Saron School

The below shows Rev. Jayapathy Daniel, pastor of the Arcot Lutheran Church and head of Saron Boys Boarding Home, Tiruvannamalai. The boarding school houses around 480 boys through classes 1 to 12, all of whom are supported by Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry. Here Rev. Jayapthy Daniel (who also pastors the church adjacent to the school campus) is standing by the school's new dormitory which was donated by Prairie Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.A., and dedicated January, 2006.

The below is a photograph of the new 2-storey Prairie Dormitory which houses 275 boys between the ages 12-18 years old.

Some of the Saron School boys who were following us around during our tour of the School and facility.

This is one of the standard rooms in the Prairie dormitory. At night the bedding is put out on the floor and in the morning folded up and put away.

While visiting the Saron facility, we were able to see the kitchen and dining room just before lunch. Some of the older boys were helping the school staff prepare individual lunch plates for the boys. As expected meals are of the traditional South Indian variety i.e. rice, sambhar, vegetable curry, rasam and buttermilk.

Rev. Jayapathy Daniel told me that the boys' schedule is as follows:

5.30 a.m. get up, exercise, bath
7.00 a.m. prayers, study
8.15 a.m. breakfast (Tamil dishes like pongal, iddli, uppmavu)
9.00 a.m. school lessons
12.40 p.m. lunch (Tamil meals)
1.30 p.m. school lessons
4.30 p.m. school over, play and snacks
6.30 p.m. prayers
7.00 p.m. dinner (Tamil meals)
9.00 p.m. bed younger boys
10.00 p.m. bed older boys

The school is effectively non vegetarian in that the boys are given eggs three times a week, and chicken twice a month.

Below is a photograph of one of the older dormitories. As in Prairie Dormitory, bedding is rolled up during the day and put out only at night. That means lots of running around space in all the time in between!






The Boys Boarding Home was originally set up at Siloam, Tirukoilur and a Girls Boarding Home located at Saron, Tiruvannamalai. Later on, because of administrative reasons, the schools switched location, and now the boys have their Boarding Home at Saron, Tiruvannamalai and the girls at Siloam, Tirukoilur. Both establishements were founded in 1907 and over the last 100 years there have been many changes, improvements, new building works, renovations and landscaping. However there are still many instances of traditional Tamil building techniques. Many of the ceilings are of the old fashioned variety, with wooden beams and rafters; something rarely incorporated in new buildings nowadays.

Below are some Saron boys acting out for the camera in front of the dormitory for younger boys. This dormitory is home to approximately 150 boys between the ages of 6-10 years old!






While visiting last Sunday (which is a 'no-school' holiday for the boys) we were able to meet alot of the kids and talk with them. More than 50% of the boys at Saron have one parent who is dead. In some cases their remaining parent is working far distant from Tamil Nadu. But whatever the childs' individual circumstance, this is India, home of the extended family and during school holidays, ALL children leave campus to go and stay with their nearest relative.

The boys have a good success rate in national exams. Besides formal education, the Saron Boarding Home gives practical teachings on agriculture, singing, dancing and dramatics and many boys in the Saron School's 100 year history, have gone on to high administrative positions in the Government.

The Saron Boarding Home, Middle School was upgraded into a High School in 1984. At this facility there are three acres of agricultural cultivation land and a large playground in which one of the favourite sports is football. Seven wardens look after the boarders who number approximately 480 boys.

In the below photograph some of the boys are clowning around for their guests. It was nice talking with the young lads, and although very 'energetic', they were respectful and good natured.

The size of the campus is approximately 7-8 acres and although located close to the Big Temple and also to the main thoroughfare to Tirukoilur, the whole campus is very peaceful. I think probably because of all the wonderful trees planted throughout the facility and also because of the high, compound wall skirting the entire campus permieter.

The below is a photograph of the Arasamaraam Tree which is known for giving out large quantities of oxygen and is meant to be very beneficial to sleep under.

It is also worshipped by Hindus as the 'sacred tree of knowledge'. The Arasamaraam Tree (sacred since Vishnu, during one of his incarnations, reposed under its mighty shade and there taught humanity philosophy and sciences) is called the 'Tree of Knowledge' and the 'Tree of Life'. Under the protective umbrage of this king of the forests, Gurus would teach their pupils their first lessons on immortality and initiate them in the mysteries of life and death.

