Story of Arunachala The Spiritual Significance of Arunachala Arunachala is one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left. The first time I heard about it, I was intrigued—but it wasn’t until I visited that I truly understood its pull. Arunachala isn’t just a hill in Tamil Nadu; it’s a presence, a feeling, and for many, a destination that calls them back to something deep within themselves. Nestled in the heart of Tiruvannamalai, this sacred mountain has been revered for centuries as a physical manifestation of Lord Shiva. When you see Arunachala for the first time, it’s hard to describe the emotion it stirs. It’s rugged and unassuming in a way, but there’s a stillness about it that feels ancient, almost eternal. According to Hindu mythology, this is where Shiva appeared as a pillar of fire to settle a debate between Brahma and Vishnu, embodying the element of fire. Over time, Arunachala came to represent Shiva himself, not in his typical deity form but as the ultimate formless essence. But it’s not just mythology that makes Arunachala special. The hill has a way of silencing your mind and pulling you into the present moment. People come here for all kinds of reasons—to pray, to meditate, to walk around the hill—but almost everyone seems to leave with a sense of peace. It’s like the hill works on you in ways you don’t even realise until later. For me, learning about Ramana Maharshi’s connection to Arunachala was what first sparked my interest. He described the hill as his guru, saying it wasn’t just a mountain but a guide for anyone who sought the truth. The more I learned about Arunachala and Ramana Maharshi, the more I felt drawn to visit. It wasn’t just curiosity; it was something deeper, like the place itself was calling me. And when I finally stood before it, I understood its power.. The air felt different, the silence seemed fuller, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was standing in the presence of something far greater than myself. Arunachala Hill and Its Mystical Importance The moment you set eyes on Arunachala Hill, you can sense there’s something special about it. I remember standing there, looking at its rocky slopes, and feeling this quiet, unshakable presence. It’s not the tallest mountain, nor is it lush or dramatic like some other famous peaks—but it doesn’t need to be.  In Hindu tradition, Arunachala is considered a physical embodiment of Shiva’s fire element. There’s a story in the Puranas that has always stayed with me: Brahma and Vishnu, two of the most powerful deities, were arguing over who was superior. To settle the dispute, Shiva appeared as a towering column of fire, stretching infinitely in both directions. Brahma tried to find its top, and Vishnu tried to find its base, but neither could. Eventually, they realised Shiva’s true nature was beyond comprehension. That fire, that infinite presence, is what Arunachala represents. I remember walking around the hill for the first time, doing what’s called Girivalam—the 14-kilometre circumambulation of Arunachala. It’s a practice that’s been done for centuries, and it’s believed to be a way of connecting deeply with the energy of the hill. What struck me wasn’t just the beauty of the path, dotted with temples and shrines, but the sheer simplicity of the act. You don’t need elaborate rituals or offerings; you just walk. With each step, it felt like I was shedding something—some worry, some attachment, some part of myself that didn’t need to be there. People from all walks of life come to Arunachala to do Girivalam. Some walk in silence, some chant mantras, and others just take in the atmosphere. I remember seeing families with small children, monks in saffron robes, and elderly pilgrims who looked like they had made this journey dozens of times. Arunachala also has a way of making you feel deeply connected to nature. As I walked, I noticed the little things—the sound of the wind, the rustle of leaves, the way the sunlight hit the rocks. It’s like the mountain itself was alive, not in the way we usually think of life, but in a more profound sense. It’s the kind of silence that makes you feel like everything is exactly as it should be. One of the most fascinating things about Arunachala is the belief that simply seeing the hill can have a transformative effect. There’s a saying that goes, “By seeing Arunachala, one becomes still.”  References in Ancient Texts and Scriptures Arunachala’s significance is not limited to mythology; it is deeply rooted in Hindu scripture. The Tevaram, a collection of devotional hymns composed by Tamil Shaivite saints in the 6th to 9th centuries CE, praises Arunachala as a holy site of Shiva worship. These hymns, written by saints like Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar, describe Arunachala as a place where seekers can attain liberation and dissolve their ego in the presence of the divine. The hill also features prominently in the Arunachala Puranam, a Tamil text that elaborates on the mountain’s divine origins and its role as a spiritual centre. According to these texts, Arunachala is not just a geographical feature but a sacred power that draws devotees to it, offering them grace and guidance on their spiritual paths. The Emergence of Arunachaleswarar Temple One of the most tangible aspects of Arunachala’s history is the Arunachaleswarar Temple, which stands at the base of the hill. This massive temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, has been a centre of worship for over a thousand years. While its exact origins are unclear, the temple’s earliest structures are believed to date back to the 9th century CE during the rule of the Chola dynasty. The Cholas were known for their architectural prowess and devotion to Shiva, and they significantly expanded the temple, adding ornate gopurams (towering gateways) and intricate carvings. Later dynasties, including the Vijayanagara kings, continued to contribute to the temple’s grandeur, making it one of the largest and most revered Shiva temples in South India. The temple’s sprawling

