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Everything on ArunachalaShiva, organised by theme ~ over a hundred guides to the hill, the walk, Ramana, the saints, the calendar, and the practicalities of a visit. Jump to a section, or browse it all.

Plan Your Trip Girivalam Ramana Maharshi The Mountain Saints of Arunachala Sacred Calendar Reference Living There

Plan Your Trip

18 articles

Everything practical ~ how to reach, when to come, where to stay and eat, money, health, and getting around.

Where to Stay for Karthigai Deepam 2026 | Tiruvannamalai Where to stay for Karthigai Deepam 2026 in Tiruvannamalai: how to book now, which area to choose, prices and fallback options. Every Place Worth Visiting in Tiruvannamalai An honest guide to the places worth visiting in Tiruvannamalai and around Arunachala ~ the temple, ashrams, caves and shrines, and which to skip if your time is short. How to Reach Tiruvannamalai Every way to reach Tiruvannamalai ~ from Chennai, Bangalore and Pondicherry ~ with honest travel times, costs, and which option to choose for your first visit. The Best Time to Visit Tiruvannamalai When to visit Tiruvannamalai and Arunachala, season by season ~ the cool months, the heat to avoid, and the full-moon and Karthigai Deepam crowds worth planning around. Where to Stay Near Arunachala Where to stay in Tiruvannamalai, from free ashram rooms to comfortable hotels ~ the honest ladder of options, what each is like, and how to choose for your visit. Where and What to Eat in Tiruvannamalai Eating well in Tiruvannamalai ~ sattvic thalis, the traveller cafes, ashram meals, and how to look after your stomach in your first week without missing the good food. Arunachaleswarar Temple: Etiquette & What to Know How to visit the Arunachaleswarar temple respectfully ~ dress, footwear, phones, darshan, entry, and the practical questions foreign visitors are often too shy to ask. Is Tiruvannamalai Safe? An Honest Answer An honest look at safety in Tiruvannamalai ~ for solo travellers and women, on the Girivalam path at night, with money and touts, and the sensible precautions that keep a visit easy. Coming to Arunachala: what to know before you arrive A calm, honest first-timer's guide to Tiruvannamalai and the sacred hill of Arunachala ~ how to arrive, what to expect, and the things nobody tells you before you come. A Visitor's Guide to Respect & Etiquette at Arunachala How to be a respectful visitor at Arunachala ~ dress, shoes and feet, temple and ashram etiquette, conduct on the hill and Girivalam, photographing people, and the spirit of respect, all in one place. Basic Tamil for Visitors to Arunachala Useful Tamil words and phrases for visitors to Tiruvannamalai ~ greetings, everyday phrases, temple vocabulary and numbers, written the way they sound. The 10 Best Places to Visit in Tiruvannamalai (Ranked) The ten best places to visit in Tiruvannamalai and around Arunachala, honestly ranked ~ the great temple, Girivalam, Ramanasramam, the caves, the ashrams, Parvathamalai, and the best day-trips. Getting Around Tiruvannamalai: Autos, Scooters & More How to get around Tiruvannamalai ~ auto-rickshaws (and agreeing the fare), walking the ashram side, hiring a scooter or a car and driver, and the town's buses and station. Nearby Places & Day-Trips from Tiruvannamalai The nearby places worth a day-trip from Tiruvannamalai ~ Gingee Fort, the Jawadhu Hills, Auroville and Pondicherry, Sathanur Dam, and the great temples, with honest distances and how to get there. What to Pack for Tiruvannamalai & Arunachala A practical packing guide for Tiruvannamalai ~ modest light clothing, easy-off footwear, the genuinely useful essentials, and what not to over-pack, since almost anything can be bought locally. Women & Solo Travellers in Tiruvannamalai: A Practical Guide A practical, un-anxious guide for women and solo travellers at Arunachala ~ the reassuring overall picture, dress and daily life, sensible precautions, and the ready-made community that awaits. Health & Medical Care in Tiruvannamalai: A Practical Guide The practical health guide for Tiruvannamalai ~ staying well, pharmacies and clinics for everyday care, and CMC Vellore (one of India's finest hospitals) under two hours away for anything serious. Money & Connectivity in Tiruvannamalai: Cash, SIM & Wi-Fi The practical guide to money and connectivity in Tiruvannamalai ~ cash and ATMs, cards and UPI, buying an Indian SIM, and internet and Wi-Fi for visitors and remote workers.