In occult philosophy arasa-maram is a mystic word.

Below is the beautiful colonial house (which is over 100 years old) and being currently used as home for Rev. Jayapathy Daniel and his family, administrative offices and also to accommodate visitors.

At the back of the school campus, is a large enclosure, in which 3 acres is set aside for agricultural purposes. In the enclosure there is also a playground for the boys and a Cemetry (for some of the deceased connected with the Church).

And saving the best for last, this is the view from the school playground. As well as a spectacular view of Arunachala, also visible at the front of the Hill is the Raja Gopuram of Arunachaleswarar Temple.

In 1996 LPGM (Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry) began a relationship with the Arcot Lutheran Church of South India by partnering with them on the education and support of very poor village children. In this respect, their 'Project Education India' supports over 1,700 children in ten boarding homes in India.

As well as the support of LPGM and the Prairie Lutheran Church, Tiruvannamalai, Danida (the Danish International Development Assistance) are actively involved in the improvement and maintenance of Saron Boarding Home for Boys. In this respect, since 1986, Danida has financed the renovation of houses in the compound, construction of a new primary and higher secondary school complete with 18 classrooms, a new dining room, worker houses, overhead tanks and other development programmes.

Hail to Thee! [part 2]

[Cont'd from June 6th, 2007]

Hail to Thee! O'Arunachala!

10. Never again my gaze shall I turn
From Your Beacon that does ego burn
Nor leave for long Thy Name, that chant
That thrilled my being as honey to an ant

11. Gripped since in the jaws of Your Gaze

Guided hence through life's maze
Thou let me win and lose with freedom
And revel in Thee with sporadic abandon

12. Thy Leash's on my neck, Your Hill is the peg
Now letting me range and graze as far as I beg
Tasting bitter herbs and lush sweet grasses
And drinking the waters of faraway places

13. Enough this spurious freedom! This fake liberty!
This granting of pleasures sweetened by adversity

Tighten Thy Leash and destroy my range
Bring me home no foreigner strange.

14. O' "I Am" revealed, shining forth as all
How could Thou let this delusion fall?
Can the One be confused as the Many?
If Thy will did not veil this epiphany

15. Verily by Thy Hand does this Delusion prevail
Show Thy Mercy and remove mankind's travail
That brother may not slaughter brother
And Thy Holy Lands be not torn asunder

16. Standing silent, Thou put to shame
Scholarly intellect's vain-glorious claim
To grasp Thee with duality's meager span
"Be Still", Thou said "And know That I Am"

18. Didn't Thy Elder Prince, Divinity's Fruit winner
Beg Immortality's Nectar from the Cave Dweller
That we may taste the flavor of liberation
In crumbs from their table of deliberation

19. Such Thy Greatness, what merit does now shower
The favor of Thy disdain on this hapless beggar
O' Lord! Grant my eyes Thy eternal Light
The glorious blaze that puts fear to flight

20. Ego hast made a janitor of me, the king
Granting me a refuse cart for the hauling
Bestow now the Grace of Thy sweet fragrance
And destroy the stench of this foul existence

Milk

In the agriculture heartland of Tamil Nadu, do we really want to go from this idyllic conceptualization of the 'perfect time' to . . .

This gross, ugly exploitation of other living beings?

In respect of the future of agriculture in Tamil Nadu, an analysis was recently brought out by the Human Development Centre entitled 'The Road Ahead: Tamil Nadu in the New Millennium'. One very interesting section of the report is: 'Income, Employment and Poverty' as the economy of Tiruvannamalai District is primarily based on agriculture.

What used to be a peaceful family enterprise of raising cows and selling off the milk to homes and the Government's milk Company 'Aavin' is now quickly developing into an intensive, and highly competitive commercial venture. In this respect many large private dairies have opened up around Tiruvannamalai specifically to supply large quantities of milk to the new milk processing plants in town. As well as this, there are currently plans to open a large powdered-milk plant in the Tiruvannamalai District.

What follows is an excellent article entitled 'Milk in the Age of Convenience by Arun Deva' talking about the current commercialisation of milk production.

