from the Virupaksha Cave to Tiruvannamalai town

the path downwards from the Virupaksha Cave towards Tiruvannamalai town. You can see the gopurams of the temple, as you walk down. One is excited to approach the town and yet, one is sad, that one is going away from the Virupaksha town. 

the forested path starts going downwards sharply, and it is difficult to walk barefoot. One almost wishes that one could have brought some slippers, hidden in a bag. And then, when you know that you are walking down, more rapidly, you wonder, if you would do it again...

the most remarkable aspect of the beautiful path is that it is kept clean, excellently clean

Our best wishes go to the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, and one hopes that the forested path gains more in strength, very soon.

There seems to be better forest canopy as one approaches the Tiruvannamalai town. The forest path is more serene, and the trees are taller.

There are women folk here, depending on the biomass of the forest. The Tamil Nadu forest department could come up with some innovative biomass based sustainable livelihood projects for the women who depend on the natural resources here.

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.