Arunachala – The Holy Mountain of Tiruvannamalai
There’s one place on earth where the Unmanifest can be seen. This is a rarity and can seem like a paradox, but in truth it is a Divine mystery.
It’s not easy to describe the Glory of Arunachala, but as devotees of this Holy Mountain, we can’t help but to express our love, gratitude, and enchantment. The devotion we have towards Him is instilled by Him in our hearts, it’s an effortless communication bestowed by Him as Grace. This phenomenon happens to anyone who comes into His vicinity.
Through out the history of India, there were and still are places considered to be as manifestations of Lord Shiva, but the uniqueness of Arunachala is that He is Lord Shiva Himself (The Self) rather than a manifestation. Here, the Unmanifest and the Manifest are One. This is rarity and imminence.
This Holy Mountain and this ancient city of Tiruvannamalai is since millenniums a pilgrimage place and an abode for Siddhas, Sages, Saddhus, Devotees, etc.
Parvati (the ever dynamic aspect of creation), the consort of Lord Shiva, came Herself to Tiruvannamalai to learn about the Glory of Shiva as Arunachala, under the guidance of Sage Gautama Maharishi (One of the Saptarishis – His presence can still be felt today at his temple around the Mountain). In recent times, the city was the abode of sages like Saint Virupaksha Deva, Seshadri Swamigal, Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi, Yogi Ramsuratkumar etc.
Sri Bhagavan Ramana is noted for his spontaneous realization and embodiment of the Holy Hill. Reading his life stories, his time spent around his beloved Mountain, can give a clear understanding of how inseparable he was from Arunachala. And this quality of Bhagavan can still be felt today when visiting his Ashram at the foothill of the Mountain.
Temples, ashrams and all kinds of holy places are spread around the Mountain in reverence and refuge. Arunachaleswara temple, the main big temple, along with Adi Annamalai temple, the oldest temple, are beautiful places of worship.
Many Tirthas (Holy ponds - water bodies) are also spread around the Mountain, with each one bestowing a specific quality to those taking dips in them.
Every month, on the auspicious day of the full moon, thousands of devotees come from all over India to do Girivalam/Giri Pradakshina (Circumambulation of Arunachala). It’s a time where the whole city is oriented towards this circumambulation, by offering food, providing places to stay, allowing only pedestrians, etc.
The main and most notable event in the city of Tiruvannamalai is the Karthigai Deepam festival. It’s a time where the Mountain shines the most and devotees flock in hundreds of thousands from all surrounding cities to perform Girivalam and receive the Darshan of the Lord. It’s a ten days festival with each day having its own significance, culminating in the tenth day by lighting the Maha Deepam ghee lamp at the top of the Mountain. This is a beautiful phenomenon to be observed and immersed in. It’s a time when Arunachala showers His Grace abundantly on all devotees. To abide in this shower of Grace is the reason why we all cherish this most auspicious day. The Maha Deepam ghee lamp stays alight for 10 days, and in the evenings all temples, ashrams and individual houses light a lamp outside their abode as a token of receptivity.
At any time, going around the Mountain, one can see Saddhus living there in the open on the sides of the streets. They have surrendered themselves to the Mountain, living at the mercy of the elements and only taking food that has been offered. But the Mountain always overflows with His generosity and care towards His devotees. Nutritious food is always available to everyone all through the year. Whether at ashrams like Bhagavan’s and Yogi Ramsuratkumar’s or trucks daily going around the Mountain to provide warm food for the Saddhus and devotees. Nothing is short in the vicinity of the Mountain, and everything is provided.
On my first visit to Tiruvannamalai, arriving in the city, I could sense the feeling of spiritual austerity (no paraphernalia). It felt like reaching the end of the world, nowhere further to go and nothing more to attain. A feeling of contentment and peace. To abide in the vicinity of the Mountain and to imbibe His Grace. From there onwards, a life of purpose and fulfillment started to unfold.
Within a couple of years, I met my Teacher Siddha Pal Pandian, who initiated me into the therapeutic and healing dimensions of the Siddhas and eventually into their spiritual dimension. His way was and still is so unique and unconventional. The Divine mystery that is Arunachala is also present within the Siddhas and what they have to offer. Being with my Teacher for many years and till current time, I learned more how to truly relate with myself and the world around me. I started to relate to Arunachala from a different perspective, which enhanced my relationship with the Mountain within and without.
Arunachala is an abode of the Siddhas, whether in their physical or subtle form. They beautifully embody many of the hidden qualities of the Mountain, ever abiding at His Feet and learning from Him.
The Mountain is ever showering His Grace on whoever comes into His vicinity, but at the same time He’s immovable, never assuming any responsibility. The Siddhas embody this same humble quality, always veiling themselves, working behind the scenes for the welfare of humanity and never seeking any recognition.
One can relate to the Mountain in so many ways. Climbing the Mountain up to Skanda Ashram (Bhagavan Ramana stayed at this ashram in his early years) is my favorite. Many times, when I am distressed or struggling within, I go up the Mountain and it’s always a rewarding journey. Going up, the distressed feeling is prominent, but by the time I stay at Skanda Ashram and on my way back down, there’s always a relief either through gaining an insight or through the intensity of confronting the distress. The Mountain always has His ways of resolving the burden of His devotees and His ways are numerous.
Arunachala Shiva