Girivalam

14 articles

The sacred 14 km walk around the hill ~ the complete guide, the route, the lingams, and the night walk.

Girivalam October 2026: Aippasi Pournami Date & Time Aippasi Pournami Girivalam on 25 October 2026: window 11:27 AM to 10:10 AM, best night to walk, monsoon tips, crowds and planning. Girivalam November 2026: Karthigai Pournami Date & Time Girivalam November 2026: Karthigai Pournami window 11:00 PM 23 November to 9:00 PM 24 November, best time to start, weather, crowds and planning. Girivalam December 2026: Margazhi Pournami Date & Time Girivalam December 2026: Margazhi Pournami window 9:57 AM 23 December to 7:40 AM 24 December, best time to start, weather, crowds and planning. Girivalam January 2027: Thai Pournami Date & Time Girivalam January 2027: Thai Pournami window 9:31 PM 21 January to 5:48 PM 22 January, best time to start, weather, crowds and planning. Girivalam February 2027: Masi Pournami Date & Time Girivalam February 2027: Masi Pournami window 8:01 AM 20 February to 4:54 AM 21 February, best time to start, weather, crowds and planning. Girivalam March 2027: Panguni Pournami Date & Time Girivalam March 2027: Panguni Pournami window 6:23 PM 21 March to 4:14 PM 22 March, best time to start, weather, crowds and planning. Girivalam April 2027: Chithirai Pournami Date & Time Girivalam April 2027: Chithirai Pournami window 4:52 AM 20 April to 3:58 AM 21 April, best time to start, weather, crowds and planning. The Girivalam Companion: Walk All 41 Stops With You An elegant, offline-ready interactive companion for the Girivalam walk ~ tap through all 41 stops at your own pace, jump to any of the eight lingams, and pick up right where you left off. Girivalam Route Map: Every Landmark, Step by Step The complete Girivalam route map ~ all forty-one lingams, temples, tanks and landmarks of the 14 km walk around Arunachala, illustrated and free to share. Girivalam Barefoot or Shoes? An Honest Answer Should you walk Girivalam barefoot or in shoes? The tradition, the honest reality for an unaccustomed visitor, and a sensible middle way ~ without judgement either way. The Inner Path of Girivalam: The Honest Truth The Inner Path of Girivalam around Arunachala: what it is, the honest truth that it is officially closed by the Forest Department, and what to walk instead. What to Expect on a Pournami Night Girivalam Walking Girivalam on a full-moon (Pournami) night at Arunachala: the atmosphere, when to start, what to carry, the crowds, and why to do it at least once. The Eight Lingams of Girivalam (Ashta Lingam) A walking guide to the Ashta Lingam ~ the eight directional Shiva shrines around Arunachala, in the order you meet them on the Girivalam path, with their directions, guardian deities, planets and significance. Girivalam: a complete guide to the sacred walk around Arunachala The 14-kilometre route, the eight lingams, what time to start, and what to wear. Written for anyone walking it for the first time.

Ramana Maharshi

33 articles

His whole life, his teaching, his key texts, his devotees, and how to visit his ashram.

