Thiruvannamalai is one of the ancient spiritual center of South India. The sacred mountain called by the sages, the pillar of fire. Over the last thousands of years, multitude of seekers attained enlightenment and to this day, there are many enlightened Beings living in the caves and huts around this sacred mountain.

This ancient temple was built by successive kings over a few thousand years.

Within the temple premise is a powerful Siddha shrine of Siddhar Idaikathanathar.

Behind the temple, is the sacred Thiruvannamalai, the mountain of fire.

 

The temple complex is vast and has far too many sacred spots. What is empowering while walking through the temple, is to feel the presence of Thiruvannamalai, the sacred mountain that stood to all the Sages over thousands of years as Siva in a visible form!

 

 

This is the sacred mountain, in the morning- this picture was taken from our cave which was mid way to the peak.

 

 

 

The most revered place, called the 'the divine foot', on top at the peak of Thiruvannamalai.

 

 

 

 

The auspicious break of dawn, the time of sandhya, on the peak of Thiruvannamalai.

This picture was taken from Ayya's cave.

The time of sandhya is 3.30 am to 6.30 am. To be awake and meditating at this auspicious time of sandhya above on a sacred mountain reveals to us the true joy of undilluted bliss in our mind's union with the divine.

 

 

Inside Sri Ramana Maharishi's cave. Mamara Guhai (Mango Tree cave).

Sri Ramana Maharishi spent six years in meditation here. Inside this shrine today is Viswanatha Lingam and two Goddess, Annapoorna Devi (Goddess of food- due to Her presence, no visitor to the cave would be refused food at any time) and Rajarajeswari (Mahalaxmi). Rajarajeswari was made at the time of King Raja Raja Chola and sent to Indonesia.She was must have been worshipped there in a temple (as She was made to perfection in panchaloha, a sacred five metal alloy with one of the metals, in equal quantity being gold). She was found in an antique shop, painted over, in Jakarta. By divine will, She has found her home in this cave, on the foothills of Thiruvannamalai!

The vision He gave me!