Soon we leave our beloved Arunachala and move to Mexico. I want to share with you some highlights of the blog while we lived in Tiruvannamalai. Sorry the list is so long, there are just too many highlights! We have had an extraordinary few years here.
These posts show Arunachala, Pradakshina Road, Ramanasramam, Tamil Rites of Passage, travel in India, Asia, Central and South America, the USA, and “Secrets of Arunachala,” wonderful places known by few people.
Carol says that there are just too many links, that no one will look through them, Maybe so, but I still want to do this post this way. Sorry.
I think we will continue this blog once in Mexico. Maybe it will still be called “Living in the Embrace of Arunachala,” since the Holy Hill is always in our hearts.
2008
Rock carvings at Mamallapuram
Visiting the ancient carvings of Mamallapuram.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/mamallapuram-ancient-rock-carvings/
The first post on “Secrets of Arunachala,” special but unknown places.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/arunachalas-secret-places-holy-feet/
Our first Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, important to local Tamil people, but mostly unknown to Westerners.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2008/09/06/ganesh-chaturthi-celebration-in-tiruvannamalai/
Our first Indian village wedding.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/south-indian-village-wedding/
One of the first of many posts of walking on and around Arunachala.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/walking-up-to-skandashram/
Seven Springs is a wonderful place, high on Arunachala.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/secrets-of-arunachala-seven-springs/
One of the first posts on various Tamil Rites of Passage, a funeral for a village woman.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/south-india-village-funeral/
Kattu Siva Cave, one of the many Secrets of Arunachala.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2008/11/05/secrets-of-arunachala-kattu-siva-cave/
Tiruchuli is the birthplace of Ramana. This was one of the first posts of a series that shows every location Ramana is known for.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2008/11/26/tiruchuli-sri-ramanas-birthplace/
A special Tamil village family function.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/family-feast-in-gondapatai-village-tamil-nadu/
2009
Carol and Richard explore the north side of Arunachala
One of the many posts that shows the Inner Path.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/inner-path-to-pachaiamman-koil/
A special Naga Shrine, off the Inner Path.
A celebration at Ramanasramam.
A special tour of Arunachaleswara Temple in Tiruvannamalai.
Pavala Kundru is a special temple on a hill rising from Tiruvannamalai.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/pavala-kundru-tiruvannamalais-coral-rock-temple/
Gregory Lent is a local artist.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/gregory-lent-art-is-sadhana/
The first of a series of posts on what is now called the “Yellow Path.”
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2009/06/11/arunachalas-inner-inner-path-part-one/
Visiting a Siva temple that Ramana visited on his way to Arunachala.
Tapovanam: an ashram, about 20 KM from Tiruvannamalai of an other sage contemporary to Ramana.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/tirukkoyilur-sri-gnananandas-thapovanam-ashram/
Turtle Rock: The place of Ramana’s “Second Death Experience.”
The first of a series on a typical day at Ramanasramam.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2009/07/18/morning-at-ramanasramam-part-one/
Exploring Arunachala.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2009/07/31/climbing-on-arunachalas-north-side/
The Big Chariots at Deepam.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/deepam-2009-day-of-the-big-chariots/
Getting the torch to the top of Arunachala.
On the ‘Yellow Path.”
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/arunachalas-new-inner-inner-path/
Christmas with V. Ganeshan.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/christmas-evening-with-ganesan-in-tiruvannamalai/
The death of a friend, Sarasvati.
2010
Preparing A. Ramana for interment
Visiting Goa.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/goa-a-beach-tourist-paradise/
The death celebration of a Western Sage, A. Ramana.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/interment-of-a-ramana-into-his-samadhi/
The first collection of articles about caves of Arunachala.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/02/21/caves-of-arunachala-feb-2010/
We were invited to Chennai for a birthday parade and celebration of M K Stalin, of the Tamil DMK party.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/birthday-celebration-for-m-k-stalin/
Exploring the east side of Arunachala.
The first of several pages that shows collections of articles about Tiruvannamalai.
