I firmly believe in the divine calling and that it is a perfect time for all that is meant to be.
When my spiritual Sangha announced a retreat, I enrolled without knowing any details, trusting in the journey ahead. Little did I realise that this leap of faith would lead me on an unexpected and transformative adventure that turned out to be an experience of a lifetime, filled with surprises and profound revelations. What awaited me was a soul-stirring journey to the serene and innovative communities of Auroville and Arunachala (Red Mountain) in Tamil Naidu.
Arunachala, a revered hill in the Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu, is one of the most sacred Shaiva holy places in South India. Known by various names, this majestic hill holds immense spiritual significance. It is considered a physical manifestation of Lord Shiva and symbolises the fire element among the Pancha Bhooota Sthalams. Its spiritual power is so profound that it inspires awe and reverence in all who visit, leaving a lasting impression on their souls.
Mythology story
Thus, Arunachala was not just a hill but a revered Guru even to deities like Brahma and Vishnu, while for Parvati, it was where the Goddess merged her identity with Shiva. If mythological stories are to be believed, according to the legend associated with the temple, a dispute occurred between Brahma, the creator, and Vishnu, the preserver, over which of them was superior. Lord Shiva is said to have manifested as a column of light and then the form of Arunachala to settle the argument.
At the foot of Arunachala stands the magnificent Arunachalesvara Temple, a testament to Dravidian architecture’s grandeur and brilliance. This ancient temple, sprawling over 25 acres, is one of India’s largest and most impressive Shiva temples, a sight that leaves visitors in awe of its grandeur and beauty.
The sacred mountain trek
One of Arunachala’s most profound spiritual practices is the trek around the hill, known as Girivalam or Pradakshina. This 14-kilometre circumambulation is not just a physical act but a profoundly transformative journey, a path of self-discovery and spiritual growth undertaken by thousands of devotees. It’s a steep walk from Ramana Ashram to the temple cave, about an hour, inspiring spiritual growth and enlightenment.
As one trek up the hill, the energy of the fellow pilgrims is pulsating and contagious, and here, I, too, join the tribe of devotees who have much to share about this sublime experience. On the way uphill, one sees the incredible talent of sculptors humbly displaying their art, waiting for the trekkers to stop, appreciate, and buy.
The entire trek, the forest, and the environment symbolise the journey inward, where one seeks to shed the ego and connect with the divine within. Devotees walk barefoot around the hill. The hill is also home to several ancient caves with immense spiritual significance. These caves have been sanctified by the presence of great saints and sages who chose them as places of meditation, austerity, and communion with the divine.
The mystery of the caves
Virupaksha Deva lived in an OM-shaped cave higher up on the Hill, and this cave, too, still bears his name. Sri Ramana Maharshi lived in this cave from 1899 to 1916. Astonishingly, when the monkey mind looks at the caves, it is logically impossible to believe how the cave would have come up or how the place of living could have been created. It’s a sanctuary of silence, and the caves echo the sound of silence.
The caves are not just physical spaces but are seen as portals to the divine, where the ego is stripped away, and the true Self is revealed. For many, the trek up to these caves is a pilgrimage within a pilgrimage, offering a direct encounter with the spiritual essence of Arunachala.
You would know what I’m talking about if you had been there. Ramana Maharishi’s philosophy of ‘Who Am I? ‘And teachings on self-enquiry are intriguing.