The Ribhu Gita: The Non-Dual Text Ramana Loved The Ribhu Gita ~ the torrential song of pure non-duality that Ramana Maharshi loved and had chanted daily at his ashram, said to give the state it describes merely by being read. Sacred Sounds of Arunachala: Chanting & Hymns The sacred audio of Arunachala ~ the Vedic chanting of the ashram, Ramana's hymns and the Aksharamanamalai, and the bhajans of the town, and where to find the authentic recordings. The Skandashram Years: Ramana's Golden Time on the Hill The Skandashram years of Ramana Maharshi (1916–1922) ~ the intimate, golden period on the green terrace of the hill, with his mother in the kitchen, the first family of devotees, and the teaching being born. Sivaprakasam Pillai: The Man Who Drew Out 'Who Am I?' Sivaprakasam Pillai ~ the sincere young seeker whose questions to the silent Ramana, answered in the sand, became Nan Yar (Who Am I?), the seed-text of the whole teaching. Aksharamanamalai: Ramana's Marital Garland of Letters Ramana Maharshi's Aksharamanamalai (the Marital Garland of Letters) ~ his greatest hymn to Arunachala, 108 verses of love sung in the voice of the bride longing for the hill, and how love is one with self-inquiry. Kunju Swami: The Attendant Who Remembered Ramana Kunju Swami ~ one of Ramana Maharshi's earliest and longest-serving attendants, whose treasured reminiscences preserve the small human details of daily life with Bhagavan. From Ramana to the West: Papaji, Mooji & the Lineage How Ramana Maharshi's self-inquiry reached the modern West ~ through Papaji (Poonja), Mooji, Gangaji and the satsang movement. The lineage of transmission from Arunachala to the world. Upadesa Saram: Ramana's Essence of Instruction in 30 Verses Ramana Maharshi's Upadesa Saram (Essence of Instruction) explained ~ thirty verses mapping the whole path from action and devotion through meditation to self-inquiry and effortless being. Ulladu Narpadu: Ramana's Forty Verses on Reality Ramana Maharshi's Ulladu Narpadu (Forty Verses on Reality) explained ~ the philosophical heart of his teaching on the Self, the world, and the ego, drawn out by Muruganar. Ekatma Panchakam: the Last Verses Ramana Ever Wrote Ekatma Panchakam, the Five Verses on the One Self ~ the last verses Ramana Maharshi ever composed, written in February 1947 for the devotee Suri Nagamma, distilling his whole teaching into five compressed verses. Who Am I? (Nan Yar): Ramana's Foundational Text Explained Ramana Maharshi's Who Am I? (Nan Yar) explained ~ the seed text of his whole teaching: where it came from, what it says about the Self and self-inquiry, and its famous images. Annamalai Swami: The Devotee Told to Simply Be Annamalai Swami ~ who built much of Sri Ramanasramam under Ramana's direction, and was then told by Bhagavan to stop, withdraw, and simply be. One of Ramana's clearest lessons on action and stillness. Echammal: The Grieving Woman Who Found Ramana Echammal ~ who came to Ramana Maharshi having lost her husband and both children, found in his presence the strength to live, and brought food to him daily for decades. The most tender of the devotee stories. Ramana's Five Hymns to Arunachala: His Love-Songs to the Hill Ramana Maharshi's Five Hymns to Arunachala (Arunachala Stuti Panchakam) ~ including the Aksharamanamalai, his melting love-songs to the