It is believed that Tiruvannamalai is fire in Krita Yuga (era), gem in Treta Yuga, gold in Dwapara Yuga, and stone in Kali Yuga. Ramana Maharshi and Seshadri Swamigal (Indian saints) have said that if you even think about this sacred place, you will reach here. In the last part, I have described till where I waited in the queue to enter the temple. Now, I am inside the temple. As already mentioned, there are 2 types of queues, one with fee and the other without fee. Since there was no heavy rush, I joined the normal one. In a short while, I reached before the deity. The artistic excellence makes the carvings in sanctum sanctorum really beautiful. On the pillars and walls around it, sculptures of Mahalakshmi, Gajalakshmi, and other gods and goddesses, whose names are unknown to me, are carved so realistically that they look like brimming with life. Savoring the beauty and grandeur of the temple, I bowed before Arunachaleswara standing bathed in the lights in front of the sanctum sanctorum.
I also bowed before Sri Parvathi, also called Unnamalai Amman, and took a walk inside the temple. There are several halls in the temple complex, the most noticeable being the 1000-pillar hall built during the reign of Vijayanagar Empire. The sanctum sanctorum of Siva faces the east. This is the oldest building in the temple. Mahashivratri, one of the major Hindu festivals, is considered as having its origin here. It is in the form of fire that Sri Arunachaleswara is known in the Arunachaleswara Temple which is one of the Panchabootha Temples of God Shiva. Shivratri is the day when Shiva turned into flame showing his vigor before Vishnu and Brahma. The history of this temple dates back to 1000 years. Though 12 festivals are celebrated here yearly, the most important one is the Karthigai Deepam Festival celebrated on the day of Pournami in November – December. Since there was no hustle and bustle, I could have a detailed view of the temple. It was dark when I came out of the temple. I had food from a nearby hotel and then walked back to my room. I was so tired from all the walking and roaming around that I fell asleep as soon as I lay on the bed.
Next morning, I woke up to the alarm bell. I got ready and walked to the temple. I bowed before the deities, took some photos, and came out. My program is to visit the temple viewpoint of Arunachala Hill behind the temple, the Virupaksha Cave above it, and the Ramana Ashram (hermitage). I crossed the road behind the temple and climbed up through a narrow way running through the middle of a set of houses which looked like fire-hearth stones. It was not easy to move through. Actually, this is not the real way, there is a proper road leading up from Ramana Ashram. I climbed up slowly and reached the viewpoint. The sight from here is indescribable. Tiruvannamalai City can be seen lying scattered like pebbles. On one side, the entrance towers of Arunachaleswara Temple stand majestically. A short distance up from there, there is the Skandasram, an idyllic, uncrowded hermitage. Skandasram is the place where Ramana Maharshi meditated for 10 years from 1912 to 1922.
There are many sages here, both from India as well as abroad, who lead an austere life. Lot of people who were spiritually curious got attracted to Ramana Muni’s personality. His deep spiritual knowledge has come to be well known to the world. This may be the reason why every year, thousands of devotees and tourists visit this place. From the Ashram, we can reach the Virupaksha Cave by taking the stone-paved way. It is said that Ramana Maharshi meditated here. I left Skandasram and walked towards the Ramana Ashram situated at the foot of Arunachala Hill. I went down the stone-paved road and reached the Ashram. During the period 1922 – 1950, Ramana Ashram was the residence of Ramana Maharshi whose philosophy was Advaita Vedanta (a classic path to spiritual realization in Hindu tradition). Several people visit this Ashram to get away from the busy life. One major attraction is the samadhi or tomb of Ramana Maharshi. I roamed around in the Ashram for some time. Here ended my trip, so I took my bag and left for home.
