Arunachala Hill

OM Namah Shivaya! This is where HE showed up as the infinite pillar of light!!

Started around 7.30am, with adequate break (2-3min relax) for every 15 minutes, reached top (deepam place) around 10.30am. In the path, everyone asks, how much time it will take to reach deepam place(top).. I just encouraged them "you're very close" just go for it.. And, it was rainy time, faced little difficulty while returning back to ground, be slow &careful. Can't explain the feelings (blessing) unless you see it..

If you make it to the top, you’ll understand why they say you can get enlightened. Probably hardest trek ever made but I’m no expert. About 5hrs to climb up and down, 600mt of difference in altitude in only 1km path, you almost climb bare hands in certain passages and of course you must be barefoot. Bring with you water and be ready, not like me. Safe journey. Om nama shiva 🕉️ boom

🌿🌼🙏Arunachalam hill is not an ordinary hill. Lord Shiva is in gross form. He is a hill. There is a Shivalinga in the temple. It is said that Arunachalam is still there as Dakshinamurti on the hill. There is an etiquette in science while circumambulating Arunachala Giri. If someone's leg or finger is cut while performing circumambulation, no one else has the power to stop the flow of blood. Swear that Sri Mahalakshmi will actually come and tie her silk saree. Skandapurana says so. So Arunachalam is Arunachalam. Achalamu means one who does not move. That which is immovable is knowledge. The Supreme Lord who is always in Himself is present. Aruna means red. Compassionate. Amma is of unfathomable mercy. Amma Ayya met Arunachalam hill. Every house should have an idol of Lord Rama. Everyone should go to Tiruvannamalai. All should circumambulate the giri. We should tell our children about such a great man. It is good to keep the book of Surinagamma letters at home. The book is in easy style. If you read what Ramana said in that book, it will be like you are in Ramanashrama. We will get the grace of Rama

Worth a visit ... don't get surprised if you see foreign citizens wandering in the jungles in search of inner peace...

This word Girivalam is the origin of the tamil word giri meaning hill and valam means coming around. Hence coming around the hill is called as Girivalam in Tamil.
To come one full round (Girivalam) the road round the hill, it is around 14 kilometres. And people both young and old religiously go round on the full moon day. It is said to bring in abundant peace or calmness for the mental well being and also refreshing for the physical fitness. This abode of Arunachaleswarar, the Annamalai hills at Tiruvannamalai has varied interpretations over the years. It is believed this hills took different forms at different period of time and age. During the Kirthayugam it was in the form of fire.
The next Threthayugam it took the form of emerald, known as manikkam in Tamil. In the course of Dweparayugam it existed in the form of gold. Now in Kaliyuagam it has taken the state of rocky hill.
Asthalingam in Girivalam Path At Arunachaleswarar temple there are eight lingams known as Ashtalingam. They are positioned at different locations and facing various directions. Each lingam signifying different directions of the earth. These lingams are named as Indralingam, Agnilingam, Yamalingam, Niruthilingam, Varunalingam, Vayulingam, Kuberalingam and Esanyalingam.
Each lingam addresses different aspects of man’s life and they bless the devotees with different types of benefits. It is believed to be installed by various gods. Also these lingams have a dominant navagraha and praying to each lingam brings forth various benefits that is being bestowed by that navagraha on the devotees who prays to that particular lingam to achieve the desired results.

For trekking Hill top it will require minimum of 3-4 hours.. For getting down 3 hours require.. so try to plan in the early hours.. Specially in summer season.. trekking will start from ramana maharsi asramam.. please carry minimum 3 litters of water... Some arrow marks are there to identify the route..so no need to worry..try to go with friends.. please carry one stick along with you.. Real trekking(difficult)will start after crossing skanda asramam.. From there it is very difficult to climbe hill.. Most of the people won't wear any chappal Or shoes.. If you are unable to climb with bare foot then please wear saks.. while getting down please be careful.. because while getting down it is very difficult to control body movement... be careful.... have a nice trekk

Saran Dashnamoorthy is India’s most appreciated Mount Arunachala and Tiruvannamalai photographer, for the purity and striking beauty that he captures each moment with. One can feel the simple grandeur and transcendent qualities in each photograph. With his photos, he is communicating a far deeper story and offering the viewer an insight into the vast and holy land of Tiruvannamalai.
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Saran was born at the feet of Mount Arunachala and grew up playing on the mountain as his backyard. It was the first and last thing he saw each day. As a child, he explored the terrains of the mountain and became deeply acquainted with the magnificence and silence which was constantly emanating from Arunachala. This itself has been a big inspiration for Saran and has made a lasting impact on his heart.
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As a young man, he met a saint on top of Arunachala where he spent much of his time. While in the company of this saint Saran had profound spiritual moments and openings and realized that this was no ordinary hill. From then on, he always felt a great pull to be on the mountain. The beauty which he experienced up there pulled him into involvement in a life of photography.
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Once a filmmaker came to Tiruvannamalai and as a young adult, Saran showed him around. This filmmaker taught him many things, and while guiding him Saran noticed many things were constantly changing in the landscapes and nature, which greater sparked his involvement in capturing and sharing the visual arts.
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Arunachala is believed to be Lord Shiva himself who is the Hindu god for the destroyer of ignorance. It is believed that Arunachala can bring people to peace instantly by taking them deeply into silence, and helps them to sink into the heart. Year after year, seekers from all over the world come to Tiruvannamalai searching for the peace of the mountain within themselves. Saran is a freelance photographer, videographer, and guide who wants to share life through his lens, his experience, and the Tiruvannamalai which he has grown up loving.
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