hill, in which knowledge and devotion become one. Atma Vidya Kirtanam: the Song That Self-Knowledge Is Easy Atma Vidya Kirtanam, Ramana Maharshi's Song of Self-Knowledge ~ composed with Muruganar in 1927 to a well-known Tamil tune, its refrain declaring that knowing the Self is not hard but the easiest thing there is. Ramana's Western Devotees: Brunton, Osborne & Chadwick The Western devotees of Ramana Maharshi ~ Paul Brunton, whose book opened the door; Major Chadwick, the soldier who stayed; Arthur Osborne, who carried the teaching to the world; and the wider circle. Arthur Osborne: The Biographer Who Brought Ramana to the West Arthur Osborne ~ the English writer and first editor of The Mountain Path, whose biographies and translations carried Ramana Maharshi's life and teaching to English-speaking readers worldwide. Paul Brunton: The Journalist Who Introduced Ramana to the World Paul Brunton ~ the British journalist whose bestselling A Search in Secret India introduced Ramana Maharshi to a Western readership for the first time, in 1934. Major Chadwick: The British Officer Who Never Left Major A. W. Chadwick ~ the British army officer and scholar who arrived at Ramanasramam in 1935, settled there for the rest of his life, and became one of Ramana's most devoted Western attendants. Maurice Frydman: The Engineer Who Translated Two Masters Maurice Frydman ~ the Polish-Jewish engineer, inventor and devotee of both Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj, whose translation work shaped I Am That and much else besides. Sadhu Om: The Poet-Scholar Who Carried Ramana's Verse Sadhu Om ~ the Tamil devotee-poet and scholar whose meticulous translations, with Michael James, carried Ramana Maharshi's Tamil verse works into English. Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja): The Brief Meeting That Became a Lineage Papaji, H.W.L. Poonja ~ the devotee whose short 1944 encounter with Ramana Maharshi became, decades later, the root of a worldwide satsang movement through Mooji, Gangaji and others. Lakshmana Swamy: Realised Beside the Well at Ramanasramam Lakshmana Swamy ~ the young seeker from Andhra Pradesh who, on a three-day visit to Ramana Maharshi in 1949, recognised the Self beside the ashram well, then spent the rest of his life in near-silence. Sarada: The Disciple Who Became Lakshmana Swamy's Successor Mathru Sri Sarada ~ who began visiting Lakshmana Swamy in 1974, is recorded to have realised the Self in his presence in 1978, and now leads the ashrams he founded. Robert Adams: The Satsang Teacher and His Disputed Ramana Claim Robert Adams ~ the American Advaita teacher who said he spent three years at Ramana Maharshi's ashram; a claim researchers have found no evidence to support, and significant evidence against. Ramana Maharshi's Teaching in Depth: The Self & the I Ramana Maharshi's teaching explained in depth ~ the 'I'-thought, self-inquiry, the Self, the Heart, the two paths of inquiry and surrender, and silence as the highest teaching. Muruganar: Ramana's Poet and Foremost Devotee Muruganar ~ the great Tamil poet-scholar who became Ramana Maharshi's foremost devotee, drew out the Forty Verses on Reality, and sang his master in tens of thousands of verses. Mastan Swami: The Muslim Weaver Ramana Called Ripe Mastan Swami ~ the poor Muslim weaver of Desur whom