Annamalaiyar Temple – Alamara Gugai Ashram
Sundhararaman Swamigal lives in a Banyan cave found in
6th Peigopuram Street on the way to Girivalam road. Few months later, he
planted a banyan sapling in the entrance of the cave. The sapling started to
grows as with Swamiji started to explore his inner world deeper and deeper. The
sapling has grown a tall and magnificent tree. Swamiji in front of his
followers announced that since forth the Cave will be known as Banyan Tree
Cave. It is the first ashram in the way towards mountain.
Another beauty of this cave is Guru Paparamdas Swamigal
of Kachankadu Anandha Ashram, Kerala, has stayed her and seen the manifestation
of God. Likewise there are many Sadhus and Swamiji’s stay and meditated in this
Cave.
History of Sundhararaman Swamigal
Thiruvannamalai which gravitate many Sadhus and
Bhagavans also attracted Sundhararaman Swamigal with its magnetic divine force.
Swamiji has a lean and short figure with high voltage of determination to
convert his thoughts to reality.
Being a textile worker in village called Magor
Nombusavadi, Thanjavur, a historical landmark; Swamiji led a simple as well as
spiritual life. Sundhararaman Swamigal was born as a 7th child of Venkanna
Bhagavathar and Kuppamal. Venkanna Bhagavathar, father of Swamiji, is an ardent
follower of spiritualism.
Even from the childhood period, Swamiji remained a
brilliant child prodigy. He has developed and cultivated in-depth interest in
Hinduism, Spiritualism, Theology, and Shaiva Siddhanta.
Due to his association with Hinduism, in the year 1960
he has become a member in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Besides being
inspired by life of Vivekanandar and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, great Indian
epics like Ramayanam and Mahabaratham, he was also attracted by RSS approach as
well as philosophies. In 1965 he came to Thiruvannamalai at the age of 19.
Meditative Life of Swamiji
Sundhararaman Swamigal became disciple of Ezhumalai
Swamigal who has spent most of his spiritual life in Kandasharamam,
Thiruvannamalai. At the age of 21, he turned out to be Swami Sundhararaman in
the year 1967. According to this guru’s preaching, Swamiji stayed and meditated
in Parvathamalai – popularly known as Kailash of South India. Later he carried
out his mediation in various places Thiruvannamalai like Namachivayar Cave,
Adimudi Temple, and Sadai Swami Ashram and also in Sri Unnamlai Amman Mandapam
near Girivalam way.
Later he started to find a secular place suited for
meditation and went places like Sathuragiri Mountain, Suruli malai, Papanasam,
Vaanatherthandamma Thevamalai, and Vallimalai. For some times, he meditated in
a Cave near Angunthi which is situated adjacent to the banks of Thunga Badra
River near Hampi, an old capital city of the Ruler Krishnadevaraya. Then he
return back to Thiruvannamalai and contemplated a cave in the mountain. From
1972, he stayed in a secure cave near Girivalam and started to grow in his
inner self.
Few months later, he planted a banyan sapling in the
entrance of the cave. The sapling started to grows as with Swamiji started to
explore his inner world deeper and deeper. The sapling has grown a tall and
magnificent tree. Swamiji in front of his followers announced that since forth
the Cave will be known as Banyan Tree Cave in 1982. It is the first ashram in
the way towards mountain. In 29/6/1987 the ashram is registered and swami
becomes the founder of that ashram.
Another beauty of this cave is Guru Paparamdas Swamigal
of Kachankadu Anandha Ashram, Kerala, has stayed her and seen the manifestation
of God. Likewise there are many Sadhus and Swamiji’s stay and meditated in this
Cave.
Services
Though Banyan Tree Cave Ashram, Swamiji is carrying out
many remarkable services;
1. Education Service
2. Annadhanam
3. Social Service
4. Hosting and taking care of Sadhus
5. Environmental development service etc.,
Contact
Alamara Gugai Ashramam & Trust,
No: 18-A, Peigopuram 6th Street,
Arunachala Mountain,
Thiruvannamalai - 606 601
Tamil Nadu, South India
Phone: 04175- 222135