Fw: Arunachala; Information and News of Shiva sacred power mountain, South India for January, 2009

January 8, 2009

Arunachala; Information and News of Shiva sacred power mountain, South India for January, 2009

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Arunachala Grace NewsJanuary, 2009

Arunachala Grace

Your SupportWe invite the support of friends of Arunachala in the continual development of the website Arunachala Samudra. 2009 is the year we commit to creating the definitive, premier Arunachala website. A website that will provide a comprehensive information compendium, interactive videos, live Arunachala darshan feed, streaming videos of significant events i.e. Deepam, Arunachala mythology and information podcasts, a readers forum and photograph galleries. But most importantly, Arunachala Samudra will tell of how the Hill of Grace is expressing itself right now through both the people who live here and those that visit. Arunachala, that beacon of light forever shining and inspiring through the trials of our worldly lives.

Happy Pongal

The festival of Pongal which is believed to be over a 1,000 years old is celebrated in Tamil Nadu and by Tamilians worldwide. Although it started as a farmers festival, nowadays it is an important festival with Tamilians and is as popular in urban areas as it is in rural ones. It follows the solar calendar and is celebrated on the same days each year. Pongal marks the auspicious beginning of Uttarayana, the Sun's movement northward for a six month period and all important events are scheduled during this 6-month period. The first day on January, known as Bhogi old clothes and materials are thrown away and set on fire, marking the beginning of a new life. The second day, the 'Pongal' day, is celebrated by boiling fresh milk early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel - a tradition that is the literal translation for Pongal. People also prepare savouries and sweets, visit each other's homes,

and exchange greetings. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cows and buffaloes, as they are used to plough the lands. On the last day, Kanum Pongal, people go out to picnic. During Pongal families adorn the front of their homes with amazing, colourful and intricate kolams (street drawings).

Anecdotes by Anthony De Mello

The Flea and the Elephant

A flea decided to move with his family into the ear of an elephant. So he shouted, "Mr. Elephant, Sir, my family and I plan to move into your ear. I think it only fair to give you a week to think the matter over and let me know if you have any objection?" The Elephant, who was not even aware of the existence of the flea went his placid way so, after conscientiously waiting a week, the flea assumed the Elephant's consent and moved in. A month later Mrs. Flea decided the Elephant's ear was not a healthy place to live in and urged her husband to tell the Elephant that they were moving; in such way so as not to hurt the Elephant's feelings. So, Mr. Flea put it to tactfully to the Elephant, "Sir, we plan to move to other quarters. This has nothing at all to do with you of course, because your ear is spacious and warm. It is just that my wife would rather live next door to her friends at the buffalo's

foot. If you have any objection to our moving, do let me know in the course of the next week." The Elephant said nothing, so the flea changed residence with a clear conscience.

Moral of the Story: Relax -- the Universe is not aware of your existence!

The SaintThere once lived a man so godly that even the angels rejoiced at the sight of him. But in spite of his great holiness, he had no notion that he was holy. He just went about his humdrum tasks diffusing goodness like the way of flowers -- unselfconsciously, diffusing their fragrance like street lamps diffuse their glow. The saint's holiness lay in this - that he forgot each person's past and looked at them as they were now, and he looked beyond each person's appearance to the very centre of their being where they were innocent and blameless and too ignorant to know what they were doing. Thus he loved and forgave everyone that he met - and he saw nothing extraordinary in this for it was the result of his way at looking at people.One day an angel said to him, "I have been sent to you by God. Ask for anything you wish and it will be given to you. Would you wish to

have the gift of healing?No," said the man, "I'd rather God did the healing himself.""Would you want to bring sinners back to the path of righteousness?No," he said, "It is not for me to touch human hearts. That is the work of angels.Would you like to be such a model of virtue that people will be drawn to imitate you?No," said the saint, "For that would make me the centre of attention.What then do you wish for?" asked the angel. "The Grace of God," was the man’s reply. "Having that, I have all I desire.No," you must ask for some miracle," said the angel, "Or one will be forced on you.Well then I shall ask for this, let good be done through me without my being aware of it." So it was decreed that the holy man's shadow would be endowed with healing properties whenever it fell behind him. So, everywhere his shadow fell - provided he had his back to it - the sick were healed, the land became fertile,

fountains sprang to life and colour returned to the faces of those who were weighed down by life's sorrow. But the saint knew nothing of this because the attention of people was so centred on the shadow that they forgot about the man and so his wish that good be done through him and he be forgotten, was abundantly fulfilled.

