In Frames | In search of spirituality

Foreigners flock to Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu for nourishment to their souls

The world comes to Thiruvannamalai, 196 km from Chennai, in Tamil Nadu to acquire spiritual knowledge and learn meditation. Most of the expat population are from Europe — mostly from France and Italy, but there are a few Russians, Japanese and Americans too. “Tiru” is what they call this place, and many go hiking in the nearby hills and forests.

A subculture has emerged in the process. Cafes have emerged to serve continental cuisines. Thiruvannamalai is now packed with yoga centres. Old-age homes, restaurants and ashrams too are dotting the landscape. Business is good too: entrepreneurial people are renting their houses, bikes and even farms to the foreigners who want to make the town their home for a brief while. Some stay for short periods, while others want to soak in the atmosphere for longer periods.

During full moon and festival nights, the local people sell food throughout Girivalam Road (the road fringing the holy mountain). Westerners who have made Thiruvannamalai their “spiritual home” have pitched in and contributed by forming organisations such as Friends of Forests to preserve and conserve the forest areas. Now, they are also planning to implement schemes in the Jawadhu hills, Parvathamalai and Kavuthi Malai.

Efforts towards afforestation, reviving the ecosystem and sustainable farming are bearing fruit. Some of the land that was barren in 2003 is now lush groves.

After detailed research, the activists planted trees that are sustainable in the Eastern Ghats. Not only trees but also shrubs, herbs and even cacti that are native to the region. Streams have more water than before, and soil erosion has been managed.

Local people and foreigners play a great role as fire watchers to prevent forest fires.

Many people who had stayed on to attend Maha Sivaratri and Mayana Kollai on February 18 and 19 will now leave for their home countries.