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 take the photograph of the temple from the hill temple. Initially I do not know I am proceeding towards 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 no body in the front or back. After climbing  half the distance near  Mamara cave found, two visitors are climbing down.

MAMARA CAVE ( MANGO TREE CAVE )

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

LOCATION OF THE CAVE : CLICK HERE

 Sri Maheswarar Sannidhi at maamara cave 

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

MULAIPAL THEERTHAM

The I trekked   further and reached Mulaipal Theertham, where the water from the hill is collected in the pond and well. There is sign board not to take bath and wash the clothes. But the locals did not mind. Above the  theertham there is an ashram called  Sri Annamalaisamy Sri Guru Ram Yogi Lahari with a Amman temple.  One the way plastic bags were strewn on the side of the path ( Spoiling the 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 Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) and maintained by Sri Ramanashram.  Sri Ramana Maharishi’s disciples  visits 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 any thing. Sat for a while and meditated. When my  eyes got accustomed to the dark, I could see 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 is a falls and a pool of water. After crossing the falls the trek became easier. 

 Path leading to Skandashram

Water  Falls

A long snake was playing the pool of water and must be at least 8 feet length.  On seeing me the snake ran in to the forest.  While climbing down also I had seen 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 big as 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 could notice there are 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  rain

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

From Skandashram there  is a path leading to Sri Ramashram also. But I returned in the same route.  But  I missed the route half way 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 gets off within short period some bad things will happen. But this is not correct. These 4 people carries the gee and wick to light up the maha deepam every day evening by 18.00 Hrs for 11 days after the mahadeeppam festival.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---