Spiritual Trek in Tiruvannamalai: A Serene Journey Amidst Pregnancy

Embark on a soulful expedition in Tiruvannamalai, a sacred city nestled amidst lush landscapes. Follow along as we unravel the tale of a mesmerizing journey amidst early pregnancy. Discover serene mountain paths, encounters with curious monkeys, and moments of tranquil reflection in this captivating exploration.

How can I forget to write about my unforgettable trip during my pregnancy? It was my second month I didn't get my period and still I was not ready to test for pregnancy as it was less than 40 days time period between my last period and the day I went to the temple

"In the embrace of nature's beauty, our journey unfolded—a blend of surprises and tranquil moments."

I was in a new job at Tiruvannamalai. My husband had come to meet me at the weekend. I being a girl living with my mother-in-law throughout the week wanted to travel a little longer. She had gone to Chennai this time to meet my sister-in-law and so only my husband and I were there at home. We decided to go on the mountain rotating path. We didn't have a vehicle since it was just a few weeks before we shifted to a new place. I'm not a person who likes to travel by bus. So we decided to take an auto that day we travelled near to the place where the mountain rotating starts in Tiruvannamalai. It was a day when all people were wearing the makeup of god and walking around the streets. When we entered the road it was a huge rush and people were gathered around like fishes in a pond. We started walking and the walking was long. I had no clue that I was pregnant so I didn't think about it still my mother-in-law was doubting and concerned about it. She was asking us to be slow and not to overwalk. 

It was the time when I bought a new Canon DSLR and so I thought to take it along. We both started walking and the way was new to us. My husband kept asking for the way for few times until we reached the destiny.

 We started reaching different heights of the mountain and we noticed a lot of monkeys coming and following us. On the way we saw a lot of people giving bananas to the monkeys and they were warning us to keep our bags and cameras safe. We kept them inside and started walking. It was around 1pm when we reached an ashram which mentioned Ramana Maharshi was meditating and we sat there for some time. We felt the place was calm but I sensed a feature of snake above that ashram. One monkey followed us there and we sat for some time. We proceeded from there and started walking. The mountain roads continued we started feeling a little tired so sat there for a while there was the next place that we reached that day where lots of people were meditating. It was a sacred religious place and was calm. We went inside simply and came back. The location was so silent and calm. It was too much devotional and greenish. We took pics over there and ate some pomegranate as we had brought it. My mother-in-law started giving me pomegranate from the day my periods skipped and so it became a habit to take it whenever and wherever we go out. We started walking again after sitting there for a while in silence of meditation. I remember seeing a lady taking a pic of a foreigner without her permission. I was annoyed by the behaviour. Anybody who comes anywhere for peace will not accept the disturbances and that too if someone without permission takes a selfie along with them when they are in deep meditation feels unsafe for anybody. I was commenting about that lady to my husband. He was also accepting my comment. Then a monkey came near to us asking for the luggage that we were carrying. I opened my snack box and gave my pomegranate and it ate.

We continued walking again and the length of the mountain was increasing more and more. We got tired climbing stairs for a trek so we planned to climb the rock where we found fresh drinking water in the middle of the rocks. We were able to capture the best view of Tiruvannamalai temple from that height of the mountain. 

On the way I was getting more tired so I asked for some refreshments my husband suggested juice then we saw a fresh juice shop we took some lemon soda and the seller was talking nicely to us. She was talking about Tiruvannamalai the temple City. She was telling me there are a lot of valuable trees that are unknown to people living in the mountains. As we were tired we were sitting there for a while and conversing with her. People through that place were asking us for the route as if we were owning the mountain. We told you have a long way to go. We were walking for 3 hours just inside the hill. They were scared but still continued walking. The seller's aunty was very much pleased with my husband's talks. They both were talking about Tiruvannamalai. 

Then we continued walking looking at sellers in the way selling idols of the lord which looked amazing for fresh eyes like me and finally reached Ramanashram.

 It was a wonderful 3-hour journey. We ended our journey by having lunch at 4pm at a hotel Ananda Ramana restaurant which was giving food at an affordable price. It looked very nice in the ambience and was very cheap and affordable. 

In retrospect, this spiritual trek during early pregnancy through Tiruvannamalai remains an unforgettable chapter. The blend of scenic beauty, spiritual resonance, and unexpected discoveries within this journey forms an enriching tapestry of experiences..