Anthony De Mello Website

Story of Ekalavya

Ekalavya was a young hunter who wished to train as a warrior under Drona, the best-known guru in this field at the time. Drona rejected him as a disciple on account of his low birth, whereupon Ekalavya acquired the skills himself through rigorous practice, after installing a replica of Drona. Ekalavya soon surpassed Drona's favourite pupil Arjuna in skill and, in order to ensure that no one could ever surpass Arjuna as an Archer, Drona demanded the thumb of Ekalavya as his Guru Dakshina, even though he had taught only in abstentia. In the end, Drona is slain by the very Pandavas for the sake of whose supremacy Drona had amputated Ekalavya's thumb! And the irony here is not that of a Greek tragedy so much as that of a morality tale. Drona lost his life as the result of a lie told to him.What goes around comes around!Ekalavya's story makes the point that it is the guru as one's mental construct, rather

than his or her physical form, which is the transforming agency. The guru, as a mental construct, imparted some supreme skill to Ekalavya, the guru in the physical form deprived him of his capacity to exercise it. Is there also a warning here against false gurus in the flesh as against those in spirit? And even the further teaching that "there are no gurus, only disciples", that ultimately, one is one's own guru. It was the desire of Ekalavya to be a great archer, which made him a great archer. No wonder Gautama Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi and Ramana Maharshi had no gurus. All that perfection ultimately requires of us is that our desire for it be perfect.

[Professor Arvind Sharma]

Sparsa Tiruvannamalai

Set in Tiruvannamalai off the Girivalam Roadway, Sparsa Resort offers an authentic South Indian experience; from riding in a bullock cart, having your feet massaged by a masseur, making pots under the tutelage of a pottery master, watching and making flower garlands, learning how to milk a cow, feeding indigenous waterfowl in the Resort’s own small bird sanctuary, learning about local herbs in the herb garden or just relaxing in the moonlight listening to a variety of live Tamil musicians.Throughout the Resort are reminders of Tamil history and culture, from antique furniture in the foyer and library, thatched roofs, examples of giant rice containers in the dining room and beautiful paintings, sculptors, figurines and examples of local memorabilia throughout the Resort.Sparsa incorporates modern comfort and traditional style with great detail and success. Its amenities and

services include; a pure vegetarian restaurant serving specially designed Sattwic food, a fully equipped banquet hall, a yoga/meditation centre, massage therapy, swimming pool, a/c health club, library and internet and 24 hour room service. Sparsa, Tiruvannamalai is a Resort at which you can experience the rich cultural experience of Tamil Nadu whilst enjoying every modern convenience.

Sparsa Tiruvannamalai

Links:

Arunachala Website

Arunachala News

Arunachala Land

Arunachala Birds

Anthony De Mello

Sparsa Tiruvannamalai

Dancing Baba

Ardhanarishvara at Arunachala

Kite Photographs

Bharani Deepam Photographs

Arunachala Tidbits

Tamil Nadu ProjectsThe Tamil Nadu Chief Minister sought the intervention of the Prime Minister for taking up the new railway projects: Tiruvannamalai-Jolarpettai, Dindigul-Kumuli via Bodinaickanur and Needamangalam-Pattukottai via Mannargudi. Previously the Railways had asked Tamil Nadu to bear 50% of the cost of the projects.The Centre was also asked to give its clearance for two projects for intra-linking rivers within Tamil Nadu and bear 90% of the cost with the estimated cost being Rs.534 crore.Tiruvannamalai RailworksThe deadline for completing the railway gauge conversion work between Katpadi and Tiruvannamalai has been extended to March 2009 and between Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram to June 2009. Until that time Tiruvannamalai Railway Station is closed except for the Indian Railways ticket reservation

counter.Land for IndustrializationA 2,300-acre land parcel has been identified for acquisition by the State Industries Promotion Corp. of Tamil Nadu Ltd, or Sipcot, a government-owned entity. Currently Sipcot faces problems with villagers protesting the proposed acquisition. Purchasing land for industrialization is not a problem limited to Tamil Nadu and in this respect there have been protests by farmers across the country in the past couple of years against setting up of industries on farm land.The current dispute concerns land in nine villages of Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram Districts, at which place land owners are still protesting even as Sipcot has started surveys marking the land for acquisition. The nine villages are Chellaperumbulimedu, Kunnavakkam, Ayinjalpattu, Perumbulimedu, Mangal, Akoor, Karanai, Ukkamperumbakkam and Mathur.Iron Ore Mining Tiruvannamalai

