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Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai

Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai

Sri Ramanasramam was home to Sri Ramana Maharshi, a master of Advaita Vedanta (a school of Hindu Philosophy). He stayed in the Ashram from 1922 until his death in 1950. The Ashram is located at the foot of Arunachala hill in Tiruvannamalai District.

Image Attribution : Vyacheslav Argenberg

The Ramanasramam

  • The Ashram has a huge courtyard bounded by shady trees. To the left, stands two towers built in the traditional Dravidian style of architecture. One of these towers leads to the Matrubhuteswara Shrine and the other tower over the New Hall.
  • The New Hall was used by Sri Maharshi for a few months leading to his Mahanirvana. The hall has a life-sized statue of Sri Maharshi and a large couch that was used by him. This hall was built to accommodate the increasing number of devotees. The hall is open everyday from 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
  • Towards the west of the New Hall is the Matrubhuteswara Shrine. The impressive shrine was constructed under the supervision of the famous temple sculptor, Vaidyanath Stapati. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses a Shiva Linga and a Sri Chakra Meru consecrated by Sri Maharshi, with Nandi facing the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. The outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum are the sculpted images of Dakshinamurthi, Lingodbhava Murthi, Lord Vishnu and his consort Goddess Lakshmi. The temple also has little shrines of Lord Ganesha and Lord Murugan. The Navagrahas and Chandikeswara shrine find their place on the northern side. The temple is open everyday from 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
  • Through the northern wall of the temple, one reaches the Samadhi Hall. This hall consists of a raised platform or Mandapam with a tower above it. The Mandapam has a Shiva Linga installed in it and is surrounded by a large marble-floored meditation hall. This hall is open everyday from 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
  • A door on the north side of the Samadhi Hall leads to the Old Hall. Sri Maharshi spent almost all his time here until about a year before his passing. The hall is open from 4:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
  • To the north of this hall is a large open area with some shady trees, a flower garden, a large dining kitchen block to the east, a dispensary on the west and a path leading to Skandasramam on the Arunachala Hill.
  • To the east of the New Hall is the small Nirvana Room. This is the room where Maharshi spent his last days.
  • Guest rooms are available in and outside the Ashram.
  • A dispensary providing free medical aid for the ashram inmates and local people is found within the Ashram.
  • Sri Ramana Library has Sri Ramana literary works, photographs, souvenirs, audio-tapes and videos. An extensive collection of books on spirituality is also available in many languages.

How to reach Ramanasramam

The town of Tiruvannamalai is connected to various cities in Tamil Nadu through roadways. It is located on the Villupuram-Katpadi branch line. The Ashram is at a distance of 3 kilometres from Tiruvannamalai Railway Station. The nearest airport is at Chennai (around 175 kilometres away).