Arunachala Girivalam

 

Ramana Maharishi said:

* Girivalam alone is sufficient.
* The mind will wander when you sit and do japa but if you do pradakshina that mind will remain one-pointed even though the limbs and the body are moving. It is known as sanchara samadhi.
* There are many types of herbs on the hill. The breeze that blows over them is good for the body.
* So as we do pradakshina, the body will become healthy and the mind will attain the peace of the Self.
* Girivalam is an extraordinary sadhana."

How to do Girivalam

1. Before setting out take a bath, wear clean, fresh clothes, smear sacred ash on the body and wear a rudraksha mala.
2. Seek Lord Ganesha and Arunachala's permission to do Girivalam.
3. With every step you take around Arunachala, all sins committed in one's past lives will be expiated. By circumambulating the sacred hill, you will obtain the merit of innumerable yagnas and bathing in all the tirthas.
4. So, Walk slowly, carefully, silently, and noiselessly. With palms folded, meditating on this great Lingam walk with immense love in your heart and praise and reverence for Arunachala on your lips.
It is said that thousands of invisible devas, siddhas and Gods will accompany a devotee who circumumbulates in this manner.

Girivalam on days of the week

A devotee who circumambulates the Hill on:
Sunday: attains liberation and he gains the world of Siva.

Monday: he lives free from the afflictions of old age and death.

Tuesday: is released from all debts.

Wednesday: he becomes wise.

Thursday: he attains fame as a guru.

Friday: brings prosperity and takes him to the abode of Vishnu.

Saturday: averts the ill-effects of planets.
If those who suffer from physical and mental ailments, as well as those who are weak and emaciated, circumambulate Him, their ailments are cured.

   It is also regarded as particularly auspicious to perform "Girivalam" during every Full moon day (poornima) to coincide with siddars' movements, and the heady perfumes of herbal plants surrounding the Hill.
         Once a sadhu who went regularly around the Hill, requested Sri Ramana for a Vedantic text. A devotee casually remarked, "He only goes round the Hill. What will he do with any Vedantic text?" To which Sri Ramana retorted, "What better sadhana can there be than going round the Hill?