Sri Ramana Ashram

The town, Tiruvannamalai, is located in Southern India, 200 kilometers from Chennai and can be easily reached through bus or car. This town is mostly preferred by tourists who seek spiritual guidance or experience a new kind of life. The climate is generally hot and the best time to visit this place would be between the months of November to February which are the winter months.

Sri Ramana Ashram - Thiruvanamalai

The nearest airport is the Pondicherry airport which is 87 kilometer from the town. One of the most preferred places by tourists in this town is the Ramanaasram also known as Sri Ramana Ashram which was the home of the saint Ramana from the year 1922 to 1950. It is located at the foothills of the Arunachala mountain.

Born in Tiruchuzhi in 1879 and named as Venkataraman, Swami Ramana was like any ordinary child. He preferred sports over homework and enjoyed in the fun and frolic with people of his age. After the death of his mother Alagammal, Sri Ramana settled in what is now the renowned ashram.

The ashram is a highly spiritual enriching place and there are temples and meditation halls within the ashram. You can stay in the meditation hall as long as you want to. The place has a shrine inside devoted to Lord Shiva and pujas are conducted here on all Fridays, special days and all full moon days. The tomb of Sri Ramana is located inside the ashram in a mantap. Peacocks roam freely through the ashram and there are no restrictions to anyone who enters the ashram.

Accommodation is available inside the ashram for both International and Indian tourists but you have to book in advance for the rooms as it is in high demand. Food is available in the Guest house and outside the ashram. The ashram also provides free food on most days.

There is a mountain trek of 2 kilometers which leads to the holy hill where Sri Ramana had meditated. The view from the top of the hill is breathtaking as the entire city of Tiruvannamalai can be seen from there. The virupaksha cave is close by which is the place where Sri Ramana had meditated for 17 years. The ashram itself has the Mother’s shrine, Nirvana room, a Meditation hall, Sri Ramana’s shrine, Cow (Lakshmi) samadhis, a book stall and a dispensary.

The Ramanaasram is a life changing opportunity and an irresistible place to visit. It is one of the most popular tourist places in South India and every person who tours the ashram leaves with a mind filled with serenity.

Nearby Attractions

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Girivalam Path

On festive days like Karthigai, Tamil New Year day, first day of the Tamil month and Full Moon days,thousands of disciples walk around the mountain (GIRIVALAM) to seek the Lord Arunachala blessings.

Girivalam is made up of two words, 'Giri' means hill & 'Valam' means coming around. It means coming around the hill, which is called Girivalam.

The Arunachala hill is surrounded by the holy Girivalam Path which is situated in Tiruvannamalai,Tamil Nadu. Arunachala is considered a manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva and holds great spiritual significance in Hinduism.Walked by pilgrims and devotees from all over the world,the walk circles the base of the Arunachala peak and is around 14 km.In spiritual circles,traveling the Girivalam Path is considered a kind of adoration. During the full moon days or new moon days and during the festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva,devotees often go out on this pilgrimage during fortunate seasons.

Apart from the Girivalam route, there are many holy places like temples and ashrams including the famous Sri Ramana Ashram which is associated with the well known Guru Sri Ramana Maharshi.Many pilgrims stop at these places for prayers and meditations about while traveling around Mount Arunachal. The peaceful and ethereal atmosphere around the holy mountain attracts not only devotees but also spiritual seekers to the Girivalam trail.For many who embark on the pilgrimage, it is thought to be a transformative experience greater than.

How to do Girivalam :

People performing this are advised to walk around the hill barefoot.The mountain covers approximately 14 Km of distance.

All through the Girivalam process, always view the top of the Arunachala hill.If possible, Girivalam should be started only in full moon nights or also in regular nights.During Girivalam, devotees should mumble “Om Arunachala”.

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Sri Seshadri Swamigal Ashram

The city of Tiruvannamalai known for its temples and ashrams is rich in mythology and lore.The first known evidence of the city's history was discovered in the Chola inscriptions discovered in temples during the ninth century.The renowned Annamalai temple is situated in Tiruvannamalai,185 kilometres from Chennai atop a hill.

Sri Seshadri Swamigal Ashram - Tiruvanamalai

According to legend, Lord Shiva manifested as a flame during the battle between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, declaring that the winner would be the one who located the flame's source. While Lord Brahma soared to the sky in the form of a swan, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a Varaha (boar) and set out to locate the flame's foundation. However, the flame did not go out, and while Brahma claimed to have found the flame's summit, Vishnu returned, acknowledging his defeat. Shiva thereupon vowed that there would never be a shrine devoted to Lord Brahma.

This location became known as Arunachalam and was connected to the Annamalai hill in Tiruvannamalai since Lord Shiva manifested as a flame. Seshadri Swamigal's birthplace was Thondai Mandalam in the year 1870. Because everyone in his community believed that he could bring luck with his touch, he was given the moniker "Golden Hand" when he was four years old. At the age of 19, he arrived at Tiruvannamalai after completing his education in Vazhur. For forty years, as a wandering ascetic, he explored the city.

He was the one who looked after the saint Ramana and declared him to be a saint to the world. When Sri Seshadri passed away in 1929, his remains were interred in accordance with the traditions surrounding a saint's funeral. At his last resting place, the Seshadri Swamigal Ashram was constructed in his honour. Anyone looking for a place to worship, feel blessed, and think can find sanctuary at this ashram. This ashram is one of the most popular destinations in southern India and normally exudes a serene vibe. It is situated close to Ramanaasram as well.

The ashram is a calm and serene spot for meditation. In addition, there is a puja mandir and the Samadhi of Sri Seshadri. Tourists can enjoy tasty, high-quality vegetarian meals at the restaurant located right outside the ashram. The Ramanaasram, the Annamalaiyar temple, and the Virupaksha cave are a few more tourist destinations close by.

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