In the heart of South India rises the sacred hill of Arunachala, revered since ancient times as the embodiment of Lord Shiva himself. From the pages of the Skanda Purana to the lyrical verses of Sri Arunachala Puranam, sages and devotees have celebrated this holy mountain as the radiant axis of divine consciousness. Arunachala is not merely a place—it is the silent guru, the flame of wisdom made still, the very heart of the Earth that mirrors the heart of the seeker. Those who turn toward it with devotion are drawn inward toward the supreme awareness that liberates.
Skanda Purana
“In the Dravidian region of South India, there is the greatest place called Arunachala, dearest to Chandrasekara (Shiva as moon-crested). It is the abode of Shiva and yogis. Arunachala is to this world what the heart is to the whole body. It is everything for Shiva. For the benefit of the world, Shiva took the form of a mountain and settled himself as Arunachala.
There is no sacred place like Arunachala, there is no better discipline than devotion. There is no better protection than that afforded by vibhuti (sacred ash). There is no happiness superior to detachment. There is no position superior to salvation. If other kshetras (areas) are abodes of Shiva, Arunachala is the absolute form of Shiva himself.” – Skanda Purana
Sri Arunachala Puranam
“Since I have granted you both such boons in this holy place, may it flourish, to a distance of three yojanas all around, as the pure and sacred dwelling place of divine knowledge (through the presence of enlightened beings). This great column of flame, assuming a lesser form, shall become a mountain with the power to grant boons. That mountain, which unfailingly confers the bliss of glorious final liberation, shall be known as Arunaipuri (Arunachala).” – Sri Arunachala Puranam by Saiva Ellappa Navalar, translated from the Tamil by Robert Butler
Full Moon Girivalam
To remember Arunachala is to remember the Self. This sacred mountain, sanctified by Shiva’s presence, continues to draw pilgrims from across the world to walk in reverence, to chant, and to awaken to the eternal within. As thousands circle the hill each full moon, barefoot and prayerful, the living flame of grace continues to shine—granting the bliss of final liberation promised in the scriptures. May all who approach Arunachala, outwardly or inwardly, find in its stillness the freedom their soul seeks.