DistrictConfronted with severe resistance from environmental activists and farmers, private sector steel giant Jindal has pulled out from its proposed iron-ore mining plans at Kanchamalai (Salem). However, the Company is in no exit mood in its other areas of interest such as Tiruvannamalai District, as it has already expanded its steel plant at Potenery, Salem District from one million tonnes to two million tonnes. In this respect Jindal is vigorously pursuing the Tiruvanamalai District iron ore reserves over an area of 325 hectares in the forested Kavuthi Malai and Vediappan Malai in Imam Karianthal village in Chengam taluk.Career GuidanceThe Education Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu signed a partnership on December 1, 2008 with Don Bosco Vazhikaatti to offer Career Guidance in Government Schools. The guidance service will be offered to 10th and 13th standard students of 990 Secondary schools and 421

Higher Secondary schools in 11 Districts of North Tamil Nadu, including Tiruvannamalai District.Auspicious Shiva 2009"The year 2009 begins with a triple bonanza; January 8th, 9th and 10th are all auspicious days for Lord Shiva. January 8th is Pradosham day, January 9th is a Nataraja abhishekam day in which the Dancing Shiva is powerful, and January 10th is Arudra Darshanam or Lord Shiva's birthday. This unique combination gives a perfect start to 2009. While Pradosham is a great time to clear out Karmic baggage, Nataraja abhishekam is a time to worship Shiva in his dancing form to wipe out sins from our Akashic records. This culminates with Lord Shiva's Birthday on January 10 as a time of celebratory worship.Arunachala is a representation of the highest divinity, Lord Shiva, in the form of a mountain. This is called a 'Swayumbu Linga' or 'Self formed Linga' and showers blessings when you think of it and when you

circumambulate it. Performing circumambulation of the sacred Hill is considered the greatest tool to wipe out limiting, ego-based thought patterns and to manifest whatever one wants, both material and spiritual. Since Arunachala is considered a special form of Lord Shiva, one should offer prayers to Lord Shiva on that day."[Astroved – Vedic Astrology]Rare RudrakshaA huge and rare Ekamuga Rudraksha weighing about 200 grams was found amongst valuables stored in the Temple Treasury at Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai. Authorities were amazed by its size, which was slightly bigger than a cricket ball. The Rudraksha, decorated with silver, was donated in 2006 by a devotee. It was decided that the Rudraksha will decorate the Utsava Moorthi on all ‘pradosham’ days hereafter. The programme was commenced on November 10th (a pradosham day) when the processional deity Sri Arunachaleswarar was adorned with the rare

Rudraksha.Swami NithyanandaSwami Nithyananda visited Tiruvannamalai on December 21st to participate in celebrations of his 32nd Birth Star. The public celebrations included a procession in the morning orginating at the Arunachaleswarar Temple and carrying statues of the God and Goddess, Anandeswara and Anandeswari on a chariot ending at Nithyanandapuri - Swami Nithyananda's Ashram located near Adi Annamalai on the Girivalam Roadway. At the same venue in the evening Swami gave a spiritual discourse in Tamil.Dancing BabaIt is believed that at any one time rishis and saints inhabit spots at Arunachala. Sometimes these holy people are in disguise and living invisible lives as beggars, madcaps or nondescript people. In this respect a saints like known as 'dancing baba' and the 'walking no talking swami,' breezes through our lives for an instant in ways that changes and inspires.Dancing Baba

was run over by a motorcycle on the girivalam roadway near the Hanuman Temple in the second week of December 2008. His body was preserved in a samadhi constructed at the place he met his end. It is reputed that in the morning of this death whilst taking 'chai' at a roadside tea stall, he informed several people that it was the day of his departure and the time that was ordained for him to leave the body.

Right click for more on Dancing Baba

Origin of Karthigai Deepam

Karthigai Deepam -- the festival of lights which is celebrated throughout Tamil Nadu during the month of Karthigai (November-December), is the oldest festival celebrated in the State. Also, unlike many other Hindu festivals, Karthigai is basically a Tamil festival and is virtually unknown in most other parts of the country.One of the earliest references to the festival is found in the Ahananuru, a book of poems, which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D). The Ahananuru clearly states that Karthigai is celebrated on the full moon day (pournami) of the Tamil month of Karthigai. It was one of the most important festivals (peruvizha) of the ancient Tamils. Avaiyyar, the renowned poetess of those times, refers to the festival in her songs.Inscriptions in Tamil temples also refer to the festival. A mid-sixteenth Century inscription at the Arulalaperumal temple in

Kancheepuram, refers to the festival as Thiru Karthigai Thirunal. Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy and an indispensable part of Karthigai.

