiva-consciousness is all-pervading. “With hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth and ears pervading everything, He permeates the entire Universe.”

All that we witness is Shiva Consciousness; nothing else. Shiva does not mean a particular form with matted hair and tiger skin. Wherever we look and whichever form we come across – whether a child or an elderly person, whether a woman or a man, in every form Shiva Consciousness is resplendent.

How can you describe the all-pervading Shiva-consciousness or limit it to a particular time and place? God is described by different people in diverse ways depending on their imagination and understanding. But the nameless, formless God is omnipresent and all-pervading

Who can describe such Divinity? There is only one sign for Divinity, that is, Consciousness. In whichever form this Divine Consciousness permeates, it will assume that form – it may be the form of a dog, a crow, a crane or a human being.

All that you witness in this objective world is a manifestation of Shiva. It pervades the three worlds; earth, space and nether world and exists in the three periods of time; past, present and future. It is indescribable.

Man today searches for God everywhere, not understanding that he himself is an Embodiment of Divine Atma.

One has to realise Divinity by cultivating love for God. It is only love that can bind God. Through such Divine Love, the oneness of God has to be realised. If the attributeless God has to be described, the description would be “One without a second, eternal, pure, unchanging, witness to all functions of the intellect, beyond one’s imagination and beyond the three conditions (gunas).”

The best sadhana is to realise unity in Divinity and worship God as such. “To see the One in all you see.”



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



Sri Sathya Sai Baba entered my life in 1982 and soon thereafter became my Satguru. I have been fortunate to have spent time near him when he was healthy and accessible to his devotees. I look at gratitude at all he has given me and inspired me towards. I owe him everything and to me, no such other will walk upon the face of this earth again.

Happy Earth Day -- April 22, 2011

Earth Day was founded on April 22, 1970 and now is celebrated on that day throughout the world. It is intended as a day to promote awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. To learn more about the history of Earthday go to this link here.







To find out more about earthday and also to measure your ecological footprint on the planet go to this link here.

Chant for Peace


May the Goddess Waters be auspicious for us to drink. May they flow, they flow, with blessings upon us.

May the Earth be pleasant and free of thorns as our place of rest. May She grant us a wide peace.

May the Divine Waters which grant us blessings, may they sustain us vigor and energy, and for a great vision of delight.

May we partake of that which is their most auspicious essence, as from loving mothers.

May the Heaven grant us peace, and the Atmosphere. May the Earth grant us peace, and the Waters. May the plants and the great forest trees give us their peace. May all the Devas grant us peace; may Brahman grant us peace. May the entire universe grant us peace. May that supreme peace come to us. May that peace dwell in me.

Take this firm resolve: May all beings look at me with the eyes of a friend. May I look at all beings with the eyes of a friend. May we all look at each other with the eyes of a friend.

Shukla Yajur Veda (36.12-15, 17-18)

Ramana Ashram New Library

Right-click on photographs to view enlargement

Work on two major ashram building projects have recently commenced. One project is the renovation of the Morvi Guest House compound, and to read my recent posting check out this link here.

The other major Ramana Ashram project is the construction of a new Ramana Ashram library or, as it is now titled, Sri Ramana Granthalaya, which is being constructed between the dining hall and the back wall adjacent to the lower slopes of Arunachala.

On my recent visit to the Ashram on my way to check out the current state of construction of the new library, I observed several beautiful Langur monkeys. Until a couple of years ago this quiet, reclusive monkey was more generally viewed on the south east slope of the Hill, most particularly in the areas around Coral Hill and Pachaiamman Temple.

But now due to human influence and lack of habitat due to construction in their once favoured areas, many Langurs have moved into the Ramana Nagar area and can be easily spotted around Ramana Ashram.

Langur Monkey

Thus far the Langur and more commonly seen Bonnet Macaque monkey seem to be adjusting to sharing a common space. To see more of the Bonnet Macaque view links here and here.

Bonnet Macaque Monkey

As well as viewing lots of monkeys on my recent visit to the Ashram, also noticed the ubiquitous peacock on the Ashram grounds. Links here and here.

Peacock

Noticed that for security purposes the back wall of the Ashram has been significantly raised.







The below photograph is looking towards the main forecourt of the Ashram with my back to the new construction.







A Ramana Ashram Bulletin explains the renovation of the Morvi Guest House thus:

“It will play an important role in enhancing the spiritual learning in the ashram with its multifunctional space. The ashram intends to utilise the space for the propagation of Bhagavan’s teachings, meditation and a concert space for various cultural activities.