"As with all great treasures, milk comes with certain caveats. As our society further distances itself from nature and turns gradually more synthetic, these caveats turn into dire warning signals. A look at milk's qualities as expressed in the magnificent Ayurvedic text, the Caraka Samhita, shows the potentiality of both misuse and overuse. Caraka lists milk's qualities as sweet, cold, soft, lubricant, unctuous, smooth, slippery, heavy, slow and pleasant. In Ayurveda, milk is almost never drunk cold, as it is harder to digest and thus turns the milk from sattvic to tamasic in nature. Sattva is a state of lightness, equanimity, clarity, and, in this case, fortification, strength and vitality. Tamas, on the other hand, reflects dullness, confusion, sloth, and in this case, the process of compromising its quality, leading to ill health and the potentiality of allergies. But what exactly is "compromised" milk?" . . .

To continue reading this excellent article, right click here . . .

Pachaiamman Temples

At Kailash, Lord Shiva and Parvati blessed the world with peace, prosperity and happiness. Goddess Parvati, deciding to shower her bountiful grace on human beings by enacting a drama, closed the eyes of Shiva with her hands. As a result the Universe was engulfed in total darkness. The Devas and other celestial beings flocked to Kailash and Shiva gave asylum to them and opened his third eye thereby dispelling darkness and bathing the area in brightness.

The Goddess, in the form of Pachaiamman, prostrated at the feet of Shiva, who knew of her Divine design, to establish peace and harmony in the world. Since she was responsible for drowning the world in darkness Lord Shiva wanted her to atone by proceeding to the world in order to perform penance.

The Goddess appeared in many spots which became holy by her presence. She appeared in Kasi and spread the Vedas and Sastras and also at shrines at Thirumullaivaayal and Mangadu. The Goddess also went to Kanchi to perform penance under a mango tree to propitiate her Lord Shiva. At Sengodu, near Tiruvannamalai, she observed tapas standing on a needle. It is believed that she performed penance at Arunachala, at an Ashram located in what is now known as Pavalakunru.

The Goddess was victorious in all her endeavours. Since she is believed to appear as Pachaiamman in Thirumullaivaayal, she has a famous Temple dedicated to her there which is situated near Vaishnavi Devi Temple near Ambattur, North Chennai. Pachaiamman is called the goddess of marriage and blesses those entering wedlock.





Here at Arunachala, we also have a famous Pachaiamman Temple which has a long history attached to it. The most recent of which is that over the last 3 years the Temple, its tank and compound are undergoing extensive renovation.

In 1905 when there was a plague crisis in Tiruvannamalai, Ramana Maharshi moved to Pachaiamman Koil for six months during the worst of the epidemic and returned to the caves on the southside of Arunachala when the plague crisis was over. Again in 1908 Ramana Maharshi returned to Pachaiamman Koil and lived there with Ganapathi Muni and others for about three months.

I hope to re-visit Pachaiamman Koil soon and check out the progress of the renovation programme.

Popular Ashrams

In the interests of new pilgrims and visitors to Arunachala who need Ashram contact information, I hope in the course of the next few days to mention the most prominent Ashrams at Tiruvannamalai that welcome guests. In the previous posting I mentioned Suddhananda Ashram at Adi Annamalai, which is most suitable for a quiet Retreat.

However, two of most popular Arunachala Ashrams are located near the giripradakshina pathway and in the area known as Ramana Nagar. Several supermarkets, fruit stands, internet facilities and small shops are conveniently located at Ramana Nagar. Travelling to and from the Big Temple or other places is either by walk or auto rickshaw. Autorickshaws are inexpensive and always available outside major Ashrams.

If you would like to find out more about either Sri Ramanashram or Sri Seshadri Ashram, please refer to this early posting.

In the case of Ramanashram, arrangements needs to be made prior to staying; NO DROPPING IN. In this respect you can either write or email to the below:

Sri V.S.Ramanan

President

Sri Ramanasramam P.O.

Sri Ramanasramam

Tiruvannamalai

Tamil Nadu 606 603 India

Phone : +91-(0)4175-237200

E-Mail : ashram@sriramanamaharshi.org

Ramanashram has a very nice dining hall for meals. Rooms at the Ashram are traditional with fans and often Indian style toilets. However Ramanashram now has several new compounds near their main Ashram complex, that have modern styled rooms with ensuite Western bathrooms. Payment is done on a donation basis. If you are unknown to the Ashram, generally speaking, shorter stays are encouraged.

