Fw: [Newsletter] Arunachala Information, News and Updates

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Tidbits

Karthigai Deepam Discussions are underway to streamline distribution of devotee passes visiting Tiruvannamalai for Karthigai Deepam. Officials discussed the capacity of the Temple and how many people it would be able to accommodate within the Temple compound during the ritual of the lighting the Maha Deepam. It is expected that, based on the survey, the number of passes and their exact allotment will be determined. These allotted numbers will be fixed as guidelines to be followed annually thus avoiding continuous controversy concerning distribution of the highly sought Temple Deepam passes. ************************* Local Projects Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation has given its consent to the implementation of 40 projects in this Municipality. To begin with a foundation stone for a boathouse was laid at Thamarai Kulam Tank in Tiruvannamalai, as part of a Rs.75 Lakh (US$170,000) facelift to the Water Tank. The water tank will be utilised for boating for tourists and visitors. Work was also inaugurated at Tiruvannamalai Bus Stand in an important renovation project which is estimated will cost Rs.38 Lakh (US$85,000). Both projects are to be implemented under Tourism Development Schemes. ************************* Veterinary Clinic The new Veterinary Clinic in Tiruvannamalai is expected to open either on the 7th or 14th of December. In the first year only sterilization operations on female dogs will be performed - later operations on male dogs will also be undertaken. The capacity of the Clinic will be limited to 75-100 operations a month and all female dogs will spend several days recuperating at the facility after their operation. This venture is regarded as the 'Tiruvannamalai Project' of the Karuna Animal Shelter of Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. Karuna Animal Shelter will be sending one of their own trained veterinary doctors to Tiruvannamalai to oversee operations. A veterinary doctor from Holland will be arriving shortly at Tiruvannamalai to take up a position at the Clinic. *************************

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green with IT

A review of Tamil Nadu forests in 1997 showed a third of Tamil Nadu’s 22,800 sq.kms of forests had been degraded due to illicit felling, overgrazing and forest fires. Now, eight years later, due to various afforestation programmes throughout the State, large areas of degraded forests are regenerating. A major cause of the degradation of forests is due to wrong land use policy. Forests used to be seen as a source of non-tax revenue but since the early 90’s forests are being increasingly viewed as a resource for the ecological benefit of the State. Technology is playing a pivotal role in the regeneration of forests in Tamil Nadu. The Geomatics Centre, Chennai, in collaboration with the Institute of Remote Sensing, Anna University, has identified degraded forests in Tamil Nadu using satellite data. The State Forest Department launched the Tamil Nadu Afforestation Programme in 1997-1998 funded by an eight year loan of Rs.688 crore (US$153,000,000) from Japan Bank of International Co-operation. The success of the first phase has encouraged the Forest Department to launch a second phase of the Afforestation Programme with a further eight year loan of Rs.567.42 crore (US$126,000,000) from Japan Bank of International Co-operation. According to estimates, about 700,000 tonnes of fuel wood, 125,000 tonnes of fodder and green manure and 10,000 cubic metres of small timber are annually removed from Tamil Nadu forests. (note: A tonne or metric ton is a measurement of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms). Over 100,000 people are engaged in head load removals. Satellite analysis has helped the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to assess forest damage and implement corrective measures such as watershed development, replanting, empowerment of women, integrated tribal development programmes and buffer zone activities. Digital image processing using satellite imagery has been completed for all Districts. The reserve forests and the trees outside the forest areas have been classified in different density classes such as dense forest, open forest dense tree cover, sparse tree cover, rocky area, barren area and scrub. Besides forest cover change, analysis has been done for Tiruvannamalai and Vellore Districts using satellite remote sensing. District forest atlases for all Districts have already been prepared.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memories of Big Car Day

[by Apeetha Arunagiri] The ecstasy is something else . . . Three days before the lighting of the Light is Big Car Day. The Big Car is a huge wooden cart carved with fabulous carvings of mythological figures. This cart has the biggest wheels in the world; it dwarfs all the buildings in town except the giant temple towers. The splendid bronze figures of Annamalai and Unnamalai, male and female personifications of Arunachala, are seated in up on the Big Car, all garlanded and bejeweled and the towering edifice is covered with long strips of vibrant designs embroidered cloth and gigantic flower garlands. About five thousand persons pull the cart around the temple circuit-route, ladies on one side and gents on the other. There are several big cars pulled before The Big Car; there is a women-only one, carrying the independent female deity, Abhithakuchalambal that comes first; there are others. There is a kids car, which trails flamboyantly at the end with fancy little priest boys in front and urchins both male and female sitting dangling their legs on the back. Inauspicious times of the day intervene and the proceedings stop until the bad hour has passed, and there is also the time when suddenly everyone goes home for lunch. Heavy rain doesn't stop anything. We secured a protected view from the balcony of a cloth shop half way down the incline, long before the towering, tottering, embroidered, garlanded Big Car, with it's flouncing umbrella on the very top, appeared above the roofs of the shops and maneuvered itself into position for the strenuous haul up towards the hill. Below us the street was a sea of heads; all balconies and rooftops up and down the street full of faces. Bodies behind us pressed forward, pushing us onto the in any case shaky balcony rails festooned now with dubious flickering fairy lights. It's quite exciting. Since the divinities are approaching dedicated persons don't wear shoes, most people leave their shoes at home. When the car stops, you should know that big chocks of heavy wood are wedged underneath the enormous wheels so that the pullers take a rest while offerings are made to their majesties the gods. When ready to start again, young men with enthusiasm climb up onto those chocks with poles to steady themselves and on signal they jump up and down on the slanted chocks until the force of their weight pushes the wheels forward again, giving momentum for the pullers to haul the cart further up the street. Big Car Day transcends a most laborious business. Looking down into the crowd below as the cart passed beneath us, we were treated to a seething mass of human energy. Drums and cymbals are beating in time to muscles, bystanders shouting encouragement, enormous wheels slowly turning, creaking; embroidery panels blow in the wind, garlands waver about, the divinities are sitting up there looking sassy, lucky little boys also sitting up there lowering cloth carry-bags on strings for people to send up coconuts and flowers. The Brahmin priests look down impassively in their outfits. The Big Car teeters its way uphill until the momentum runs out. The chocks are wedged in again. Everyone breathes again. Flames are lit and encircled, offerings made. Then the next haul. The elephant is in front, having an elephant of a time. It is marvellous. That year it took twelve hours to circumnavigate the temple. ************************* Apeetha Arunagiri who used to be a long time resident of Arunachala is currently living in Australia. As Co-ordinator of the Arunachala Katthu Siva Plantation involved in extensive reafforestation here at Arunachala, Apeetha Arunagiri is responsible for generating funding for the work of the Organisation. In this respect her numerous essays on Arunachala, written over a period of 30 years are available to readers on a subscription basis. For more information please visit:

Introduction to other essays

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Legend

There are two famous myths from the Puranas that describe the history behind the famous yearly Deepam on the top of Arunachala. The first is about Brahma and Vishnu's dispute over the column of light and the other is of the boon given by Shiva for Parvati's penace in atonement for killing the demon Mahisasura, a devotee of Shiva. (Links to both stories at end of Newsletter). It is customary to celebrate Deepam in all Siva Shrines at the same time that Deepam is celebrated at Arunachala, however the legend for these Siva Shrines is different to that of Arunachala. This other legend goes thus: While Lord Siva was seated in Mount Kailas with Devi Uma, a ghee lamp was in the process of extinction. A rat nearby approached it to drink the ghee and in that act the wick was pushed out a little, enabling the flame to brighten. This pious act though unintentional, resulted in the rat securing a human birth with huge wealth and the rank of a King. With that prosperous boon the rat was born on earth as Mabali. Mabali, while reigning in all glory, one day wanted to worship Siva and went to a Siva shrine with all his royal paraphernalia. While in the Temple, a drop from a ghee lamp fell upon Mabali. The King got sores from that one drop and his malady continued for a long time. It was then Lord Siva proclaimed, "King, thou art very arrogant. Hence you got this trouble through me. From this day on if you light Siva shrines with ghee, you will be rid of your sores and live happily." Highly delighted on hearing these words the King from that day commenced lighting Siva Temples and dark places with ghee (clarified butter) lamps. Lord Siva looking at the King's piety, gave him liberation in the month of Kartigai on star Kartigai during poorva Paksha. It is for the reason the Lord appeared before the King in the form of Light, that Deepam Darsan is celebrated in all Siva Shrines on this same day every year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update - Arunachala Kattu Siva Plantation