Deepam Report

"At about 4:30 am on the day of Bharani Deepam, which this year fell on December 11th, this is how the day started:The chief priest has just finished a simple ritual called Bharani Deepam and now ceremoniously waves a huge camphor flame in the direction of nearby Arunachala mountain. Although he is chanting Sanskrit slokas, he cannot be heard amidst the deafening furor of devotion that surrounds him. Finally, he touches the flame he is holding to the wicks of five huge, earthen, ghee-filled pots, representing the sacred elements earth, air, fire, water and ether. As these five flames loom up with red-yellow light, the famous, South Indian festival of Krittika Deepam officially begins.A flame taken from the five earthen pots that were lit just after the early morning temple ceremony of Bharani Deepam is kept burning in the Temple throughout the day as a symbol of the merging of manifestation back into

God, the one source of all. This single flame is referred to as the Bharani Deepam. At 10:00 in the morning, a select group of fishermen are blessed by the temple priest with a small ceremony. At this time, amidst ringing bells and temple music, the priest gives the fishermen a lamp that has been lit from the Bharani Deepam in the Temple. This lamp, also called Bharani Deepam, will be taken by the fishermen to the top of the mountain.Local fishermen are traditionally given the privilege of carrying the Bharani Deepam up the mountain and lighting the Krittika Deepam in the evening, because, according to a popular myth, Parvati (the wife of Lord Siva) was born in a fishing village.Significance"There is immense significance in this first Krittika Deepam ceremony called Bharani Deepam. At this time, the universal Lord manifests as the five elements, which will later fully merge to become one when the Krittika Deepam

flame is lit in the evening. From one to many and many to one. This is the whole essence of Saivism and the meaning of Krittika Deepam."All across India, millions of bonfires are lit on hills and in temples on Krittika Deepam. But nowhere is this festival celebrated like it is at Tiruvannamalai. Here it is unique. Krittika Deepam occurs annually in the lunar month of Kartika, which occurs in November/December, on the last day of the 10-day festival called Brahmotsavam. It is on this auspicious day that, at precisely 6:00 in the evening, a sacred fire is lit on top of the 2,668 foot Arunachala mountain to symbolize the merging of all manifest existence back into the one source of all things. It is said that those who witness this sacred ceremony personally receive the blessings of Siva and Parvati. All of the traditional temple rituals that are performed during Brahmotsavam create a spiritual fervency that culminate with great power on

Krittika Deepam as a grand congregation of devotees, holy men, officials, police personnel and media squeeze together, shoulder to shoulder, to witness the festival's magnificent consummation.Preparations for this holy day begin one month in advance with the local administration, revenue department, police and temple authorities. Since early morning, temple staff and volunteers have been carrying five-gallon containers of ghee and large pots of thick, braided cloth wicks to the top of Arunachala mountain. Once the mountaintop flame has been lit, it must be kept burning for ten days, which requires vast quantities of wick and clarified butter.As the day wanes into dusk and night begins to darken the sky, pilgrims stand or sit, motionless with anticipation, at the base of Arunachala mountain, preparing to worship God Siva as an infinite pillar of light. By 5:00 in the evening, the area surrounding the Temple flagpole of the

Arunachalaeswaar Temple, as well as the adjoining terrace, is packed. People are grabbing seats to observe the dramatic arrival of five exquisitely decorated palanquins, carrying the Hindu Gods Vinayaka, Subramanya, Siva, Amba and Chandikeshwara. The devotees are constantly moving and adjusting their positions to get a better view and to make way for still more people pouring in. Within about 30 minutes, five palanquins have arrived in all their spiritual pageantry. Finally, the appointed moment arrives. Against the backdrop of a sunset sky, crowned with the rising star of Kartika, thundering firecrackers, ringing Temple bells and a frenzy of rhythmic chanting merge to create a cacophony of chaotic splendor. Camphor is lit in a cauldron by the Temple flag pole, signaling those on top of the mountain to light their flame. The timing is perfectly synchronized. The air is charged as the overpowering sight of light, signifying Siva in the form of