Story Of Haridwar Haridwar is district of Uttarakhand state in India. Haridwar is place where the river Ganges enters in plain areas north India after flowing 250 km from its origin Gaumukh (Gangotri Glacier). Haridwar is the destination where people from across the India visit for pilgrimage and to take a holy dip into the holy river Ganges. Haridwar city is an ancient and it is one of the most sacred cities in India. The diverse nature of the Hindu religion has attracted foreign visitors from all around the world. Foreigners always attracted to Haridwar because here they can closely experience India’s complex culture, various Hindu rituals and the ancient civilization. Haridwar 30 kms from Rishikesh and 90 kms from Mussoorie and 220 kms from Delhi. Haridwar is one of the primary areas where river Ganges emerges from the mountains and enters to the plain areas. Lush green forests and crystal clear water of river Ganges and background of mountains create the charming beauty of this holy city. In the evening ghats looks beautiful as hundreds of diyas (lamps) and marigold flowers float and light up the river Ganges. The Rajaji National Park is just 10 km from Haridwar. Its an ideal destination for wild life and adventure lovers.If you want to purify yourselves take a holy dip in the water of river Ganges at Haridwar. All your sins will be purified. This is most common thing which you can hear about Haridwar in all over India. Haridwar contains two words Hari and Dwar. Hari means god and Dwar means gate. Haridwar means gateway to the god. There are four holy temples Yamunotri, Gangotri Kedarnath and Badrinath on the hills also known as Chardham. Haridwar is like a entry point to these chardham. People visit Haridwar before visiting these temples so the town was became famous as Haridwar. Shaivites call it Har Dwar Gateway to Lord Shiva (Kedarnath Temple) and Vaishnavites call it Hari Dwar Gateway to Lord Vishnu (Badrinath Temple) It is also said that Haridwar is blessed by the presence of all three major Gods of Hindus namely Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar. Thus, with all these mythological links attached to its name, it’s little wonder why Haridwar is often referred to as ‘gateway to god’. Haridwar is an ancient pilgrimage site situated in the foothills of the shivalik range in Garhwal Himalayas. Haridwar is welcomes the river ganga to the plain areas. Haridwar means gurgling of river Ganges, innumerable temples, groups of monks in saffron clothes, enchanting sounds of vedic hymns and the divine holiness. Apart from religious importance Haridwar is also a centre for learning different arts and culture. Haridwar is well known as great source of Ayurvedic medicines and herbal remedies. Haridwar is now home to unique Indian tradition of teaching “Gurukula.” Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalay is providing unique teaching in Gurukul system since 1902. Haridwar is always place of interest for the researchers because it is one of the oldest living cities in India. Haridwar has numerous temples with interesting legacies. Maa Ganga after carrying the purity of heaven from the kamandal of Lord Brahma, washing the feet of Lord Vishnu and flowing through the sahastra of Lord Shiva came on this earth and made Haridwar as it’s divine flow area. From time immemorial, Maa Ganga has been doing the duty of absorbing the heat and negativities of this earth. Besides and , It is Gateway for the four dhams of Himalayas viz. Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Haridwar is divided in several small areas such as Mayapur, Ranipur, Jwalapur, Har Ki Pauri, Motichur, Devpura, Bhupatwala, Haripur Kalan, Shivalik Nagar, and Brhampuri. Haridwar is also one of the four places where Kumbh Mela occurs after rotation of every twelve Years and Ardh Kumbh after every six years. It is said that drops of Amrit (Elixir) fell in to the Brahmkund of Har-Ki-Pauri, therefore considered that a dip in the Brahmakund. What is the history of Haridwar? It has been proved by archaeological findings that terracotta culture had an existence in Haridwar during 1700 B.C. and 1800 B.C. Haridwar has been in people’s mind from the period of Buddha to the British arrival and still in the 21st century. Haridwar was ruled by Maurya Empire from 322 BCE to 185 BCE and later it came under the rule of Kushan Empire according to historical evidences. Well-known Chinese traveler Huan Tsang visited India in 629 AD. He has mentioned Haridwar in his travel journal. At that time Haridwar was part of the kingdom of the King Harshvardhan (590 to 647). The city was also invaded by Timur Lang (1336–1405), a Turkish King on January 13, 1399. First Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak (1469–1539) bathed at ‘Kushwan Ghat’ on Baisakhi Day. Later in the 16th century Haridwar came under reign of Mughals and emperors like Akbar and Jehangir stamped their dominated here. According to Ain-e-Akbari Mughal Emperor, Akbar drank water from the Ganges river collected from Haridwar, which he called ‘the water of immortality’. Thomas Coryat, an English traveler visited Haridwar during the reign of Jehangir. In 18th centaury Haridwar was a port city and it was widely used by ships of East India Company. One of the two major dams on the river Ganges is the Bhimgoda Dam. It is situated in Haridwar. Dam was opened in 1854. Haridwar Municipality’ was constituted in 1868 including Kankhal and Mayapur. Haridwar was connected with railways by Laksar Railway Station in 1886. In 1901, Haridwar has population of 25,597 and Haridwar was a part of the Roorkee tehsil, in Saharanpur district of the United Province. Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya was established in 1902. In 1946 Haridwar was merged in Uttar Pradesh State. Haridwar Legends : According to Kedarkhand (Chapter 111) in Skanda Purana, the ancient great King named as Shwet did long penance on the bank of river Ganges at Haridwar. The Brahma pleased with his devotion & blessed that the place will be special place with blessing from all gods and bathing here will be very fruitful to devotees. Raja Vikramaditya’s brother Bhratuhari has also done penance here. In his memory, King Vikramaditya built a “Paudi (pawadi)”/ Steps here, which later became