Exploring Arunachala, over the hill from Pachaiamman Koil to Virupaksha area.
The first of a series of Poojas done by Tamil people when they build a house.
A special small temple up on the hill on the east side of Arunachala.
Photos walking on a full moon night.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/05/01/full-moon-night-27-april-2010/
Extensive post of shrines and temples along the Pradadshina route.
At the Kumbh Mela.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/07/03/a-day-at-the-kumbh-mela-in-haridwar/
For a change of pace, surfers in Santa Cruz, CA, where surfing was introduced to mainland USA.
Memorial service for my mother.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/memorial-service-for-maxine-clarke/
Visiting Amritsar.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/visiting-amritsar/
Showing flowers and devotion at US Ramana temple, SAT in Santa Cruz CA.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/flowers-decorate-the-murtis-at-sat/
The return of leopards to Arunachala.
A children’s walk around Arunachala.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/101010-arunachala-childrens-walk/
The final pooja for a new house, the Ganesha Pooja.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/ganesh-puja-for-the-new-house/
My recommendations of things to see in Tiruvannamalai.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/11/10/top-things-to-see-in-tiruvannamalai/
One of the Deepam celebration events, the procession of the 63 Tamil saints.
Visiting the famous Chidambaram Temple.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/12/18/trip-to-chitambaram-temple-from-tiruvannamalai/
Visiting a cave, high above Ramanasramam.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2010/12/24/climbing-to-a-cave-high-above-ramanasramam/
2011
Machu Picchu
Sadhu Feeding
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/sadhu-feeding-on-arunachalas-pradakshina-road/
Village Pongal
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/happy-pongal-from-samuthiram-village/
Famous Temple in Tanjore, Brihadisvara
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/brihadisvara-temple-in-thanjavur-tanjore/
Christian Church, Velankanni, the “Lourdes of the East.”
The Rock Temple in Trichy
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/03/04/trichys-famous-rock-fort-temple-tamil-nadu-india/
Kanyakumari, the Southern tip of India.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/kanyakumari-the-southernmost-tip-of-india/
Fantastic Wooden Palace of Kerala.
Beach fun in Kerala.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/varkala-beach-fun-in-the-sun-in-kerala/
Watching the 2011 Cricket World Cup
Kathakali, traditional Kerala dance.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/kathakali-an-evening-of-traditional-kerala-dance/
The Irula Women Tribal Association.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/visiting-the-irula-tribal-womens-welfare-society/
The first of several posts on Arunachala flowers.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/flowers-of-arunachala/
A Sacred Grove about 20 KM out of Tiruvannamalai.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/sacred-grove-near-tirukkoyilur/
In the Peruvan Rain Forest – the Amazon watershed.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/lake-sandoval-in-the-peruvian-jungle/
An Incan Earth Ceremony – a Peruvian Pooja.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/despacho-peruvian-earth-ceremony/
A flower garden resort in Peru’s Sacred Valley.
Machu Picchu.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/machu-picchuthe-jewel-of-the-incas/
Visiting Rishikesh.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/scenes-of-rishikesh/
Tamil Rite of Passage – Bangle Ceremony for expectant mother.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/bangle-ceremony-for-an-expectant-mother/
2012
Angkor Wat
Page that shows many Tamil Rites of Passage.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/rites-of-passage-for-the-tamils-of-south-india/
Visiting Hanoi.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/discovering-indochinahanoi-vietnam-day-1/
Ancient Hindu Temples in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s tunnels where they fought the USA.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/discovering-indochinacu-chi-tunnels-and-saigon/
Visiting Cambodian Death Camps.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/discovering-indochina-day-of-death-phnom-penh/
Ta Prohm, Angkor’s Temple of Doom.
Tamil Celebration for ancient Tamil Goddess, Mariamman.
