On Saturday afternoon ,I reached Tiruvannamalai after travelling for more than 5 hours on a bus from Bangalore.it was a typical town with a some level of modernity ,garbage and people.As soon as I got down I looked around to find a place to stay and I walked into a lodge which I found closer .Shops were closed due to Diwali and I thought it might not be easy to find a place to eat.
As soon as I got into a room and I was promised by the lodge guy that he will arrange some food for me.I got into the bed and scanned through some tv channels.After having some food ,I started walking towards the great Arunachaleswarar Temple.I really had a surreal experiance when I started looking closely at the one of towers or "Gopurams" .Tall structures always fascinated me and I always liked to look at the upper tip from the ground.After having darshan at the temple and I started slowly towards Shri Ramana Maharshi's Ashram.
Ramana's Maharshi's ashram is a peaceful place and remains unpolluted even after his samadhi in 1950.I always felt enthralled by the picture of Ramana Maharshi with a similing face.That smile has got lot of depth and peace built into that.After that I started walking and I thought that I should make a earnest attempt to one round of the "Auranchala hill".It requires lot of commitment since it is 14 kms.I wasnt sure when I started and I thought I "may" make it.
I reached one intersection and I read a board which advised to take a right turn.I slowly gained pace and started walking fast .On the way I could see lot of saffron clad sadhus ,some of them started begging money as soon as they saw a unfamiliar face.I assumed it is familar place and started walking like a machine.Trees and gentle breeze gave me lot of energy ,but couple of times I took essential tea break.
Finally nearly after 3 hours I completed the entire 14 km strectch.After having dinner I quickly bumped myself into the bed.But I couldnt sleep well ....Oh my god mosquitoes.
Next morning I again went to the temple and took some snaps and spend some time there enjoying the peace.One of my friend over phone advised me to go to a hill top ashram where Ramana Maharshi spent some initial time.When I started walking towards that ,I assumed that I really underestimated the route ,it is steep and it is over 1.5 kms.When I reached the top I saw the wonderful view of the temple ,but it is really small !!!.I spend some time at ashram and came down.
On my return journey when I looked back ,in the last 24 hours I walked around 20 kms all alone without making much social interactions.
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