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

Seshadri Ashram is more flexible in their visitor requirements, and if they have accommodation, will be welcoming to drop-in visitors and pilgrims. However, nowadays because of festivals, full moons and the very long 'busy' season, generally lasting from October-March, it is better to get in touch prior to turning up. Seshadri Ashram offers traditional, old fashioned Ashram rooms with Indian toilets or more modern rooms with ensuite Western style bathrooms. The Ashram also has fully air conditioned rooms (you need to ask for them), which is a very nice luxury during the hot, summer months. Specific room rates are set for different style rooms, you should make sure you know this information at the beginning.

Seshadri Ashram does not have a dining room but it does have a restaurant facility located inside their compound which is open from early morning to late evening.

For more information it is best to telephone accommodation office direct:

+91-(0)4175-236999 or 238599

Suddhananda Ashram

One of the prettiest Ashrams at Tiruvannamalai is the Suddhananda Ashram on the Northside of the Hill near Adi Annamalai. This Ashram is also known as 'Self-Knowledge Village'. Swami Suddhananda regularly visits his Arunachala Ashram to conducts camps and seminars on Vedanta. Such classes also take him around the world. Most of his time in India is spent between Arunachala and Chennai. When a Camp or Retreat is not being conducted at this Ashram, pilgrims are allowed to stay. Several spiritual groups (some from overseas) do in fact use this Ashram as their venue when visiting Arunachala. Such matters need to be arranged well in advance.

The Ashram is beautifully maintained and located at the right side of the girivalam path. However if your wish is to regularly visit other Ashrams and the Big Temple, the Suddhananda Ashram is probably inconveniently located for such purposes. This Ashram is located about 1/2 km after Adi Annamalai Village which would be about 6 kms west of Ramana Ashram and 6 kms east of the Big Temple and downtown Tiruvannamalai. However once people find themselves at this peaceful oasis, not many want to move about. An excellent spot for a quiet Retreat.

The below photograph is of the auditorium at the Ashram. It is available for quiet sitting, lectures and talks. A very calm spot.

The next photograph is of inside the auditorium. Even in summer with its open construction and cool marble floors, the room is a cool spot.

The ceiling of the inside of the auditorium is elegant and also very functional. The open grills at the top of the roof are in the tradition of Tamil architecture and building styles as the open grills allow hot air, which rises, to escape to the outside.

The auditorium has a beautiful collection of wooden murals, carvings, stonework and also brass and metal idols. The below depicts Krishna and Arjuna going to war in the Bhagavad Gita; which is a scriptural work that Swami Suddhananda frequently lectures upon.

The below is the dining hall. As is the case with the auditorium, the style is open plan with an elegant roof, stone pillars and in this case a granite floor. I've eaten at the Ashram only once, but it was delicious. I've been told that in the case of Retreats and large groups, different sorts of menu can be supplied. Otherwise the usual menu is taken from both South and North Indian cooking.

The below is of a couple of individual accommodation units with Arunachala in the background. The variety of accommodation units, ranges from single cottages to dormitory facilities. The maximum amount of guests that can be accommodated at the Ashram at any one time is around 70 people.

All around the grounds are nice touches, like this lily and lotus pond in front of some accommodation cottages. A very pretty Ashram.

If you would like to find out more about accommodation at this Ashram,individuals or groups can get in touch direct with Suddhananda Ashram to discuss their own arrangements. The Ashram contact information is:

Email:

samvit@vsnl.net

Phone Number:

+91-(0)4175-233553

Local Birds

The pretty little bird below was rescued from a group of kids who thought it a fine idea to tie a string around its leg and whirl it about. Fortunately help came and the distressed and shaken little bird was brought to the Animal Shelter where it remained for a couple of days recovering from its unpleasant ordeal. Happily the bird was not permanently damaged and after a brief convalescence, was released back into the wild.

The bird, which is a Coppersmith Barbet, is a fruit eater who particularly enjoys visiting banyan and peepul trees. His favourite snack is wild figs, fruit and berries.

