Why girivalam on pournami in 2024? In the olden days when there was no electricity, and the hill was surrounded by forest, the heat of the sun is too much to bear, it is preferred to have Girivalam on the full moon day as the moon light is the longest in a month. It is also ideal time as the salt water (blood) in the brain has an effect to have undisturbed devotion on that full moon day, it was preferred. Many people come on that day and on special days to thank for the boons received and to request their desires fulfilled by the all-mighty Lord Shiva.
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Why girivalam on pournami in 2024?
Why girivalam on pournami in 2024? Meanwhile, some people also thought that Girivalam is done through belief system. It depends on your belief. There is nothing specific about a day and all this full moon day girivalam is not there in Tiruvannamalai before 1990.
On the other hand, some people believe that the Moon is said to influence the human body’s water, namely blood. Sea tides daily and on the new and full moon days prove this. We can conserve our life energy during these days and utilize it through Puja or Girivalam, or meditation, thereby purifying our mind and blood. Avoidance of sex or other wasting of energy but fasting or reduced intake are suggested on these days.
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Can we perform “Girivalam” on normal days in Thiruvannamalai?
Why girivalam on pournami in 2024? Arunachalam itself is considered as a Lingam. (The only place where you could see Shiva in a physical form). As you go to temple and do pradikshna everyday you could go for girivalam all days.
Ramana Maharshi says you should only walk through the left side of the path so that you won’t disturb those saints in the mountain.
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What is Girivalam in Tiruvannamalai?
Why girivalam on pournami in 2024? Girivalam is performed by Shiva devotees from all over the world. There is this particular hill in Tiruvannamalai and 9 temples(including the Arunachaleshwarar temple) surround it. This little journey is done by foot by most people (although it can be done by car also, and yes, the roads are wide and beautiful with less traffic).
Each temple is spaced 1.5 km from the other and towards the left side on an elliptical road called the “Girivalam road”. As you see in the photo below, in the center is the Arunachalam Hill, and the 9 temples are around it.
Why is the new moon day celebrated as the full moon day in the village of Thirukkadaiyur in Tamil Nadu? What’s the story of goddess Abhirami?
There is a temple in Thirukadaiyur village in Tamil Nadu known as Amrighateswara Abhirami temple.
(Abhrami means the one who is beautiful in every moment of time .)
Why girivalam on pournami in 2024? So the day of mouni amavasya ( new moon ) is celebrated as Purnima (full moon) day is that Once there was a great devotee of the Divine Mother Abhirami known as Priest Subramaniya Iyer; he was a very dedicated devotee who loved praising Mother. The villagers called him crazy and mad, but some of them knew that he was a great devotee and respected him.
There was a king of that village who heard about Subramaniya being there in the temple for many long times, and he heard some of the villagers calling him mad and crazy and some calling him great.
The king got confused and wanted to test Subramaniya Iyer so he went to the temple where Subramaniya was praying to the goddess and praising her beauty, his full concentration was on the beauty of the divine mother Abhirami, the King asked Subramaniya about the thithi of that day to test whether he has knowledge or not, poor Subramaniyan in praising the goddess didn’t took the question asked by the king seriously and said it was Purnima ( the day of full moon) when in reality it was Amavasya ( the day of the new moon ), the king said if the full moon won’t show up it the sky at night he would order a death sentence for the pandit, Subramaniya later realized his mistake that it was a new moon day and not full moon day got sacred but had the trust on the Devi.
Why girivalam on pournami in 2024? He stared at a yagya praying to the fire as if she was the goddess herself; he was standing at the top of the yagya Kunda praying to the goddess with the stotras.
His body was burning by the heat of the yagya but his trust didn’t shake from the goddess, the whole village was present at the place where Subramaniya was supposed to be given the death sentence the king stood the waiting to prove the priest wrong. When 71 shlokas were completed, a goddess appeared in front of him.
Why girivalam on pournami in 2024? To save the pride and life of her devotee the merciful devi Parvati put one of her earrings up in the night sky and the earring of the divine mother took the form of the moon and shined as bright as the Moon of the 🌕 full moon, appearing as a moon, the whole village was praying to the miracle of the divine mother, flourished with overwhelming joy and happiness Subramanian sang other 21 shlokas for the divine mother. And his life was saved by the kindness of the goddess Abhirami. This is also celebrated as the full moon day known as Abhirami Purnima.
HER DEVOTEES NEVER FAIL, she is Maa and mother would never let her child down , all she needs is the pure love and honesty in the devotion of the devotees, we all are her children, and she would change the entire world for you.
What are some of the good accommodation options in Tiruvannamalai?
New places for accommodation
1. Vedha residency
2. Shiva residency
3. Apartments on the way to Yogi Ram Surat Kumar Ashram aka Visri Samiyar Ashram.
Ashram of Ramana Maharshi in Tiruvannamalai
The experience of visiting the Ashram of Ramana Maharshi in Tiruvannamalai may only be described as sublime. The surroundings are peaceful with old trees inside the ashram and the sacred Arunachala hill at the rear. The presence of animals like monkeys, cats, dogs, and peacocks adds to the beauty of the place.
There is a profound stillness and silence that prevails all over the ashram. This stillness is more profoundly felt in the Samadhi temple and the Matribhuteswara temple adjoining it.
I personally felt a very powerful yet peaceful energy in the Samadhi temple and experienced moments of deep Self-absorption and nourishing spiritual inspiration.
When I walked up Arunachala Hill, my mind remained in a state of absorption. Occasionally, I would burst out in song amidst the rocks and trees.
I experienced deep meditation at Skandashram and Virupaksha Cave, though Virupaksha Cave can get uncomfortably hot and suffocating at times. The stillness, however, is astounding.
The kitchen is very organized and well-maintained. The food is simple, succulent South Indian fare that is filling and nourishing.
The accommodation provided by the ashram is excellent. The rooms are spacious, airy, and spotlessly clean.
There has been a notable increase in traditional Tamil rituals, which I don’t approve of. I feel it goes against the spirit of Ramana’s teaching and will eventually turn the ashram into just another Hindu temple, which was never Ramana’s intention. I also disliked the authoritarian mannerisms of some of the administrators, such as the Japanese lady in the kitchen, who has a very stern attitude bordering on arrogance, which is again contradictory to the spirit of Ramana’s teaching.
The ashram president was an old, sweet man. A thorough gentleman and kind to the core.
That, in a nutshell, is my experience of visiting Bhawan Ramana’s ashram in Tiruvannamalai.