The Thousand Pillars

The thousand-pillared hall of Arunachaleswara Temple was where the young Venkataraman first sat in deep meditation upon arriving at Tiruvannamalai. This hall became a sacred space for his initial absorption in the Self.

When Venkataraman arrived at Tiruvannamalai, he went directly to the great temple of Arunachaleswara. He entered the thousand-pillared hall and sat down, completely absorbed in the Self. This hall, with its magnificent architecture and sacred atmosphere, became the setting for his initial days of deep meditation.

For days, he remained in this hall, motionless, oblivious to his body and surroundings. The temple priests and devotees noticed this young boy in deep meditation. Some tried to disturb him, but he remained unmoved, completely absorbed in the Self.

The thousand-pillared hall has since become a place of pilgrimage for devotees of Ramana Maharshi. It is here that the young sage first established himself at Arunachala, and it is here that many devotees feel his presence most strongly.