Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi - Mamara cave / Mango Tree Cave, Virupaksha Cave and Skandashram at Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

                                                                           18, December 2014.

After collecting the details of Sri Arunachala temple on 14^th December 2014 During my Sri Arunachaleswara temple visit, thought of visiting a temple on the hill and taking a photograph of the temple from the hill temple. Initially, I did not know I was proceeding toward the Caves which are associated with  Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi. When I inquired the locals about the temple they guided me to go up.  It was scary since I trekked the hill alone. There was nobody in the front or back. After climbing half the distance near  Mamara cave, two visitors are climbing down.

MAMARA CAVE ( MANGO TREE CAVE )

This cave is situated before Virupaksha cave. Once there was a big mango tree near the cave that had fallen down and there is no mango tree now. There is a Shiva shrine called Sri Maheswarar and a Sri Kasi Annapoorani shrine.  Inside the cave, we have to kneel down and go. Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi stayed for a while in this cave.

LOCATION OF THE CAVE: CLICK HERE

 Sri Maheswarar Sannidhi at Mamara Cave 

 Sri Kasi Annapoorani Amman sannadhi through which we have to go into the cave 

MULAIPAL THEERTHAM

I trekked further and reached Mulaipal Theertham, where the water from the hill is collected in the pond and well. There is a board not to take bath and wash clothes. But the locals did not mind. Above the theertham, there is an ashram called  Sri Annamalaisamy Sri Guru Ram Yogi Lahari with an Amman temple.  One the way plastic bags were strewn on the side of the path ( Spoiling nature ).

 Mulai Paal Theertham 

 CAUTION BOARD

 

 Amman temple 

 Sri Annamalai Swamigal Ashram 

VIRUPAKSHA CAVE

The trek stretches like Hanuman’s tail. Finally reached   Virupaksha cave with ASI caution board. The cave is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) and maintained by Sri Ramanashram.  Sri Ramana Maharishi’s disciples visit throughout the year from foreign countries too. The cave is like “OM”.  Sri Ramana Maharishi stayed in this cave from 1899 to 1916. It is believed that  Sage Virupaksha’s jeeva Samadhi is in this cave. When I went inside the cave absolutely there was no sound and very very dark. Only one oil lamp was burning at the center. I could not see anything. Sat for a while and meditated. When my eyes got accustomed to the dark, I could see a lot of people sitting in two tiers and meditating. Really it was a wonderful experience.

LOCATION OF THE CAVE: CLICK HERE

 Virupaksha cave 

I  trekked further.  There was a long steep stretch. At the end of the stretch, there was a fall and a pool of water. After crossing the falls the trek became easier. 

  The path leading to Skandashram

Water  Falls

A long snake was playing in the pool of water and must be at least 8 feet in length.  On seeing me the snake ran into the forest.  While climbing down also I saw the same snake playing in the pool of water. ( The snake can be seen like a stick in the water )

SKANDASHRAM.

The Skandashram is also controlled by ASI and maintained by Sri Ramanashram.  The cave is not as big as the Virupaksha cave. There are three rooms for meditation adjoining the cave.  Meditated for a while and enjoyed the beauty of the ashram, plants, trees, and hill. I noticed there are a lot of foreigners visiting this cave also. They become the ardent disciples of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi. Sri Ramana Maharishi lived in the cave between 1916 to 1922 with his mother. After his mother attained mukti he stayed in the base ashram itself. Here only he found out “who am I”

LOCATION OF THE CAVE:  CLICK HERE

 Sri Skandashram

 Sri Skandashram 

 Sri Skandashram 

Water  will fall on Shiva lingam during the rain

On the way back to Sri Arunachaleswara, I found this panoramic view of the temple.   I clicked Sri Arunachaleswara Temple view. It was completely overcast throughout the day, and I could not take a clear picture.

From Skandashram there is a path leading to Sri Ramashram also. But I returned on the same route.  But  I missed the route halfway and diverted to Sadai Swamigal Ashram and they guided me to the base of the hill. Hence it is advisable to trek with some people instead of going alone.

It was said that once the maha deepam is placed on the 10th day it will continue to burn. If the same get off within a short period some bad things will happen. But this is not correct. These 4 people carry the gee and wick to light up the maha deepam everyday evening by 18.00 Hrs for 11 days after the mahadeeppam festival.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---