Jyoti (divine light), merges with Parvati to become Siva/Sakti. Now, finally, Ardhanarishvara is brought out of the Temple with great ceremonial fanfare. This is the only day of the year that this particular Deity is ever moved. It is most auspicious.When that flame is seen by the thousands of devotees below, the entire countryside explodes with flashing luminescence. Bonfires, lamps, neon lights and fireworks light the night like day as a surging, thronging, emotionally charged mass of devotees chant, "Arunachala Siva,Annamalai” and "Annamalai Harohara". The sight of the Krittika Deepam is magical. It brings an inexplicable joy. People are ecstatic, mesmerized by the light.The Temple is closed for a day after Krittika Deepam, because it is believed that, when Arunachala manifested Himself in the Deepam, He temporarily shifted His abode from the temple to the hilltop. Long-time pilgrims assert that, even years later, the very

thought of an otherworldly moment like this recreates it, just as if it is happening fresh and new."[Edited extract from "Fire on the Mountain"]

***************

Sadly a police head constable, who was posted on duty at Tiruvannamalai (along the Girivalam roadway) during the just concluded Karthigai Deepam festival died reportedly of stress. It is not known whether the head constable named Chandran, who was attached to the Crime Branch at Tiruthani Police Station, had any previous health complications. He along with some 100 police personnel from the Tiruvallur district were posted for security duty at Tiruvannamalai. Chandran's colleagues said lack of sleep, rest and timely food had apparently caused his death. His colleagues said when Chandran was about to board the bus to return to his hometown they had heard him complaining of pain and then he swooned. He was taken to a government hospital where he was declared "brought dead." In another incident, a devotee who was carrying a ghee pot reportedly died of a heart attack whilst climbing Arunachala Hill on

Thursday. The person was identified as a 25 year old man hailing from Perungappur Village, Villupuram District.

Bharani Deepam Photographs

Ardhanarishvara at Arunachala

Ardhanarishvara at ArunachalaThe following legend and commentary explains the reason Ardhanarishvara is worshipped so prominently during Deepam at Arunachala. At which time a Murti symbolising the union of Siva-Parvati is displayed inside the compound of Arunachaleswarar Temple immediately after the fire is lit on top of the Hill.Legend of ArdhanarishvaraThe Goddess once playfully closed the eyes of her Beloved thereby plunging the world into darkness and causing suffering to all living beings. The Universal mother comprehending her folly started worshipping Lord Siva in the form of a Lingam to absolve herself of the sin and reunite with him. After first visiting Kanchipuram, Parvati proceeded to Tiruvannamalai to do her penance. While performing penance at Pavalakundru (with the help of Sage Gautama), the demon Mahishasura came and disturbed Parvati’s tapas. The

Mother then took the form of Durga Devi and destroyed the demon on Full Moon Day of the Tamil Month of Karthigai during the auspicious period of Pradosham. Satisfied with his Goddess, Lord Siva presented himself in the form of Fire atop the hill and merged with Parvati - thus was created the half-man, half-woman aspect of the Lord, symbolising the oneness of all beings. To commemorate this event, every year during the festival of Annamalai Deepam, Lord Ardhanarishvara presents himself as Jyoti Swarupa to his devotees.

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Fork Tailed Black Kite

The Fork-Tailed Black Kite is commonly found at Tiruvannamalai, and is particularly noticeable flying in the thermals around Arunachala. The Tamil name for this bird is Kalu Parandu. The Fork-Tailed Black Kite is India's commonest raptor and is usually found in the neighbourhood of human habitations, whether a populated city or outlying village. The Kite will take small live prey as well as fish, household refuse and carrion. They are attracted to fires and smoke where they seek escaping insect prey. In some places they will readily swoop to take to food offered by humans.This Kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers. It is about the size of a vulture. This bird is a very accomplished flyer; turning and twisting, banking and stooping to scoop up scraps from the roadside and easily

avoiding overhead telephone and electric wires.The nest of the Fork-Tailed Black Kite is usually an untidy platform of twigs, rags, wire and all sorts of rubbish. The nest is commonly located in a large tree, roof, or cornice of a building. Two or four eggs are laid in a batch. Both sexes share in domestic duties.

