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1879­1950

Throughout human history spiritual giants have appeared on rareoccasions to exemplify the highest truth, guiding followers by the very

conduct of their lives. Sri Ramana Maharshi was one such giant. Known asthe Sage of Arunachala, Sri Ramana Maharshi was the embodiment ofSelf-Realisation, the complete immersion in God.

At 16 a young schoolboy experienced spontaneous awal(ening and shortlyafterward left his family and travelled to Arunachala, the sacred mountainrevered since ancient times as Lord Siva manifest. Immersed in sahajasamadhi, the young Ramana resided in various shrines at the foot of themOLlntain and then, for more than 20 years, dwelt in caves on the lowerslopes of the Holy Hill. Followers steadily gathered around him, amongthem his mother, AlagammaJ. Recognised as a saint herself, when she lefther body in 1922 and was buried at the mountain's southern slope, devoteesof Bhagavan began doing daily puja at her samadhi. Within 6 monthsBhagavan came to the site and settled there permanently. This was thebirth ofSri Ramanasramam. More conveniently situated, Sri Ramanasramamprovided greater access to Bhagavan. In time, visitors would journey fromaround the world to seek his darshan and guidance.

In the years that followed, Bhagavan was available almost 24 hours a day.His sense of perfect equanimity was absolute and the peace and radiance ofhis presence pointed ditectly to the natural state within the heart of allbeings. In 1950, shortly before he shed his body, the Maharshi remarked,"They say that I am going away, but where can I go? I am here." True to hisword, his living presence continues today to guide ardent seekers in thepath of freedom.

- From 'Who Am J7'

Who antI?1. Who amI?

The gross body which is composed of the seven humours (dhatus), I amnot; the five organs of knowledge, viz. the senses of hearing, touch, sight,taste, and smell, which apprehend their respective objects, sound, touch,colour, taste, and odour, I am not; the five organs of bodily action, viz.speech, locomotion, grasping, excretion, and procreation, which have astheir respective functions speaking, moving, grasping, excreting, andenjoying, I am not; the five vital airs, prana, etc., which perform respectivelythe five functions of in-breathing, etc., I am not; even the mind whichthinks, I am not; the nescience too, which is endowed only with the residualimpressions of objects, and in which there are no objects and nofqnctionings, I am not.

2. IfJ am none ofthese, then who am I?

After negating all of the above-mentioned as 'not this', 'not this', thatAwareness which alone remains, I am That.

3. What is the nature ofAwareness?

The nature of Awareness is existence-consciousness-bliss.

4. When will the realization ofthe Selfbe gained?

When the world, which is what-is-seen, has been removed there will berealization of the Self, which is the seer.

5. Will there not be realization ofthe Selfeven while the world is there (takenas real)?

There will not be.

6. Why?

The seer and the object seen are like the rope and the snake. Just as theknowledge of the rope which is the substrate will not arise unless the falseknowledge of the illusory serpent goes, so the realization of the Self whichis the substrate will not be gained unless the belief that the world is real isremoved.

The northern view of Arunachalajanuary 2006

The dai!y poor feeding under the 'Iluppai' tree

AccontntodationClean rooms are available to suit individuals, couples and famtlies. Each roomis provided with bed, bedding, table, chair and fan. Most rooms have attachedbathrooms. Hot water for bathing is available during winter.

South Indian-style vegetarian food is served in the Ashram dining hall:breald'ast, lunch, afternoon tea/milk, and dinner. Filtered drinking water(reverse osmosis) is available from specified taps.

Medical attention can be arranged when required.

Please note: Accommodation is limited. Devotees are requested to writeor email well in advance stating intended date of arrival, desired durationof stay, number of persons, etc. Prompt reply is assured.

Travel ConnectionsTiruvannamalai is about 200km southwest of Madras, l03km west ofPondicherry, and 200km southeast of Bangalore on National Highway 66. Itis well connected by road and lies on the Villupuram-Katpadi branch lineof Southern Railways. The Ashram is about 3km from the Tiruvannamalairailway and bus stations, 2 km south of the Main Temple.

ClimateGenerally hot and dry for most of the year. Light cotton clothing is advised.

April-May are the hottest months. Temperatures in the mid-forties(centigrade) are not uncommon.

By mid-June, while the rest of India enjoys the southwest monsoon, TamilNadu falls in the rain-shadow of the Western Ghats and only a few spillovershowers occur, though bringing a welcome drop in temperature.

The true rainy season (the northeast monsoon) for this pan of SouthIndia is Oct/Nov when the weather is wet and moderate.

Winter (Dec-Jan) is quite brief. It is pleasant during the day and a lightwoollen garment for the night and early mornings is adequate.

