Lord Shiva on Nandi the Bull

Shiva on his conveyance, Nandi the Bull

The milk cows on my day of departure

Peacock and crow keeping the milk cows company in the afternoon below my room in the guest house.  Notice the conch shells on their halters, to bring blessings.

Arunachala Hill hike

The sun set and we hiked down using our cell phones for light. 

The view from the top, where the Ghee is burned each year.

The trail is mostly boulders all the way up.  No trail. I hired a guide, Ashok, a young artist to show me the way.  

We arrived just as the sun was setting.

View from thew top of Arunachala Hill

Ramana's cave retreat- On the way to the top

The ancient banyan tre outside Ramana Maharshi's cave retreat

Ramana Maharshi and his disciples with his mother who took care of them all!

I decided to climb Arunachala Hill (2600 ft)

Dogs who have chosen to live on the hill with their renunciates.

Look closely and you can see the temple towers and the stadium size temple complex from Arunachala Hill

Most houses are cement, brick, and rebar. Many people build their own

Building material transport

These people are adding another story on their shop. The pile of sand in front is for mixing cement.