The Granthalaya is designed with a large water court that will promote a feeling of calmness. It unfolds into a circular court flanked by a free flowing space and an open-to-sky courtyard that can be used as a multifunctional arena. There is a peripheral ramp surrounding the building suitable for both the young and the elderly that leads to the first floor facilities of the library.







At the upper level, there is the large radially organized library space with sky lights that houses some 20,000 volumes of books. The glass dome, an oculus atop the central court brings in ample diffused natural light for reading which conserve energy. The Granthalaya works out to be 2000 sq. ft. in area along with an office space. The scheduled date for completion of the Granthalaya is on the 15th December, 2011.”


my own opinion is I really like the current Ramana Ashram Library and that . . . a glass dome on upper floor sounds HOT . . .






The last photograph of this series is looking towards Arunachala from the main forecourt of the Ashram, in front of the offices. The new library will be located in front of the trees at the back of the photograph.

Tamil New Year

Kali Age

In Hinduism it is believed that the Yuga we are currently living in, i.e. the Kali Yuga is the last of four Yugas and at the end of each Kali Yuga there is pralaya, a period of dissolution and destruction.

The Vishnu Purana details the attributes of man and society during the Kali Yuga:

“The Kali Yuga is supposed to be a time in which he, who will distribute immense wealth, will be considered as master of men. Accumulated wealth will be spent on ostentatious dwellings.

The minds of men will be wholly occupied with earning money and that will be spent on the gratification of selfish desires. Women will follow their own inclinations and will be given up to pleasure seeking. Men will endeavour to acquire riches even dishonestly. No man will part with the smallest fraction of his wealth at the sacrifice of his own interest even when requested by his friends.

In the Kali Yuga everyone, possessing vehicles and elephants and horses, will be a Raja; anyone who is feeble will be a slave. In the Kali Yuga, cows will be held in reverence only because they supply milk. People will be subject to all sorts of infirmities of mind, speech and body which will result in all manner of sins being committed and great viciousness taking place in society.”
[Vishnu Purana]

"In the Kali Yuga, less than one-fourth of the normal amount of righteousness remains in the world. Everything is in flux and always changing. But, the texts say that Kali Yuga is the best of all ages because it is the age in which everyone, regardless of caste or karma, can realise God. The problem is, most people are so overcome by Maya that they have no desire to know God.

Kali Yuga eventually develops into GHORA ('terrible') Kali Yuga, when things get really bad in the world, at which point the gutters are overflowing with filth. Nature then cleans out the gutters, by whatever means She sees fit to use, and Satya Yuga begins again."
[Robert Svoboda]

My experience of the world combined with my intuition makes me accept unequivocally the predictions of the Kali Yuga as set out in the Vishnu Purana. I totally believe that the world is caught in a stranglehold of greed and adharma.







There was a time at Arunachala, the premier Shiva site in all of India, that devotees would come to laud and worship the great Lord Shiva by digging tanks and wells and creating flower gardens for the Lord’s enjoyment. And now for the sake of a few paisa, tanks and wells are being filled so that land sellers can extend their land by a few square feet to sell off as plots. Trees are being cut down in order that new roads be created through reserve forests populated by Arunachala wildlife. And the earth of natural reservoirs lakes such as Arunachala Samudram (and many others around the Hill) are being disembowelled and degraded so that a very few can make a fortune selling off the sand for house building.






How have we come to this? How is that Tirupathi is able to create a spiritual centre which is clean, organised and safe and yet (if that’s what your interested in) be the most financially lucrative spiritual centre in all India – and we at Arunachala are daily witnessing the accelerated degradation of land surrounding the Hill? Those that come for girivalam, climb the Hill, or even just move about the town, known only too well of the increasingly denuded area and of the dirt and plastic refuse filth throughout Tiruvannamalai.

I can only write what I know about, and in this respect a very few years back, Arunachala Samudram was pristine clean and unmarked by the ravages of sand diggers and tractors. Locals would come and cut down acacia bushes to use as fuel, but would also take care to plant trees to replace that which they took. Nights on the Samudram would be silent and blessed – just as things should be during night in the countryside.














And now, increasingly as new buildings are being built in Tiruvannamalai, both locals and land developers are using the reservoir as a dump. Giant holes, some already 30 feet deep are appearing randomnly throughout the lake bed as a result of sand quarrying. And noise and fuel smoke is constant day and night as trucks and land diggers take their loads of Samudram earth to sell to local builders. During the rainy season when these huge artificial holes fill with rainwater, in the stealth of night and early morning huge vehicles come and pump out untreated human waste taken from the septic tanks in nearby homes.

