Present Day
Accommodation
Clean rooms are available to suit individuals, couples and families. Each room is provided with bed, bedding, table, chair and fan. Most rooms have attached bathrooms. Hot water for bathing is available during winter.
South Indian-style vegetarian food is served in the Ashram dining hall: breakfast, 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 write or email well in advance stating intended date of arrival, desired duration of stay, number of persons, etc. Prompt reply is assured.
Travel Connections
Tiruvannamalai is about 200km southwest of Madras, 103km west of Pondicherry, and 200km southeast of Bangalore on National Highway 66. It is well connected by road and lies on the Villipuram-Katpadi branch line of Southern Railways. The Ashram is about 3km from the Tiruvannamalai railway and bus stations, 2 km south of the Main Temple.
Climate
Generally 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, Tamil Nadu falls in the rain-shadow of the Western Ghats and only a few spillover showers occur, though bring a welcome drop in temperature.
The true rainy season (the northeast monsoon) for this part of South India is Oct/Nov when the weather is wet and moderate.
Winter (Dec-Jan) is quite brief. It is pleasant during the day and a light woolen garment for the night and early mornings is adequate.
Contact Information:
The President, Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai,
Tamil Nadu 606 603, S. India.
Tel: (91) (4175) 237292 / 237200 —Fax: (91) (4175) 237491
Email – ashram@sriramanamaharshi.org
Website – http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/
Ashram Sites and Surrounding Area
Bhagavan’s Samadhi Shrine: Focus of daily pujas and venue of celebrations, chanting, meditation and gatherings during special occasions. After Sri Bhagavan’s mahanirvana his body was enshrined here. Open Daily 5am-12:30noon/2-9pm.
Mother’s Shrine:Sri Bhagavan’s mother’s remains were interred here in 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 twenty years. It is maintained today as a place of meditation where devotees can sit daily from 4am-12:30pm/2-9pm.
Nirvana Room:Here Sri Bhagavan spent his last days and attained mahanirvana at 8:47pm on April 14, 1950.
Book Store: Available are Sri Ramana literature, including original works, biographies, commentaries, and reminiscences, in various languages. Also photographs, souvenirs, audio-tapes, videos, CD’s and The Mountain Path, the quarterly journal published by Sri Ramanasramam and circulated worldwide. Open Daily: 7:30-11am/2:30-6:30pm.
Skandasramam:This lovely tree-shaded hermitage on the Hill overlooking the Big Temple is where Bhagavan lived from 1916 to 1922; Virupaksha Cavehas the shape of the sacred “Om” and contains the samadhi of Sage Virupaksha. Bhagavan Sri Ramana lived here from 1899 to 1916. Both caves are historical sites preserved and maintained by Sri Ramanasramam for the benefit of visitors. Daily: 8am-4:00pm.*
Gosala: The Ashram dairy and cattle farm which provides wholesome dairy products for in-house needs.
Vedapatasala:Yajurveda school where students of the Vedas are trained in their traditional vocation.
Sri Ramana Centenary Library: 30,000 volumes in various languages are 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 of Tiruvannamalai has been home to a long line of saints, among them Bhagavan himself who lived here upon his arrival at Arunachala.
Giripradakshina Path:The ancient practice of circumambulating Arunachala is performed by following a 14 km circular path replete with numerous shrines, temples and tirthams. Considering climate conditions, early mornings are best.