Showing posts with label Arunachala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arunachala. Show all posts
in supplication - the peafowl of Sri Ramanasramam - in continuous blessings from the sacred Arunachala
the truly blessed - the peafowl of Sri Ramanasramam - receiving the blessings of sacred Arunachala - day and night, through the year....
the forests at Skandasramam
A beautifully splendid location in the forests at Skandasramam - some devotees are seen here at early dawn or later, in the evening. Just sitting here, and looking within.
The forests at Skandasramam are catching up with the good efforts of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. There has to be more efforts to strengthen the forests here.
The upper slopes towards the sacred Arunachala, above Skandasramam
The vendors on the path from Skandasramam to Virupaksha Cave
There are plenty of serene spots around Skandasramam, protected and shaded by the forests of Arunachala.
Skandasramam - at the sacred hill of Arunachala
Devotees lining up, waiting for the Skandasramam doors to open, at late dawn. Sometimes, there is a queue of devotees during the day, waiting for the meditators sitting inside, to exit. If you want to sit in contemplation or dhyana at Skandasramam, you cannot do better...
The inner rooms where the faithful sit in dhyana at Skandasramam
Some of the faithful sit in the open porch of Skandasrmam, taking in the splendid vibrations from the forest around, and the swing of the early dawn to the morning
the well kept and beautifully maintained Skandasramam
the meditation chambers at Skandasramam - the inner chamber where one gets the most interactive vibrations as one focuses within, deep within
There is a most beautiful jackfruit tree immediately alongside Skandasramam
giri pradakshina - walking around the sacred hill
Walking around the sacred hill of Arunachala is recognised as 'girivalam' or 'giripradakshna'. Once you place the thought in your mind, you are gradually taken into the aspect of faith, and one usually finds that the devoted one does not escape.
The outer pradakshina route around the sacred hill of Arunachala
Image sourced from - http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/arunachala-hill/walking-around-the-hill/
Copyright vests in the original owner
The inner pradakshina route around the foothills of the sacred hill of Arunachala
[the inner path is closed by orders of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department]
Image sourced from - https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/guide-to-this-blog/arunachala-and-the-inner-path/arunachala-inner-path-pachaiamman-koil/
Copyright vests in the original owner
The outer and inner pradakshina routes around the sacred hill of Arunachala
[the inner path is closed by orders of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department]
Image sourced from - https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/guide-to-this-blog/arunachala-and-the-inner-path/arunachala-inner-path-updated-27-feb-2010/
Copyright vests in the original owner
The Arunachaleshwarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai - the spectacular view from Skandasramam and Virupaksha Cave
The view from Skandasramam, early morning. The temple and the town. Spectacular view from Skandasramam
One needs to get to photograph the view at different times of the day and in different seasons. The view from Skandasramam is awesome and humbling.
the view from the Virupaksha Cave through the forested slopes of the sacred Arunachala
the gopurams of the Sri Arunachaleshwarar temple, the view from the Virupaksha Cave... a most splendid moment
the Sri Arunachaleshwarar temple, from the lower foothills of the sacred Arunachala hill
The view from the lower foothills, as one nears the temple town from the Virupaksha Cave
At the beginning -- starting to walk to Skandasramam and Virupaksha Cave from Sri Ramanasramam
The photographs are placed in order as one walks up from Sri Ramanasramam to Virupaksha Cave and Skandasramam
As you begin the climb, you are requested to keep Arunachala 'clean and green'
It is best and correct to avoid taking any plastic bags or material with you. If you are carrying a plastic water bottle, bring it back with you, unless someone else needs it more.
There is a board curiously credited to the Archaeological Survey of India directing all devotees and the faithful towards the Skandasramam and Virupaksha Cave. All devotees walk barefoot while on the sacred hill of Arunachala.
The local Annamalai Restoration Society has been making strong efforts in greening the sacred hill in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu forest department.
There are a number of the devoted who seek the sanctity and solitude of the sacred hill of Arunachala. They sit here, quietly, in contemplation, some reading, some writing and some chanting. But most are sitting here, quietly, just happy to be seated in peace.
The Annamalai Restoration Society display boards in Tamil
The path to Skandasramam and Virupaksha Cave begins to climb from here. If you are walking up for the first time, barefoot, you are forgiven if you are thinking about getting back to Sri Ramanasramam and getting your trekking shoes. I was also guilty of the same thoughts. One gets courage by seeing others walk up barefoot. It's difficult at first, but begins to take you by your jugular and takes you up... if you give yourselves up to the sacred hill of Arunachala.
This is where the path begins to climb steeply. If you overcame your initial fears, you would give up here. I did. I stood here, quietly, thinking if I was foolish, walking up barefoot. What if the snakes came out? What if scorpions were just waiting for me? What if there were millions of thorns on the path? I waited it out for more than five minutes, while my friend went on ahead. After a while, I just gave up... I gave up myself to Arunachala. The moment I did that, I began to walk.
Just as you begin to get the pull and push to continue to walk barefoot to Skandasramam and the Virupaksha Cave, I came up to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, waiting for me. I stood here, watching him, and knew that he was sitting here, watching me. It was the most blissful moment.
After the meeting with Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, the path dissolves right ahead of you. The path does not look difficult, and becomes a smooth elevator, taking the barefoot devotee without any difficulty or fear... right through to Virupaksha Cave and Skandasramam
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