Skandashram

The main focus for foreigners in Thiruvannamalai is on  Sri Ramanashramam. It is due to the fact that Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharishi, who lived here during the period 1879 - 1950. Skandashramam, is up the hill, Arunachala which is one of the cave where Sri Ramanar lived and taught his devotees during the period 1915 to 1922.

We were really excited to go up the hill and started in the early morning before it was too hot. We started from Ramanashram. There is a gate in the backside of ashram to go up the hill. This gate will be opened every day in the morning from 6AM - 12 PM and then in the evening 3PM to 6PM.

 gate to skandashram -  Ramanashramam backside

 Starting point heading towards Skandashram. It is a stone path but it is nicely carved and easy to climb. 

 

View along the side was so beautiful. We did feel the silence. It is really a very good place to meditate. On our way we were able to see lot of foreigners walked up by chaunting 'Om Namasivayah'. It was nice to see them saying our manthira.

up the hill, walking towards ashram

walking, walking, and walking ....

Nearing top of the hill. City view taken from the top of the hill 

Navagopuram view

After sometime we reached a place where we were able to see Navagopuram of Annamalai temple. It was really amazing to see from the top of the hill. We relaxed here for a while and started to skandashram and finally we reached there.

stepping into skandashram

Skandashram entrance

skandashram

A devote coming out of ashram

Inner view of ashram

As we were not pretty sure whether photography is allowed inside or not. did not take a photo inside the ashram.This is where Bhagwan Sri Ramanar lived and meditated. We went inside and meditated for a while. Our mind calm down quickly here and more over the thoughts will be overcome by the complete silence. It is really an ideal place to meditate.