There are many legends and interesting tales which are recited about Arunachala and here is one that speaks about the supreme blessing that one receives by coming here.

In puranic times, Markendaya an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, who was granted eternal life due to his devotion, asked Nandi, the bull-mount of Shiva, “O Nandikeswara, please tell me which is the place where true knowledge can be acquired without rituals, book learning or elaborate religious practices, where even an ignorant person can attain enlightenment by merely smearing sacred ash on the forehead, where all residents overcome obstacles and attain the Supreme Knowledge without any conscious effort, where even the worst of men, the lowest of animals and inanimate objects attain perfection ?” In response Nandi starts to describe in detail all the places on earth sacred to Shiva… But Markendaya is not satisfied and cunningly asks Nandi again, “O Nandi, all this i already know. Of course each of these sacred places has its speciality but which is the sacred spot that thas the totality of the benefits of all the sacred places? Please tell me the name of the one place by remembering which even once, knowingly or unknowingly, all beings, moving as well as immobile can obtain liberation?” According to Arunchala purana, Nandi, at this point, thinking of Arunachala, became esctatic and went into samadhi. With tears streaming down his eyes and voice hoarse with emotion, Nandi says, “yes there is such a place, it is ARUNACHALA, the embodiment of Lord Shiva”.

Since then, during every yuga, Arunachala has drawn numerous saints to its lap and without doubt, in this kaliyuga, Arunachala Himself deigned to take a human form as Sri Ramana Maharshi and showered the world with his grace and silent teaching. Blessed are we indeed to live at his Holy Feet!

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