To day is the festival of Lights.

[Guest guest]

The name "Arunachala" evokes Divine vibes. Attracted by the name Arunachala, Shri Ramana relinquished mundane life and family to rush to "Thiruvannamalai" where the Lord is dwelling in the form of "Arunachaleswara". The yearly Karthigai Deepam festival in the temple as well as atop the Arunachla Hill is witnessed by lakhs and lakhs who gather there. The huge vessel with tons of ghee with length of clothes serving as wick, the Deepam is lit immediately after the cermonius camphor lights lit as Arati to the five deities in the temple. The holy land of Thiruvannamalai is home to many a saints and siddhas. Notable among them is Shri Seshadri Swamigal, Shri Ramana, Shri Yogiram Suratkumar. All around many ascetics performed penance and Shri Ramana Maharishi used to say that the Hill is verily Shiva and in its lap many are still performing penance unknown to the public. The Girivalam on Full Moon days have attracted many. It is considered a holy trip to go around the entire hill by foot. It is equivalant to going round Shiva. Our past accumulated karmas are washed away by going round the Hill. On this Holy day let us pray to Bagawan, who is verily "Shivasakthi swarupa", to enlighten our intelligence. "Tamaso Ma Jyothir gamaya"(Lead Me from darkness to Light).Sairam.