Sri Maharshi's Samadhi at Sri Ramanasramam

As one walks through the north door of the Sri Matrubuteshwara Temple, the devoted arrive at the sacred Shrine at Sri Maharshi's samadhi. It can be seen actually as a raised platform, with a vimana or tower above it. There are four carved granite pillars, that look like marble at the corners of the platform. At the center of the platform is a white marble lotus, with a sacred Shiva Lingam installed above it. The meditation hall at the Shrine is a favored place for meditation, prayers and dhyana by the many pilgrims, devotees and faithful who come here.

The white marble lotus with the sacred Shiva Lingam installed above it, along with the nandi in front, at the mantapam

a most blissful statue of Sri Ramana Maharshi, placed above his sacred samadhi in the mantapam. A stone plaque informs us that the dedication has been done by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, when she was Prime Minister of India. Many devotees, meditators, and pilgrims circumnavigate the mantapam, while some remain seated in blissful contemplation. The vibrations at this location are immense. You can feel them immediately, even in your first visit.

The prayer hall in front of Sri Maharshi's Samadhi, with the faithful and devoted, seated in prayers, meditation, contemplation and dhyana

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