Bagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi was one of a rare mystic who lived in the 20 century (1879–1950).
Here I am giving some basic facts about Sri Ramana Maharishi.
- Sri Ramana Maharishi was born as Venkataraman Iyer in Tirichuli, near Arupukottai, Madurai in Tamil Nadu.
- At the age of 16, he had a ‘death-experience’( sudden liberation). He soon left his home in 1896, to the holy mountain of Arunachala in Thiruvannamalai, where he remained for rest of his life.
- He stayed and meditated in isolation at virupaksha cave for 17 years. when he received regular devotees he moved to Skandasramam cave and stayed there for the next 7 years.
- Finally in 1922 he descended to the foot hills of Arunachala where Ramanasaramam was established. Ramana Maharishi stayed there till his death in 1950.
- From 1907 he has been revered as Bagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi a title first used by kavyakanta Sri Ganapathi Sastri, a Vedic scholar who became the disciple of Maharishi.
- Bagavan Ramana Maharishi was exposed to the western world by a foreigner Paul Brunton. He visited Tiruvannamalai and met Maharishi and published a book ‘A search in secret India’.
- Sri Ramana Maharishi left his earthly body on 14 April 1950 at 8.47 pm. His body was laid to rest at the ashram premises, where a samadhi is built.
- Sri Ramana Maharishi recommended ‘self-enquiry’ as a principle means to remove ignorance and reach awareness. His main means of communication to his devotees was through silence and using words sparingly.
- Every day his ashram attracts hundreds of visitors and devotees. The ashram has a book store which sells many books, associated with the teachings and life of Sri Ramana Maharishi. One can also purchase photos of maharishi there.
- Every day by 11 am the ashram serves Annaprasada, which is open to all who visit the ashram.