11/27/2025
Day 9 of our yoga teacher training here in Thiruvannamali, India we spent the afternoon visiting the Ramana Ashram and doing the silent cave treks together.
Ramana Maharishi is known as one of the great modern sages of India, a teacher who showed that deep inner peace is not found through rituals or philosophy, but through the quiet recognition of our true nature.
At age 16, after a spontaneous awakening, he left his home and came to Arunachala, the sacred mountain he felt mysteriously called to, where he surrendered completely to silence and meditation.
For many years, Ramana lived in the mountain’s caves, especially Virupaksha Cave and later Skandashram. These places became his sanctuary for contemplation, where he sat in stillness for hours, days, and sometimes weeks at a time. Visitors who came expecting teachings found instead a powerful presence of silence itself. They described sitting near him as entering an atmosphere of calm where the mind naturally quieted.
Today, many travelers and devotees trek to these caves not only to learn about Ramana’s life, but to experience that same profound stillness.
The trail up the mountain passes through forests, boulders, and panoramic views before arriving at the caves where Ramana lived. Sitting in those spaces, one can feel why silence was his greatest teaching.
We ended the day listening to the youth of the ashram perform Vedic chanting. It’s so amazing to think about through so much time how this tradition has been passed down so carefully in the style of oral tradition.
We took some photos along the way, as photography is limited, but we did catch a few to share with you.
So grateful to be here learning yoga in all of this richness ❤️