[by Apeetha Arunagiri] Last week we decided to introduce two new members to take over the management of one of the most important aspects of our work. Jayalaxmi and Rajumanikam (a wife and husband team) will be in charge of our nursery and we are tremendously pleased to welcome them since we admire them greatly. Also they have much more expertise than any of us and our nursery will flourish all the more under their green fingers. Now our other co-workers; Pandian will be training with them towards the task of selecting species and deciding where to plant them on the slopes and Kasi, who will be relieved of the nursery responsibility, will be able to concentrate on bunding, check-dam work and his forte structuring of foundations. I have known Jayalaxmi since she was a little girl. Now she’s a grandmother. Somewhere in my store of old photographs there is a slide of her with her brothers/cousins and some monkeys, in the large forested compound where we all lived back in the early seventies. I remember her then for the glint in her eye, a spark that hinted at her natural vitality. Later her brother Murugan worked in the very first nursery we had situated on Ashram land, before the Arunachala Afforestation Group transmuted into the Annamalai Reforestation Society. Later on Jayalaxmi herself became a worker at ARS – where she worked for seventeen years. A very hard worker capable of taking the initiative; a rare occurrence in the backward culture of Tiruvannamalai. Such presence of mind and confidence is unusual to find even amongst men in this chauvinistic and traditional backward culture. The husband Rajumanikam is an exceptionally calm, steady, gentle man. He worked at ARS plantation for several and lately he has been engaged on a plantation behind Ramanasramam and on nursery work out on the Farm. Recent rains have been exceptionally good – the Lion in the tank west of the ashram is up to his thighs in water, a site I’ve only seen twice in twenty years. We have been planting furiously, engaging seasonal labourers and transferring as many saplings as possible up on to the lower slopes and beside the streams. With assistance from the Arunachala School in Yediyappanur, we have also planted an avenue of trees leading to the village. On Tuesday our new DFO (District Forest Officer) will visit us to be introduced to our work and welcomed to Arunachala. Sobeit.

Arunachala Kattu Siva Plantation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rangammal School for the Hearing Impaired

[The children preparing for an upcoming cultural presentation] Tiruvannamalai is economically designated as a most backward District. There is no industry and a high percentage of the population is unemployed. The area has a large number of speech and hearing impaired children. The reason often is because of consanguineal marriages (having the same ancestry or descent, i.e. marriage amongst close relatives). In 1992 at the request of the then District Collector, Sylvia Wright started the Rangammal Memorial Higher Secondary School for the Hearing Impaired as part of the Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society. The school has a high reputation for academic and cultural excellence. It is totally free of cost and currently has 200 residential and 36 non-residential pupils. There is no charge for food, board or study books. More information about the School will soon be available on our Arunachala website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noise pollution

A Writ Petition seeking the authorities to prevent the use of loud speakers along the 14km giripradakshina path around Arunachala was filed in the Madras High Court on September 29th. The Petition was filed by the Arunachala Education and Environment Development Trust and referred to the indiscriminate use of loud speakers during the numerous festivals celebrated by people of 13 villages in Tiruvannamalai District and by some religious establishments on the giripradakshina path. The arbitrary use of loud speakers was causing severe noise pollution to devotees coming to Tiruvannamalai to perform prayful circumbulation of the Hill. The Arunachala Education and Environment Development Trust also handed over a Petition to the District Collector and Environment Engineer of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), Vellore. This Petition had sought to prohibit the use of loud speakers along the Girivalam path on July 28 and September 11 this year, but it received no response. The Trust presented its case to the Court by adding that there are around 13 Ashrams, 8 Lingams, 34 Temples, and 20 Schools along the giripradakshina pathway and hence action must be taken to uphold the directions of the Supreme Court regarding the use of loud speakers during festivals and meetings. The Madras High Court adjourned the matter, seeking reply from the Respondents, i.e. District Collector and Environment Engineer of the TNPCB within four weeks. Previously Temples would hire musicians to play celebratory music during Festivals but the sound was localised as there were no loud speakers to broadcast throughout the countryside. However nowadays with the availability of electricity, sound systems and powerful amplifiers, many Shrines and Temples around the Hill broadcast a continuous din throughout the day. It is very distressing to the animals, the ambiance of the countryside, its residents and also to the many pilgrims coming from long distances to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Arunachala.

Different kinds of noise pollution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In This Issue:

 

Tidbits

 

Green with IT

 

Memories of Big Car Day

 

The Legend

 

Update - Arunachala Kattu Siva Plantation

 

Rangammal School for the Hearing Impaired

 

Noise pollution

 

Arunachala Grace Network

 

Recommended Services

 

Rules of the Road - Part 2

 

Poems

 

Neem - Vembu

 

Links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arunachala Grace Network

All subscriptions to Arunachala Grace News are completely free. However we invite support for the continued development of: Arunachala Grace Network Arunachala Grace Newsletter www.arunachalagrace.blogspot.com www.arunachalasamudra.org I am also authoring another Arunachala Blog at: www.arunachalanews.com For details on how to help please contact Meenakshi Mammi at arunachalana ************************* We are including a facility on this newsletter for readers who do not yet have their own subscription. Click Here to Subscribe Please remember to adjust your 'spam' recognition to facilitate acceptance of the Newsletter. ************************* Arunachala Samudra Our improved website contains (among others) new features and sections on Herbology, Inspiration, Sacred Power, Tourism and Modern Day Saints, which we will be populating over the coming months. So please check back regularly to the site for additions.

Our Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recommended Services

This month our emphasis on recommended service is on professionals for home care work. 1) Electrician: Dharani One of the very few electrician/plumbers in Tiruvannamalai that studied in an accredited vocational school and has diplomas in both electrical and plumbing work. Either quick repairs or installation of total electrical and/or plumbing systems. mobile: 9442809834 2) Carpenter: Arumurugam Been working as a carpenter in the Tiruvannamalai area for over 15 years. Can undertake either quick repairs or major assignments. Has his own crew. mobile: 9443308483 3) Cane Furniture Choose from catalogue or own design to be translated into cane furniture. Any assignment undertaken all made from high quality cane. Also for sale antique wood furniture. Arumugam Cane Shop mobile: 9443033046

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rules of the Road - Part 2

As small as Tiruvannamalai is, believe me it gets dangerous on the roads. So read part 2 of these Rules of the Road and realise what may seem satirical is actually quite literal on the roads of South India. Most Indian road users observe a version of the Highway Code based on a Sanskrit text. These rules of the Indian road are published for the first time in English: ARTICLE V: All manoeuvers, use of horn and evasive action shall be left until the last possible moment. ARTICLE VI: In the absence of seat belts car occupants shall wear garlands of marigolds. These should be kept fastened at all times. ARTICLE VII: Rights of way: Traffic entering a road from the left has priority. So has traffic from the right, and also traffic in the middle ARTICLE VIII: Roundabouts: India has no roundabouts. Apparent traffic islands in the middle of crossroads have no traffic management function. Any other impression should be ignored. ARTICLE IX: Overtaking is mandatory. Every moving vehicle is required to overtake every other moving vehicle, irrespective of whether it has just overtaken you. Overtaking should only be undertaken in suitable conditions, such as in the face of oncoming traffic, on blind bends, at junctions and in the middle of villages/city centres. Not more than two inches should be allowed between your vehicle and the one you are passing; and one inch in the case of bicycles or pedestrians. ARTICLE X: Nirvana may be obtained through the head-on crash. ARTICLE XI: Reversing: No longer applicable since no vehicle in India uses reverse gear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poems

Shaper Shaped In days gone by I used to be A potter who would feel His fingers mould the yielding clay To patterns on his wheel; But now, through wisdom lately won, That pride has died away, I have ceased to be the potter And have learned to be the clay. In other days I used to be A poet through whose pen Innumerable songs would come To win the hearts of men; But now, through new-got knowledge Which I hadn't had so long, I have ceased to be the poet And have learned to be the song. I was a fashioner of swords, In days that now are gone, Which on a hundred battle-fields Glittered and gleamed and shone; But now that I am brimming with The silence of the Lord I have ceased to be a sword-maker And learned to be the sword. In by-gone days I used to be A dreamer who would hurl On every side an insolence Of emerald and pearl But now that I am kneeling At the feet of the Supreme I have ceased to be the dreamer And have learned to be dream. [by Harindranath Chattopadhyaya] ************************* Brilliant Place Maybe I don't have to leave this brilliant resting place. I've been loaded down with too much weight. "Be somebody!" my dad said. "Get ahead and stay ahead!" I was carrying his father's hopes as well. I got a head; a very, very heavy one. Maybe I don't have to write a book, or stifle irritation, or fit into the empty slot because, this empty slot, this brilliant resting place from where all things arise, is who I am. [by Rashid Maxwell] ************************* Inner Peace When people talk about Arunachala, they often talk about how it brings peace into their lives. In this respect here is a beautiful description by the famous wandering lady, Peace Pilgrim, of the signs of inner peace: A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment. A loss of interest in judging other people. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others. A loss of interest in conflict. A loss of the ability to worry. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation. Contented feeling of connectedness with others and nature. Frequent attacks of smiling. An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it. [Peace Pilgrim]