Ramana Maharshi called the ripest soul he had met, one of only four given a samadhi, and Akhilandamma who brought him to Bhagavan. Daily Life with Ramana: How the Ashram Grew Daily life with Ramana Maharshi and how Sri Ramanasramam grew ~ the humble rhythm of the ashram, Bhagavan cutting vegetables before dawn, the Old Hall, and how the West came to his door. The Animals of Ramana's Ashram: Lakshmi the Cow & More Ramana Maharshi's tenderness to animals ~ the moving story of Lakshmi the cow, whom he guided to liberation and gave a samadhi, and the dogs, monkeys and creatures he treated as devotees. The Boy in Madurai: Ramana Maharshi's Early Life Ramana Maharshi's childhood ~ born Venkataraman in Tiruchuzhi in 1879, an ordinary schoolboy in Madurai, his uncanny deep sleep, his father's death, and the pull of a mountain's name. Ramana's Mother: The Liberation of Alagammal The story of Alagammal, Ramana Maharshi's mother ~ who came to bring her lost son home, stayed to become his devotee, and whom he guided to liberation at her death in 1922, upon whose samadhi Sri Ramanasramam grew. Ramana's Silent Years: The Temple Vault to the Caves The silent years of Ramana Maharshi ~ the young sage absorbed in the Self in the Patala Lingam vault, cared for by devotees, and how his very silence first drew and taught the seekers who came. Ramana's Journey to Arunachala: The Boy Who Left Home How the sixteen-year-old Ramana left home for Arunachala in 1896 ~ the famous note, the roundabout train journey, the pledged earrings, and his arrival at the temple he never left. Ramana Maharshi's Last Days & Mahasamadhi (1950) Ramana Maharshi's last days and mahasamadhi on 14 April 1950 ~ the cancer he bore with serene equanimity, his words ‘where could I go? I am here’, and the light seen over Arunachala. Ramana Maharshi's Death Experience: The Awakening at 16 Ramana Maharshi's death experience ~ the single afternoon at sixteen when a sudden terror of death led him, by facing it directly, to the deathless Self. The pivot of his whole life. The Ashrams of Tiruvannamalai: Which Is Right for You A respectful guide to the ashrams of Tiruvannamalai ~ Sri Ramanasramam, Yogi Ramsuratkumar, Seshadri Swamigal ~ their different atmospheres, and which might suit you. How to Practise Self-Inquiry (Ramana's Who Am I) How to practise self-inquiry as Ramana Maharshi taught it: the actual method of asking “Who am I?”, what it does, and the common misunderstandings to avoid. Visiting Sri Ramanasramam: A Practical Guide How to visit Sri Ramanasramam, Ramana Maharshi's ashram at Arunachala: what to see, the daily chanting, meals, how to stay, and how to be there respectfully. Virupaksha Cave & Skandashram: A Walking Guide Virupaksha Cave and Skandashram on Arunachala: where Ramana Maharshi lived his early years, how to walk up to them, what to expect, and when to go. Where to Start Reading Ramana Maharshi Where to start reading Ramana Maharshi: a short, honest shortlist ~ Who Am I?, the Talks, and David Godman's Be As You Are ~ and the order to read them in. Ramana Maharshi: A Seeker's Introduction An introduction to Ramana Maharshi for the modern seeker ~ his life at Arunachala, the death-experience that awakened him at sixteen, his teaching of self-inquiry, and why his simple question still draws the world to this hill.

