Annamalaiyar Temple – Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram
Yogi Ramsurat Kumar Ashram is an important Ashram in
Agrahara Kollai, Thiruvannamalai. One of the famous Ashrams frequented by lot
of peoples including foreigners.
Yogi Ramsurat Kumar Ashram in Thiruvannamalai is located
at 12°13'07.4"N 79°03'16.3"E or 12.218730, 79.054531.
Life History of Yogi Ramsuratkumar
Yogi Ramsuratkumar (December 1, 1918 – February 20,
2001) was an Indian saint and mystic. He was also referred to
as "Visiri Samiyar" and spent most of his post
enlightenment period in Thiruvannamalai, a small town in Tamilnadu which is famous for
attracting spiritual seekers worldwide and has had a continuous lineage of
enlightened souls. He acknowledges the contribution of three of the most well
known saints of his time in his evolution to enlightenment. These individuals
were Sri Aurobindo, the founder of Integral yoga, Ramana
Maharshi, one of the
"spiritual supermen" of his time, and Swami
Ramdas, Yogi's eventual guru.
Pre Enlightenment History:
Yogi Ramsuratkumar was born in a village Naradara, Lalganj,
Ballia-277216 (U. P.) near Kashi on December 1, 1918. In his childhood, he
loved very much to meet the yogis and monks. He was befriended by a number of
holy men who built their huts on the Ganges shore or simply wandered nearby.
He grew up as a Grihasta but eventually, the tugs of
spirituality in his heart took over. In search of his "guru", he
visited and spent time in the ashrams of both Sri Aurobindo and Ramana
Maharishi. He later moved to Kerala at the ashram of Swami Ramdas. In his own
assessment, Sri Aurobindo gave him Jnana, Sri Ramana Maharshi blessed him with
tapas and Swami Ramdas gave him the nectar of Bhakti.
Swami Ramdas initiated him into the holy mantra: “Om Sri
Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram ", by pronouncing it thrice in his ears. Yogi Ramsuratkumar
often refers to this instance as his "death", since from this moment
on, his ego no longer existed, and he had a profound spiritual experience.
Post Enlightenment History:
Yogiji travelled across the country from 1952 to 1959.
Not much is known about the exact whereabouts of the yogi in this period. He
finally reached Thiruvannamalai in the Southern India in 1959. He was a
"hidden" saint during this early period, with not too many
individuals realizing that this "beggar" was someone who would bring
riches to the lives of countless many. He was seen near the Temple chariot, at
the corners of the Road, under the trees of the Temple. As more and more people
started acknowledging the divine presence in him, Swamiji then began living in
a small house in Sannadhi Street beneath the Temple.
He continued to bless the devotees who thronged at
thousands to his house at the Sannadhi Street. At a point, his devotees became
too many to be handled in a small house and the devotees wished him to have an
Ashram which he gently accepted after much persuasion for the sake of his
devotees. The Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram is constructed at Agrahara collai with
a total area of 3.5 Acres.
Students in the West:
Yogi Ramsuratkumar most prominent Western students
were Lee Lozowick, who founded "Western Baul" communities in
the United States and Europe, and Krishna Carcelle (Gaurakrishna), who
published the Vedantic monthly magazine 'Rama Nama' and created the website of
'Yogi Ramsuratkumar Bhavan' with the blessings of his Master, and publishes
free eBooks on Yogi Ramsuratkumar.
Ashram
Pradhan Mandir:
This prominent Ashram comprises of several buildings of
which the most prominent structure is the Pradhan Mandir. Pradhan Mandir is a
meditation hall where upto 4000 devotees can come together and chant mantras.
This building has a high aluminium roof which is supported by brick mortar
walls in addition to several concrete pillars at their sides. A metal statue of
the great Yogi Ramsurat Kumar which had been installed by him is present in
this hall. A fibre and wax statue of the Yogi is also present here.
Maha Samadhi Shrine:
Maha Samadhi Shrine is a place inside the Ashram where
Yogi Ramsurat Kumar's physical remains are present in a Samadhi or Memorial.
Disciples chanting lots of Vedas have installed a Linga on top of the Samadhi.
This Lingam was created in Varanasi with lots of prayers and was brought here
especially for this purpose and several poojas are performed on it by the
Yogi's devotees.
Old Darshan Mandir:
Old Darshan Mandir was the first building to be
constructed in this Ashram. It was from here that devotees of Yogi Ramsurat
Kumar Received Dharshan of him.
Swagatham Hall:
Swagatham Hall is a ground floor hall where for a short
period devotees of the Yogi got a Darshan of him and they also celebrated his
Jayanthi once here. Above the Swagatham Hall a meditation hall with glass
panels is present. People can meditate from here seeing the Maha Samadhi of
Yogi Ramsurat Kumar through glass panels.
Siddhi Sthalam:
The Siddhi Sthalam has three rooms and was the place
where the Bhagavan stayed for sometime towards the end of his journey on earth.
In was in these room that devotees nursed Yogi Ramsurat Kumar when he became
sick.
Vedapatashala:
Vedapatashala or a school teaching Vedas is present
inside this Ashram where people of all ages come and learn about the Vedas. A
library with a copy of the Vedas and several other rare religious books is
present here. Guru's statue made of green marble looks over them as they study.
This statue was carved by an Italian who used a photograph of the Yogi for reference.
Devotees can see this statue between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM and also between 6:00
PM and 7:00 PM.
Silver Ratham:
A devotee of Yogi Ramsurat Kumar who saw many blessings
when he worshipped him during the 2004 Kumbhabhishekam he gifted a silver
chariot to the Ashram. This silver Chariot is present on a locked room with
shutters. The holy Yogi's Utsavar travels in this chariot with the sound of
chanting of Guru Nama and sounds of Nadaswaram during auspicious times.
