Spiritual tourism taking off in Tiruvannamalai

Improved facilities have resulted in spiritual tourism taking off in a big way in rural Tiruvannamalai boosting its economy, official sources said.

The town is famed for the Arulmigu Arunalacheswarar temple and the Ramana Ashram which attracts both local and foreign tourists.

The small town situated at the foot of the famed 800 metre (2,669 feet) high Annamalai hills, which boasts of a population of 1.45 lakh (74, 206 males and 72, 872 females according to 2011 census) relies totally on spiritual tourism. According to S Sethu, a local resident, “The town’s visitors swell to nearly 20 lakh when they arrive to perambulate the 14 km girivalam around the hill on special days like the pournami (full moon) and Karthigai Deepam. And it is these pilgrims and visitors who support the economy of the town by spending on their various needs. ” “Pilgrims come from all over the state and from neighbouring states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh,” said G Ramasamy another resident.

The girivalam path initially laid by King Vikrama Pandian in 1276 CE was full of rocks and thorns till the district administration decided to do its bit to ensure comfortable walking path for the pilgrims.

Today the path is a tar-topped road which makes walking comfortable aided by the various shops which dot the entire stretch.

During Karthigai Deepam, the town turns vegetarian and lodging is hard to find despite the place boasting of 67 lodges, seven hospitals, 10 health centres around the hill on the girivalam path and 41 marriage halls. Unofficial lodges also function at the time.

Collector KS Kandasamy said, “A total of 4.49 lakh tourists including 9,502 foreigners visited the town in June 2018. The Arunachaleswarar temple attracted 3.94 lakh Indian and 7,400 foreign tourists followed by the Renugambal Temple in Padavedu near Polur where Indian and foreign tourists numbered 17,600 and 382 respectively. The Sathanur Dam drew 16,840 Indian and 1,490 foreign tourists.” “Visiting foreigners make a beeline to Ramana Ashram where they are provided free boarding and lodging through its numerous cottages, while many independent apartments also provide a similar service for a price,” Sethu said.

Officials seeking anonymity said, “Even setting up a camphor shop near spots where it is lit by devotees can fetch good profits and it is just one example of how tourists help the local economy.”

There are seven known ashrams in the town, but what attracts devotees seeking blessings are the various ‘sadhus’ and ‘samis’ who have their own following.

The more famous are Yogi Ramsurat Kumar (Visiri samiyar or hand fan sadhu in Tamil) who passed away some years ago and ‘Kottankuchi’ samiyar (coconut shell sadhu, who used to cure devotees ailments by giving milk and water in a coconut shell), who passed away in 2016. The latter’s ashram slightly off the girivalam path attracts around 50 devotees daily and more than 1,000 on special days.  If local residents are to be believed, ‘Mookkupodi’ (snuff) samiyar is much sought after with top government officials and politicians, including the leader of a newly formed party, making a beeline to visit him. The 50-year-old sadhu rarely talks and his place of stay, which initially was the Ramana Ashram, changed to some known hotels in the town. The samiyar, who attracts around 300 visitors daily, is currently at the Seshadri Swamigal Ashram.

Another locally famous sadhu is ‘Mouna Swami’ (who does not talk) who was in Tiruvannamalai till about six years ago. He later moved to his own ashram at Kaatu Malai (forest hill) near KV Kuppam, 20 km from the town. As the crowds swell in spiritual fervour each year, the district administration is hard pressed to provide facilities, which makes their short stay pleasant.

During Karthigai Deepam, the administration creates nearly 14 temporary bus stands on all approach roads to ensure that vehicles do not take up pedestrian space inside the town. But the amenities created on such occasions seldom keep pace with the burgeoning visitor strength to the small town. Ultimately, the spiritual tourism ensures that the town and the district have a thriving economy and the people do not rely only on agricultural activities.