Alluring Auroville & transcendental Tiruvannamalai 

Auroville: The City of Dawn 

After experiencing the grandeur of Mamallapuram and the serene charm of Pondicherry, I moved to  Auroville, located 26 km from Puducherry. Known as the City of Dawn, Auroville was founded in 1968  by Mirra Alfassa (The Mother), inspired by the vision of Sri Aurobindo. Designed as a universal town,  Auroville aims to be a place where people from all nations live in peace and harmony, transcending  the boundaries of creed, politics, and nationality. It belongs to humanity as a whole, serving as a hub  for the elevation of divine consciousness. 

Governed by a council representing 26 international countries, Auroville functions independently of  Indian government laws. The township is divided into four distinct zones: 

• Residential Zone 
• Industrial Zone 
• Cultural Zone 
• International Zone 

Surrounding these zones is the Green Belt, an environmental research and resource area featuring  farms, forests, a botanical garden, a water catchment system, and sustainable communities. At the heart of Auroville lies the Matri-mandir, a massive golden-domed structure powered by solar  energy, designed for deep meditation. The interior chamber, divided into eight sections (N, S, E, W, NE,  NW, SE, SW), is symbolically empowered by the four Hindu goddesses—Durga, Kali, Saraswati, and  Lakshmi. Walking inside, I was mesmerized by the spiral staircase leading to the inner sanctum,  reminiscent of a celestial ascent. A beam of solar light, entering through an aperture at the dome’s  peak, falls upon a large German crystal, radiating a soft bluish glow across the vast, silent chamber. The  atmosphere exuded peace, tranquillity, and divinity. 

During my two-day stay in a French homestay, I explored Auroville on a bicycle, immersing myself in  its aesthetic, creative, and sustainable culture. My experiences included: 

• Meditating in the Matri-mandir 
• Engaging in hands-on organic farming, textile dyeing, pottery, and coconut plucking • Assisting in arranging books at the local library 

Auroville was a profound spiritual experience where I truly felt “oneness with all and oneness with the  divine.” 

Tiruvannamalai: The Sacred Fire Mountain 

Invited by Mataji from Coimbatore to visit her ashram in Tiruvannamalai, I had no idea that this town  would become a cherished part of my spiritual journey in South India (Puducherry – Auroville – Tiruvannamalai). 

At the heart of Tiruvannamalai is Arunachala, a mountain deeply revered in Hindu mythology. Legend  tells of a cosmic debate between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu over who was the most powerful. As  their argument escalated, a colossal pillar of fire appeared, stretching from the depths of the earth to  infinity. Both deities embarked on separate quests—Brahma ascending and Vishnu descending—to  locate its origin and end, but neither succeeded. In an act of deception, Brahma convinced a night  lotus (Brahma Kamal) to vouch that he had discovered the source. When they reconvened, Vishnu  admitted defeat, while Brahma falsely claimed victory.

At that moment, the pillar of fire transformed into Lord Shiva, furious at Brahma’s dishonesty. As  punishment, Shiva severed one of Brahma’s five heads. The fiery pillar then solidified into Arunachala  Mountain, known as the “Kailash of the South”, symbolizing the fire element of the five great elements  (Pancha Bhutas). 

Upon entering the Arunachaleswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati, I immediately felt  the intensity of the Agni (fire) element. While it was cool outside, the temple’s sanctum radiated an  intense heat, causing me to break into a sweat. 

Guru Purnima: A Night of Divine Energy 

Fortune smiled upon me, as my visit coincided with Guru Purnima, a night of spiritual significance.  Thousands of devotees from across the world gathered to perform “Girivalam”—a 14 km barefoot  circumambulation (parikrama) around Arunachala. 

At 9 PM, I embarked on my spiritual journey. The ring road around the mountain was illuminated like  Diwali, lined with small temples, food stalls, and vendors. Devotees chanted prayers as they walked,  creating an electrifying spiritual atmosphere. After four hours of steady walking, I completed the  parikrama at 1 AM, feeling an overwhelming divine energy engulf the entire town. 

Atop the mountain, chosen devotees lit a massive cauldron of ghee, an eternal flame symbolizing the  mountain’s fiery essence. This Deepam (sacred lamp) burns so brightly that it can be seen from distant  villages, serving as a reminder of Arunachala’s divine presence. 

Ramana Maharishi’s Ashram: The Path of Self-Realization 

The next morning, I visited the Ramana Maharishi Ashram, home to one of India’s greatest spiritual  teachers. Born on December 30, 1879, Ramana Maharishi devoted his life to self-realization through  surrender to the higher self. 

As a young ascetic, he meditated for 16 years in the Virupaksha Cave on Arunachala Hill, confronting  the fear of death and attaining spiritual enlightenment. His devotees revere him as an incarnation of  Shiva, and his teachings continue to inspire seekers worldwide. 

Honoured as a spiritual speaker (Yogacharya) at the International Yoga Festival, I was granted  accommodation at the ashram. The serene environment, filled with devotion and disciplined  sadhanas, was profoundly moving. The ashram houses a beautiful temple, a library, and a bookshop,  offering free meals to all visitors. Peacocks freely roamed the premises, adding to the tranquility of the  sacred space. 

From the ashram’s back gate, I began my trek up Arunachala Hill, surrounded by lush forests teeming  with monkeys, wild boars, peacocks, and exotic birds. As I ascended, the breathtaking panoramic view  of the city unfolded before me. 

At the summit, I reached the Virupaksha Cave, a place imbued with powerful cosmic energy. This  sacred cave, once home to Ramana Maharishi, is a living testament to the transformative power of  meditation and spiritual pursuit. My meditation experience here was deeply profound, forging an  unbreakable connection between my soul, the mountain, and the divine presence of Maharishi. 

Since that moment, Tiruvannamalai has become my annual pilgrimage, drawing me back each year to  Pondicherry, Auroville, and Arunachala—a sacred circuit that continues to inspire my spiritual journey.