Virupaksha Cave

Virupaksha Cave is a natural cave shrine on the eastern slope of Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Named after the 13th-century saint Virupaksha Deva, it is renowned as the residence of Sri Ramana Maharshi from 1899 to 1916. The cave is naturally shaped like the sacred syllable Om and overlooks Tiruvannamalai town and the Arunachaleswarar Temple. It remains an important pilgrimage, meditation and trekking destination for devotees and visitors to Arunachala.

Visitors can expect a steep uphill trek of 30-45 minutes from Ramana Ashram at the base of Arunachala Hill via stone steps and rocky path to reach the small natural cave. The cave interior is low and compact with stone walls, a shrine area and space for seated meditation. Outside, there is a small open area with views over Tiruvannamalai and the temple gopurams. The surroundings are quiet and forested, used primarily for silent meditation and darshan.

The cave is named after Virupaksha Deva, a 13th-century saint who is believed to have lived and performed penance here, with his ashes interred in the cave. It gained modern significance when Sri Ramana Maharshi lived here from 1899 to 1916 after arriving at Arunachala, composing many works and teaching disciples from this cave before moving to Skandashram higher on the hill.

Virupaksha Cave is a revered pilgrimage and meditation site in Shaivite tradition associated with the sacred hill Arunachala. It is deeply significant for followers of Sri Ramana Maharshi and Advaita Vedanta, who consider the cave and the hill as embodiments of spiritual presence. Visitors observe silence and meditation as part of the cultural practice.