Day trip to Tiruvannamalai Temple and Sri Ramana Ashram from Pondicherry

he town of Thiruvannamalai, situated 60 miles away from Pondicherry. Visit the 9th century Arunachaleswarar temple that is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Besides being the largest temple in the world dedicated to Shiva, the temple also has the distinction of having a 216 feet high tower, the second tallest temple tower in the world. The temple complex is spread over an area of 25 acres and has several pillared halls, including a hall with a thousand pillars.

You can also visit the cave on the Arunagiri slope, where the saint is said to have meditated. Amongst the early visitors to the Ashram were the British writers Paul Brunton in 1931 and Somerset Maugham in 1938. The latter used Sri Ramana Maharshi as the model for the character of Shri Ganesha in his novel, The Razor’s Edge. After the Ashram visit, enjoy lunch (own expense) at a local restaurant. After lunch you will be driven back to Pondicherry and dropped off at your hotel.