#ramanashram

Yet another visit to Rmanashram and this time I've reduced my days of visit to just 2, normally it used to be 3 days. The reason being, my traveling will be much comfortable. I'm also scribbling down a guide kind of thing, so that people who are from Kerala will find it useful, especially if you are planning for a trip to Ramanashram and Thiruvannamalai.

1) Board the train to Katpadi,Station code KPD. Shalimar express will be a right choice as it will reach Katpadi at 7am. Don't book in Sleeper coaches, its bit scary nowadays as workers from Northern Side bit annoying, and moreover they fill the whole compartment. If you are traveling as a group with lady passengers then better be utmost careful. So I'd suggest book 3Tier AC for a safe travel.

2) After getting down at Katpadi Station, take an Auto to Vellore New Bus stand. Charge comes around 50-60

3) Board the bus to Thiruvannamalai. You won't find buses in good condition and with enough leg room. Be comfortable with the seats you have. Govt Bus fare Rs 37

4) Once you reached Thiruvannamalai Bus stand, take an Auto to Sheshadri Ashram, its an ashram near to Ramanashram. Though there is accomodation at Ramanashram, it will be fully occupied most of the time. Accomodation can be better availed in Sheshadri Ashram. Auto fare 50-60

5) You will get ordinary and Ac rooms. It will not be spacious or clean but be content with it.

6) Take rest for the first day and at around 4pm you make your visit to Ramanashram, its only few minutes walk. Dissolve in the Aura of Ramana Maharshi and feel the warmth and beauty of that place. There will be evening prayers and though the language may not be familiar to you the chants will remain in your heart, its so special. You will find lot of foreigners here. I think they might have got the blessings of Maharshi to reach this remote area.

7) Next day morning wake up at around 3.30 am and prepare yourself for taking Girivalam. You better carry a torch and enough coins that can be given to Sadhus whom you will pass by all the way. You will have to walk bare-foot. Consider the starting point as the gate of Ramanashram. The total distance is 14 kms. But after 11kms you will find the roads are not friendly for your feet, and so carry a pair of sandals.

8) The Sacred Hill is so beautiful every time you look at it you will feel the magnetic power. As the Guru have taught, kill all your thoughts during the course and you will feel totally immersed in tranquility. There is a saying that Girivalam will purify your thoughts and wipe off all your sins. The latter is a motivating factor for me :)

9) Thiruvannamalai Temple is towards the end of your journey. So visit the temple and its an absolutely marvelous human architecture. I'm sure it will take your breath away by seeing the size and height of the huge rocks used to construct the whole Temple. Pray to your beloved God and complete the Girivalam till you reach the gate of Ramanashram.

10) Go back to your room, freshen up and now the time will be around 8;30am if you had made a non-stop walk. Take your breakfast and visit Ramanashram again.

11) Its time for you to donate something to ashram as its self funded. You can also purchase books about Maharshi.

12) At Noon you can see Ashram people serving food to Sadhus. That is a beautiful scene of human kindness.

13) Pack your bags for your return journey, say good bye to Ramanashram and promise that you will return next year. Thiruvannamalai is so powerful that if you had visited once and surrender your Self to it, you will be then forced to come back.

14) Thiruvannamalai to Vellore is only 2 hrs journey so plan your return journey accordingly. The train I used to board is Trivandrum Express which is at 5.20pm

So I hope this will be helpful for someone who plans for a visit. Try to reach me if you have any doubts.

Love you all