The Website of Peace Pilgrim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neem - Vembu

The Neem which in Tamil is known as Vembu, holds an important place in Siddha and Ayurvedic medicine preparation. The word Neem is derived from Sanskrit Nimba which means 'bestower of good health'. Neem or Margosa is a botanical cousin of mahogany and belongs to the family Meliaceae. The latinized name of Neem, ‘Azadirachta indica’ is derived from the Persian and literally means ‘The Free Tree of India’. Neem, which was considered a Divine tree by ancients, is a broad-leaved, evergreen tree which can grow up to 30m tall and 2.5m in girth. Its trunk is 30-80 cm in diameter. Its spreading branches form a rounded crown of deep-green leaves and honey-scented flowers as much as 20m across. The tree, known to cure many diseases, is also both a pest control agent as well as fertilizer. It is an intelligent pest repellent not affecting useful species and only affecting harmful pests, furthermore its complex molecular structure ensures pests don’t develop immunity to it. It releases more oxygen than other trees and is being used in certain areas to prevent desertification. It’s completely safe and causes no harm or side-effects and also has been used as a health and beauty aid in India for more than 5000 years! For more information contact: Herbologist Dr. Manickam [email: drmanickam_tvm] ************************* An archive of back issues of Arunachala Grace News is available at this link:

Back Issues of Arunachala Grace News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links:

 

Noise PollutionIn Depth Arunachala InformationNews, Updates on ArunachalaPeople and Information ArunachalaBrahma Vishnu DisputeParvati's BoonApeetha Arunagiri WebsiteIntroduction Apeetha Arunagiri's EssaysArunachala Kattu Siva PlantationWebsite of Peace Pilgrim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arunachala Grace News - January, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year

Wishing you all a Happy and Peace Filled 2007 with best wishes from here at Arunachala. The White Peacock, which is regarded as particularly auspicious, is frequently mistaken for an albino, but it is a colour variety of Indian Blue Peacock. The Peacock is considered to be a bird of protection and safe guarding and is also valued as a protection for the psychic self. There has been lore that writes that to have a peacock feather within the home helps safe guard the energy in the environment. The Peacock symbolises Peace and Harmony.

The Peacock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tidbits

Deepam Security Nearly 6,000 police personnel (including reserve police, Tamil Nadu special police force and regular police from various State zones) were deployed at this year's Karthigai Deepam to ensure the safety and well being of a million pilgrims during the climatic lighting of the Maha Deepam at dusk on December 3rd. For the first time, this Deepam, all Temple Staff, including priests had to wear identity cards. All entry points to the Temple were monitored by Close Circuit Television (CCTV) and by crime experts (from all 30 Tamil Nadu State Districts) and designated entrances were allocated to visitors to Temple. During the day of Maha Deepam, 16 criminals were arrested for their involvement in various criminal activities including theft. And 41 people, who became lost in the huge crowd, were reunited with their families with the help of police.

Traffic was well managed soon after the Deepam festival concluded and no traffic congestion was reported. One could say a COMPLETE SUCCESS. ************************* Karuna Society The Karuna Society for Animals & Nature is finally opening its Tiruvannamalai Branch. They have sent out invitations to their official opening which will take place January 10th, 2007. A puja will be performed at their facility on the Chengam Road (next to the Arts College) from 6 to 7.30 a.m. Thereafter an opening ceremony will take place between 9 to 10.30 a.m. that same day. All are welcome to participate in this function. ************************* Annamalai Reforestation Society Permaculture Demonstration Farm Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu Jan 21-26, 2007 Facilitator John Button A Permaculture course will be held from Jan 21-26, 2007 at the above address. Permaculture is a design process

for recognising, utilising and harmonizing the individual characteristics of landscape (landform, soil, water, vegetation, animals) with the needs of the people involved with it, to create a system that is both productive and sustainable in the long term. John Button, the Facilitator of the course, is an Australian, who has been working with Permaculture for over twenty-five years, first in Australia, and for the last 15 years in India, South East Asia, continental Europe, Russia and the Canary Islands, including 8 yrs in Tiruvannamalai working with greening Arunachala and establishing various land use regeneration models, including the Demonstration Farm. For more information email: johnnaturedesigns ************************* Michael James Website Whilst travelling in India in 1976 Michael James heard about the teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana and as a result decided to visit Tiruvannamalai in order to

learn more. His visit led to a close association with Sri Sadhu Om and the opportunity to become intimately acquainted with many profound and subtle insights into the fundamental teachings of Sri Ramana. Michael James ended up living at Arunachala for the next twenty years. He has now launched a website and hopes to continue adding more content to his site in the form of e-books, articles, translations and explanations of all the original writings of Sri Bhagavan. At present the main content of the site is a PDF version of his new book, 'Happiness and the Art of Being', which is intended to serve both as a layman's introduction to the philosophy and practice of Bhagavan's teachings and as a detailed and in-depth exploration of the core elements of those teachings.

Michael James Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AKSP Report

[by Apeetha Arunagiri] Two consecutive years of such good rains have not been seen by Arunachala in decades. The Hill this 2006 Deepam presents in my own experience, a luscious luxuriance unprecedented for the last thirty years. Locals of the unsophisticated culture see this wetness and discomfort as a sure sign that Arunachala Siva very much likes His new green duds. Better than the old brown ones, even if He is the Fire Lingam of South India! We have not had an appreciable fire for two summers, thanks to the community participation fostered very largely by our two District Forest Officers (DFOs) who have recently been transferred. These gentlemen were tremendously encouraging and helpful to all of us engaged in the Greening of Arunachala; in fact we of the AKSP owe our very existence to them and have only recently realized the auspiciousness of their term. Now we

have a new DFO (District Forest Officer): Mr. Yuvalraj. Mr. Yuvalraj will be promoted to Conservator around this time next year, which means that he will be sent elsewhere within a year from now. Then it will be opportune for me to meet the incoming DFO, introduce our project, and request him to encourage and support us. Our continuance is always dependent upon the discretion firstly of our local DFO, secondly of our Conservator in the Divisional Headquarters in Vellore, and thirdly of our Principal Chief Conservator in Chennai. This is the way it has to be because forests are so desperately in need of protection, not only in India. This is an International predicament as our Forests are our lifeline! The AKSP has permission to plant on the hill within the area designated Reserve Forest; this area is off-limits to other than Forestry Department personnel unless special permission is given. Very Good Reasons promote this structure. Within this special

permission which we have been given, we in turn honour the original, cognitively competent considerations behind it. AKSP is very happy to be planting on Reserve Forest because in this way we are enabled to work without disturbance. Nevertheless, if we re-forested the entire hill, with a forest that flourished for decades and replenished the underground water table to surface level, then despite our intentions on behalf of the generations to come: within ONE summer night the entire forest could EASILY be destroyed by one match at the hand of ignorant evil. No matter how green we see the garments of Arunachala Siva from year to year, we just have to remember that in the summer months of the climate of the Fire Lingam, when His body is tinder and there are many excuses for arson, all could well be lost within even one night; and all efforts towards the Greening of Arunachala could be rendered pure unadulterated vanity.

