Arunachalam Temple An independent guide to Tiruvannamalai

Sri Ramanasramam

Sri Ramanasramam is the ashram of Ramana Maharshi, at the southern foot of Arunachala on Chengam Road, about 3 km from Tiruvannamalai railway station. It is open to visitors, who come to sit in its halls, visit the samadhi shrines and walk up to the caves on the hill.

Reviewed by the ArunachalamTemple.org editorial team Last updated: Editorial policy

Devotees sitting quietly in a meditation hall at Sri Ramanasramam beneath portraits of Ramana Maharshi
Visitors sitting quietly in a hall at Sri Ramanasramam. Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Key facts

AddressSri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai 606 603, Tamil Nadu (official website)
LocationChengam Road, southern foot of Arunachala, on the Girivalam path
From the railway stationAbout 3 km (official website)
From the templeAbout 2 km by road
Official websitegururamana.org
Library hours8:30–11:00 AM and 2:00–5:00 PM (official website); membership needed to borrow

History

Ramana Maharshi moved to the foot of the hill in December 1922, after the death of his mother Alagammal earlier that year. Her samadhi became the nucleus of the ashram. He lived here until his death on 14 April 1950, and his samadhi shrine is here too. The full story is on Ramana Maharshi and Arunachala.

What visitors see

  • The Old Hall, where Ramana Maharshi received visitors for many years. It is now used for silent meditation.
  • Ramana Maharshi’s samadhi shrine.
  • The shrine over his mother’s samadhi.
  • The library, open at the times above.
  • The grounds, with Arunachala rising behind.

The ashram describes itself as a place for reflection rather than sightseeing, and asks visitors to use its facilities as they “individually deem appropriate”.

Etiquette

From the ashram’s own guidance:

  • Dress: clothing that covers the knees and shoulders.
  • Phones: switched off, or at least silenced, at all times within the ashram.
  • Silence in the halls; avoid social chatter.
  • Photography: ask before photographing people or shrines.

Staying at the ashram

The ashram says it provides rooms and South Indian food to visitors, with stays generally a week or less. Apply through the Accommodation Department via the official website well before your visit. For other options nearby, see where to stay.

Up the hill from here

A stone footpath starts beside the ashram and climbs through dry forest to Skandashram and Virupaksha Cave. Allow 20–30 minutes each way. Go early, carry water, and check the opening times posted at the start of the path.

Getting here

The ashram is on the Girivalam road, so it is an easy stop during Girivalam. From the temple or the station, take an auto along Chengam Road. For travel to Tiruvannamalai, see how to reach.

Common questions

Where is Ramana Ashram in Tiruvannamalai?

On Chengam Road at the southern foot of Arunachala, on the Girivalam path, about 2 km from the temple. The ashram gives its distance from Tiruvannamalai railway station as about 3 km.

Can I stay at Ramanasramam?

The ashram provides rooms and South Indian meals to visitors on request, with stays generally a week or less. Apply through the Accommodation Department on the ashram's official website well in advance.

Is there an entry fee?

There is no entry fee for visitors. Follow the ashram's etiquette: silence in the halls, phones switched off, and clothing that covers shoulders and knees.

Sources & references

  1. Sri Ramanasramam – official websiteSri RamanasramamInstitution · checked27 September 2026
  2. Visiting Sri RamanasramamSri RamanasramamInstitution · checked27 September 2026
  3. Etiquette around ArunachalaSri RamanasramamInstitution · checked27 September 2026
  4. Ramana MaharshiWikipediaReference work · checked27 September 2026
  5. OpenStreetMap map dataOpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)Open data · checked27 September 2026

Please verify important timings and festival dates with official sources before travelling.

This is an independent informational guide, not the official temple website. For darshan tickets, sevas and donations, use the official HR&CE temple website.