Ramana Maharishi Ashram
As you enter the Ramana
Maharishi Ashram, you will be greeted by a calm and serene environment. A
large open courtyard, bordered by shady trees and beautifully manicured
gardens, give this ashram the tranquility that all of us aspire for. You
will immediately feel a soothing stillness and harmony inside you.
Ramana Maharishi
Ramana Maharishi was born as Venkataraman in Tiruchuli village of Tamil
Nadu, on 30th December 1879. An average child, he heard the name of
Tiruvannamalai from an elderly relative and was deeply attracted towards it.
Then, he came across a copy of Sekkilar's Periyapuranam, related to the
lives of the Saiva saints. Soon after, he developed a desire to renounce the
world and move on the path of spirituality. Thus began his life as one of
the greatest sages of India, Sri Ramana Maharishi.
Sri Ramana Maharishi Ashram, Tiruvannamalai
After renouncing the world, Sri Ramana Maharishi started living in a cave on
the Arunachala Mountain, in Tiruvannamalai. As his devotes grew, the cave
became too small and he moved to Skandasramam, a little higher up the
mountainside. Soon, his mother also renounced the world and came to join
him. In the year 1922, she achieved salvation and she was buried at the foot
of the mountain. Ramana Maharishi started visiting the burial place
regularly and one day, he decided to stay there permanently. Later, Sri
Niranjanananda Swami, his younger brother, started the construction of Sri
Ramanasramam at the place.
Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharishi
-
A guru need not be in
the human form only. Guru makes you realize that God is within you.
-
Complete surrender,
either to self or to God, leads to jnana or liberation.
-
Free will and destiny
exist forever.
-
In order to be truly
happy, one must known oneself.
-
Mind is the source of
ego. Only when the heart takes over the mind can one attain the Self, the
real, the eternal.
-
Renunciation is not a
precondition for achieving liberation.
-
Self-realization is
nothing but being oneself.
-
The only reality in
the world is consciousness.
How to Reach Ramana
Maharishi Ashram, India
By Air
The nearest airport is at Chennai (Madras), at a distance of approximately
250 km.
By Rail
Sri Ramana Ashram falls on the Villupuram-Katpadi branch line of the
Southern Railway. However, it has no direct trains to Chennai.
By Road
There are direct bus services between Chennai and Tiruvannamalai. From
there, one can take a taxi or auto rickshaw to Ramana Ashram. |