AKSP Site

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lighting the Flame

[by Apeetha Arunagiri] Up on the narrow rocky top of the mountain stands a gigantic copper pot laboriously carried up that morning by a team of old blokes in loincloths traditionally honored with this task. The east face has been swarming all day with humans on their way up with clay pots of ghee to replenish this lamp; a colorful pilgrim snake weaves the traditional path and more adventurous persons scramble up in other directions all day today. The almost top plateau becomes a mini-market, even bangles and balloons can be bought up there today, even underpants, and many will spend the night beside their wares. The very top is standing-room-only of course; bare feet on the brittle remains of past centuries’ broken clay pots softened by the sticky surface of centuries of ghee. Everyone takes up flowers and incense in gratitude for the honour of presence. A special ceremony in the

Big Temple in town early this morning accompanied a flame-seed from the inner sanctum out into the enormous flagstone courtyard where it first lights another flame-seed set waiting beside another huge copper lamp, before traveling carefully up the path on the east face to the top. There it will be sheltered by the priests in breathless expectation of the rise of the auspicious full moon. The moment our Celestial Orb appears on the eastern horizon, the giant lamp on the very top will be lit. The precise moment the little flame on top appears, the priests in the Big Temple will light the big lamp in the vast courtyard packed with humans now chanting “Om Namo Sivaya”. It is pelting rain but it is surprising how the heat of so many bodies keeps them all somewhat warm and dry. The temple elephant also waits with the crowd; this is part of her job. She loves festivals. ************************* Apeetha Arunagiri who used to be a long time resident

of Arunachala is currently living in Australia. Her numerous essays on Arunachala, written over a period of 30 years are available to readers on a subscription basis. For more information please visit:

Essays of Apeetha Arunagiri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calotropis Gigantea

Calotropis Gigantea, commonly known as milkweed or swallow-wort, a common wasteland weed is found in large quantities all around Arunachala. Traditionally Calotropis is used alone or with other medicinals to treat disease such as fevers, rheumatism, indigestion, cough, cold, eczema, asthma, elephantiasis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. According to Ayurveda, dried whole plant is a good tonic, expectorant, depurative, and anthelmintic. The dried root bark is a substitute for ipecacuanha. The root bark is febrifuge, anthelmintic, depurative, expectorant, and laxative. The powdered root used in asthma, bronchitis, and dyspepsia. The leaves are useful in the treatment of paralysis, arthralegia, swellings, and intermittent fevers. The flowers are bitter, digestive, astringent, stomachic, anthelmintic, and tonic. This herb needs to be handled carefully. Ayurvedic and Sidha doctors use

this herb cautiously in their medicinal preparations as it is poisonous. The herb should be used only under the supervision of a qualified professional. Pregnant women should never use it. Locally, people grind the leaves of the herb and use the paste in the case of snake or scorpion bites or stings. Boiling the leaf with castor oil and putting it on a wound or swelling will effect an immediate cure. As well as its medicinal properties the herbs’ flowers are also very favoured for Ganesha pujas particularly during Ganesha Chaturthi. Fungicidal and insecticidal properties of Calotropis have been reported. Traditionally Calotropis is also very effective when a preparation is used for organic fertilizers. For more information or consultations contact: Herbologist Dr. Manickam [email: drmanickam_tvm]

Holistic Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singing Heart Ashram

Jacqueline Maria Longstaff from Denmark has an ashram near Periya Paliya Pattu village off Chengham Road. It is an untraditional ashram with a wonderful view of Arunachala. Arunachala called Jacqueline to Tiruvannamalai at the end of 1999 and the grounds for the ashram were received at the beginning of 2002. Some years ago Jacqueline had a vision. This is briefly what she says about it: "I awoke one morning with a vision of what I began to call a 'Cosmic Airport'. I saw an airport containing an arrival lounge, departure lounge and transit lounge. The arrival lounge was a place where women could give birth to babies painlessly, in an enlightened energy field so they could be born untraumatised. The departure lounge was for people who were dying - a place where they could be supported in dying a conscious death. The transit lounge was for everyone else in "transit"; through life - a

place where real awakening could happen. At the time I had the vision I knew that the Cosmic Airport would first become a reality many years later and it seems this is now beginning to happen." Now those teachings of the Cosmic Airport are being realised here at Arunachala with the development of the following: New Arrivals: A programme in 2 parts: 1. Cosmic Airport Inspiration; sharing of ideas and experiences with regards to conscious birthing. 2. Healing your own birth process; deep understanding of the phases of birth and healing of trauma. Dying for Truth: This retreat actually focusses on the physical death process as a possibility for enlightenment if enlightenment has not happened in life. It is an opportunity to free consciousness from the matrix of illusion. To move deeply into meditation or spiritual awakening is to prepare for an enlightened death, so this is a most relevant theme for a

meditation retreat. With regards to the transit lounge, Jacqueline has for many years held meditation retreats and satsang around the world and at Tiruvannamalai. There is one other important part of Jacqueline's work here in Tiruvannamalai: SHIC: Singing Heart Inspiring Children Thanks to the work of the next door ashram, Anantha Niketan, there are some fine children from the nearby village connected with Singing Heart Ashram. SHIC projects include: English tuition, creation of pre-school for village children, school fees support for poor children, clothing for children, group outings, work opportunities. Youth camps are planned for the near future. The young people also participate in meditation and chanting sessions. People are invited to come for short or longer visits to the ashram and are also welcome to take part in meditations and other events. For more information please contact Jacqueline Maria Longstaff direct

at email: cosmicairport

Cosmic Airport Site

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swami Nithyananada's Visit

Nithyananda was born in Tiruvannamalai in 1978, and spent his childhood meditating on this sacred Hill. He had his first spiritual experience, or satori (where he was able to see 360 degrees all around him) when he was 12 whilst meditating on a rock on the slope of Arunachala. Nithyananada who now lives away from Tiruvannamalai and is becoming increasingly well known in the U.S. where he spends most of his time, will be attending his birthstar celebrations at a function at Arunachala on January 12th, 2007. This year marks his 30th Jayanti birthday celebrations. Nithyananda is intimately connected with Siva/Arunachala, yet his message is not one of Self-Enquiry; it is more broad in its appeal. He has said that his ashram which is slated to be constructed over land here will attract millions. He says: 'I am Arunachala! Arunachala is nothing but the physical manifestation of

the unmoving Self (achala). Arunachala is Consciousness itself. Arunachala is within, and not without. Your journey to Arunachala is your inward journey; just as your journey to me is. No wonder you are drawn here again and again. Where else is there to go?'

Swami Nithyananada site

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hill Fires

[by Govinda Bowley] For as long as long as anyone can remember, the summer season has meant bush-fires on the Holy Hill. With this in mind, we have been working very hard over the last years to protect the Hill from bush-fires, thus protecting not only the trees that we plant, but also the countless more that seed themselves all over the Mountain. This is done by a combination of preventive measures, such as placing extra guards around the Hill during summer and holding awareness programmes with local groups to discuss this issue; by limitation strategies such as cutting fire breaks; and by fighting the fires that actually manage to start. In all of this we have enjoyed the full support from the Forest Department, as well as from other NGO's, and most inspiringly, from scores of young volunteers who have taken the issue to their hearts. Traditionally local people would cut the wild

lemon-grass from the slopes, to be used as thatch, and then burn off the stubble to both promote the following season's growth; unlike most other plants, many grasses are benefited by regular fire. In the past couple of years the Forest Department has taken the laudable step of preventing unauthorised cutting of the grass, limiting it to those holding permits. These permits have been given freely to whoever comes forward, but it means that there is a system in place to both know who is on the Hill and to get a message across about the fire situation before those people go on the Hill. A much greater challenge, and one that we have yet to really come up with an answer to, is a superstition that seems to be appear here and there across Tamil Nadu: namely, that one may cure a stomach complaint by setting fire to Arunachala! This Deepam Festival an estimated total of two million devotees performed pradakshina over Maha Deepam and Poornima (full moon) the

following day. Around seven o'clock on the night of Maha Deepam, a friend came to inform me that there was a fire burning on the slopes. At first I didn't believe the report as there are often small lights on the Hill that night, as devotees light camphor wherever they find themselves at the moment that the Maha-Deepam is lit, but usually everything is too wet and green for there to be any problem. I hadn't thought that this year was different, the last rain having been no more than ten days previous, but a quick look at the Hill showed that it truly was ablaze. I went first to our Mountain of Medicine site, stopping to fill up water bottles and to pick up a machete. I took with me Parasuraman, one of my crew members (with reinforcements to be alerted) but it wasn't easy keeping up with him. The fire was probably about two thirds of the way to the top eastern slope. We were there in about twenty minutes. I sat down for a moment while Parasuraman did a quick survey.

