About District

Tiruvannamalai is one of the most venerated places in Tamil Nadu. In ancient times, the term “Annamalai” meant an inaccessible mountain. The word “Thiru” was prefixed to signify its greatness, and coupled with the two terms, it is called Tiruvannamalai.

The Temple Town of Tiruvannamalai is one of the most ancient heritage sites of India and is a centre of the Saiva religion. The Arunachala hill and its environs have been held in great regard by the Tamils for centuries. The temple is grand in conception and architecture and is rich in tradition, history and festivals. The main Deepam festival attracts devotees from far and wide throughout South India. It has historic places besides Tiruvannamalai, Arni, Vandavasi, Devigapuram connected to East India and French companies. In the late Chola period this district was ruled by the Cholan of Sambuvarayar having Padavedu near Arni as HQ. We can now find the fort and note along with a Shiva temple namely Kailasanathar in Arni town.

I was early up and joined the Chanting and Milk Offering to Bhagavan in the Samadhi Hall before breakfast. It is nice in the morning when it is not yet so warm and humid. After the breakfast I went back to my room and checked some correspondence. After that I was driving again to Sampath, the scooter guy. I still couldn’t use the headlight of the scooter, later more about this. His shop was closed. Maybe I was too early, maybe he has a tour with his taxi. I confirmed in Sadhya’s cafe again that I will arrive tomorrow, all good.

I was a bit late for lunch today, it starts at 11:30 and I tried to enter the Ashram at 11:15, but they are closing the gate for lunch. So I was driving with my scooter into town, entered a vegetarian Restaurant and had some lunch there. Do you know the Mobasi fruit, very delicious as juice.

Back to my room and had a good nap for 90 minutes. I the afternoon I joined for 2 hours the chanting and Tamil Parayana in the Samadhi Hall. In Tamil Parayana are sitting a group of women and men opposite and singing alternating verses, the Poetic Works of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. It’s easy meditating during this ceremony. Then it was already time for dinner.

Some peacocks in the guesthouse garden. By the way, I tried to start my scooter this evening and nothing happened. After a while it came to my mind that I have to use the break when starting the engine, same as with my van. And also for the light there is another switch to start first. The second switch is just for strong light. All works in the end 😄