The Mountain

23 articles

What Arunachala is ~ the fire legend, the scriptures, the sacred geometry, the temple, and its history.

Karthigai Deepam Live 2026: How to Watch Online How to watch the Karthigai Deepam live online on 24 November 2026: Maha Deepam and Bharani Deepam times in your time zone, and how to find a genuine stream. Bharani Deepam 2026 at Tiruvannamalai: Date & Time Bharani Deepam at Tiruvannamalai in 2026: expected about 4 AM on 24 November, before the Maha Deepam at dusk. What it is and how to see it. The Sacred Geometry of Arunachala: Fire, Linga & the Cosmos The sacred geometry of Arunachala ~ the fire element and the five Pancha Bhuta Sthalams, the hill as a cosmic linga, the eight directional lingams as a mandala, and the Heart at the centre. The Siddhas of Arunachala: The Hidden Sages of the Hill The tradition of the siddhas of Arunachala ~ the perfected, hidden sages said to dwell unseen upon and within the sacred hill, revealing themselves only to the ready. Sacred lore of the mountain. The Wider Spiritual Tiruvannamalai: Aurobindo, Siddhas & More The wider spiritual life of Tiruvannamalai beyond Ramana ~ Sri Aurobindo's connection to Arunachala, the hidden siddhas of the hill, and why so much holiness has gathered here for two thousand years. Arunachala in the Scriptures: The Vedas, Puranas & Tamil Hymns How Arunachala is glorified across Hindu scripture ~ the Rig Veda, the Arunachala Mahatmyam of the Skanda Purana (2,060 verses), the Siva Rahasya and Siva Purana, and the Tamil hymns of the saints. Temples Near Tiruvannamalai: A Pilgrim's Guide The temples and sacred sites near Tiruvannamalai, honestly grouped by distance ~ the Shiva and Vishnu temples of Tirukoyilur, the Ramana sites at Desur, and the great Chola temples of Chidambaram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Sacred Day-Trips Around Tiruvannamalai Day-trips from Tiruvannamalai: the moving Ramana-lineage sites at Desur and Matam (Mastan Swami), the ancient temples of Tirukoyilur, and Gingee fort ~ with honest distances. Why People Can't Stop Thinking About Arunachala Why so many visitors find Arunachala stays with them long after they leave ~ the common experience of the hill's pull, what might explain it, and how to hold it in a grounded way. Going to Arunachala Carrying Grief or a Turning Point For those drawn to Arunachala in a hard season ~ grief, loss, an ending. What the hill can and cannot offer, and how to make a gentle pilgrimage when you are carrying something heavy. Adi Annamalai: Arunachala's Ancient Western Temple Adi Annamalai temple at Tiruvannamalai: among the oldest lingas of Arunachala, Brahma's western linga, its place on the Girivalam route, and its tie to the fire legend. Arunachaleswarar Temple: A Visitor's Guide A guide to the Arunachaleswarar temple at Tiruvannamalai: its scale and nine gopurams, the fire element at its heart, what to see, and its bond with Arunachala hill. Karthigai Deepam at Arunachala: The Festival of Light Karthigai Deepam at Tiruvannamalai: the great beacon lit on Arunachala's summit, what the festival means, when it falls, and the honest truth about the crowds. The Legend of the Column of Fire (Arunachala) The legend of Arunachala: how Shiva appeared as an infinite column of fire to humble Brahma and Vishnu, and then became the sacred hill ~ the story behind the mountain. What Is Arunachala? The Mountain That Is Fire What Arunachala is ~ the sacred hill at Tiruvannamalai held to be Shiva himself in the form of fire: the legend of the column of light, its great antiquity, and why it is worshipped as the mountain rather than a temple upon it. Srikalahasti: The Temple of Air (and of Kannappa) The Srikalahasti temple ~ the Pancha Bhuta Sthalam of air (vayu), where a lamp-flame flickers in a windless sanctum, named for a spider, serpent and elephant, and the temple of Kannappa who offered his eyes. Ekambareswarar, Kanchipuram: The Temple of Earth The Ekambareswarar temple at Kanchipuram ~ the Pancha Bhuta Sthalam of earth (prithvi), where Shiva is a lingam of sand embraced by Parvati, with its ancient mango tree. Arunachala's elemental companion. Jambukeswarar, Thiruvanaikaval: The Temple of Water The Jambukeswarar temple at Thiruvanaikaval ~ the Pancha Bhuta Sthalam of water (appu), where Shiva's lingam is perpetually surrounded by an underground spring, with the story of the elephant and the spider. Chidambaram: The Temple of Space & the Cosmic Dance The Chidambaram Nataraja temple ~ the Pancha Bhuta Sthalam of space (akasha), home of the dancing Shiva and the Chidambara Rahasya (the 'secret' of empty space), and Arunachala's natural elemental complement. The Pancha Bhuta Sthalams: The Five Element Temples of Shiva The Pancha Bhuta Sthalams ~ the five temples where Shiva is worshipped as the five elements: earth (Kanchipuram), water (Thiruvanaikaval), fire (Arunachala), air (Srikalahasti), and space (Chidambaram). The Lingam: Its Meaning & Worship at Arunachala What the Shiva lingam is and means ~ the aniconic form of the formless Absolute, the pillar of fire of Arunachala's legend, its forms at the hill (Agni Lingam, the hill itself, the Ashta Lingam), and how it is worshipped. Arunachala & Tiruvannamalai: Facts & History The key facts and full history of Arunachala and Tiruvannamalai ~ the ancient rock, the sacred site, a thousand years of Chola-to-Nayak temple-building, Tipu Sultan's sieges, and the age of Ramana. Parvathamalai Trek & Temple: The Sacred Mountain to Climb Parvathamalai near Tiruvannamalai ~ the sacred 1,100 m mountain with its ancient Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, reached by a challenging trek up rock and iron ladders. Routes, difficulty, best time, and honest safety notes.