Contact lnfor1ttation:The President, Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai,Tamil Nadu 606 603, S. India.Tel: (91) (4175) 237292/237200 -Fax: (91) (4175) 237491Email - ashram@ramana-maharshi.orgWebsite - http://www.ramana-maharshi.org/

PresidentSri RaulanasramamSri Ralnanasraulam Post

Tiruvannamalai - 606 603South IndiaPhone: 91-9244937292/04175-237200email: ashraul@sriramanarnaharshi.orgWebsite: w-ww.sriralnanamaharshi.org

SRI RAM

Sri Ramanasramam seen from Arunachala

Ashrant Sites and Surrounding AreaBhagavan's Samadhi Shrine: Focus ofdaily pujas and venue ofcelebrations,chanting, meditation and gatherings duting special occasions. After SriBhagavan's mahanirvana his body was enshrined here. Open Daily 5am­12:30noon/2-9pm.

Mother's Shrine: Sri Bhagavan's mother's remains were interred herein May 1922. The temple complex was constructed between 1939-49.Open Daily 5:30am-12:30noon/3:30-8pm.

The Old Hall: Built in 1927-28, Bhagavan lived here more than twentyyears. It is maintained today as a place of meditation where devotees can sitdaily from 4am-12:30pm/2-9pm.

Nirvana Room: Here Sri Bhagavan spent his last days and attainedmahanirvana at 8:47pm on April 14, 1950.

Book Store: Available are Sri Ramana literature, including original works,biographies, commentaries, and reminiscences, in various languages. Alsophotographs, souvenirs, audio-tapes, videos, CD's and Mountain Path,the quarterly journal published by Sri Ramanasramam and circulatedworldwide. Open Daily: 7:30-11am/2:30-6:30pm.

Skandasramam: This lovely tree-shaded hermitage on the Hill overlookingthe Big Temple is where Bhagavan lived from 1916 to 1922; VirupakshaCave has the shape of the sacred "Om" and contains the samadhi of SageVirupaksha. Bhagavan Sri Ramana lived here from 1899 to 1916. Bothcaves are historical sites preserved and maintained by Sri Ramanasraman1for the benefit of visitors. Daily: 8am-4:00pm.*

Gosala: The Ashram dairy and cattle farm which provides wholesome dairyproducts for in-house needs.

Vedapatasala: Yajurveda school where students of the Vedas are trained intheir traditional vocation.

* Timings can vary according to season.

ANASRAMASri Ramana Centenary Library: 30,000 volumes in various languagesare available for Ashram guests. Open Daily 8:30-11am/2pm-5.

Dispensary: Free medical aid for the local population.

Arunachaleswar: This magnificent Siva temple at the heart ofTiruvannamalai has been home to a long line of saints, among themBhagavan himself who lived here upon his arrival at Arunachala.

Giripradakshina Path: The ancient practice of circumambulatingArunachala is performed by following a 14 lun circular path replete withnumerous shrines, temples and tirthams. Considering climate conditions,early mornings are best.

Daily Schedule6:45am: Milk Offering/Brkfast8am: VedaparayanalOam: Morning Puja11:30: Lunch4pm: Tea4pm: Group Reading (Tam)

4:30:5pm:6:15:6:30:7:30:9pm:

Group Reading (Eng)VedaparayanaEvening PujaTamil ParayanaEvening MealSamadhi Hall Closes

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Special EventsBhagavan's Jayanti: (Dec-Jan) The Maharshi's birthday, celebrated by a greatfamily gathering of devotees, elaborate pujas and special biksha, all inhomage to Bhagavan, as during his lifetime.

Ponga!: (Jan 13[h-l5'h) Harvest festival followed by Mattu Pongal, thefestival of cows.

Sri Vidya Havan: (Jan-Feb) A full-day homa (fire worship) to rededicatethe Meru-Chalua of Mother's Shrine.

Mahasivaratri: (Feb-Mar) This 'Night of Siva', Lord Siva manifested asArunachala on earth for the benefit of all humankind. Observed by an all­night vigil, pujas, recitation of mantras and circumamblJation of the Hill.

Bhagavan's Aradhana: (April-May) The anniversary of Sri Bhagavan'smahanirvana with special abhishekam and puja.

Mahapuja: (May-June) Observance of Bhagavan's mother's mahasamadhi.

Advent: (Sept 151) Annual celebration ofSri Bhagavan's arrival at Arunachala

on this day in 1896.

Navaratri: (Oct) Nine-day festival in adoration of Holy Mother. Each daythe beautifully decorated deiry depicts a different aspect of the DivineMother, culminating with a procession around the Ashram on Vijayadasami,the tenth day, marking the victory of light over darkness.

Kartikai Deepam: (Nov-Dec) This spectacular ten-day festival, witnessedby hundreds of thousands, is the glory ofArunachala. The gigantic templechariots are led in procession through the town streets. At sunset on thefinal day, the beacon atop Arunachala is lit and is visible for miles around,burning for 7 days or more.

Sri Chalua Puja: This powerful Devi puja is performed in the Mother'sShrine at 6pm-8:30 each Friday evening, as well as on full moon days andthe first day of each month, according to the Tamil calendar.