Tips for first-timers and not-so-affluent foreigners
I was in Tiruvannamalai for a short spell and did a little scouting
around (not much since i didnt take the initiative of hiring a bike and
spinning around the town).
The Ramanashramam is not an
easy place to get acco in unless you book 3 months in advance, and even
then they allow only a few days stay. So the next best choice is
staying at the Sri Seshadri Ashram
next door. This is a decent place, double beds with attached bath at Rs
150 per day, same rate throughout the year. A/C rooms available at Rs
350 per day.
They have a eatery below where clean meals may be had for between 10 to
20 rupees. However, the choice is limited to one or 2 kinds of dosas,
uttapams, meals and a few other thingies.
The Seshadri Ashram can be a bit expensive for someone wishing to stay
longer. Across the Ramanashramam (to the right) is a perpendicular lane
(i think there was a sign saying German Bakery) that leads to a place
called the Pink House (Singles Rs 100, doubles Rs 150). Take a left on that crossing and you come to a place called Atithi.
This place is meant for spiritual people only, and you can stay on
donation as per your convenience. There are other places on these
perpendicular roads, some are cheaper but seemed quite depressing
compared to the Seshadri Ashram.
There is another perpendicular lane (to the left of the ashram) with
signs saying "Pumpernickel Bakery" and "Manna Cafe". This is a dirty
lane with a stagnant ditch on the side, attempt to travese this only if
in a deep state of physical detachment. As i said earlier, Mountain Breeze was quite depressing. (Tell him you heard so on the internet). The chap at Arunachala Resort or Guest House kept saying his boss wasn't in, and it didn't look too nice either.
Manna Cafe and Tasty Cafe
is more for foreigners with some money to burn. You can get pasta,
pizza, some greek food, and desserts. Dishes start at about Rs 50 for a
plate of Noodles which is a bit steep for what is basically flour with
local vegetables. I peeped in and then beat a hasty retreat after
seeing the prices on the menu. For Tasty Cafe, take a left from
Ramanashram and go past the Seshadri Ashram. Take a left a little later
and follow the road down for a few minutes. (I am willing to upgrade my
ratings for free desserts :-)
Taking a right from the Ramanashram and walking for about 15 minutes one comes to the Sri Nanagaru Ashram. You would take a right into Rajiv Gandhi Nagar for this. You can take rooms here for a donation. Sometimes Sri Nanagaru is in.
The road past Atithi takes you to Yogi Ram Surat Kumars beautiful ashram.
Across the Ramashramam is a Supermarket
where a lot of provisions are available, usually expensively priced
stuff from the Auroville/Aurobindo ashram. But he does stock a whole
lot of stuff i would not know where to find in my city. Such as
bentonite clay.
Further down the road is an open air, unhygienic
noodles, fried rice joint, the boards are only in Tamil, though you see
foriegners smoking there over tea. Avoid his food, too many flies
sitting on his ingredients, and i upset my tough stomach over his food.
(I think this place is next to a tea stalled called Arvind something).
Bicycles can be rented for about Rs 15 per day (and i am sure he will bargain down, if you can speak Tamil).
If you browse on the net, or look on the ramana-maharshi site there are links to others places to stay long and short term.
A three-wheeler from the Ramashram to the Arunachaleshwara temple
should cost Rs 15, max 20. To the bus station should be no more than Rs
25.
If going to the Chennai railway station, please note that you get a bus
for Rs 55 to Chennai Bus stand at Koyambad. From there a local bus (15B) is available for the Chennai Railway Station which charges only Rs 4. Why be fleeced by 3-wheelers?
If you wish any more tips or info to
be added here, please mail me on yahoo dot com (id is same as website
name, sriramanashramam).