Saints of Arunachala

16 articles

Two thousand years of devotion ~ the ancient saints, the Siddhars, the jeeva samadhis, and the living satsangs.

Yogi Ramsuratkumar: The Beggar Saint of Tiruvannamalai Yogi Ramsuratkumar ~ the 'beggar' saint of Tiruvannamalai who called Ramana one of his three fathers, lived hidden on the streets for years, and whose ashram is now a living heart of the town. Seshadri Swamigal: The Saint Who Revealed Ramana Seshadri Swamigal ~ the 'Saint with the Golden Hand', the wandering jivanmukta of Tiruvannamalai who discovered the young Ramana in the temple vault. One of the three lingas of Arunachala. Arunagirinathar: The Saint Saved at the Gopuram Arunagirinathar of Tiruvannamalai ~ who threw himself from the temple gopuram in despair, was saved by Murugan, and sang the Tiruppugazh. One of the great tales of Tamil devotion. The Nalvar: The Four Great Saints Who Sang Arunachala The Nalvar ~ Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar and Manikkavachakar ~ the four great Tamil Shaiva saints who sang Arunachala over a thousand years ago, and the four ways they loved Shiva. Swami Nochur (Ramanacharanatirtha) & Voice of Rishis: A Guide Sri Ramanacharanatirtha (Nochur) Swami ~ the revered living Advaita master whose satsangs on the Gita, Upanishads and Ramana's teachings draw seekers at Tiruvannamalai. A factual guide with his official satsang schedule. Ganga Maa Tiruvannamalai: New Ashram Address & Satsang Ganga Maa in Tiruvannamalai: Hridaya Kshetram's new ashram address at Vediappanur, satsang timings, how to get there and what to expect. Kannappa Nayanar: The Hunter Who Offered His Eyes Kannappa Nayanar ~ the illiterate hunter-saint of Tamil Shaivism who worshipped Shiva with meat and water from his mouth, and offered his own eyes for love. The supreme parable that God receives love, not correctness. Karaikkal Ammaiyar: The Woman Saint Who Became a Ghoul Karaikkal Ammaiyar ~ the great woman saint of Tamil Shaivism who prayed away her beauty to become a fearsome ghoul (pey) and sing forever at the feet of Shiva's cosmic dance. One of the earliest and fiercest Nayanmars. The Tirumantiram of Thirumular: The Key Text of Tamil Shaivism The Tirumantiram of Thirumular ~ the 3,000-verse foundational text of Shaiva Siddhanta and Tamil yoga, tenth of the Tirumurai, by the saint who was both Nayanmar and Siddhar. The 63 Nayanmars: The Devotional Saints of Tamil Shaivism The 63 Nayanmars ~ the canonised Shiva saints of Tamil Shaivism, from kings to hunters to women, whose fierce bhakti (told in the Periya Puranam) shaped the Tamil devotional soul and sang Arunachala. Bhogar: The Alchemist Siddhar of Palani Bhogar (Boganathar) ~ the great alchemist-sage among the 18 Siddhars, said to have made the Palani Murugan deity from the mysterious Navapashanam (nine poisons), whose jeeva samadhi lies within the Palani temple. Agastyar (Agathiyar): The Foremost of the Siddhars Agastyar (Agathiyar) ~ the foremost and most ancient of the 18 Siddhars: Vedic sage, father of the Tamil language, founder of Siddha medicine, and the deathless master at the source of the Tamil spiritual tradition. Guhai Namasivaya: The Cave Saint Ramana Spoke Of Guhai Namasivaya ~ the 16th-century saint of Arunachala who, four centuries before Ramana, came from Karnataka, lived in a cave, and was liberated by the mountain. His life, poetry, and the parallels Ramana himself noted. Isanya Desikar: The Saint by the Esanya Lingam Isanya (Esanya) Jnana Desikar ~ the 18th-century saint of Arunachala whose math and samadhi stand by the Esanya lingam on the Girivalam road; his life, his intense love of the hill, and the miracle of Ayton the Collector. Jeeva Samadhi at Tiruvannamalai: The Living Shrines of the Siddhas Jeeva samadhi at Tiruvannamalai ~ what these living shrines of realised siddhas are, why Arunachala is full of them, and the known samadhis (Gugai Namasivaya, Idaikkadar and more), several on the Girivalam route. The 18 Siddhars of Tamil Nadu: The Immortal Sages The 18 Siddhars of Tamil Nadu (Patinen Siddhar) ~ the immortal yogi-sages, alchemists and physicians who founded Siddha medicine: Agastyar, Thirumular, Bhogar, Idaikkadar and more, and their link to Arunachala.