The front of the fire we had reached was maybe a hundred yards long, but it seemed there was another fire further up and to the north. At the time there were probably tens of thousands of people on the Hill for the lighting of the Deepam. We had tried to enlist help from those we passed on the way, but without success. So working as a pair we set to beating it out. It was certainly moving much slower than the summer fires, as the vegetation is still green, but that had the effect of making thicker smoke which made it hard to breathe. Somehow, we succeeded in putting that fire out, and without resting we set off for the second fire higher up. When we reached it, it was already much bigger than the first, and our energy reserves were getting low. This time, thankfully, four young lads on their way down the path came to help and after about an hour as we were finishing this fire, reinforcements arrived. On the way down we met two women from the Mountain of

Medicine team. They'd reached the first fire after we'd left for the second and hadn't made it further. A couple of years ago I tried to make a rule that the women shouldn't come fire-fighting, because a sari seemed like such a dangerous garment to be wearing while fighting fires, but they've carried on coming! It's a wonderful feeling the moment the last flame is extinguished, the exhilaration of victory, the flood of gratitude to all those who have been through it with you, the sudden and total exhaustion that you can allow yourself to feel. We continue to try and improve our prevention strategies year by year. But it does seem that, for the foreseeable future, there will be more fires to be put out. [Govinda Bowley is founder of the Mountain of Medicine project, a member of the Thiruvannamalai Greening Society and for some months of this year was the secretary of the Annamalai Reforestation Society. He has just left that position in order to give full

attention to the Mountain of Medicine, but will continue to offer his help in whatever way possible. Contact: arunachalagovinda]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In This Issue:

 

Happy New Year

 

Tidbits

 

AKSP Report

 

Lighting the Flame

 

Calotropis Gigantea

 

Singing Heart Ashram

 

Swami Nithyananada's Visit

 

Hill Fires

 

Arunachala Grace Network

 

Sanctuary

 

Happy Pongal 2007

 

Building Regulations

 

Tumeric

 

Links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arunachala Grace Network

All subscriptions to Arunachala Grace News are completely free. However we invite support for the continued development of: Arunachala Grace Network Arunachala Grace Newsletter www.arunachalagrace.blogspot.com www.arunachalasamudra.org For details on how to help please contact Meenakshi Mammi at arunachalana We are including a facility on this newsletter for readers who do not yet have their own subscription. Click Here to Subscribe [Please remember to adjust your 'spam' recognition to facilitate acceptance of the Newsletter] We are currently developing new sections on our website, Arunachala Samudra; to include an online readers' forum, interactive maps of both the

Arunachaleswarar Temple and Giripradakshina and new sections on Saints, Sacred Power and Inspiration. So please keep checking back to our website to view new uploads.

Our Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sanctuary

Arunachala Grace Network Happily great emphasis is nowadays being placed on the reforestation of Arunachala, however attention also needs to be focussed on the great swathes of agricultural land surrounding the sacred Hill. As Arunachala was denuded of its natural vegetation, so too surrounding land was stripped of natural plant life in order to support intensive farming with crop cultivation of up to four times a year. Some of these farms have already been sold to property developers for densely packed housing estates, and undoubtedly this trend will escalate over the coming years. In this respect there is a need to create and maintain sanctuaries around Arunachala providing safe haven for migratory birdlife and other wildlife, thereby adding to the rich diversity of life around the sacred Hill. During the rainy season, several natural

reservoirs around Arunachala fill with water and attract a profusion of different types of migratory birds. Including; Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Ibises, Spoonbills, Grebes, Pintails, Stilts, Teals, White Storks and Painted Storks. Arunachala Grace Network has been offered an initial tract of 11 acres of farmland adjacent to a natural water reservoir (as in above photograph) and it is our intention to raise the necessary funding to purchase the pristine agricultural land and return it to its natural state providing sanctuary for migratory water birds in the rainy season, and in the rest of the year offer protected glades and nesting areas for such local birds as; Koels, Mynas, Barbets, Green Parrots and also other wildlife. We welcome help and support from friends of Arunachala and from friends of Nature for this project so that together we may provide a safe haven for migratory birds and other wildlife. For details on how to help please contact:

Meenakshi Mammi arunachalana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Pongal 2007

Pongal, also called 'Tamizhar Thirunaal'; (festival of Tamils) a four-day harvest festival, is the most celebrated festival of Tamil Nadu. The Tamil language saying 'Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum' literally means, the birth of the month of Thai which will pave way for new opportunities; is often quoted with reference to the Pongal festival. The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is celebrated by throwing away and destroying old clothes and materials and by setting them on fire to mark the end of the old and emergence of the new. The second day, Surya Pongal, is the main day which falls on the first day of the Tamil month Thai (January 14 ). The third day, Maattu Pongal, is to offer thanks to cattle, as they provide milk and plough the land. During the final day, Kaanum Pongal; the word "kanum", literally meaning 'to view'; youths used to gather at river banks

to view and select their future life partners, but that practice has declined and now on this day, people travel to see other family members and dear friends. HAPPY PONGAL TO ONE AND ALL ************************* Service to Arunachala In the Skanda Purana Sri Siva explains to his consort the efficacy of engaging in Arunachala service. He tells of the unimaginable blessings received by people who display their reverence and obedience to the Divine and illustrates the extent of those blessings by giving examples of the result of Arunachala service: Cows Cows yielding streams of milk on remembering their calves whilst standing at Arunachala have attained salvation. glow-worm A glowworm of green colour came and made its nest in a branch nearby the Hill. The worm attained salvation because unintentionally its glow served in the place of a jyothi illuminating

and worshipping Arunachala throughout the night. mouse A mouse inadvertently dragged a cluster of jewels into the sanctum sanctorum of the Siva Lingam of Arunachaleswarar Temple and thereby brightened the shrine. The worship was enough for the mouse to attain instant liberation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building Regulations

In earlier issues of this Newsletter we posted parts 1 and 2 of a humorous narrative entitled 'Rules of the Road: Indian Style'. The following narrative on 'Building Rules' is meant in the same light hearted vein. Below is a list of Buildings Rules and Regulations. This is particularly apt as Tiruvannamalai is currently in the throes of building fever. Everyday something new is going up. Please remember this is a satire, and not to be taken seriously! Be advised that pursuant to 1st of November 2006, the following regulations are in effect: 112.3 All previous codes are herewith null and void 112.4 All plans for buildings must be submitted within 10 years of completion of construction or before the building crumbles to dust, whichever comes first. 112.5 All buildings taller than two stories must have a lift shaft;

HOWEVER, it is not required to actually put in a lift. 112.6 Maintenance fees are not to exceed 1% of the total purchase price of flats, except for NRIs, who may be charged 2.5%. In the case of foreign nationals, the sky’s the limit. 112.7 Maintenance fees have no relation to maintenance. Maintenance is defined as anything the builder feels like doing, whenever he feels like doing it. Or not. 112.8 The builder shall be responsible for fixing all cracks and water leaks for a period of 6 months after buyer moves in. 112.9 All plumbing fixtures must be guaranteed to leak after the first week of use. 113.0 Builders must supply electrical outlets on at least two walls in every room; HOWEVER, it is not required to actually have them connected to any wires. 113.1 All fans must have at least 5 speed settings of which 4 are at maximum function level. 113.2 Whenever possible, light bulb outlets are to be placed so they will

either (a) be so low as to be struck by the tenant's head during normal activities, or (b) so high as to be impossible to change even when standing on a chair. 113.3 At least half of all slide bolts must be off-line. 113.4 Every wall must have a minimum of 2 pointless holes in it. To be contd next month ************************* Poems Pitchers of Clay Outside the Potter's shop upon the way In patient rows we stand, pitchers of clay; Under a copper-clouded sky of gold Expecting every moment to be sold. Although we have no language, yet we feel A bitterness towards the Potter's wheel Which moulded us, what though without a flaw, To shape, which is against our being's law. Pitchers are beautiful and yet, indeed, Even from beauty we would all be freed And, slipping into Earth, secure escape From the enchanted tyranny

of shape. Some of us pitchers, tired of being, drop And break to pieces in the Potter's shop. Pathetic things! What does the Potter care For the pale weariness of Earthenware? [by Harindranath Chattopadhyaya] ************************* Your Temple If you ask me to build you a place of worship A meeting place of sacred and mundane I will set up pillars made of bone Suspend the floor above a chasm The roof will be a thatch of sky Inside will be the endless emptiness of You [by Rashid Maxwell]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tumeric

Tumeric (Curcuma longa), a flowering plant in the ginger family grows 3 to 5 feet high is widely grown in this area. The plant has trumpet-shaped, dull yellow flowers. Turmeric which is fragrant and has a bitter, somewhat sharp taste is widely used as a food colouring and is one of the principal ingredients in curry powder. It has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine as an anti-inflammatory, to treat digestive disorders and liver problems, and for the treatment of skin diseases and wound healing. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin which has been shown to stimulate the production of bile and to facilitate the emptying of the gallbladder. It has also demonstrated in animals a protective effect on the liver, anti-tumor action, and ability to reduce inflammation and fight certain infections. The aboveground and underground roots, or rhizomes, are used in medicinal

and food preparations. These are generally boiled and then dried and turned into the familiar yellow powder. Curcumin from tumeric, as well as other substances in this herb, have antioxidant properties, which some claim may be as strong as vitamins C and E. Because of its ability to reduce inflammation, tumeric may help relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Studies suggest that tumeric may also prove helpful in preventing the build up of atherosclerosis (blockage of arteries that can eventually cause a heart attack or stroke). Studies suggest that curcumin has potential in the treatment of various forms of cancer, including; prostate, breast, skin, and colon cancers. Tumeric is also effective in the case of roundworms and intestinal worms, liver disease, bacterial infection, wounds, certain eye disorders and also as in ingredient in mosquito repellent. Turmeric is available as root, powder, capsule containing powder, fluid extract and tincture.

