at the Virupaksha Cave

the entrance to the Virupaksha Cave

the path that leads away to the Virupaksha Cave from the forest path to Skandasramam

The constructed premises outside the sacred Virupaksha Cave

There is a display board that mentions that Sri Ramana Maharshi stayed here from 1899 to 1916 and that the management control of the premises vests with the Sri Ramanasramam

A shanty eatable cafe near the Virupaksha Cave...  very welcome

from Skandasramam to Virupaksha Cave

The path from Skandasramam starts going downhill, through shaded forest paths, and is more comfortable, though occasionally painful on the feet. I had thought that it would be difficult to walk uphill, but it seems that, it is more difficult to walk downhill.

There is a painted sign on the sacred rocks, directing the devoted towards the Virupaksha Cave

A signboard also points you towards the Virupaksha Cave

The location is protected with a small compound, and a metal gate. The gate is painted an obvious white, possibly to keep it clean.

This is the path as you step away from the sacred trail from Skandasramam to the Sri Arunachaleshwarar temple in the town downhill. This small path leads the devoted to the Virupaksha Cave

There is a constructed premises to protect the Virupaksha Cave, and allows the devoted to enter and intake the splendid vibrations within.

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

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