Sri Ramanasramam - Now & Then - Part 1

Link to Part 2: Sri Ramanasramam - Now & Then - Part 2

This is a video about Sri Ramansramam in Tiruvannamalai, India. It is presented in two parts, 1 and 2 for convenience.

I have made an attempt to interject the video with some archival video clips and photos from Bhagavan's times, at appropriate places, to bring some perspective to certain locations in the Ashram-now and then.

Part 1 audio is a full chanting of Bhagavan's Arunachala Stuti Panchakam chanted every Monday at the Shrine. There is also one song from Ramana Stuti Panchakam (Kaalai Pattu) at the beginning.

The Ashram needs no introduction to thousands upon thousands of Sri Ramana devotees in India and across the world. Still, here is a brief history and introduction to the Ashram.

Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, was born as Venkataraman, in Tiruchuzi, near Madurai, Tamilnadu in the year 1879.  At the age of 16, while at home, he had a death experience while being alive and in an instant realized the undying truth of which he referred to as 'I I', the eternal Self. This death experience firmly established him in the Self.

Soon thereafter, pursuing a strong inner call from Arunachala, he decided to leave his home for Tiruvannamalai, after leaving a note to his family, that none needed not grieve over this.

He arrived at Tiruvannamalai on September 1, 1896. He moved from place to place, secluding Himself in complete silence, to avoid public attention. Sri Ramana lived for about 22 years in two caves on the Arunachala Hill. First for 15 years in Virupaksha cave until 1915. During this period He became gradually known to a small public who started visiting him at the cave. He gave upadesa mostly in silence and sometimes in writing to a few ardent seekers.

In 1915, a cave was developed upon by an attendant called Kandasamy, now known as Kandasramam. Bhagavan shifted to this cave. Later his mother Alagamal joined her son here and started cooking for a community of devotees and seekers that steadily began growing around Bhagavan.

In the year 1922, mother Alagammal attained Mukti with the guidance of Sri Ramana. Her body was brought down the Hill and interned at the foothills. A thatched shed was constructed over Her Samadhi and small daily pujas began to be conducted. Soon Bhagavan also left Kandasramam and started living near the Samadhi of his mother.

A thatched hall for Bhagavan was constructed by devotees, next to Mother's Samadhi. Bhagavan's younger brother (who after taking Sanyas became Swamy Niranjananda) came away to Tiruvannamalai, to look after the affairs of the small Ashram that had grown around Bhagavan. A management committee was formed under Bhagavan's guidance to manage the Ashram , though Bhagavan himself never interfered in its working.  Over the years, an Ashram office, a kitchen, a dining Hall, a Goshala, a dispensary, a small library and book depot all  came up. Rooms for visiting devotees began to be constructed as well. Daily feeding of the poor, Narayana Seva, was also started.

The construction of a temple over Mother Alagammal's samadhi was started in 1939 with aid from devotees. After 10 years of planning and construction the temple was completed in 1949.  Kumbbhabhishekam was performed to the temple on a grand scale for those days. A Lingam was consecrated, the Matrubhuteswara Lingam. A Sri Chakra Meru was installed in the temple, to all of which regular and special pujas are being continuously performed.

After Bhagavan attained Mahanirvana on 14th  April, 1950, his body was interned next to his mother's samadhi temple. A Mandapam was built over the samadhi. A little later a huge hall was also built around the mandapam. The small hall in which Bhagavan lived from 1922 to a few months before his Mahanirvana has now become the Meditation room to which hundreds flock everyday seeking Bhagavan's Presence and for diving into His silence.

Over the years the Management of The Ashram, by a committee headed by Niranjananda Swamy's lineal descendants (as per a will signed with a simple line by Bhagavan) is being ably run and looked after. Professionally- backed by a team of honorary and voluntary, but very devoted workers, many with very successful careers behind them.
Every facility and service for Sadhus and devotees that were started during Bhagavan's time have been tremendously improved upon by the Ashram in time. It is today one of the leading Ashrams in India and elsewhere. However, in all of this,  the Silent Presence and guidance of Bhagavan Ramana at the Shrine, for ardent seekers, continues to attract them in ever growing numbers.

Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya.



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