I have always been fascinated by the Annamalai mountain, also known as Arunachala, in Thiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu. It is one of the most sacred places for Hindus, especially devotees of Lord Shiva. The mountain is said to be a manifestation of Shiva himself, and many saints and sages have meditated on its slopes. The Annamalaiyar temple at the base of the hill is a magnificent structure that dates back to the 9th century CE and attracts millions of pilgrims every year.
But what really drew me to this place was the idea of climbing the mountain barefoot. Yes, you read that right. This is not an easy task, as the path is steep, rocky and sometimes slippery. It is a sign of respect and devotion to the mountain and its divine energy. It is also a way of purifying oneself and connecting with the earth. I decided to follow this tradition and leave my shoes at the base of the mountain.
The view from the mountain was breathtaking. I could see the entire town of Thiruvannamalai and its surroundings. I could also see the famous Arunachaleswarar temple, which is one of the largest temples in India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as the fire element, and it has a huge gopuram (tower) that can be seen from miles away.
I started my climb at 2 PM with my friend Pratap Reddy, who is from Andra Pradesh. He stayed here for more than a year and explored most of the places, temples and mountains as well. We had one thing in common: a sense of adventure and curiosity.
The climb was not easy. The path was rocky, steep and uneven. There were thorns, pebbles and sharp stones that pierced our feet. There were also snakes, scorpions and monkeys that we had to watch out for. The sun was blazing hot but because of tress we got shadow and make path easy to walk most of the route but no water along the way. We had to carry our own bottles and fruits.
But despite all these difficulties, there was something exhilarating about the climb. Every step felt like a challenge and an achievement. Every breath felt like a blessing and a prayer. Every sight felt like a wonder and a revelation. We could see the majestic temple towers below us, the green valleys around us, and the blue sky above us. We could hear the chants of other pilgrims, the bells of the temple, and the silence of nature. We could smell the fragrance of flowers, incense and sweat. We could feel the heat of the sun, the coolness of the breeze and the pain in our feet.
As we climbed higher, we also felt a change in ourselves. We became more aware of our surroundings and our inner selves. We became more humble and grateful for what we had. We became more compassionate and supportive of each other. We became more detached and peaceful with what we faced.
We reached the summit after about four hours of climbing at 6 PM. It was a moment of joy and relief. We prostrated before a small shrine of Lord Shiva that was there and thanked him for his grace and guidance. We also admired the panoramic view of the landscape that spread before us. It was breath-taking and beautiful.
We spent some time there, meditating, resting and chatting with each other. We shared our stories, experiences and insights. We felt a bond of friendship and fellowship with each other. We also felt a connection with the mountain and its spirit.
We started climb down at 6:30 PM. Our phone was out of power, so we had no source of light except for the moon. We were a bit nervous at first, but soon we felt a sense of peace and joy. Climbing down at night is also a different experience. It requires more caution and awareness, as the visibility is low and the sounds are amplified. But it also offers more opportunities to witness the beauty and mystery of nature. The moonlight illuminates the path and creates a magical atmosphere. The stars twinkle in the sky and remind us of our cosmic connection. The silence soothes our mind and invites us to listen to our inner voice.
We got down at 11 PM. We bought food for dinner at a food stall and come to our homestay.
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