Sri Ramana Ashram / Sri Ramanasramam

Sri Ramana Ashram / Sri Ramanasramam

Location

63F4+GMH, Chengam Road, NH 66, Thamarai Nagar, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu 606603, India

Facilities

Languages

English, Tamil

Philosophers

Ramana Maharshi

Introduction

Sri Ramanasramam, located in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, is a spiritual center founded by the revered sage Ramana Maharshi. Situated at the base of the sacred Arunachala mountain, which is highly revered for its spiritual power, this ashram serves as a sanctuary for those seeking self-realization and inner peace. It is where Ramana Maharshi lived for 55 years until his death in 1950. Sri Ramanasramam attracts a diverse array of spiritual seekers from around the world, all drawn to the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and the transformative energy of Arunachala. The ashram provides comfortable accommodations and wholesome South Indian cuisine, creating a supportive environment for meditation and reflection. Visitors are free to engage in the ashram’s activities and resources as they wish, fostering a personalized journey toward self-knowledge.

A Typical Day

Morning:

Chanting and Milk Offering (6:45 AM – 7:00 AM): Participate in the devotional chanting and the ceremonial offering of milk to Bhagavan in the Samadhi Hall, setting a peaceful tone for the day.
Breakfast (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM): Enjoy a wholesome vegetarian breakfast in the Dining Hall, fostering a sense of community among guests and invitees.
Vedic Chanting (8:00 AM – 9:00 AM): Join the chanting of the Vedas in front of Bhagavan’s Shrine, immersing yourself in the sacred vibrations of these ancient texts.
Puja (9:00 AM – 9:45 AM): Attend the puja (worship) at Bhagavan’s Shrine, followed by a similar ceremony at Mother’s Shrine, experiencing the traditional rituals and spiritual atmosphere.
Narayana Seva (9:45 AM – 10:30 AM): Participate in the Narayana Seva, a service of feeding the sadhus (holy men), embodying the spirit of selfless service.

Afternoon:

Lunch (11:30 AM – 12:30 PM): Savor a nutritious vegetarian meal in the Dining Hall, providing nourishment for body and spirit.
Quiet Reflection (12:30 PM – 2:00 PM): During this time, the Mother’s Shrine and Samadhi Hall are closed, offering a perfect opportunity for personal meditation and reflection in the serene ashram surroundings.
Tea or Hot Milk (4:00 PM – 4:30 PM): Enjoy a refreshing break with tea or hot milk served in the Dining Hall, fostering informal conversations and relaxation.
Scripture Reading (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM): Engage in spiritual readings, starting with a Tamil reading session in the Reading Hall followed by an English reading, deepening your understanding of spiritual texts.

Evening:

Vedic Chanting and Puja (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Return to Bhagavan’s Shrine for the evening chanting of the Vedas, followed by puja at both Bhagavan’s Shrine and Mother’s Shrine, enriching your spiritual practice.
Tamil Parayana (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM): Join the Tamil Parayana (chanting of Tamil hymns) from Monday to Saturday, immersing in the devotional music that elevates the spirit.
Dinner (7:00 PM – 8:00 PM): Enjoy a simple yet delicious vegetarian dinner in the Dining Hall, sharing the evening meal with other guests.

Facilities

The New Hall: Features a life-sized statue of Sri Ramana Maharshi and a large yogasana (couch) made from a single stone, built to accommodate the growing number of devotees.
Matrubhuteswara Temple: Contains a sacred Siva Linga and a Sri Chakra Meru sanctified by Sri Maharshi, with special pujas conducted on Fridays, full moon days, and the first day of each solar month.
Sri Maharshi’s Samadhi: A shrine built over Sri Maharshi’s tomb, consisting of a mantap with a vimana (tower) and a sacred Siva Linga on a white marble lotus, surrounded by a marble-floored meditation hall.
The Old Hall: A historic meditation spot where Sri Maharshi spent most of his time and gave darshan, remaining a favorite place for meditation.
The Dining Hall: Can accommodate nearly 800 people, with facilities to serve meals for up to 3,000 on special occasions, featuring a photograph marking Sri Maharshi’s usual place during meals.
Gosala: The ashram’s dairy and cattle farm, providing wholesome dairy products for in-house needs.
Vedapatasala: A Yajurveda school where students are trained in traditional Vedic chanting and practices.
The Nirvana Room: The room where Sri Maharshi spent his last days, kept as it was during his time, located near the shrine of Sri Niranjanananda Swami, Maharshi’s younger brother.
Guest Rooms: Simple, clean accommodations with basic amenities, located both within and outside the ashram premises to maintain tranquility.
Dispensary: Provides free medical aid to ashram residents and the local community.
Bookstore: Offers a variety of literature on Sri Ramana, including original works, biographies, commentaries, and memorabilia.
Sri Ramana Library: Houses an extensive collection of spiritual books in various languages, open for browsing and borrowing by registered members.
Skandasramam: A tree-shaded hermitage on the hill where Bhagavan lived from 1916 to 1922, offering a historical insight into his life.
Virupaksha Cave: Shaped like the sacred “Om” and containing the samadhi of Sage Virupaksha, where Bhagavan lived from 1899 to 1916, preserved for visitors.

Costs

There are no charges for Ashram accommodation or food. It is also not extended on a rental or commercial basis. Ashram food is restricted to room guests and inmates.

The Ashram accommodation is exclusively for fellow devotees of Sri Bhagavan. Visitors coming for general purposes, visits to temples, giripradakshinas, or full moon walks, or using the stay for other spiritual touristic purposes, should plan alternate accommodations.

Any monetary offering may be made only at the Ashram office (cashier) and a receipt may be obtained.

Rules

Dress Code: Respect the Indian tradition by wearing appropriate attire. Women should wear sarees, salwar-kameez, or loose, sleeved, non-transparent western clothing covering the chest, shoulders, and legs. Men should wear dhotis, kurtas, or sleeved shirts over long pants. Lungis, shorts, and beach-like wear are considered disrespectful. Visitors improperly dressed may be asked to leave the Ashram.
Shoes and Sandals: Leave shoes and sandals outside at the shoe/sandal stall before entering the Ashram. Carrying them inside is offensive.
Silence and Mobile Phones: Maintain silence and refrain from social interactions within the Temple, Shrine, and Meditation Halls. Switch off or silence your mobile phones at all times within the Ashram.
Conduct: The Ashram is a place for quiet study, reflection, and meditation. Avoid sightseeing, meeting relatives and friends, or transacting personal business here. Act respectfully towards the needs of other devotees.

Sri Ramana Ashram / Sri Ramanasramam

Location

Facilities

Languages

Philosophers

Ramana Maharshi

Introduction

A Typical Day

Facilities

Costs

Rules

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