Bromelain enhances the absorption and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin, (the best studied active ingredient of turmeric); therefore, bromelain is often formulated with turmeric products.

Detailed information on Tumeric

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links:

 

Arunachala News and InformationArunachala WebsiteApeetha Arunagiri WebsiteArunachala Kattu Shiva PlantationCosmic Airport SiteEssays of Apeetha ArunagiriPeacocksHolistic OnlineSwami NithyananadaTumeric InformationMichael James Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arunachala Grace · Perumbakkam Road, Annamalai Nagar, · Tiruvannamalai · Tamil Nadu · 606603

The all-new Mail goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider.

[Guest guest]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arunachala Grace News - February, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tidbits

Birthstar Celebrations As planned Swami Nithyananda visited Tiruvannamalai on January 12th to celebrate his Birthstar Celebrations. Early in the day he inaugurated the start of work on his new Ashram. He also visited Arunachaleswarar Temple, where a puja was performed. At 5 p.m. that evening Swami Nithyananda gave a discourse at a Hall near the Big Temple. The talk was followed by the performance of a cultural programme. Arson on Hill On Dec 9th, there was another hillfire. We drove round to the the back of the temple, giving us the shortest route to the fire. On the way up the slope, we passed two Forest Department guards, who were holding the guilty party. When we got to the fire there were already some twenty volunteers working to contain the flames. Still, there was a nasty wind that wasn't helping, and the smoke was awful. But slowly and surely we worked the front north to the path where two men were stationed to make sure it didn't cross. Success. It turned out that two of our watchers had actually seen the man start the fire from afar, and had rushed to catch him. It was they who handed him over to the forest Guards. The man was from Dindivanam, a town about 70km away. It is in some ways very heartening that the fires are not started by local people, and that an awareness is developing about the need to protect the ecology of the Hill. At the same time it is rather disheartening that someone would actually make the effort to come to Tiruvannamalai for the sole purpose of starting a fire on the Mountain. Apparently he did so to cure a stomach ailment he had. [by Govinda Bowley] Sylvia Wright's 70th Birthday On January 21st, the 70th Birthday of Sylvia Wright (Founder of the Rangammal Rehabilitation Society) was celebrated at the Rangammal Hospital. Sylvia Wright stills maintain a daily presence and active involvement at the Hospital. Her life is geared 24 hours a day to The Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society which comprises the Rangammal Memorial Hospital at Athiyandal Village (off NH-66 Bangalore Road some 6-8 kms northwest of the centre of town), The Rangammal Memorial School for the Hearing Impaired with School Hostel (where she herself lives) and adjacent Vocational Training Centre all at Sambanthanur Village; off Chennai Road, 6 kms south of Tiruvannamalai.

Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet Resources

[Direct links to all below mentioned sites are provided at the bottom of the right hand column of this Newsletter] Apeetha Arunagiri: A good friend of Arunachala and someone very central in the Reforestation work of the Hill, is Apeetha Arunagiri. She has recently redesigned and enlarged her excellent website. Do please visit www.aksp.org for some fascinating in-depth information about social ecology, indigenous knowledge, primary healthcare, community participation and ongoing reforestation work being undertaken by the Arunachala Kattu Siva Plantation (AKSP) Organsation she is Co-Ordinating. Michael James: In conjunction with his website www.happinessofbeing.com Michael James has now started a Blog http://www.happinessofbeing.blogspot.com designed as a Discussion Forum on the Philosophy and Practice of the Spiritual Teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana. You Tube: Over the last few months many speeches and discourses from satsang teachers have been appearing on You Tube. Some of the teachers are: Papaji, Tony Parsons, John de Ruiter, Adyashanti, Gangaji, Neelam, Ramesh Balsekar, Wayne Liquorman and others. Their videos run from between 3-10 minutes and are usually of excellent sound quality. After getting on You Tube either go to Categories and check out 'advaita' in the 'People' category or go to Categories, 'Travel and Places' and type in 'Arunachala' in their search box, where you will also find some nice Arunachala montages and videos.

Arunachala videos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spokeswoman at the Tap

[by Apeetha Arunagiri] We all had a very trying time during a local festival. The celebration was trying because young men with not much future monopolized the small temple dedicated to Ganapati at the crossroads of our village. In the early evening a total of six bucket-loudspeakers were removed from the Temple roof along with the illegal direct connection to the only streetlight. What a relief! Then the battered old truck containing the young men and their ancient tape deck jerked, roared and hooted its way off into the distance. Now after four days and four nights of constant bombardment, finally we were relieved of the cacophony of static and screeches many times above tolerable decibel levels. Everyone was exceedingly frayed around the edges in the silence. For six nights there had been no water whatsoever released from the Municipal tap at the bottom of the hole in the road, although this was our only source of water, so it was with tremendous elation that tired women shouted word that the water had come on. What!? Silence AND water!! Savouring breakthrough, my daughter and I leant on the parapet of our flat-roof looking down on the confusion of women and pots below us. Frustration was erupting through the frayed edges this night. Sleepy daughters were tardy. Little arguments were breaking out. Pots were discovered sneaked up-queue. Big arguments were breaking out. Silence was fast losing ground. A few times husbands disturbed from sleep launched out of mud-hut doorways angrily assembling their dhotis, scuffing into sandals. Determined to put an immediate stop to this display of female weakness they strode their approach towards huddles of indignant women engrossed in battle; they adopted stances. Feminine faces turned instantly, disrupted momentarily before flashing together and bustling those men straight back to mind their own business. Within a few minutes the husbands vanished. Pandemonium suited these women very well this night. Then suddenly the flow of water stopped. At first there was a further scuffle or two but it seemed that the lure of sleep overpowered everyone except us. The moon was up, a cow ambled over to drink from the last waiting pots by the tap and silence began to descend. We remained transfixed leaning on the parapet in the moonlight. Down the uphill alley came a solitary female voice just as the last shadowy saris were heaving pots on hips. Her screechy voice travelled towards us, pricking up our ears and readying our smiles. We didn’t need to nudge each other, it was obviously coming: Into our view strode a big woman: hair streaming, elbows akimbo; she was shouting abuse for all she was worth. She planted herself firmly next to the tap-hole and increased the volume of her woe. Everybody had gone to bed. She didn’t care. She couldn’t see us. She didn’t care anyway. We could see her eyes flashing in the moonlight, her mouthing righteous indignation. Every now and then she’d stamp one foot. She pointed here, she pointed there to punctuate her tirade. She pointed at certain houses. She shook her fists. She jabbed the night with her oriental open fist thrusting the perennial question. The street was deserted except for the cow but long after even the cow plodded off, she continued for a very long time. We rested chins on arms crossing the parapet, fascinated. Her audience was the universe. ************************* Apeetha Arunagiri who used to be a long time resident of Arunachala is currently living in Australia. Her numerous essays on Arunachala, written over a period of 30 years are available to readers on a subscription basis. For more information please visit:

Essays of Apeetha Arunagiri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiruvannamalai District Facts