Angkor Watt.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/06/09/discovering-indochinaangkor-wat/
Bangkok’s Grand Palace
Chiang Mai Thailand
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/chiang-maithailand/
Celebration at Tiruvannamalai’s Heartkids School
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/heartkids-annual-awards-function-tiruvannamalai/
Carol and Richard Ride a Zip Line in Thailand.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/riding-the-zip-line-in-thai-mountains/
Kathmandu.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/kathmandu-highlights/
Visiting Buddha’s Birthplace.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/lumbini-nepal-buddhas-birthplace/
Tamil Rite of Passage – Boy’s First Haircut.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/mottai-addithal-a-tamil-boys-first-haircut/
Mahasivaratri at SAT Temple in Santa Cruz, USA.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/mahasivaratri-at-the-sat-temple/
First of extensive series on Kumbabishekam at Shrine on Pradakshina Road
Arunachala Animal Rescue Society, doing great work in Tiruvannamalai.
Meditation – Inquiry for walking Arunachala.
Tamil Rites of Passage – Coming of Age for a woman.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/age-attained-ceremonytiruvannamalai/
2013
Amber Fort, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Daily Poor Feeding at Ramanasramam.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/narayana-seva-poor-feeding-at-ramanasramam/
Understanding the significance of the Eight Lingams on Arunachala Pradakshina Road,
Ramana Maharshi Shrine in Guatemala.
Sadhus of Arunachala.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/06/27/sadhus-of-arunachala-a-pictorial/
Rites of Passage – The Hindu Thread Ceremony.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/upanayanam-hindu-thread-ceremony/
Visiting Munnar and Kodaikanal.
Final part of series on Ramanasramam Kumbabishekam.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/ramanasramam-kumbabishekam-part-4-culmination/
Tamil Rite of Passage – the Death Ceremony.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/a-kariyam-a-tamil-death-ceremony/
Sadhu Feast on Pradakshina Road.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/09/17/sadhu-feast-on-arunachala-pradakshina-road/
Visiting Bhutan – Paro and Thimphu.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/bhutan-paro-and-thimphu/
Navaratri at Ramanasramam.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/10/06/navratri-at-ramanasramam/
The amazing Tiger’s Nest, perched high in the mountains of Bhutan.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/10/12/bhutan-tigers-nest-and-other-paro-attractions/
Visiting Pokhara, Nepal.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/pokhara-fewa-lake-old-town-and-hindu-temples/
The Jaipur Amber Fort in Rajasthan.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/rajasthan-jaipur-amber-fort/
The Monkey Temple near Jaipur.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/jaipur-monkey-temple-fort-and-royal-crematorium/
Havalis and Mughal art in Rajasthan.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/rajasthan-mandawahavelis-and-mughal-art/
The Rat Temple in Rajasthan.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/rajasthan-karni-mata-and-the-rat-temple/
Richard’s special Pooja for 70th Birthday.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/bhima-ratha-shanthi-for-richards-70th-birthday/
2014
Jain statue, near Tiruvannamalai
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan’s Golden City in the desert.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/rajasthan-jaisalmer-the-golden-city/
Jain Temples in the Golden Fort.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/rajasthan-jain-temple-in-jaisalmer-fort/
Boys play a Pongal game in a nearby village.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/pongal-fun-in-a-village-near-tiruvannamalai/
Camel Ride into the sunset in Jaisalmer.
The most beautiful Jain Temple, Ranakpur Temple in Rajasthan.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/rajasthan-the-beautiful-ranakpur-jain-temple/
Trip to Rameswaram.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/trip-from-tiruvannamalai-to-rameswaram/
Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/pushkar-mela-the-pushkar-camel-fair/
Visiting a Mall in Southern California.
Four Part Series on the Ancients roots still alive in Tamil Villages.
Ometepe Island in Nicaragua.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/visiting-nicaraguaometepe-island/
Ancient Jain Complex near Tiruvannamalai.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/ancient-jain-temple-complex-near-tiruvannamalai/
Beautiful Sonagiri Lake, on West Side of Arunachala, unknown by most.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2014/10/11/sonagiri-lake-on-west-side-of-arunachala/
Art Classes for local village kids.
https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/kids-art-classes-at-quality-of-life-trust/
Living in the Embrace of Arunachala 