Excellent Kite photographs

Snowflake Tree

From a distance, they may appear like snow flakes on a tree but a closer look reveals that these gentle, soft flakes are in fact the white flowers of Wrightia Tinctoria, often referred to as the Snowflake Tree. Known as Palai in Tamil, this tree is also known by the names Dhudi tree or the Sweet Indrajao. Wrightia which belongs to the family Apocynaceae, is named after the Scottish physician and botanist William Wright (1740-1827). It is a deciduous tree with a light grey, smooth bark, amenable for carving. This tree, native to India, is commonly found in Tiruvannamalai District. The flowers are white in colour and the fruits pendulous, long paired follicles joined at their tips. The hairy seeds are released as the fruit dehisces. The leaves of this tree yield a blue dye called Pala Indigo. The leaves are applied as a poultice for mumps and herpes and sometimes, they are also munched to

relieve toothache.Supposedly a few drops of the sap of Wrightia Tinctoria in milk prevents curdling and enhances its shelf life, without the need to refrigerate. In folk medicine, the dried and powdered roots of Wrightia along with Phyllanthus Amarus (keezhanelli) and Vitex Negundo (nochi) is mixed with milk and orally administered to women for improving fertility. The bark and seeds are effective against psoriasis and non-specific dermatitis. The bark of this medicinal deciduous tree possesses anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties and therefore the juice extracted from it is administered for mouth sores. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-dandruff properties and is used in hair oil preparations The leaves are effective as a poultice for mumps and sometimes chewed to relieve toothache and in the treatment of skin disorders such as dermatitis.

A Women's Pilgrimage to Arunachala

I was inspired to bring a small, intimate group of women to visit Arunachala for a spiritual pilgrimage in November 2008. The group consisted of seven women, who were all first-timers to India. Most of the women had a long-time deep desire to come to India for spiritual reasons, but were afraid to travel by themselves. They wished to travel with someone who had a deep connection with India and experience in making the journey.The women came from a variety of backgrounds, yet had the desire to come to India in common. The group consisted of psychotherapists, yoga teachers, an acupuncturist, renowned author and teacher, body workers, a physical therapist, a banker and a housewife. We stayed at Sri Nannagaru Ashram, an ashram located down the road and within walking distance from the Ramana Ashram. (Although Sri Nannagaru never met Sri Ramana Maharshi in the form, he attributes his realisation to the direct

grace of Arunachala-Ramana. Sri Nannagaru lives in his native place of Jinnuru, a small village in Andhra Pradesh and visits Arunachala several times a year, at which time darshan is regularly given to devotees and pilgrims). In my experience, Sri Nannagaru Ashram has the best energy of all the ashrams in Tiruvannamalai and has an extremely clean and peaceful atmosphere.The intent of the pilgrimage was to bring the women to this holy place to experience its grace and magic. It was designed to be highly supportive for the women, but loosely structured so that the women could deepen in their own spiritual practice. During this two week pilgrimage, the first week was designed to escort the women to the various holy sites and teachers. The second week was designed for the women to follow their hearts and deepen their spiritual practices by revisiting the places where they had the most resonance. We had ample time together and also time for solitude.

Each day began with breakfast together and an easy yoga practice.

The first week consisted of; visiting Ramana Ashram and taking part in its daily pujas and nightly parayanas and meditation, visiting Arunachaleswarar Temple and participating in Pujas, attending satsang with various realized teachers at Arunachala, meditating in the Arunachala caves and performing full moon Pradakshina around Arunachala.One of the highlights was a temple 'tour' given by Meenakshi Ammal, publisher of Arunachala Grace Network. Meenakshi has given her life to learning about this holy mountain. She has researched, re-discovered and accumulated lost knowledge about the Temples and spiritual practice at Tiruvannamalai. The group was fortunate enough to spend a whole day with Meenakshi, learning much about little known temples and the deities associated therewith. She also arranged Vedic astrology readings and subsequent pujas for healing and empowerment at Adi Annamalai temple. The women

who travelled on this pilgrimage have had their lives deeply enriched as a result. Every one of them reports a radical shift in consciousness and deepening within themselves and their spiritual connection. Each had deep spiritual and psychological growth. I have no doubt, and it is my experience that visiting Arunachala will continue to deepen the lives of the women with grace as they return to their homes. Not only were the women enriched by Arunachala, but also Arunachala and a number of villagers benefited by our presence. As one of the intents of our visit was to be of service, some of the group members arranged to finance English tuition for the children (as without English the children have little opportunity to uplift their lives). The kids were also purchased bicycle in order to visit their visits to their English tutors. Others of the group made a ten year sponsorship commitment to send a child through schoolIt is anticipated that the

next Women’s Pilgrimage to Arunachala will be in November 2009. For more information or inquiries please email at: bhakti.2u at juno.com

[Virginia Lee -- Ojai, California]

Joyce Meyers trip account

Land South of the Hill

To view photographs of available agricultural land about 9 kms south of Arunachala check out the below link. The area is serene and unpopulated – far away from the madding crowd but close enjoy to benefit from the energy of Arunachala.

Land Photographs

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