The Total Geographical Area of Tiruvannamalai District is 6191 Sq.Kms, comprising the Revenue Divisions of Tiruvannamalai and Cheyyar. The District has six taluks; Tiruvannamalai, Chengam, Polur, Arni, Cheyyar and Vandavasi. There are 18 Blocks; including one tribal Block, Javadhi Hills constituting the District under Rural sector and four Municipalities; Tiruvannamalai, Arni, Cheyyar (Thiruvathipuram), Vandavasi representing urban sectors along with Polur selection grade Town Panchayat. One sixth of the area of Tiruvannamalai District is covered by reserve forest and hills which is part and parcel of Eastern Ghats under Javadhi Hills. The important Hills in this district are Tiruvannamalai (2668ft 79.80 MSL), Javadhi hills (2500ft) and Kailasagiri (2743ft). At the time of last census (2001) the population of Tiruvannamalai District was: 2,181,853 comprised of 1,093,191 men and 1,088,662 women. The urban population is 400,549 constituting 18% of the total Population, the remaining 82% (1,781,304) is rural population. The density of the population is 352 per sq.km.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanthimalai Research & Development Trust

Hugo Maier was born in Reutlingen, Germany on 9th May, 1929 and as a young man became a homoeopath. He was a brahmachari at Ramakrishna Mission in London during which time he had the spiritual revelation which finally led him to Tiruvannamalai in 1959. The young man who had given up a well-recognized medical practice in South Germany to come to India soon began to give free treatment and medicines to needy people, whilst continuing his own spiritual practices. After years of intense inner and dedicated service to the destitute, Hugo Maier experienced the reality of the words of his Guru, Sri Ramana Maharshi: 'You are not different from the world, nor is the world different from you.' Empowered and inspired by these words Hugo Maier became a manifestation of this Truth for many. His charitable activities led to the establishment of the Shanthimalai Research & Development Trust in 1986 with its remit of benevolent actions throughout the Arunachala area. Mr. Hugo Maier lived the first 16 years after his arrival at Sri Ramana's Ashram and while there looked after the health of inmates — particularly Murugunar for whom he cared until the end of his life. He was also very closely associated with Mother Krishnabai and Swami Ramdas and was present when Ramdas left the physical body. Leaving the precincts of Ramana Ashram, Hugo Maier then settled on four kilometers of barren wasteland at the foot of Arunachala. He felt that the transformation of that land from wasteland into a rich oasis is a metaphor to describe the unfolding of the Shanthimalai Research & Development Trust: 'From hopelessness into joy'. This Trust now includes a Health Care (with alternative medicine) Programme, Women's Development, a Children's Village orphanage, Community Development, Village Upliftment (Community Centres), Clean Water Access Programme, Education and Schools, Cottage Industries, Vocational Training Centre, Industrial Training Centre, Environment and Agriculture (The Kannappa Model Farm and Training Centre), Medicinal Plants Conservation Park), a Watershed Programme and Agricultural Co-operatives. The Motto of Shanthimalai Research & Development Trust is 'Help for Self-Help'. Engendered by Hugo Maier, the Trust believes that the true meaning of the Trust's financial help, is to enable a person, clouded by material sorrows, to find a way out of the dull struggle for survival and live a deeper, more meaningful life. Hugo Maier, known as 'Appa' by many died July 18th July, 2004 at the age of 75 in Switzerland. Sri Hugo Maier's mortal remains were flown to Tiruvannamalai and interred near his residence at Shantimalai. More information about the work of the Shantimalai Trust will appear in upcoming issues of Arunachala Grace News.

Shantimalai Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Model Farm

This year at the Model Farm of the Arunachala Reforestation Society (ARS), the ‘Madagascar’ type of paddy cultivation was tried out. In this system nursery saplings are transplanted by the 13th day in well-spaced clusters of just 2 saplings each. The loss of sapling-density is said to be compensated by branches per sapling. Watering is only upon soil drying, and flooding is avoided, thus preserving water, avoiding salination and compaction. Although weeding activity increases, raking is simplified by keeping a measured space between rows. This method of low-irrigation paddy cultivation bears similarities with an indigenous traditional method presently revived as experimentation by some organic farmers, by growing paddy through direct seed broadcast and without flooding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spirit of the Earth

The train finally rolled into Tiruvanamalai, and I was able to visit Arunachala myself and see the tremendous work that had been done to revegetate the sacred mountain. Upon my arrival I discovered that many people here believe that to walk around the base of Arunachala is the fastest way to enlightenment, and each full moon, tens or hundreds of thousands of devotees and pilgrims do so. It upset me to see the indifference with which most of these folks regarded our work. Most were oblivious, but some even complained that the newly planted trees interfered with their view of the sunset. A great deal had been accomplished by the Annamalai Reforestation Society, but how much more could be achieved if only the pilgrims realized the unity of the spirit and the Earth! What if their worship of Shiva included devotion to his physical body, Arunachala? Imagine if they lent a hand to the planting and maintenance of the trees as part of their devotion? The greening of the mountain would be accelerated. I was giving talks and lectures in the town and I began to challenge the ecological indifference I found and to propose to the pilgrims that surely the act of worship and respect of watering the young saplings that were weaving themselves into robes to cover his nakedness was an even faster route to liberation than circumambulating the mountain . . . . It doesn't really matter what symbols we use Shiva, Gaia, Buddha, God. What we need now is for the followers of all faiths to turn their allegiance to the Earth. What matters is that we refuse to be drawn to one or the other of the great polarities: spirit and Earth. We must neither reduce everything to spirit, from where it appears that the material world is some kind of illusion, nor reduce everything to the material, so it looks as if spiritual seekers are abdicating responsibility to care for the creation. [by John Seed]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Frog Prince

[bruce Rogers] For the first hundred years at the bottom of the well, the frog prince rehearsed his memoir. It went like this: He was born into a sweet life of silks and pastries. The one day this humpbacked hag of a peasant came to plead her case before the king. What did she want? Something trivial. When the hag didn't get what she wanted, she cursed the king's eldest son. Him. The hero of the story. The poor prince had done nothing to deserve this wretched fate, cast down into the lowest, dampest, darkest place in the kingdom, with the kiss from a princess his only hope of becoming human again. Waiting for the princess to transform him, he had plenty of time to think. And just to be. His days went back like this. Breathe in. Breathe out. Day after year after decade, no princess came to the well. In time he ceased to repeat his story and only sat with his eyes at the waterline. Breathe in. Breathe out. It was enough to be a frog, to eat what crawled at the bottom of the well. To breathe in. To breathe out. To think of youth, and old age and suffering. But when the golden ball splashed into the water in front of him and the princess began to weep at the lip of the well, her sobbing touched his heart. He knew that returning her treasure would be a small gesture. She would lose many more things in life, and seldom any as easy to recover as a golden ball. He knew, too, that even if she did kiss him, he would be only a prince. When he emerged from the well, she would be repulsed by him at first, then adore him, and perhaps be repulsed by him again years from now. And he by her, perhaps. Breathe in. Breathe out. He was content, and he might have remained a frog forever. But the story is still told to this day because he took the golden ball in his mouth and climbed toward the light and the weeping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cynodon Dactylon (Arugampul)

Cynodon Dactylon is a hardy perennial grass which flowers throughout the year, grows abundantly all over Arunachala. Botanically, it is a perennial; stem slender, prostate, widely creeping, forming matted tufts, with erect flowering branches 7.5-3.0cm high; Leaves 2-10cm long, narrowly linear; Flower spikes 2-6 radiating from the top of a slender peduncle, 2.5-5.0 cm long, green or purplish; Fruit grains 1mm long. The grass which is regarded as a problem by farmers, is regarded to have many medicinal properties. A traditional use of Cynodon is for eye disorders and weak vision; the afflicted are advised to walk bare foot on dew drops spread over Cynodon plant each morning. According to Ayurveda, the plant is pungent, bitter, fragrant, heating, appetizer, vulnerary, anthelmintic, antipyretic, alexiteric. It destroys foulness of breath and is useful in leucoderma, bronchitis, piles, asthma, tumors, and enlargement of the spleen. The grass is acrid, sweet, cooling and useful in biliousness, thirst, vomiting, burning sensation, bad taste in the mouth, hallucinations, epileptic fits, fatigue, leprosy, scabies, skin diseases, dysentery, fever, erysipelas and epistaxis. The juice of the grass is effective when externally applied on wounds, burns and skin problems. The juice is also considered effective to stop falling hair, useful in cases of Alopecia and effective in relieving migraine. This herb can be used to prepare an oil named Doorvadhi Thailam (Arugampul Thailam).