Sacred Calendar

8 articles

Every festival and full moon of the year, with the meaning of each.

Ekadashi at Arunachala: The Twice-Monthly Fast Ekadashi at Tiruvannamalai ~ the twice-monthly day of fasting and devotion on the 11th lunar day, its value as a recurring discipline, and its place in the sacred rhythm of the hill. Advent Day: When Ramana Arrived at Arunachala (1896) Advent Day ~ the ashram's remembrance of 1 September 1896, when the sixteen-year-old Ramana arrived at Arunachala and never left. The homecoming from which everything flows. Chitra Pournami 2026 at Arunachala: The First Full Moon Chitra Pournami 2026 (Friday 1 May) ~ the first, most auspicious full moon of the Tamil year, the day of Chitragupta and karmic cleansing, and how it is kept at Arunachala. The Tamil Festival Year at Arunachala, Month by Month The Tamil sacred year at Arunachala, month by month ~ the twelve Tamil months and their festivals, from Chitra Pournami through Karthigai Deepam to Maha Shivaratri, all kept at the fire-hill. Maha Shivaratri at Arunachala 2026: The Great Night of Shiva Maha Shivaratri 2026 at Tiruvannamalai (Sunday 15 February) ~ the great night of Shiva kept at the fire-hill that is Shiva himself: its meaning, the night vigil and fast, and how it is observed at Arunachala. Pradosham at Arunachala: The Twilight Worship of Shiva Pradosham at Tiruvannamalai ~ the twice-monthly twilight worship of Shiva on the 13th lunar day, including Soma and Shani Pradosham, and how it is kept at the Arunachaleswarar temple. Ramana Jayanti & Aradhana: The Two Great Days of the Ashram Ramana Jayanti (his birth) and Aradhana (his mahasamadhi) ~ the two great festivals of Sri Ramanasramam, kept by the Tamil star-calendar, and the other days of the ashram year. The Sacred Calendar of Arunachala 2026 The complete 2026 sacred calendar of Arunachala ~ every full moon, festival and holy day, month by month, with the meaning of each, beautifully laid out.

Reference

2 articles

Glossary and frequently asked questions.

Arunachala & Tiruvannamalai FAQ The questions people most often ask about Arunachala and Tiruvannamalai ~ getting there, the hill, Girivalam, Ramana, festivals and practicalities ~ answered plainly in one place. Glossary of Arunachala & Spiritual Terms A plain glossary of the Arunachala, Ramana and Tamil Shaiva vocabulary ~ the Sanskrit and Tamil terms that recur across the tradition, each simply defined.

Living There

2 articles

Longer stays and the neighbourhoods of Tiruvannamalai.

Living in Tiruvannamalai: The Long-Stay Reality A long stay in Tiruvannamalai: the honest picture on visas and the FRRO, what a month really costs, and how to settle in near Arunachala without losing why you came. Neighbourhoods of Tiruvannamalai: Where Seekers Live The neighbourhoods of Tiruvannamalai for a longer stay: Ramana Nagar and the ashram side, the old town by the temple, and the quiet outer areas ~ and who each suits.