Gautam Sachdeva

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Tiruvannamalai – An accelerator for spiritual sadhana? by Vikrant Rawa

Tiruvannamalai is a small temple town nestled around the sacred hill of Arunachala and is a prominent site for several temples—the most revered among them being the Adi Annamalai Temple and the Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple. It is also home to the Ramana Ashram, where Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi resided during his lifetime. Deeply revered by spiritual aspirants, this town has become a significant destination for seekers from all walks of life.

Tiruvannamalai is also well known for the Girivalam—a pradakshina (circumambulation), popularly referred to as Giri Pradakshina, around the sacred Arunachala Hill, which is considered to be Lord Shiva Himself in the form of the mountain. As a result, the town attracts thousands of spiritual aspirants and religious followers in pursuit of liberation.

In my observation, a trip to Tiruvannamalai—and particularly participating in the Girivalam—can be an intense experience. Many people find themselves confronted by an agitated mind or a surge of emotions that usually lie dormant in the subconscious. This phenomenon often affects individuals who are sensitive to the energy of the place, especially those who are consciously walking the spiritual path.

Tiruvannamalai is known as the Manipooraga Stalam, as it is associated with the Manipura chakra, linked to the solar plexus. In my understanding, certain locations in the world act as high-energy zones, also referred to as ‘coordination points.’ As mentioned in the book Seth Speaks—a key reference on this subject:

‘These coordinate points represent accumulations or traces of pure energy, minute to an extreme if you are thinking in terms of size—smaller than any particle of which your scientists know, for example—but composed of pure energy.’

Tiruvannamalai is undoubtedly one such center of high energy. The Arunachaleswarar Temple is associated with the fire element, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Arunachaleswara, represented by the ‘Agni Lingam.’ When someone on the spiritual path resonates with this energetic field, it can trigger an activation of the Manipura chakra. This chakra, linked to fire, also governs suppressed emotions, fears, insecurities, and the desire for power or control.

In my experience, entering such a high-energy zone can surface deep-seated and unresolved emotional material—fear, insecurity, or even aggression. Some may also experience intense or symbolic dreams, which, if observed carefully, reveal suppressed emotions rising to the surface. To navigate such upheaval, one requires grace, spiritual maturity, or the guidance of a true Guru. Without this, identifying too strongly with these emerging energies can lead to emotional overwhelm. It is not uncommon in Tiruvannamalai to come across individuals who have lost mental balance or are caught in emotional distress—often a result of mistaking the energy surge for personal suffering.

For most of our lives, subconscious patterns dictate our thoughts, trapping us in recurring cycles of sadness, fear, guilt, or ambition. When these patterns grip the conscious mind, they can consume our awareness for hours, days, or even longer. Yet, we rarely recognize them for what they are—just dormant energy forms residing in the chitta (subconscious).

As one advances on the spiritual path, the power of discrimination (viveka) begins to develop. This becomes the torch of awareness, allowing us to witness these patterns instead of getting entangled in them. During the Girivalam, certain energy centers may activate this capacity—especially the Ajna chakra, associated with insight and wisdom. However, this activation is often subtle and available only to those sensitive to the energies. In my experience, Girivalam is most transformative when performed in silence—and preferably alone.

When these energies begin to stir, the essential approach is to witness them without attachment. Through the wisdom of the Ajna chakra, the fire of awareness can burn these latent patterns. The key is simple yet powerful:

‘DON’T IDENTIFY, DON’T ANALYZE, DON’T DEFINE, DON’T CATEGORIZE—JUST WITNESS.’

Once you abide in witness consciousness, you gain the capacity to see these energies for what they truly are—movements within. Letting them play out without engagement allows them to burn themselves out in the fire of awareness. Tiruvannamalai offers seekers a potent field to deepen their sadhana by staying rooted in presence, allowing karmic residues to surface and dissolve in the light of pure consciousness.

My teacher, Gautam, often jokingly refers to himself as a “garbage cleaner.” But in truth, each of us must become a garbage cleaner of our own minds if we are serious about inner work. True sadhana is nothing but the burning away of accumulated mental garbage—the garbage of fear, guilt, pride, hatred, anger, and most importantly, the false identity of being a separate, individual person.

As long as we hold on to this personal ‘I,’ the garbage will persist. But once the illusion drops and the mind is cleansed, the Truth reveals itself—ever radiant, ever free.

‘Truth burns up all karma and frees you from all births.’
 — Ramana Maharshi

 

For any feedback/comments please write to vikrant@intriguity.com

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