Cynodon Dactylon Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not Crossing the Summit

Since Arunachala itself is the Lord and the Shiva Lingam, pilgrims are forbidden to cross It. Once Vali, son of Indra, was flying over the mountain and although, he saw the great Arunachala worshipped by all Gods, he ignored it. When Vali ventured to cross over the mountain, he lost his strength and fell to the ground! Then, commanded by Indra to make amends by worshipping the Shiva Lingam, Vali acted accordingly and regained his strength and powers. Once a Gandharva named Pushpaka, tried to cross the mountain and instantly got the face of a tiger. His followers were wonderstruck by the extraordinary phenomenon. Brahmarshi Narada came to his rescue and enlightened him about the sanctity of the mountain. With great repentance, Pushpaka offered puja to the Lord of Arunachala and quickly recovered his looks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In This Issue:

 

Tidbits

 

Internet Resources

 

Spokeswoman at the Tap

 

Tiruvannamalai District Facts

 

Shanthimalai Research & Development Trust

 

Model Farm

 

Spirit of the Earth

 

The Frog Prince

 

Cynodon Dactylon (Arugampul)

 

Not Crossing the Summit

 

Arunachala Grace Network

 

Sanctuary

 

Building Rules

 

Service to Arunachala Contd

 

Links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arunachala Grace Network

All subscriptions to Arunachala Grace News are completely free. However we invite support for the continued development of: Arunachala Grace Network Arunachala Grace Newsletter www.arunachalagrace.blogspot.com www.arunachalasamudra.org For details on how to help please contact Meenakshi Mammi at arunachalana We are including a facility on this newsletter for readers who do not yet have their own subscription. Click Here to Subscribe [Please remember to adjust your 'spam' recognition to facilitate acceptance of the Newsletter] We hope to soon start with the development of new sections on our website, Arunachala Samudra, so please keep checking back to view new uploads.

Our Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sanctuary

Arunachala Grace Network Happily great emphasis is nowadays being placed on the reforestation of Arunachala, however attention also needs to be focussed on the great swathes of agricultural land surrounding the sacred Hill. As Arunachala was denuded of its natural vegetation, so too surrounding land was stripped of natural plant life in order to support intensive farming with crop cultivation of up to four times a year. Some of these farms have already been sold to property developers for densely packed housing estates, and undoubtedly this trend will escalate over the coming years. In this respect there is a need to create and maintain sanctuaries around Arunachala providing safe haven for migratory birdlife and other wildlife, thereby adding to the rich diversity of life around the sacred Hill. During the rainy season, several natural reservoirs around Arunachala fill with water and attract a profusion of different types of migratory birds. Including; Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Ibises, Spoonbills, Grebes, Pintails, Stilts, Teals, White Storks and Painted Storks. Arunachala Grace Network has been offered an initial tract of 11 acres of farmland adjacent to a natural water reservoir (as in above photograph) and it is our intention to raise the necessary funding to purchase the pristine agricultural land and return it to its natural state providing sanctuary for migratory water birds in the rainy season, and in the rest of the year offer protected glades and nesting areas for such local birds as; Koels, Mynas, Barbets, Green Parrots and also other wildlife. We welcome help and support from friends of Arunachala and from friends of Nature for this project so that together we may provide a safe haven for migratory birds and other wildlife. For details on how to help please contact: Meenakshi Mammi arunachalana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building Rules

In earlier issues of this Newsletter we posted part 1 and 2 humorous narratives entitled Rules of the Road: Indian Style: Meant in the same light hearted vein, below is a list of Buildings Rules and Regulations. This is particularly apt as Tiruvannamalai is currently in the throes of building fever. Everyday something new is going up. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS A SATIRE NOT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY Part 2 113.5 Kitchen counter areas must be at a height appropriate for either a midget or an NBA basketball player. 113.6 Any kitchen with 2 (two) counter areas must have them be at least 1 (one) meter difference in height. 113.7 No kitchen shall be designed with space for a refrigerator. 113.8 Sinks, bathtubs, and bathroom floors must be angled so they will not drain completely. 113.9 No 2 (two) adjoining rooms shall have their floors at the same level. 114.0 Closets are illegal. 114.1 All paint materials must be diluted with water to a minimum 4:1 ratio to insure consistent streaking and easy viewing of subsequent mildewing. 114.2 Doorway measurements shall be based on the average height of a full-grown male in the 1500s. 114.3 Only unseasoned wood may be used on doors to insure warping during the first rains. 115.0 No building shall be erected further than 1 (one) meter from the neighbouring building. Any new structure which does not completely block the view of the adjacent structure shall be deemed in noncompliance with 115.0. “Completely block the view” is defined as cutting off air currents as well as light. 115.1 All new buildings must have at least 2 (two) underfed dogs on the premises to insure adequate barking, howling, and whining at night so no tenants get a sound sleep. Older buildings may keep 1 (one) dog. 115.2 All deliveries of heavy goods and construction materials to be done between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M. for same reason as 115.3 115.3 During times of drought and electric cutbacks, water and power cuts shall occur during 12:00 and 6:00 P.M., the hottest hours of the day, for maximum discomfort. 115.4 All watchmen and their families shall be paid the lowest possible salaries so as to make them vulnerable to enticements by dacoits attempting to ascertain when owners are away. 116.0 Updated Earthquake Safety Standards: Hereon, all new constructions must be able to withstand a tremor registering 2.5 on the Richter scale for 6 (six) seconds before crumbling into jagged hunks of masonry and crushing all inhabitants. 116.1 No building may be constructed on any property which the builder actually owns or has permission of the landowner to build on. This will allow that after years of costly lawsuits enriching local lawyers and judges, the building can be emptied and flats resold to a new group of gullible buyers. 117.0 Any tenant feeling the builder has not fulfilled his contractual commitments in a timely manner shall put their complaint in writing and then wait for a period not to exceed the life of the tenant by more than 25 (twenty-five) years. 120.0 Any or all of these regulations may be changed without notice at anytime, for no apparent reason.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service to Arunachala Contd

Contd from last month, the Sage Gautama relates to the Goddess Parvati, who has come to him to hear of the Glory of Arunachala, more instances of how non-humans have received benefit by service (albeit rendered unknowingly), to Arunachala. A certain crow, eager to snatch prasad from an offering, fluttered its wings and the wind arising therefrom swept the place in front of Arunachala and thus immediately secured the crow liberation. A spider, going about her business, spun a cobweb of threads in some spot around Arunachala. This inadvertent act was sufficient for the spider to reincarnate as a devotee with memory of its previous birth. The devotee returned to Arunachala with offerings of opulent silk cloths. A thirsty elephant, uprooting trees and whatsoever was in his path, accidentally caused honey to be spilt on Arunachala and in so doing became liberated and was transformed into the Lord of Ganas. *************************

PoemsThe Way The Way that can be experienced is not true; The world that can be constructed is not real. The Way manifests all that happens and may happen; The world represents all that exists and may exist. To experience without abstraction is to sense the world; To experience with abstraction is to know the world. These two experiences are indistinguishable; Their construction differs but their effect is the same. Beyond the gate of experience flows the Way, Which is ever greater and more subtle than the world. Lao Tsu Tao Te Ching In Search of Love In search of Love I wandered far and wide, From thought to thought and fear to fear I went, Upon the restless steed of foolish pride, A thousand pointless moments I have spent. Until I saw the eyes of one who’d seen The marvel of Love’s light upon your face, And from his look, three clues I toiled to glean: Three gems which pointed to your gentle grace. The first, that ‘I’ could never travel there; The next, that pride for love must be exchanged; The final clue is buried in your stare: So long as ‘I’ continues to exist The sun I seek is shrouded in 'I's mist. [bayazidian Sufism] ************************* Prayer of the Forest I am the Frame work of the roof to your house and the top of your table; The Bed in which you sleep and the timber which you fashion your boats, I am the handle to your hoe and the door to your hut, I am the wood of your cradle and the boards of your coffin I am the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty Hear my prayer. Destroy me not!" [by Unser Wald] ************************* Glory of Trees But the Glory of trees is more than their gifts; It is a beautiful wonder of life that lifts, From a wrinkled seed in an earthbound clod. A column, an arch in the Temple of God. A pillar of power, a dome of delight, A shrine of song, and a joy of sight; Their roots are nurses of rivers in birth, Their leaves are alive with the breadth of the Earth; They shelter the dwellings of man and they bend; O'er his grave with the look of a Loving Friend. [by Henry Van Dyke]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links:

 

Arunachala news and informationIn Depth ArunachalaArunachala Kattu Siva PlantationApeetha Arunagiri EssaysMichael James websiteMichael James BlogCynodon Dactylon (Arugampul)Arunachala VideosShantimalai TrustNithyananda WebsiteRangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society