When the Barbet nests it is usually in a hole excavated in dead softwood branches. Both sexes share all domestic duties! The bird's Tamil name is Sinna Kukuravan.

The next bird is a Common Myna which was rescued by neighbours from a local dog (not one of my dogs!). The bird's leg was damaged and the Myna is now recovering from its injury. Hopefully, it will be soon released from its confining cage. However the family who rescued it, are feeding it nice and appropriate snacks, so lets hope the bird's recovery period is short and successful!

This bird is probably not too unhappy to be living temporarily with his human family, as the Myna is a confirmed associate of man and follows him wherever he opens up new habitations. The Myna eats fruits, insects, kitchen scraps, follows the plough for worms and attends grazing cattle for grasshoppers.

When the Myna nests it is usually in a collection of twigs, roots, paper and rubbish in a hole in a tree, wall or ceiling. Both sexes share domestic duties. The bird's Tamil name is Nahanavai.

Lebanon Handloom

In an earlier posting, I talked about my visit to Lebanon, the compound of the Arcot Lutheran Church, which is a 10 acre oasis right in the middle of Tiruvannamalai. Of the 10 acres, 3 are used for; housing 40 dalit families who live at 'Lebanon', a teachers' training facility, an accommodation block for teachers undergoing training, a Handloom industry, a beautiful old-fashioned colonial style house, and also a 7 acre agricultural farm.

During my visit, I spent some enjoyable time in the Handloom section, watching the ladies (just a couple of gents) on their spinning wheels and handlooms making handicrafts which will be later sold in a small shop at the Compound.

To begin with the first place of business in creating bags, towels, place settings etc., is to select the necessary yarn (which is sent in from Chennai), from the Handloom's storeroom.

Once the yarn is selected then it goes through a process of spinning. For this traditional spinning wheels are used.

Most of the ladies working at the handloom section, have been trained at the Lebanon Compound. They are fortunate in that their needs are taken care of; they are given free rent, electricity and water and also a monthly wage for their work. The ladies don't have far to go from work to home, as their little houses are located in the large 10 acre compound in the heart of Tiruvannamalai.

For many of the ladies, the life they are now living is very different from the indigent, poverty stricken and in some cases abusive life situations they found themselves before coming to Lebanon. How happy that their lives have turned around and they are now living and working in such a serene, peaceful, good natured environment. A true oasis!

The ladies are from different faiths as it is not necessary to be Christian to be invited to live at Lebanon. Most of the ladies either have young children or have already raised their kids, and who are now living in the world.

It was explained to me that usually the ladies who come to Lebanon with young children, are trained in either agricultural or handloom work while their kids are educated at one of the numerous churches sponsored by Arcot Lutheran Church here in Tiruvannamalai. It is hoped that in future, when the child leaves school and starts earning a wage, at that time they will be encouraged to try and organise living arrangements for their Mother outside Lebanon and in that way free a place for a person in more desperate circumstances.

From my conversations with the ladies in Handloom, it seems most of them have been living at Lebanon for around 20 years.

Most of the items being made at the Compound are household items such as towels, place settings and bags.

The lady in the below photograph has two small daughters who she is bringing up herself without a husband. I talked with most of the ladies, and they were very cheerful and content. The atmosphere throughout the Handloom facility was quiet and peaceful, however I did notice that all the workers were very focussed in what they were doing. They work hard and well! Good Work!

The lady below is preparing her loom for the new cotton towels she will be weaving. The material will be woven in one large piece and once finished cut into individually sized items. Face towels are woven in a 40 yard length and then cut into 96 towels.

Below is a good close up of a handloom that is being used to make bags. As is the case with the towels, the cloth is woven in one long piece, then cut and stitched into bags.

The gentleman below, holding the cloth before it is stitched into a bag, is in charge of the Handloom section and is also the father of Rev. Joshua Peter, who is pastor of Arcot Lutheran Church at Tamari Nagar, Tiruvannamalai and also the co-ordinator of Quo Vadis.

Below is the only other man working in the Handloom section. He is married to one of the ladies also working in Handloom. Other than a gardener and his wife, the gent below is the only other married man living with his wife on Lebanon Compound.

