Arunachalam

I never have written about the experiences of a trip. I am starting now , basically getting inspired by blogs of the other two friends who have travelled along with me, this time.

Starting from home(Bangalore) on a friday morning in a drizzling weather to spiritual/religious place of Arunachalam(Tiruvanmalai) gave me a sense of living in the present and yeah, the thrill of spending meaningful time in the immediate future( next two days). Driving my car on a long trip( 3+ hrs is considered long, relatively speaking) always gives me that thrill, even if it involved getting hit on the side of my car by reckless truck-fellow( and may be he will write about me in the same way) and thereby getting a dent. Well, the dent in my car, never really mattered at that moment( read no attachment). And this is what the saint of Arunachalam, Ramana Maharshi teaching are based upon. No attachments. Not even with be body. Well atleast I didnot have it with the dent in my car. Seems like I am  going to the right place.

Driving through the last 10 kms to reach Arunachalam is absolute pleasure. With heavy downpour and visibility on the road barely 30-40 feet, it was one of the  thoughly enjoyable drives I have ever had.From there, the  view of Arunachal hill is not only awesome but also very divine.

1 hour is what we took, to checkin the ashram accomodation, finish lunch and be ready, with umbreallas open to counter the now receeding rain. The mission is to go around the arunachal hill covering 17 kms on  bare foot. Heard that going around the hill will wipe out 15000 years of janmas( cycle of life and death). I didnot believe it. It doesnot matter whether I belived it or not. There is a great amount of energy associated with this place. This is where formess Lord Shiva exists as in hill form and its pradakshin (going around) gives great religious and spiritual benefits. Ramana Maharshi authenticates this. This is what I believe in .  And it matters.

1 lakh people do pradakshina on every full moon day. This time also, its not different. The circumfrence of the hill is full of devotees. Most of the people are from nearbly villages/towns. One of the benefits of travel is observing and experiencing people. The devotion of these people, almost stopping at every small temple around the hill and offering prayers is inspiring. Faith, is all what they have. But, how many of them have thoughts of Lord shiva in their minds is arguable. Ramana Maharshi once told a vistor,  who was complaining about the cleanliness of the ashram,  to mind about his own realization than finding fault with others. That thought made me to mind my own business. My trip around the hill .. well .. I cannot describe. Its mixed with chanting of “Om Namashivaya”, offering prayers at most of the temples, observing people, chit-chat about the benefits of going around, discussion if it would have been better to take the walk in the night under the full moon, how the rush in the main temple would be,  how lucky we were that the rain has stopped and once I thought about the dent to my car. Talking about non-attachment.

After literally dragging ourself entered the main temple and to our surprise completed the darshan in an hour or so, with the aid of a 50 rupees ticket. But with tired body and minds could not observe much of the architectural constructions of the temple in the night time. After a quick dinner and 6 hours later we reached the room.

It was quite an absorbing “experience”. I hope to receive participation certificate signed by Lord Shiva which surely would come with remarks “Needs lot of improvement” and I promise to take care  the next time around.