Research Foundation:
A research foundation to study influences of Sanskrit in
Indian Cultures is present here. The research foundation which is also known as
Yogi Ramsuratkumar Research Foundation for Asian Culture or Yogi Ramsuratkumar
Research Foundation also studies how the Bharatham's Jeevan Mukthas are
influenced by Sanskrit in addition to vedas and several other cultural factors.
This foundation aims to study and better understand the
vedas and functions based on the Maharaj's view to that this world would have
perished without them. Several research studies have been done by this
foundation along with Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya. Studies
about Vedic Rishis and their life are also done here in addition to study of
Devas. Presently a team devoted particularly to study the Rig Veda has been
formed and it also teaches it to people who wish to learn them.
Girivalam Path:
Girivalam refers to the action in which devotees walk
with their prayers around deities. One of the most famous paths of Girivalam is
located in Thiruvannamalai around the Arunachala hill which is believed to be a
lingam itself. Devotees believe that Goddess Parvathi had also walked this path
praying when performing penance towards Lord Shiva. The same way a Girivalam
Path is present inside this Ashram and Maharaj had stated that performing
Girivalam here is a very powerful prayer to invoke the blessings of God.
Sadhu Bhojanam:
From 1999 food is being provided to a number of sadhus
who visit this Ashram in a building with a thatched roof. It was the wish of
Maharaj to have the building built with a thatched roof. A statue of Maharaj is
also present here which blesses the Sadhus who come and eat here. The Sadhus
who come and eat here are provided a vegetarian meal with rice, vegetable and a
fruit in the end of the meal.
Nama Japam:
Nama and Japam are Sanskrit words which translate as
Name and do once again in English. So Nama Japam is a Sanskrit word which
refers to the repetition of God's name as a prayer. Nama Sankeertanam is
another name of Nama Japam. Devotees gather together or singly chant the name
of ishta deva (favourite god) or Ishta devata (favourite goddess) many times in
their minds or loudly. One of the greatest men who prayed Nama Japam was
Bhishma who repeatedly chanted Vishnu sahasranama.
The renowned saint Adi Shankaracharya believed that
devotees should meditate on Lakshmi Narayana chanting Vishnu Sahasranama. Nama
Japam is given great importance at this Ashram too as the divine Yogi had
believed that Nama Sankirthan was an adequate form of worship to attain
salvation. In a separate hall Nama Japam is conducted continuously here from
6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Annadhanam:
Annadhanam is provided in the mornings and evenings at
this Ashram. The food served is cooked in the kitchen nearby and a store room
to store oil, rice, utensils and other cooking materials is present here.
Maharaj used to provide Darshan to his devotees for a short period of time at
this room.
Vidhyalaya Nursery and Primary School:
Yogi Ramsurat Kumar Vidhyalaya Nursery and Primary
School is a school which is run by this Ashram from the year 2002. This school
has seen a steady increase in the number of students from 12 students when it
started to 150 students at present. Study of Vedas and several extracurricular
activities are encouraged by this school in addition to regular studies.
Presently classes till fifth standard are functioning here.
Medical Camps:
Free medical camps with the aid of devotee doctors are
being conducted by this Ashram from July 11, 1999. Initially about 5 doctors
participated in these camps and presently about 25-50 doctors participate in
these camps. The numbers of people treated by these camps have increased from
about 100 people in each camp initially to about 600 people in each camp at present.
Goshala:
Cow is considered a divine beast in Hinduism with it
being personified as Kamadhenu a godly cow. The Goshala here has about 50 cows
whose milk is supplied to orphanages and children of Vidhyalaya Nursery and
Primary School.
Programme
5.00 A.M - Yogi Ramsuratkumar Suprapaatham
5.30 A.M - Ramji Ahaval Recital
5.55 A.M - Deeparathanai to Bhagawan's Murthi
6.00 A.M - 6.00 P.M - Continuous Chanting of Yogi
Ramsuratkumar Jaya Guru Raya Mantra, Nama Bhajan
7.45 A.M - 9.00 A.M - Yogi Ramsuratkumar
Mahalingeswarar Adhishtanam: Nithya Poojai, Abhishekham, Archanai & Aarthi
8.45 A.M - 9.15 A.M - Morning Prasadam
11.30 A.M - Sadhu Bhojan and Poor Feeding
12.00 Noon - Deeparathanai to Bhagawan's Murthi
12.30 P.M & 1.15 P.M - Afternoon Prasadam
4.45 P.M - 5.45 P.M - Yogi Ramsuratkumar
Mahalingeswarar Adhishtanspan: Nithya Poojai, Abhishekham, Archanai &
Aarthi
6.00 P.M - Deeparathanai to Bhagawan's Murthi
6.30 P.M - Vishnu Sahasranamam at Veda Patashala
Optional Programmes:
Pooja to Bhagawan's Holy Feet
·
Every
day between 10.30 A.M to 12 Noon
·
Prior
Registration Needed
Thulabharam (Holy Balance)
·
Every
day between 10.00 A.M - 12 Noon and 4.00 P.M - 6.00 P.M
· Those
desirous must bring the offerings. Money offerings are not accepted.
Procession of Silver Chariot along the Ashram Girivalam
path
· Every
day Between 5.00 P.M - 7.00 P.M, 24 hrs advance information needed for
preparation
Contact
Yogi Ramsuratkumar Trust,
Agraharakollai, 1833/1 Chengam Road
Tiruvannamalai-606003
Phone: +
91-04175-237567
Email: yrskt@md4.vsnl.net.in