I believe that we are better than this, that the majority of people living at Tiruvannamalai are devotees of the great Lord Shiva and that with cooperation from NGOs that officials and government would be eager to participate in helping to create a Tiruvannamalai that would be the crown jewel of South India.






Conservation, intelligence, planning, ecology are words that help create a beautiful environment, and it is this that would add true wealth to each of us.

Happily great emphasis is nowadays being placed on the reforestation of Arunachala, however attention also needs to be focussed on the great swathes of agricultural land surrounding the sacred Hill. Over the last few hundred years as Arunachala was denuded of its natural vegetation, so too surrounding land was stripped of natural plant life in order to support intensive farming with crop cultivation up to four times a year. Some of these farms have already been sold to property developers for densely packed housing estates, and undoubtedly this trend will escalate over the coming years.

In this respect there is a need to create and maintain sanctuaries around Arunachala providing safe haven for birds and other wildlife, thereby adding to the rich diversity of life around the sacred Hill. The jewel of these sanctuaries should be the 600 acre Arunachala Samudram as its so perfectly placed at the very foot of the Hill.







Even a huge city like New York understands the importance of beauty and nature in the midst of urban sprawl and their 770 acres Central Park is maintained by the Central Park Conservancy, a private, not for profit organization under a contract with New York City. Incidentally the real estate value of Central Park was estimated by the property appraisal firm, Miller Samuel, to be $528,783,552,000 in December 2005.

So if New York, can forgo dipping their hands into the kitty for the sake of the community, I think we at the sthala of Lord Shiva can do MUCH better.

Arunachala Pujas

In response to requests from readers interested in arranging pujas to be performed on their behalf at various private Arunachala Temples, I can now refer you to my new Blog, Arunachala Mystic for photographs of previous private pujas. And invite you to get in touch at the ‘Contact Me’ facility on that Blog for more specific information.

Arunachala Mystic is dedicated to sharing information about the spiritual, esoteric and mystical side of Arunachala; premier Shiva site in all India. As well as giving readers the opportunity to arrange pujas and rituals at various private Arunachala Temples and Shrines, Arunachala Mystic will also give information about more mystical and esoteric aspects of Arunachala. In this respect readers are invited to participate by sharing their own experiences of Arunachala.






The Arunchaleswarar Temple, Adiannamalai Temple, Arunachala Ashta Lingams and many other Temples and Shrines throughout Tiruvannamalai are under the general control of the administration of The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Tamil Nadu Government. For this reason devotees must go direct to the specific Temple controlled by the Department in order to arrange a puja.

Check this contact link to get in touch with Arunachaleswarar Temple regarding pujas. However as their website is not up-to-date I will shortly list details on Arunachala Mystic of specific pujas currently available at the Big Temple.

Ramana Ashram Building Projects

Right Click on photographs to view enlarged version

The first four photographs of the below sequence are of the very busy NH66 Chengham Road which runs from town directly passed Ramana Ashram. Over the last several years there has been a huge increase in traffic throughout Tiruvannamalai.






















Work on two major Ramana Ashram building projects have recently commenced. One of the projects is the construction of a new library (to be known as the Sri Ramana Granthalaya) at the site between the Ashram dining hall and the back wall adjacent to the lower slopes of Arunachala (photographs to come).

The other Ramana Ashram building project is the major renovation of the Morvi Guest House compound.

The below photograph is of the entrance to the Morvi Guest House Compound.











Demolition of the previous cottages and rooms of the Compound has almost been completed.


A Ramana Ashram Bulletin explains the renovation of the Morvi Guest House thus:

“The Morvi Guest House project block will radically change what is one of the most important accommodation facilities of the ashram. Many of the present structures require major renovation due in particular, to the poor drainage facilities that have rendered quite a number of the ground floor rooms unusable during the monsoon season. It was decided to do a complete makeover rather than piecemeal restoration.



















The historical central building will be preserved. The modules of the guest rooms will surround the heritage central block and create a buffer for free movement and circulation for devotees away from the increasingly noisier main road.













The rooms (of the new development) will be divided into three categories: 20 single occupancy rooms; 20 double occupancy rooms and 12 family cottages with living room and bedroom concept. With an open communal space it will instil a sense of community. The well will be preserved and there will be other services along with parking facilities. The entire block is set for completion by April 30th, 2012.”

Back of the Morvi Guest House

The Well

The Current Ramana Ashram Library
behind green curtain