Virupaksha Cave

Virupaksha cave is located in the eastern slopes of Arunachala (Red Mountain), Tiruvannamalai. It is the holy place where Sri Ramana Maharishi lived for seventeen years. The cave resembles the “Om” shape. A renowned saint Virupaksha spent his life in this cave and this is considered as the main reason behind the cave being named after him. There is a belief that his body turned to ashes after his Samadhi which is preserved in this cave and worshipped by everyone there by every day. Virupaksha cave has a couch stone outside which is termed as unique feature of the cave. This cave is considered as one of the famous meditation spots in Tiruvannamalai. The path to this cave is steep and it is more difficult for the non-hiker. During the early years on the Hill, Ramana used to be typically silent. His radiance had already drawn a group of devotees round him. Not only the saints & yogis had been drawn to him also common people, youngsters in addition are attracted towards the Virupaksha cave. Small children from the city would climb up the hill to Virupaksha Cave, sit down close him, mess around him, and then return feeling happy. Squirrels and monkeys would come up to him and devour out of his hand. This holy cave where the Bhagwan Ramana Maharshi lived from 1899 to 1916 ie 17 years is atop the holy Arunachala hill. The cave can be accessed from side of the ashram. You will find a sign board stating that Skandasramam & Virupaksha cave ie 1.4 kms uphill climb. Most of the path have steps leading to the Skandashramam cave but for reaching Virupaksha cave you have to climb on the other side of the mountain around 200 meters downhill and your climb is pretty unsafe as you have to step on boulders. So balancing is very important when you climb down.The entrance to the cave is just right but as you enter the head room is very less and you are required to bend and go inside. Inside the cave there is pin drop silence.A red cloth covering a pile of ashes said to be of a great yogic saint of Tiru is placed inside the cave.

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