Before I speak of a most comfortable and classy eco friendly abode ,The Sparsa Resort in the holy city of Thiruvannamalai ,a wandering seeker or just a traveller can choose as a best option to stay in perfect 3 star comfort in this city of Thiruvannamalai in south of India ,I must first speak about why any one must choose to visit this holy town 106 kms from the erstwhile French town of Pondicherry and about 200 kms and a cool 4 hours drive from Chennai in Tamil Nadu to in the midst of The holy Arunachala Hill and the Annamalaiyar Temple and host of Spiritual ashrams .
Firstly the Arunachala Hill,in Thiruvannamalai is considered by many to be one of the most sacred mountains in India.
Arunachala hill is shrouded in legends a many and is revered by most saints and is said to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva himself .
It is believed that Mount Arunachala holds immense spiritual energy as Shiva or Mahadeva who is said to have appeared as a pillar of fire on the hill of Arunachala that has led to many a mythological tales and divine manifestations over the centuries .
Thiruvannamalai is also home to the renowned Annamalaiyar temple and is famous for Girivalam and it's poignant festival of Karthigai Deepam festival, that attract many million people from all over the world .
Though the Arunachala hill itself is considered as Lord Mahadeva himself in the form of Fire ,one of five elements in nature ,
The Agni Lingam in the temple is said to symbolize self-sacrifice, liberation, duty, and virtue.
Arunachala is accepted as a fully realized Master of Masters, with all the active chakras, and none of the human limitations and is therefore and has always attracted human and divine Yogis ,with a powerful magnetic forces from ancient times.
Legend has it that, Thiruvannamalai is the holy place where Lord Shiva turned himself into a huge column of fire to eliminate the ego and Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma requested him through their own penance to transform himself into a less raging form for the benefit of humankind.
So those convinced and wish to travel to this holy place, look no where than Sparsa resort in Thiruvannamalai that in my view is presently the best place to check in and start your spiritual journey from here as it's not very far from any place of interest in this holy town .
Ofcourse it's possible to seek by advance planning through e mails ,in any of the famous Ashrams that abound here as well for a more simpler style of stay .
But for a most comfortable air-conditioned ,well fitted out clean and hygienic rooms with modern toilets . that too are aesthetically designed in eco friendly environment among green gardens .
They surely do conform to international 3 star standards if not higher in all aspects of hospitality management .
This resort over it's one and half decades have established itself for good hospitality ,great food with both national and international cuisines, churned out by expert culinary team, under the able guidance of expert Chef.Mr Mathivavanan , who has had fantastic stints in most difficult war torn countries like Somalia & Afghanistan ,serving the defence personnel posted there by UN .
This eco friendly resort ably managed from inception by its GM Mr.Laxminarayan is a little away comfortably from the din ,dust and noice of the city among the verdant green fields .
One can sit quietly and meditate in peace from the the cool confines Of their room looking at the Arunachala hills through the large window .
At leisure one can enjoy a swim in their large pool or take in a spa for indulging in a rejuvenating massage under able and experienced
By Mr Manoj.
Their Handicraft store , Chai or coffee stalls open in the morning and evening , display of the art of making
Clay artifacts by
Mr Ezhumalai , Parrot Card reading ,cart rides etc compliments the other essential facilities in this star hotel ,where one will find the entire staff very courteous and hospitable.
If their courteous service doesn't lift your spirits in conformity to the energy of the Arunuchala hill ,the aesthetics of well designed cottages ,amidst verdant green garden will surely will.
The rates charged are very reasonable for the quality of services and facilities to star rating they conform to .
My dear Friends, this one post of mine , is not about travelling about in the world, but, about beginning your travel inward ,to realise who you are and where goeth thou, starting your journey notably from Shri Ramanashram founded by world famous great Saint Ramana Bhagawan and who introduced to the western world by spiritual writer Mr .Paul Brunton ,a British author aka Raphael Hurst through his book "A search in secret India "after meeting the Bhagawan
in his Ashram here ,during his time ,which was translated in over 20 languages world wide .
So friends pack your bags light and travel to this holy town for a life time experience for sure preferably during the period between November to February being the cooler and better period to do so !
