How many people can stay in a ashram room ?

[karthikeyan M]

I'm planning  a stay in Ashram along with my 4 brothers and two uncle along with my father and me totalling 8 members, so how many can stay in a room ?

Thanks

[munagala]

There are single bedroom, double bedroom and bigger ones in the ashram cottages.
The ashram might allot more than one room or you can request the same. Hope everything would be smooth.

Regards,
Sambu

[karthikeyan M]

I'm planning to visit Arunachala on June 5 2009, I have written to Ashram requesting them to grant a room for my stay, me and father will be visiting Arunachala.

Regarding the rooms, I want to know what kind of rooms are there in the Ashram
Please note I don't expect any AC rooms but just want to know about the kind rooms in the Ashram.

I have requested them to grant room for just one night stay only.

Thanks

[Subramanian.R]

In Sri Ramanasramam, rooms are available in their various
guest houses.  I know only about Mourvi Guest House, where
two persons can stay in the room.  There are Western and
Indian toilets and one can ask for a specific type of toilet,
if they are not quite well.  No TV. There is one ceiling fan
for each room and a good bath room.  But only cold water
is available.  Rooms are given on first come first served
basis, as per their earlier permission.  In case you have
got a written e mail approval, there is no difficulty.

Arunachala Siva. 

[karthikeyan M]

Sir, Thanks for the information.

I got reply from Ashram and they have welcomed my stay in the Ashram on 5 June 2009, asked me to take print copy of the e-mail.

Please tell me how to start my stay in the Ashram, start from reaching the ashram, speaking with the President, food etc..

Thanks

[Subramanian.R]

Dear karthikeyan. M,

The rooms are outside the Asramam premises with in say,
200 to 500 meters on the opposite side of the road.  As
you enter the Asramam, please remove your shoes and place
them in the place indicated for them.  You can go to Office
and meet anyone and they would verify the email copy and
give the room, with details of your address, signature etc.,
on a record.  Then, they give you the keys and also a printed
pamphlet that contains details of time of breakfast, lunch etc.,
and also puja and parayana in the morning and evening. You
have to strictly observe these timings and rules.  On your
return, you can hand over the key to the watchman of the guest
house and push off.  There is no need to meet the President
at any time.  You can wear your full dress, but not the shoes
or chappals at any place inside the Asramam.

Arunachala Siva. 

[karthikeyan M]

Sir, thanks for the information.

I though they could give a room near the mountain side i.e towards the gate to the mountain path, small individual rooms.

If I'm not to be mistaken, did you mean the entire Ashram or the road that divides Ashram and on other side where there are petty shops (in that side)?

Thanks

[Subramanian.R]

Dear karthikeyan. M,

All guest rooms now being alloted to visitors are on the
opposite side of the Asramam, across the road, where
there are a couple of compounds.  A view of the Hill
can also be had from these rooms if you go to the terrace.

There are some cottages inside the Asramam, which are
used only by resident ashramites.  These are not for
outsiders.  Only in such cottages, Major Chadwick,
Arthur Osborne, Yogi Ramaiah and others were staying
in the olden days.  Now these are exlusively for insider-
ascetics and Vedapatasala boys.

Arunachala Siva.   

[karthikeyan M]

All guest rooms now being alloted to visitors are on the
opposite side of the Asramam, across the road, where
there are a couple of compounds. 
Arunachala Siva.  

Thanks Sir,

But what is the use of staying outside the Ashram, I can go for a Lodge, My intension is to stay inside the Ashram but not out.

[Subramanian.R]

Dear karthikeyan.M,

I leave it to you.  Staying in the Asramam guesthouses,
gives you an indirect Satsangh.  All the neigbours have
come there only to visit Sri Ramanasramam and stay for
a few days, in His Presence.  A hotel room, may have
neighbours, who drink and make noise at night or come
back after late night cinema show and bang the doors.
Staying in the Asramam guesthouses, also entitle you
to take food in the Asramam dining hall, which is an
'experience' by itself.

Arunachala Siva.

[karthikeyan M]

thanks Subramanian sir,
Your word 'food in Asramam' change everything. Yes I have decided to stay in Ashram guest room.

Now for some in detail information

I will be departing to T.Malai from Bangalore on June 5, Friday  around 7.30 or 6.30 in the morning and reach there around say possibly 11-1 in the noon.

You said 11 am is the lunch, so reaching there by 11 is not possible given departure time from Bangalore.
12.30 is closing time at the big temple, i will have quick darshan of the lord and from there off the Asramam's guest room, as well quick have face wash and off to main Ashram hall to have darshan of Bhagavan. and around 4 again go back to big temple and have darshan.

I have bough KSRTC bus tickets to Bangalore, the departure time of the bus is 11.15 in morning.

Do you have any suggestions on my plans to T.Malai and else.
Your suggestions are welcomed

Thanks

[Subramanian.R]

Dear karthikeyan. M,

You make me mentally to go to Tiruvannamalai.  If it is
late for lunch which is at 11.30 AM, it does not matter.
You can check in and then proceed to the Big Temple.
Or otherwise, you can finish your nice tea in the Asramam
which is at 4.00 PM. and then proceed to the Temple,
have a relaxed evening darshan of Unnamulai and Annamalai
and then return to the Asramam before 7.30 PM and have
a simple dinner there.  You have to be in the queue for
lunch, tea and dinner at least 10 minutes before.  The
details are as under:-

Morning breakfast (iddlies) and coffee -   7.00 am
Lunch                                                         - 11.30 am
Tea/Milk                                                     -  4.00 pm
Dinner                                                         -  7.30 pm

You can meditate in the Old Hall if you want upto 11.00
pm, with a water bottle on hand.

Arunachala Siva. 

[karthikeyan M]

Thanks

Regarding the food, when we stay in Ashram guest room, and then enter the ashram for lunch/dinner, how does one(ashram staff) come to know that this person is staying in Ashram room and the lunch/dinner is given to those people only, i meant identification purpose

And what plans could you suggest me on the next day, my bus timing is 11.15, so until that time any other visits.
My plan on the next day, earlier in the morning like 5.30 or 6 off the big temple for darshan and return back by 7 for breakfast at the ashram or you suggest the opposite

Thanks

[Subramanian.R]

Dear karthikeyan. M,

The Asramam authorities know you by face, since you
have gone to them for taking the guest room keys.  Further,
we always take the guest room keys to show them. 

Next morning, you may either visit Big Temple again or
walk about 200 metres inside the Asramam from the back
gate can go to Palakottu, where you can see Annamalai
Swami's Samadhi.  Here there are some old cottages, where
stalwarts like Chadwick, Arthur Osborne, Kavyakanta
Ganapati Sastri stayed.  Near by are five Samadhis of
Murganar, Viswanatha Swami, Kunju Swami, Cycle Ramaswami
Pillai and Swami Rajeswarananda.

Arunachala Siva.

[karthikeyan M]

Subramanian.R  sir, I want to know are there any beds in the guest rooms, regarding the lunch scheduled is at 11.00 or 11.30 a.m.

I have decided to get down near Ashram as the bus could cross ashram in order to reach T.malai bus stand and go straight to the ashram authorities and show them the print copy of the e-mail . Is it possible to keep the luggage and proceed to lunch and then to the guest room, will there be space to sit for lunch or should we wait for turns to come (seating).

Thanks