Enhancing Nervous System Harmony-2

I visited Tiruvannamalai for the first time in 2023. In 2024, I made two trips to Tiruvannamalai with my mother.  Sri Ujwal Jagadeesh, senior faculty and artiste at the Ramana Maharshi Center for Learning (RMCL) accompanied us on our Tiruvannamalai explorations. 

Tiruvannamalai trips tops the list of places where I naturally get calm and peace. Ten reasons why my Tiruvannamalai trips have been peaceful are:

1) Rhythm  of going to ashram and specific places in Ramanasramam regardless of other activities in Tiruvannamalai
2) Quiet of the meditation hall
3) Listening to Ramanasramam Tamil Parayana chanting
4) Long walk (girivalam)
5) Visiting temples
6) Exploring small pieces of dance on walk with Ujwal anna
7) Digital detox
8) No pressure to perform anything
9) Calming environment
10) An experienced guide Ujwal anna) to take us through the experience smoothly



Trip 1 (March 17-19, 2023)
I went to Tiruvannamalai for the first time in March 2023. I went with my uncle, aunt, and their family. We ate at an Adyar Ananda Bhavan near Krishnagiri. We all went around the Arunachala hill (Girivalam) when we reached Tiruvannamalai. Girivalam is a 14km walk. That was the first day of the trip. On the second day of the trip, I visited Ramanasramam. Then, I also visited Skandashram and Virupaksha cave on that trip. I completed the full Girivalam on the first day. Then, I went to Skandashram the next day. During the first trip, I could not spend much time at Ramanasramam. I also attended a musical concert in Tiruvannamalai on that trip.


Trip 2 (February 8-10, 2024)
When I went on my second Tiruvannamalai trip in February 2024, I stayed in a hotel called Ramana Towers. I was within walking distance of Ramanasramam, so I was able to go to the ashram very easily. I also discovered that one of the lingams in Tiruvanamalai was called Ishanya lingam. When I discovered that lingam, I was very excited because my nephew’s name is Ishaan. I always want to stop in Ishanya Lingam everytime I go to Tiruvannamalai.

Ramanasramam Experience
Many devotees visit Ramanasramam daily. Poojas and veda chanting are done in front of Ramana Shrine. The evening Tamil Parayana is also done here. Devotees also go to the old hall for meditation.
During one of the visits to Ramanasramam, I learned about the Tamil Parayana. I was in the old hall in Ramanasramam and listened to the Tamil Parayana from there. I discovered that the Tamil Parayanas calmed me down. I was surprised that there were no thoughts in my head while I was listening to the Parayana.  Listening to Tamil parayana has been a part of my daily routine since this trip.

Trip 3 (March 28-30, 2024)
On my third trip to Tiruvannamalai, I visited Sri Ramanashramam in my first day.  I visited places in Tirukoilur the next day. I was excited to visit Atulya Nadheswarar temple because one of my cousin’s names was Atul. As you may have guessed by now, I enjoy seeing familiar names on my travels. That same day, when I was continuing the girivalam, I came across another place called Sri Gowthama Maharshi Temple.  I got excited because that was another familiar name, as one of my coding mentor’s names is Gowtham.


Travel Then and Now

If you have read my earlier posts on SpecialSaathi, you know that tranquil was not a word that described my adventures.  While my mother and I cannot make up exciting plays from Tranquil in Tiruvannamalai as we did with our earlier explorations, I am enjoying calmer experiences now!

30th Floor, 30th Floor
https://specialsaathi.com/2022/11/05/30th-floor-30th-floor/

Wailing in Washington: An Educational Tour Gone Awry
https://specialsaathi.com/2022/11/12/wailing-in-washington-an-educational-tour-gone-awry/

Cranky in Kennedy Space Center
https://specialsaathi.com/2022/11/26/cranky-in-kennedy-space-center-another-educational-tour/

Tantrums at Twilight
https://specialsaathi.com/2023/03/04/tantrums-at-twilight/

Daily Rhythms and Nervous System Harmony

My Tiruvannamalai trips had an important impact on my life.  Many ingredients of my daily rhythms were discovered during these trips.  Most importantly, experiencing the calm of Tiruvannamalai and Ramanasramam helped me relax and recharge and get back to daily activities with more energy and enthusiasm.

Author Ananth Raghunandan
Ananth is a 26 year old Bharatanatyam dancer and a Theater Arts for Holistic Development (TAHD) student ambassador.