The man in the photograph who used to be a weaver in a village started work at Lebanon about 5 years ago. He is married to one of the lady weaving instructors. The gent is currently making a 50 yard piece of cotton that will be cut and sewn into tablecloths.

Face towels which are woven in 40 yard lengths and make 96 towels take about 7-8 weeks to make. Kitchen towels, woven in 34 yard lengths take a shorter time of approximately 5 weeks. Once the material is woven and has been made into individual items, it is displayed in the showcases at the small shop inside the Handloom Section, at Lebanon Compound.

Next time I visit, must make sure to stop by the shop and make lots of purchases! Being that I've met and talked with all the people involved in the process, it makes having and using the items even nicer.

Hail to Thee!

In a comment relating to an earlier posting on this Blog, a reader sent in the following poem, of which the below is only a small part. Would very much appreciate receiving full details of this beautiful poem.

Hail to Thee! O'Arunachala!

1. Countless lifetimes past
Was I Thy votary fast
Thou were my Source my all
As the world's allure did pall

2. But forgetful wretch that I art
I allow'd myself from Thee to part
Drifting from Thy holy refuge
Ag'inst my mind's deadly deluge

3. And toss'd and turn'd, steering alone
On seas whose fury Thou had'st borne
Claiming victory's freshness at every crest
To be dashed next moment in the tempest

4. Wandering lost in the desert of desire
Chasing the mirage of purpose's sire
Where fulfillment fanned flames first
As saltwater does a castaway's thirst

5. Strutting in ignorance of ignorance
In the darkness of Primal arrogance
Till at last with spirit vanquished
I called out desperately anguished

6. Pleading for surcease and relief
Petitioning powers with dim belief
Sinking, knees bent in fatigue and failure
I prayed despondent, in abject surrender

7. Lo! You blazed silent and still
As the Beacon from Eternity's Hill
A blinding flame cool and bright
From my Heartcave in thoughtless delight

8. Reminding me of our eternal connection
Silencing my senses with the recollection
Of the port of safety that always existed
In the depths of my being where "I" is fixated

9. Beguiling my mind with Thy innocent smile
Thou did'st feed me Thy nectar free of guile
Bewitching my heart in the dead of the night
You transfixed and consumed me in Thy Light

Sacred Places, Yogis

Evans-Wentz: Mr. Brunton mentions a yogi in Madras who is said to hold communion with his master in the Himalayas.

Maharshi: It is not more marvellous than telepathy; so commonly known. Telepathy cannot exist without the hearer and television without the seer. What is the difference between hearing from far and from near? It is only the hearer who matters. Without the hearer there cannot be hearing; without the seer there cannot be vision.

Evans-Wentz: So you want me to consider the subject and not the object.

Maharshi: The subject and object appear only after the mind has arisen. The mind comprises them and also the occult powers.

Evans-Wentz: Can the manifestations of light be seen on Arunachala Hill?

Maharshi: Yes.

Evans-Wentz: Is there any psychic effect in visiting sacred places like Mt. Kailas, Benares, etc.?

Maharshi: Yes.

Evans-Wentz: Is there any benefit accruing by dying in Benares?

Maharshi: Yes, the meaning will be clear if the real Benares and real dying be understood.

Evans-Wentz: You mean that they are in the Self?

Maharshi: Yes.

Evans-Wentz: There are six centres in the body and there are corresponding centres in the world.

Maharshi: Yes. What is in the world is in the body; and what is in the body is in the world also.

Evans-Wentz: Is the sacredness of Benares a matter of faith, or is it externally also real?

Maharshi: Both.

Evans-Wentz: Some people are attracted to one place of pilgrimage and others to another. Is it according to their temperaments?

Maharshi: Yes. Just consider how all of you born in different places and living in other lands are gathered here today? What is the Force which has attracted you here? If this is understood the other Force is also understood.

[Talks with Bhagavan]

Ramayana Seminar

Yogi Ramsuratkumar Research Foundation for Asian Culture in conjunction with Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya have organised a National Seminar on the Ramayana to take place June 5th-6th at Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram, Chengam Road, Tiruvannamalai.

The Seminar on the Ramayana starts off with an inaugural function at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 5th June at the above location.